This is message #205 in the Restoration Series
Introduction: Restoration. Is the church doing all things well? We need to hear the words “well done” from the Holy Spirit. The church needs to be restored back to its former glory. When the Body of Christ desires to praise and worship and enter into the Holy Place where His Presence is, restoration will begin. Then He will be able to say to us, “You are doing all things well”.
I. He has done all things well. Vs 37
A. This comes from a particular crowd.
II. Jesus was caring for and training his disciples. Vs 31
1. This was not the decision of all men.
B. Remember this:
2. Every man has to make the decision about Jesus.
3. Every man has to pass judgment on Jesus.
4. A verdict is required, to accept or to reject Jesus.
1. The Day of Judgment is coming when God pronounces His verdict.
C. The verdict at Christ Judgment Seat:
2. His verdict is based on how a person has lived, saved or lost.
1. “Well done, he has done all things well.”
2. Or, will it be “depart from me”.
A. Why did He go to Tyre and Sidon when His destination was Galilee?
III. Jesus listened to the plea of the people. Vs 32
1. He and his disciples needed rest and training.
2. The cross was lying immediately before Jesus.
3. Here in this Gentile area, free from the crowds, He could teach His disciples.
4. We need to stop and listen. Psalm 46:10
5. As we listen, we must obey. Romans 6:3-6 [If this was not necessary, we could close the church and do our thing]
A. Jesus returns after about six months to the area of Decapolis.
IV. Jesus was considerate of the feelings and condition of others. Vs 33
1. Friends bring a deaf man to Him.
B. Think on this:
2. The man could not talk.
1. He could not hear the sounds of nature.
C. Jesus had compassion on him.
2. He heard no conversation.
3. Only blankness was around him.
1. The man’s friends beseeched Jesus to help him.
2. Oh for the touch of the Masters hand!
3. Jesus did what He should do. He did all things well.
4. A thought: We have to listen to that plea of for help.
a. We need a Christ centered heart
.
b. Being a sensitive, godly servant to the Lord.
c. Matthew 25:35-36
A. Note two things:
V. Jesus trusted God for power. Vs 34-35
1. Jesus took the man aside, out of the presence of others.
B. Picture this scene, a very dramatic one.<
a. No need to embarrass the person.
b. The man was possible very shy and reserved, withdrawn.
2. Jesus put His fingers in the mans ears and spat and touched his tongue.
a. A point of contact, the fingers and saliva were signs of power coming from Jesus.
b. Jesus’ power alone was the source of healing.
c. This alone was the source of healing, being made whole.
d. These things were done so the man would understand.
1. He saw it all, standing face to face with Jesus.
C. Thought: The source of mans healing was Jesus.
2. He was glued to every move and act of Jesus.
3. At this time the mans faith was soaring, stirred immensely.
4. Think of the expectancy in the man. “What’s happening to me?”
1. Man must realize the source is Jesus.
2. Man is to use all resources to proclaim Jesus as the Source.
A. Note three things Jesus did.
VI. Jesus sought no personal honor. Vs 36
1. Jesus looked up to heaven.
a. Remember the man could not hear.
2. Jesus sighed. He felt for the man, had compassion on him.
b. Jesus by looking up, was indicating His power came from God.
c. Jesus at this point was the Mediator who stands between God and man.
a. Jesus was touched by the man’s infirmity. [also ours]
3. Jesus exerted the power of God and healed the man.
b. He was thinking of all humanity in its sin and infirmity.
c. He was feeling the great difference between heaven's perfection and all of earth’s sin and corruption.
d. Jesus groaned under the strain for all men to be made whole.
a. He said, “eph-pha-tha, be opened.”
4. Thought: The miracle was two things.
b. He opened the mans ears and loosed his tongue.
c. The man could hear plainly and speak clearly.
a. Proof that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.
b. A demonstration of Jesus’ compassion for the needs and feelings of others.
A. In most miracles Jesus charged them to say nothing.
VII. Jesus demands a verdict. Vs 37
1. He was not after the applause of men.
2. He did all for the glory of God.
3. It was for the pointing men to God.
4. Man was lost and He came to seek and save.
5. Philippians 2:3-4, Galatians 6:3
A. They answered, “He doeth all things well”.
Conclusion: Restoration: Begins when man believes Jesus is Lord and He is the Mediator and Power in the church.
1. People were astonished beyond measure, overwhelmed.
2. They recognized Jesus as “the Mediator and the Power of God to make men whole”. Matthew 15:30-31
3. 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Hebrews 7:25