July 3, 2016
Scripture:
Scripture:
Hymn 20 - What means this eager anxious throng
Prayer
Today we are going start another three part “story.” Three times in the Bible it is recorded that Jesus raised someone from the dead. The first one is actually Jairus’s daughter. The second is the widow’s son, and the third is Lazarus. Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jairus’s daughter had just died, and Jesus healed her in response to Jairus’s faith. With the widow’s son, they were having the funeral, and Jesus brought him back to life out of sympathy for the widow. Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus, was dead and had been buried four days. Jesus brought him back to life for the glory of God. Something interesting out of all of these is that, in each one, a relative is attached.
When someone has died, you feel it. But in our stories the Lord changes that. The healing for Jairus was in response to his faith when he came to Jesus on bended knee. But the widow, who we will read about today, did not come to Jesus on bended knee.
Luke 7:11-15
It starts off, “The day after.” The day after what? Well, the day before the people had been following Jesus. He had stopped and they gathered around Him, and He spoke to them. When Jesus began walking again they all followed Him. Jesus was the center of the crowd, and He is the Prince of Life. As this crowd is going along the came to the city of Nain. The meaning of Nain is beautiful. This is apparently a very beautiful city. Many of Jesus’ disciples were with Him.
As this crowd come to this city, they meet another crowd coming out of the city. But the center person of this crowd was dead. It is a funeral procession. It is the ONLY son of the widow. A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
Once they were a family circle. You can imagine her wedding day. She was very happy, and in love with her husband. It was the most wonderful day of her life. Time went on and she had a little baby boy of her own. It was another very happy day. As the boy was growing up, a very sad day came. Her husband died. They followed the same route, down the same streets, and into the same cemetery as they are her son. They buried him. But she still had her boy. He was her hope. When he was older he would be able to provide for her. But again a sad day came. The ONLY son died. Now they’re carrying him dead on a stretcher to the cemetery. The are neighbors all gathered around her. So, when these crowds meet there are quite a few people.
The woman was weeping. Jesus went to her and said, “Weep not.” She might not even know Who this was. But Jesus saw the woman sorrowing over losing her last hope. Jesus was compassionate. He felt with her. He comforted her. After speaking to the woman He turns to the son and talks to him. He puts His hand on the stretcher and everyone stops. Jesus spoke to a dead man. He told him, “Arise.” Some probably thought He was crazy, but the one who was stone dead sat up and spoke. Jesus gave him back to his mother. The sad day had turned into a happy one.
We can apply this story to our spiritual condition. We were not alive to God. We were like the dead man. But the Lord, on the cross, bore our sin. Those of us who know we are sinners can trust the Lord as our Saviour. It is beautiful picture. Nain is also like the world. It’s full of sorrow. But Jesus passed by. He went to the cross and took our place so our sins could be cleared, and would be remembered no more.
Philippians 4:14-23
Last week we saw that we can do nothing without Christ, but we can do “all things” with Him. We also saw that Paul wrote this letter to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent. Paul wrote a good bit about giving in His epistles; it’s part of practical Christianity. It wasn’t that Paul wanted money; rather, he wanted the work of God to continue in these believers’ hearts. We need to pray about our giving and take it seriously, because it is the Lord’s money we’re dealing with. Paul never expected others to support him, he worked for his living as a tent maker. While doing the Lord’s work, he made sure he wasn’t chargeable to anyone. However, he could see that God was working in the hearts of these believers, because they were sending him practical help.
Paul didn’t say, “You communicated with my need,” but rather, “with my affliction.” He was in prison, and unable to make tents. The Philippians were the only assembly in Macedonia that had helped him monetarily, and they had been faithful in doing it. Paul was pleased with this; again, not because of the money, but because this was fruit that would abound to their account. The Spirit had worked in them to give to his needs, and Paul called that fruit. It was fruit of the Spirit and of his ministry, and it would go to their account. We can send credit on ahead of us! A Christian doctor had been helping a poor sick woman, and eventually she asked him, “How much will this cost? I’m afraid I won’t be able to pay you.” The doctor replied, ” Don’t worry, ma’am, there is a bank in heaven, and I’ve been paid out of that.” The Lord allows us to use what we have to help others, and it will pay us interest in a future day.
Paul told the Philippians,“I have all, and abound.” Though imprisoned, he was able to meet with the Lord’s people—we can tell from later verses here—and some of them probably helped him, too. Also, the Lord has other ways of helping His people; like when He fed Elijah with the ravens. So Paul was full, and abounded, after he received the Philippians’ gift.
Paul called the Philippians’ gift, ”an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” Some offerings in the Old Testament sent out a sweet smelling savour, and Ephesians 5:2 tells us that the Lord’s obedient sacrifice on the cross—even amid all that judgement— was a sweet savour to God. Not only was these saints’ gift fruit that would abound to their account, but it was also a sweet smelling savour to God. Paul didn’t just see it as a cheque, but as a work of God in their hearts. It helped the apostle, gave them credit, and gave God a portion. It was well received and commended, and—according to 1 John 3:17—was an example of the love of God in their hearts.
Paul told these believers, “Because you’ve helped me, God will supply all your needs.” However, Paul called Him, “My God.” There was a personal attachment to and experience with God. He was the Philippians’ God as well, but Paul was so close to Him that he said, “my God.” It’s precious to know that God will supply our needs. Many of us have experienced God providing just what we needed at just the right time.
When a rich man gives a small tip, he gives out of his riches, not according to his riches. Our God gives according to His riches; He will bless us exceedingly. *“With all His fullness can afford, we are supplied,” *the hymn says. Spiritually, physically, emotionally; God will supply ALL our needs. Not just once, either, but all the time.
In verse 20, Paul gives glory to God before giving his farewell salutation. His circumstances were not the greatest, but despite that, he never felt that God was not doing the right thing for him.
Hymn 346 - Jesus who lives above the sky
Prayer