Religious Spirit?
Isn’t This Joseph’s Son?
“All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’ they asked” (Luke 4:22).
Many gracious words Jesus spoke while here. The words spoken in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
These words are the most gracious and precious words spoken to all mankind. No one has to be excluded from entering into his favour and glory except by choice.
Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
Jesus was more qualified to be a carpenter than the Son of God in the view of religious leaders and the common people of his day.
Jesus was also becoming known as a rabbi who thought and did things “outside the box.”
Jesus was an unusual mixture of the earthly common man who did daily work just like his other villagers in Nazareth. So, when the public ministry side of his life began to surface, the first observations were, “Isn’t this Joseph, the carpenter’s son?”
This is not unlike what happens when God calls you or I into a more public ministry. “Isn’t that Dave, the CPA, or Rod the restaurant manager, or Laura the bank executive?” The first question among our critics is “Where did Dave, Rod, or Laura get religion?”
The religious spirit reveals itself in many ways.
*The religious spirit can best be defined as an agent of Satan assigned to prevent change and maintain the status quo by using religious devices.
* The religious spirit seeks to distort a genuine move of God through deception, control and manipulation.
*The religious spirit was the primary force against Jesus designed to intimidate and turn His relationship with God into a set of rules and regulations.
Satan does not want Jesus in the workplace because that is where the authority lies to change a workplace, city or nation.
God desires you to bring His presence with you into your workplace every day. Do not let the enemy of your soul shame you into alienating your faith from your work.
Today, ask Jesus to go into the workplace with you. The two of you just might be the team to bring someone out of slavery and bondage.
The Bible tells us that while we were yet sinners Christ came and paid our penalty so that we might live eternally. Many in the workplace have never known the love of Christ. We might be the only one they ever meet who can introduce them to this love. Ask God to show you how to love the unlovable in your workplace today.
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he(Jesus) eat with tax collectors and sinners?'”Mark 2:16
I can imagine a disciple or two trying to warn Jesus about the dangers of hanging out with “sinners.” Perhaps they thought Him naive, or simply unwise. “What will people think?” some might have said. “Will others trust what we have to say after they see us having dinner with them?”
But Jesus didn’t worry about what others thought. He didn’t worry about His reputation being sullied by His choice of friends. Instead, He went out of His way to show acceptance and love to those who needed Him.
*Let’s remember, we are here for His reputation, to make Him famous. It’s not about us.
Our plumb line for determining success can be only one thing: obedience— obedience to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Are you listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Has God prompted you to speak, go, or come alongside another? Ask God today to help you hear the Holy Spirit’s voice so that you might be used mightily.
Walk in the way God’s voice guides you.
God delights in every aspect of our lives. We are to represent God to the masses.
Invite others to a rich and satisfying life with christ.
*SO Let’s hang with some riff raff today, for Jesus sake.
“For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.” – Hebrews 4:2
Every challenge of man has it’s root in the spirit realm. It is from the INSIDE out not from the outside in. The things that are seen are temporal. When trying to solve a permanent problem with a temporal solution, will end up in frustration.
Two things about this verse(Mark2:16) that stand out as learning opportunities.
1. Those of use who are saved are the healthy ones Jesus is speaking about. Yet, we run around acting as if we need to be repaired, mended and administered to all the time.
* It’s time we stop acting like the sick, and start ministering to those who really are.
I encourage you – no matter what has happened in your life – whatever has you down or discouraged – God has already healed you.
Act like it! Get up and go to the sick (the unsaved) and tell them about Jesus, the Healer.
2. We are also the sinners Jesus is speaking of. He isn’t interested in how righteous we think we are.
We may be saved, but Jesus wants us to witness to others so they too may experience eternal life with Him in Heaven.
Mark 2:17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
What a powerful moment! While he is being chewed out and questioned, Jesus is able to express his purpose for ministry in such a simple manner. **Rather than defending himself, he turned it back onto those who “had it all together.”
*Jesus makes a phenomenal point, of he doesn’t need to be there to ‘teach those that knew it all’, rather wanting to reach out to those who were in genuine need and who would genuinely connect with him.
* Jesus was a substantial individual and he didn’t ever want to settle for second best.
God’s Love expressed through us is the only thing that will bring our spouses, children, relatives and friends to Christ.
“…may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men…” Colossians 3:12
Lord, help me to adopt your principles, your attitude towards helping others. I find myself trapped, with not enough opportunities to reach out sometimes. If you have a path you would like me to explore, lead me on that path. I thank you, yet again, for the powerful examples provided for our well-being in the Bible. You give me so much hope,
through the smallest things.
Lord, thank You for loving me today and every day. I am grateful that You are bigger than all of my problems. Give me the courage and the wisdom to seek You today, regardless of my circumstances. I want to be found by You Lord. And give me a heart to be able to see and help others near me in need. In Jesus’ Name,
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Lord at times our life just seems to be going in circles and we feel like we have lost our way. Lord help us to reboot our life and begin listening to Your voice again through Your word! Thank you for getting us back on course again, day after day.
Amen