Weekend Review: Matthew 17

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the God of Love.  The only God.  For You so loved ME (make it personal) that You gave Your only begotten Son to save ME.  Thank You LORD.  Your love is so great, I would hate to live without it.  I would be so lost and lonely without Your sovereign love.  I don't think we really think about how the All-Knowing, All-powerful, the King of kings, the LORD of lords, loves each one of us.  LORD, please show me how to love those around me.  To not be selfish or selective with my love, but to love Your children, my family in Christ unconditionally.  Let love be my motivation in all that all do.  Starting with my obedience to You.  Bless You Father.  In the mighty name of Your Son, my Savior-Jesus Christ, amen.

LEARNING & KNOWING THE WORD OF GOD IS A PRIVILEGE.  

IT GUARDS YOU FROM THE DECEPTIONS OF THIS WORLD.

MATTHEW 17:1-13 THE TRANSFIGURATION:

Get it Right: (Emphasis v. 9-13) Jesus told Peter, James and John not to tell anyone what they had seen until after His resurrection because Jesus knew that they didn't fully understand it and could not explain what they didn't understand.  Their question about Elijah revealed their misunderstandings, they failed to understand that John the Baptist took on Elijah's prophetic role, boldly confronting sin and pointing people to God.  The disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but they had much more to learn about the significance of His death and resurrection.  As many of us today need to learn.  Don't claim to know the Word.  Really know the Word and spend time with the Holy Spirit so that mysteries within the Word can be revealed to you.  When you speak of the God you serve, you want to know Whom you're talking about.  So ask questions, get into discussions with other believers, read, memorize and meditate, go to a church that is centered on the Word-not sermons focused on making you feel good or condemning you-but TEACHING you the Word: pray over the Word and pray the Word over you life.  The only place you'll find yourself is closer to God in every area of your life.  I know that's an awesome place to be.  God challenges us so that we grow in right relationship and fellowship with Him and the people in our lives.  Don't let this world blind you to think and live opposite of how He commands us to live.

DO YOU WANT TO GROW CLOSER TO GOD?

MATTHEW 17: 14-21 THE HEALING OF A BOY WITH A DEMON:

Faith is Important: (Emphasis v. 17-20) O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

The disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

He replied, ''Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  In the NIV text it reads, Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The disciples were unable to cast out this demon, and they asked Jesus why.  He said that their faith was too small.  It is the power of God, plus our faith-our belief in His power, that  moves mountains.  The mustard seed was the smallest particle imaginable.  Jesus said that even faith as small or undeveloped as a mustard seed would have been sufficient.  As humans, we always include ourselves.  The disciples were trying to cast out the demon with their own ability rather than God's.  It's not by our power at all.  There is great power in even a little faith when we trust in God's power to act.  It takes time to learn this, so don't be discourage if you don't totally get it right now.  If you feel weak or powerless as a believer in God, take time to examine your faith, making sure you are trusting Gods power, not your own ability to produce results.  If you are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn your eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith.  Only then will you be able to overcome the obstacles that may stand in your way.

DO YOU VALUE AND PROTECT YOUR FAITH?

CONTINUOUSLY PRAY THAT YOUR FAITH NEVER FAILS!