Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 213

July 31;   Matthew 4:23;   4/260(II);   ‘Teaching, Preaching & Healing’

Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.    NIV

The Lord Jesus ministered as a Man empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus’ ministry began after the power of the Holy Spirit came upon Him when He was water baptized.  The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus to teach and preach so powerfully that what Jesus said amazed those who heard Him.  The Lord did not teach religious doctrine, He preached the love of God the Father for the people.  The Word of God tells us that He healed all who had need of healing..  Jesus ministered as a Man anointed by the Holy Spirit, so that we as men and women could also be empowered by the Holy Spirit and continue His ministry once Jesus returned to heaven.  The four gospels are a biography of what the Lord Jesus did and that the Holy Spirit was the source of His supernatural power.  The Lord’s Example to us, revealing what we can do once we are baptized in the Holy Spirit is so exciting.  The world tries to deceive us into thinking that what it offers is what life is all about.  Admittedly, some of the things offered are fun and interesting for a season.  Continuing the ministry of Jesus is the greatest adventure and privilege.  Since Jesus taught, preached and healed and we are to continue His ministry, we are to do the same things.  Nothing the world offers compares to the joy of seeing a person understand the gospel message we present and then we have the honor of leading them to Jesus.  Nothing compares to laying hands on a person who is sick and seeing them healed.  Learn of Jesus, grow in your knowledge of Him, continue His work, and live the most rewarding life possible.  This world cannot compare.