2014/06/29
Christ Church, Mountain Top; VBS & baptism
Christ Church, Mountain Top; VBS & baptism
Prayer,
Psalm 56
Psalm 56
Children,
Matthew 14.13-21
Matthew 14.13-21
Message,
Matthew 17.14-21
Matthew 17.14-21
Review:
Centurion – under Jesus’ authority
Canaanite woman – depending on Jesus’ mercy
Today:
“Nothing will be impossible to you”
“Nothing will be impossible to you”
Impossible
tasks
tasks
The four-minute mile
Weight loss
Juggling – with your feet
Learning English
Teaching VBS
Parenting
“Nothing
will be impossible to you”
will be impossible to you”
Unable,
from root “dunamis” (for English “dynamite”) – used 3x:
from root “dunamis” (for English “dynamite”) – used 3x:
“but they were unable to heal him”
“why were we unable to cast it out?”
“nothing will be ‘unable’ to you” (see Bruner,
186 and 193)
186 and 193)
Impossible
– unable – disabled
– unable – disabled
“Nothing
will be impossible to you”
will be impossible to you”
A
church without persons with disabilities is a disabled church (Moltmann)
church without persons with disabilities is a disabled church (Moltmann)
Epilepsy?
Seizure disorder?
Seizure disorder?
Greek: “moonsick”
Related Latin: “lunatic” (Bruner, 187)
For the ancient world, these were demonic
powers at work
powers at work
“Why
were we unable to cast it out?”
were we unable to cast it out?”
“Because
of your little faith”
of your little faith”
“bring him here to me” (Mt 17.17)
A prior “littlefaith” story, Mt 14 feeding
(Bruner, 188)
(Bruner, 188)
“we have nothing here except five
loaves and two fish”
loaves and two fish”
“bring them here to me” (Mt 14.18)
“Littlefaith”,
a measurement word (“little” tends to be little “in number”)
a measurement word (“little” tends to be little “in number”)
Focuses on me and my ability
Obsess on what I lack
Acts without Jesus present – acts without prayer
Mustard
seed faith (show mustard seeds)
seed faith (show mustard seeds)
Is little! “Size matters not” (Yoda)
Moves mountains (not mountain-sized faith,
Bruner)
Bruner)
A legalistic approach to faith – it
measures!
measures!
I have “1st degree
mountain-moving faith”, but …
mountain-moving faith”, but …
Measured, limited faith – no matter
the size – is “littlefaith”
the size – is “littlefaith”
From measured faith … trust one whose love
cannot be measured
cannot be measured
From limited faith … trust one whose power
cannot be limited
cannot be limited
“Nothing
will be impossible to you”
will be impossible to you”
Not because of who you are, but because of
who Jesus is
who Jesus is
Your 5 loaves and 2 fish … bring them to
Jesus
Jesus
Your afflicted child … bring him to Jesus
Your very self, your life
Jesus
doesn’t guarantee any miracles, but he guarantees us his very self, his very
life …
doesn’t guarantee any miracles, but he guarantees us his very self, his very
life …
No
wonder he tells us:
wonder he tells us:
“Nothing will be impossible to you”
Resources:
Frederick
Dale Bruner. 1990. Matthew, A Commentary:
Volume 2, The Churchbook, Matthew 13-28. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
Dale Bruner. 1990. Matthew, A Commentary:
Volume 2, The Churchbook, Matthew 13-28. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
