Charismatic Week (20/08/21)
Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
Theme: (The Unrecognized But Great Friend From Heaven) Day 3 JESUS, THE FRIEND INDEED Text: John 1:9-11; 5:1-7; Matt. 8:23-27; Lk. 24:13-32 INTRODUCTION:Having made us see from the introductory teaching of this special program, that Jesus, the great Friend from heaven has not been known as real as He is, the Holy Spirit went forward to open our eyes through a number of revelation messages in order that we might know Him really as angels know Him. So far, we have seen Him through the following: (1) The spread out hands of Jesus at death, (2) The seed of the woman, (3) The second and the last Adam, (4) The supplier of the needs fo the needy, (5) The head of principalities and powers (6) The Captain of the Lord’s hosts. And from these revelation messages, we have not only received wonderful benefits for our lives and families but have been equipped to help multitudes of our neighbours who are still under the mesmerization of the devils through ignorance.
Tonight again, the Holy Spirit is set to open our eyes as we consider Jesus as our Great friend from heaven, we shall briefly show what a friend is, and then see who is a friend indeed.
- WHO IS A FRIEND?
A friend is a person who is not a relation but is liked and known very well by another (1Sam. 17:55-58; 18:1-4; 19:1-6; 20:4, 9-18). Here Jonathan was not related to David but he liked him and they became well known to each other and Jonathan treated him very kindly.
- JESUS A FRIEND INDEED
Having seen what a fiend is from the above definition and how that Jonathan was a good friend to David, if we will be able to appreciate the fact that Jesus is a friend indeed, we shall consider the following things which He did for men seeing that a friend indeed is really a friend in need.
(a) Just as it is a common thing with men, Jonathan made friend with David because of the qualities he saw in David and the hand of the Lord was upon him. But he couldn’t help him as much as dying for him. While Jesus loves, seeks and even died for men while they are living in wickedness (Matt. 11:29-31; 9:9-11; Rom. 5:6-8; Jn. 15:13-15).
(b) Even though Jonathan love David as a good friend but there are many things he couldn’t do for him because of the limitation of man but Jesus has no limitation that is why He cures man cast out the evil spirit from man (Matt. 15:29-31; Lk. 8:2; Jn. 11:1-5, 32-44).
(c) He delivered us from the wrath to come and gave us abundant life (1Thess. 1:10; Jn. 17:2; 10:10; 1Jn. 5:11-12).
(d) He relinquished His majesty and honour above in order to come and die for us (Phil. 2:5-10).
(e) He accepted to become poor though very rich so that through His poverty we might become rich, who were made poor originally because of the curse of the law (2Cor. 8:9; Gal. 3:13- 4; Rom. 8:32).
(f) He died for us so that we can live and be at peace with God (2Cor. 5:14-15; Col. 1:12-14, 19-21).
(g) How about the fact that He had gone into heaven, settled at the right hand of God making intercession for us (Heb. 7:25; 4:13-16; Rom. 8:34).
THE IMPLICATION
The implication is that Jesus is not only a great Friend from heaven but a Friend among friends. It also means that those who have not made Him a friend should do so, seeing what manner of a friend He is. Those who have any need in their lives should call upon Him, including guidance and knowledge (Jn. 15:15; Matt.11:25-27).
Let’s rise up for prayers.