November 22, 2015:  SOAP #2180:  

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 11:4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Observation:  John had sent his disciples to see if Jesus was really the Messiah.  The above verses are the report Jesus told them to give to John.  They were to report on what they “heard” and what they “saw.”  They heard the preaching of the gospel; they saw the authority demonstrated in the miracles and healings.  This is Jesus’ way described His ministry!    Here is the third time in four days we have a description of the ministry of Jesus.  He taught the good news of the Kingdom of God AND demonstrated that authority by healings and miracles.

Application:   Since Jesus gives us the same Holy Spirit that ministered through Him, we should expect that our ministry would follow the same pattern as His:  proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom AND demonstrate its authority through healings and miracles.  We should be able to describe our ministry in the same terms.

Prayer:   Lord, I pray for your ministry to continue in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!