Week 3 - Growth of the Kingdom
This week in summary| Day 1 : Growth: Power and People | Matt 8 |
| Day 2 : Jesus, the Powerful | Matt 9 |
| Day 3 : Grace | Matt 10 |
| Day 4 : My Work Team | Matt 8-9 |
| Day 5 : My Core | Matt 10 |
Growth: Power
A summary of Matt 8&9
These chapters are a snapshot of the kind of power Jesus has. Power to heal disease, power over the natural world, power over the spiritual world, power over death; Jesus has the power to forgive sins against God.
How does Jesus use his power?
Jesus only uses his power to do the will of the God.
He gives power to his disciples.
He never uses his power for himself.
Reflection:
What kind of abilities do you have? (Skills, talents, finances, respect.) Do you use your 'powers' like Jesus does? - to do the will of God, giving to others and never for your own advancement? Do you know people that use their abilities the way Jesus uses his power?
Growth: People
A summary of Matt 10
A summary of Matt 10
Now that Jesus has demonstrated what kind of power his kingdom wields he sends out messengers to invite to his fellow countrymen to join his Kingdom. Consider this an invitation to you as well.
"The Kingdom of Heaven is here, will you join?"
Jesus gave his messengers the same power he just demonstrated in chapters 8&9. They were given power to heal, power over nature and power over the supernatural. The messengers weren't just sent out to talk about the Kingdom, they were demonstrating what the kingdom is all about.
Jesus, the Powerful
Consider some of Jesus' power recorded by history:
- Turned over 150 gallons of water to wine at a wedding
- Healed a Nobleman's son
- Helped fishermen make the catch of their lives.
- Healed a man with leprosy
- Healed a soldier's servant
- Raised to life a widow's son *
- Healed a man possessed by a daemon
- Healed Peter's mother-in-law
- Healed a paralyzed man
- Healed a crippled man
- Healed a man with withered hand
- Healed a Blind man possessed by a demon
- Calmed a fierce storm while at sea
- Healed two men possessed by daemons
- Raised to life Jairus' daughter
- Healed a woman with an Issue of blood*
- Restored sight to Two blind men
- Healed a man possessed by a demon, unable to speak
- Fed Five thousand people using the a boy's lunch
- Walked on the sea
- Healed a foreign woman's daughter
- Healed a man deaf and unable to speak
- Fed 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few small fish
- Restored sight to a blind men
- Healed a boy possessed by a suicidal daemon
- Miraculously provided tax money
- Healed the eyes of one born blind
- Healed a woman sick for 18 years and unable to stand
- Healed a man with Dropsy
- Healed ten lepers
- Raised to life Lazarus after three days
- Restored sight to two blind beggars
- Restored the ear of a soldier attempting to arrest him
- Ended the tyranny of death by returning to life three days after his public execution
I'd like to bring special attention to two of his healings that go beyond the physical.
Jesus raised a widow's son to life, certainly this was a gift for the son, but even more so for the widow. She lived in a male dominated society where she didn't even have the right to represent herself in court. With the death of her son this widow was steps away from begging by the side of the road. Jesus returned her son to life. He was this widow's last living male relative to care for her in her twilight years and carry on her family's honor after she passed away. With just a touch, Jesus gave the widow her son, her provision and her legacy.
Secondly there was a woman who'd been bleeding constantly for twelve years. Because of the nature of her disease she would have been despised by her society. Secretly she was able to touch the corner of Jesus' sleeve and be healed. Jesus immediately stopped everything and the crowd that was with him. He looked squarely at the woman and announced to the crowed that she is now healed. He restored her socially, because it's not enough to just heal the body.
Grace
As an adult the world's economy is based on buying, selling and trading. Growing up as a kid my economy was: ask dad and he gives.
This is God's economy. Not an exchange - He doesn't make deals. He gives gifts. We can't work harder for more. He gives to us freely and simply. The gifts shape us. The word for God's economy is grace.
Grace - God does for us what we can't do, as a gift that empowers us to overcome.
As a definition grace has four parts:
- Happy. To be delighted.
- a common greeting in the ancient world: "Grace to you" was a way of saying "May you be happy" or "I'm delighted to be with you."
- Grace is a gift. Not earned. You can't work for it. You can't be entitled to it. It is given freely.
- Empowerment. Increase in power, energy or ability. You are now stronger and more capable.
All together grace could be understood as:
God meets us with a gift that strengthens and delights.
Welcome to God's economy.
My Work Team
Jesus has a way of opening our eyes to the people around us. He reverses our years of learning to judge someone's value and dismiss the people that don't seem to be worth our time. Consider the people at work; some you get along with, some not so well, some you barely know and some you wouldn't consider part of your work team. Maybe they cook and you teach, or you clean and they make big important decisions. Whatever the separation, they are all serving the same company mission no matter if it's leading, building, researching or cleaning we're all on the same team. God has a plan for your work team.
Prayers for my work team:
God help me to see my co-workers the way you do.
Help me respect my co-workers beyond what is expected.
God, Help me make choices that honor you, my team and myself.
Feel free to pray for your co-workers in your own words.
As always pray honestly about what's in your heart.
My Core
The Enneagram (ennea = 9, gram = diagram) is a map for personal growth that identifies the 9 basic ways of relating to and perceiving the world. It accurately describes why you think, feel and behave in particular ways based upon your Core Motivations. Understanding the Enneagram has the power to give you more self-awareness, forgiveness, and compassion for yourself and others. To find your main type, take this assessment at YourEnneagramCoach.com.
