Guest Post by Elder C.C. Tate Sr., Pastor of Bethlehem Church of God in Christ, Patterson, LA
Sermon Date: 09/09/2020 Scripture: Matthew 3:16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaving, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17 KJV
In his hometown, Jesus taught the people in their synagogue. He healed the sick and performed miracles. They were astonished. Where did this man get this wisdom? What are those miraculous powers? They were totally mistaken in their assessment of him, dismissing him as merely the son of the carpenter, an illegitimate child. He was a working man, like them, not a leader or an educated teacher. And yet they couldn’t help but be amazed at his teachings and miracles.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 KJV
As Jesus travelled, his fame grew. His crowds became larger. His teachings prolific and ripe with meaning. Jesus taught on morality and choices. In the Book of Matthew, the 7th chapter, Jesus taught “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (vv. 1) Imploring people to stay away from hypocritical actions and to take a look at improving themselves. He said “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (vv. 7) Reminding the people that the blessings of God are there if only they ask, for "how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (vv. 11) He gave them the Golden Rule, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:" (vv. 12) Laying the foundation on how mankind should interact with one another. All these things were relatable to the common man. This was the living word, not rote scripture where one had to be educated by another to understand.
Jesus taught that there are two roads in life and taught of the true way into the Kingdom. He gave the people a cautionary tale about taking the easy way and beseeched the people to “enter ye in at the strait gate", for the wider gate and broad path leads to destruction.(vv.13) He warned the people of false prophets, leading them astray from the true Word, saying that "ye shall know them by their fruits," for "a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." (vv. 16,18) In order for Jesus to ensure that the crowd fully understood what he was teaching, he told them the parable of the two builders: what they learned from him would be akin to building a house on a rock, a sturdy foundation. Something that can stand through the wind and the rain. Those that understood and lived through his teachings would be the wise man. Those that did not follow his teachings would be foolish, building their house upon sand, not able to stand the storm.
When Jesus finished saying these things the crowds were astonished because he taught as one who had authority, not as their teachers of the law. Many of the men were used to being taught the scripture with a rigid lifelessness, and a good number of them failed to personally practice the very thing that they taught. But what Jesus taught was life changing, it had impact, it had the compelling ring of authority. For so long the Jews had been subject to teaching by repetition. Their teachers taught by memory alone, without thought of meaning. When Jesus began to teach with such power, the crowds were amazed and enlightened.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. Matthew 4:23-24
In Matthew 8:24-27, while out on the lake, a furious storm came up without warning, so strong that the waves swept over the boat. Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it became completely calm. The men aboard were astonished and asked, what manner of man is this that even the winds and the waves obey him. Often we have furious storms that pop up unexpectedly in our lives that are of a physical, mental, emotional, and/or a spiritual nature. We do not have to face them alone. Jesus is absolutely willing and thoroughly able to calm these storms. Are you willing to call out to him in times of hurricane strength difficulties? Are you willing to be amazed at his power and ability to calm those storms in your life?
In Matthew 9:32-33, a man who was possessed by a demon and could not speak was brought to Jesus. Jesus drove the demon out and the man, who had been mute, spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel”.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 KJV
It is important that we understand Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He calmed the raging storm on the lake 2,000 years ago. He delivered the afflicted from demons and diseases 2,000 years ago. Today, Jesus is still delivering souls from demons and calming storms in lives of those who believe His words.
Elder Clifton C Tate Sr., a native of Jeanerette, LA, is a Vietnam Veteran and a graduate of Southern University (BR). Elder Tate received his theological training from the Charles Harrison Mason System of Bible Colleges in Lafayette, LA and was ordained as an elder in the Church of God in Christ in 2006.
Elder Tate holds regular church service at Bethlehem Church of God in Christ in Patterson, LA.
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