January 9, 2017: SOAP #2594:  Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.  … 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. … 10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done…

Observation:    Not all the ministry in the gospels was done by Jesus.  Jesus sent THEM to preach, THEM to heal the sick, THEY departed, THEY went through the towns, THEY preached, THEY healed, THEY returned, THEY reported back.

Application:   Jesus was preparing the disciples for the time He would no longer be with them.  Later in the book of Acts, the church continued the ministry of Jesus.  As Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit, so the early church ministered in that same Spirit.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, find me to be an open channel through which you can continue the ministry of Jesus today.  Flow through me, Holy Spirit, flow through me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!