WALK WITH ME!  

Week Two (Jan 8-14) 

(Matt 1:12-25; 8:1-4;14-17; 9:1-17; Mark 1:14-2:22; Luke 4:14-5:39; John 1:35-4:45)

Fishers of Men in Matthew 4   

The theme for this year at Grace is ‘Walk With Me!’ Jesus called the disciples to ‘follow me’ and that is how simple it really is!  Jesus did not instruct the new followers to go and learn the Law or become scribes or priests – Jesus simply called on them to walk with Him.  In our modern world it us who make things more complicated – just walk with God on a daily basis – just find another heart who yearns after the things of God and have them join you – walk together!  It must also be noted that Jesus called on the men to continue their trade but with a new focus – the souls of men.  God needs us to do what He has gifted us to do usually where we are – not far away or in great danger.  Also please note that He called working men to continue working with Him on a new task.  Fishermen – not Aquarium watchers.  

(Please read “Walk With Me” Theme of 2023 on our website)

First Miracle in John 2

So many great lessons here – the sanction of home, family and marriage!  The sharing of celebrations.  Even the submissive heart to His mother and the kindness to their host.  Jesus demonstrates here, for the first time, His dominance over the elements of Creation – water to wine.  While Jesus reminded His mother that banqueting was not His calling, He still responded with compassion and kindness by taking care of their friends and sparing them the shame of running out of refreshments.  The superior wine was not Jesus showing off but rather we must know that God can only do things the very best way the first time.   Of course, it was the best!  Changing elements was a hallmark of God – the bitter spring to sweet with Moses and the salted spring of Elisha.  Jesus demonstrating that He is very God.  This is the first of seven signs in John.

Nicodemus in John 3

One of the best know stories in the life of Jesus was the nighttime visit by Nicodemus.  As a member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus was cautious about seeing Jesus.  Coming at night he skeptically asked Jesus if He were a teacher sent from God – giving Jesus the title of rabbi and teacher.  Jesus answer is the best know verse in the World!  (#1 of 31,102 - John 3:16) Heaven is not about new learning – it is about new life – life in Christ.  It is not about being clean – I can wash myself – I cannot birth myself!  Listen to my Vlogs on Love in the Languages – one day soon I will do ‘only begotten’ – it is a special word of love and gift.

Nazareth Synagogue – reading Isaiah and cliffs in Luke 4

Jesus was a Master Teacher – even as He was reading in His hometown synagogue He was teaching.  From Isaiah 61 Jesus revealed that He is the One to do these great wonders – He is the Messiah – He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.  They were amazed and then they were offend and tried to toss Him from the cliffs of Nazareth – but it was not in the Father’s time so Jesus walked out from among them without their notice.

Miracle of Lame Walk in Mark 2

Sin forgiven by whom?  Only God can do that – the scoffers and doubts were right – only God can do that, but they did not recognize God right in front of them.   Once again Jesus shows that He has complete power over sin – not just in the forgiveness of sin but even over the consequences of sin.  Jesus healed the bedfast man as a demonstration of the healing of his soul.  All the miracles of Jesus were for the same purposes – His deity and His supremacy over sin and the effects of sin.  From creation (water to wine and storms) to the Devil (temptations and demons) and men (sickness and even death!) Jesus is seen to be Supreme.  He alone is the Savior we can trust the Lord that we can follow. 

Check back here next week for more – Walk with me!

Remember: God does not take good people to Heaven – only forgiven people!

THE SEVEN SIGNS OF JOHN:

John 2:1-11 — Water into wine

John 4:46-54 — Healing of the nobleman’s son

John 5:1-15 — Healing at the pool of Bethesda

John 6:1-14 — Feeding the 5,000

John 6:15-21 — Jesus walks on water

John 9:1-12 — Healing of the man born blind

John 11:1-44 — Lazarus raised from the dead

GREATEST VERSE - For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

The Greatest Being     God

The Greatest Motive     So Loved

The Greatest Scope     The World

The Greatest Gift     He Gave His Only Son

The Greatest Invitation     Whosever Believes in Him

The Greatest Rescue     Shall Not Perish

The Greatest Promise     Have Everlasting Life