OMBS7/ Strength Made Perfect

PRAYER - "Jesus Can Perceive And Reply To Our Thoughts"

As He taught that day, Jesus was keenly aware that Pharisees and doctors of Moses' law from many cities were scrutinizing Him. He told the palsied man, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." Jesus perceived that they were thinking, "Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" He boldly confronted their judgmental unbelief.

Luke 5:24 - "That ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house."

PRINCIPAL - "An Instant Feast For Four Thousand People"

Imagine standing in a crowd of 4000 people for three days without eating, doing nothing else but listening to a preacher. These people obviously had an enormous desire to know about Jesus and His word. Jesus knew that many had long journeys back home, and that they would faint if they did not eat. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

Mark 8:8-9 - "So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away."

PRINCIPLE - "Evil Thoughts Must Be Stifled"

From out of the heart, said Jesus, "proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." Every human must contend with internal desires that lead us to transgress against God. Sin occurs when we begin to desire anything that God clearly tells us that we cannot have. We must stop wanting to have or to do anything that God forbids. All such desires must be smothered, stifled, mortified, crucified, and denied. If we transgress, we must genuinely repent. 

Mark 7:23 - "All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

PROPHECIES - "One Of You Shall Betray Me"

The previous prophecy out of Jesus' mouth was that the worshipful lady who poured precious ointment on His head would be memorialized for all of time. The next prophecy out of His mouth foretold Jesus' betrayal by Judas Iscariot. One of life's greatest truisms is that no matter how good you are, some will praise you, and others will betray you.

Matthew 26:21,23 - "And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ...He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me."

Strength Made Perfect And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 When you run into an impossible situation, a situation you simply don’t have the strength or the ability to handle, are you often tempted to simply give up and accept defeat? Don’t! Instead shout, “Glory!” because the Word says God’s strength is about to be made perfect in you. The word translated “strength” in this scripture is dunamis. It means “God’s miracle-working power.” Just think about that. When your human strength ends, God has promised that His miraculous power will bring you through! If you’ll look in Acts 14, you can see that promise in action. The Apostle Paul was stoned by a group of Jews, taken out of the city and left for dead. Paul’s human strength had ended. He was absolutely powerless. But the disciples gathered around him and prayed, the Lord raised him up, and he went on his way. In other words, when Paul didn’t have enough human strength to overcome, God’s miracle-working power was sufficient for him. It enabled him to be an overcomer in spite of his weakness! So, if you are facing a crisis today— If you’re sick and medicine has failed you— If your finances are out of control— If your family is falling apart— If bad habits have you hopelessly bound— If you’ve done absolutely all you know to do and you still haven’t gotten results— Then rejoice! For when human strength ends, the power of God excels! Only believe! God’s grace is sufficient for you!

 Plan of Salvation read acts 2:38