Help & Hope
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Most of the time it seems the message preached at church on Sundays is aimed at helping people with problems, hurting people, people who need some help with life. The reason for this can be clearly seen from the passages in the bible which show Jesus ministering to the people of His day.
People can be broken down into three basic categories:
* The Righteous
* The Unrighteous
* The Wicked
Most of Jesus’ ministry and teachings were aimed at the Unrighteous … those who are wrong but would get right if given the information, the encouragement and the opportunity.
Mark 2: 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"
One day Jesus heard the religious leaders conversing about the type of people He was targeting with His message and ministry. They were complaining about Him spending so much time with what they considered the wrong kind of people. We hear Jesus reply in:
Key Scripture: Mark 2: 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (NKJV)
Later in Luke 19 when Jesus had gone into the house of Zacchaeus, some murmured and complained that He had decided to sit down and eat with an evident sinner. Jesus responded:
Luke 19: 10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Jesus had a heart for the hurting and hoped to help them. His message was a message of Help and Hope.
Help For Today – Hope For Tomorrow!
This morning is no different. Jesus in here in our midst on a quest to seek out and minister to those who have needs, people with problems, hurting people who will let Him touch their pain, heal their hurt and solve their problems. Jesus is here this morning to bring hope to the hopeless, restore confidence to those who have been betrayed and through forgiveness and acceptance show His love to everyone. He is not here to judge, condemn, criticize or reject us.
For those who are presently doing well and have no need of a Savior or Healer, I invite you to worship with us this morning and be thankful to Jesus for His abundant mercy which has come to your life and family. Testify of His goodness and let His Word sink deep into the good and receptive soil of your life. Praise Him for His goodness.
We know not what tomorrow may bring, but we do know that with Jesus we will be prepared for anything.
For those who are going through trials today, encountering hardship and/or burdened down with pain, this morning is especially important for you. This morning is your morning to hear what Jesus is willing and able to do. Take heart, begin to hope, Jesus has the answer and He is willing to help. He is here for you today.
With that thought in mind, turn with me this morning to:
I. Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
A. The First Step in getting help for today and hope for tomorrow:
* Come To Jesus
John 6: 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 6: 37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
> Get Saved Today
> Rededicate Your Life
> Refresh Your Commitment
> Sit At His Feet and Hear His Word
II. Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of me; …
A. The Second Step is:
* Lordship
> His yoke is easy … Lordship is easy & the burden light
> v.30 - Lordship relieves us of our heavy burdens
B. The Third Step:
* Learn About Him “Learn of Me …”
> His Word; His Will; His Way
III. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you.
A. The Next Step is to:
* Cast Your Care On Jesus
Hebrews 4: 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Philippians 4
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Note: The peace of God will preserve us & the God of Peace will protect us.
Romans 16: 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Note: The peace of God will stabilize our hearts & minds in the middle of a crisis and the God of Peace will defeat our enemies and restore all that the enemy has disturbed & devoured.
IV. Close
A. Have You Come To Jesus?
1. Are you saved?
2. Have you repented of your sin since you were saved?
3. Do you need to refresh your relationship with Jesus?
4. Why not make plans to spend some quality time sitting at His feet
B. What About Lordship?
1. Have you given Jesus all the rights to your life?
2. Is He more than Savior?
C. Do You Know Him?
1. Read His Word
2. Seek His Will
3. Walk His Way
D. Have You Given Your Burdens To Jesus?
1. Let’s Pray Right Now
2. Jesus Cares
3. He Will Hear
4. He Will Help
5. What Have You Got To Lose Except What You Don’t Want Anyway … Cast All Your Care On Him!
