Moments With The Master
Mark 1:29-34
"Close to the Master, I’m trying to live"
"Close to the One, Who loves and forgives"
"Close to the one who answers my prayer"
"Close to the one who welcomes me there"
Are you saved? If so, then are you living a life that can be described as “Close to Jesus?”It should be our heart’s desire to grow closer to the Lord each and everyday.
An old Hymn says:
"I am weak but You are strong"
"Jesus keep me from all wrong"
"I'll be satisfied as long"
"As I walk, let me walk close to Thee"
"Just a closer walk with Thee"
"Grant it Jesus, is my plea"
"Daily walking close to Thee"
"Let it be dear Lord, let it be"
• In the previous verses we saw where Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James & John to leave their nets and follow Jesus. He proclaimed that He would make these men “fishers of men” Their call was much like our call… IT WAS A LIFE CHANGING CALL! From that moment when these men surrendered to Jesus’ invitation to “Follow Him”, these 4 men were privy to some amazing moments with the Savior.
3 of these four men would become part of Jesus’ “inner circle” so to speak. Peter, James & John were present with Jesus as he raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, they were present with Him at the transfiguration, and they were with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
In my previous occupation I was in a position where I had to work closely with several supervisors. I had virtually no authority but because of my relationship with the “Bosses” I experienced some things that others did not. I knew some of the details concerning the inner workings of that company. I was exposed to certain things that others were not. I also had certain doors open up for me as a result of my relationship with the managers of that company. It was a very beneficial situation.
Now when I refer to the “inner circle” of Jesus’ disciples I do not imply that Jesus had favorites or loved one more than the other. But it is apparent that Peter, James & John were closer to Jesus than some of the others. The same is true concerning today’s disciples. Jesus died for us all, but there are some who are closer to Him than others.
People say “I want to get closer to Jesus” or “I want more of Jesus in my life” Simply put you have just as much Jesus as you want in your life! You are as close to Jesus today as you want to be! If you really want to get closer to Jesus you will take those steps toward a “Closer walk with Him” That is the very purpose of this message…To show you the benefit of walking close to Jesus
When you walk close to Jesus you will see things that others don’t get to see.
When you walk close to Jesus you will hear things tat others don’t get to hear
When you walk close to Jesus you will experience things that others don’t get to experience.
These things are all seen in the verses we will consider this evening. Look with me to our selected text as we consider the thought “Moments With The Master” When we looked at the call of these disciples we mentioned some of the things that they “gave up” to follow Jesus. Though they did sacrifice some things, they were blessed beyond measure as a result.
I want to look at four “Moment’s With The Master” as seen in the lives of Peter, Andrew, James & John. Notice:
I. A Personal Moment - v29And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
Jesus had just preached in the synagogue with power and authority, amazing all those in attendance. He had also cast a demon out of a man there as well. Leaving the synagogue the men returned to Peter & Andrew’s house. When they arrived, Peter’s mother in law was sick with a fever. They went to Jesus on her behalf and Jesus healed her. Can you imagine Peter’s thought process? “Hey he cast a demon out of that guy earlier, a fever is nothing!” Jesus took her by the hand and lifted up, removing the fever. (JUST ANOTHER MIRACLE AT THE HAND OF JESUS!) We are not told the extent of her illness, we are just told that “her fever left her”
Remember this: Just as no problem is too big for Jesus, no problem is too small for Jesus! These “personal moments with the Master” are very special. This account shows us that we can go to Jesus on behalf of our loved ones! It also shows us that He cares enough to listen and to move in a mighty way.
If you have a loved one who is in need of a physical healing, go to Jesus on their behalf.
If you have a loved one who is in need of a spiritual healing, DO THE SAME!
The key in this story is Peter’s relationship to the Master. If there had been no relationship, Jesus wouldn’t have been in his home. Your relationship with Jesus may have an impact on your loved ones relationship with Jesus.When you walk close to Jesus, you will experience these personal moments where you can go to Him and see Him work in your life!
What a blessing to experience “Personal Moments” with the Master. Notice also:
II. A Public Moment - v32And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
It would have been considered unlawful to bring the sick to Jesus for a cure during the Sabbath hours. As a result they waited until the Sabbath hours were over and then brought many to Him. Much of the city gathered at Peter’s house …Some were sick and some were mere spectators Regardless of their circumstance, THEY ALL SAW MANY MIRACLES! - “he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils”
I am sure there were some present who (even after the miracles) were skeptical. But there were many who were changed, and there were many who witnessed the miracles and believed! The personal moments with Jesus are special, but so are the public moments!
It is great to see Him move intimately, but it is also a great joy to be gathered together with a large group of others and to see lives changed as a result of Jesus’ great power! This is one of the great blessings of joining together as believers. Consider what we witness when we are together:
Seeing a lost soul saved
Seeing a backslider reclaimed
Seeing a brother or sister mature in their walk with Christ
Joining together in prayer and seeing Jesus move in a mighty way
As a child of God we get to experience Personal & Public Moments with the Master. As we move further we see:
III. A Peaceful Moment - v35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.The day after this busy but amazing Sabbath, Jesus got up while it was still dark and went away from Peter’s house to be alone. In this solitary or secluded place, Jesus prayed. He left the others to spend some quality time with His Father.
This is a great example for us to follow. Jesus was about to travel and preach, teach and heal. As in so many other occasions recorded in the Gospels, Jesus designated some special time for prayer.How arrogant are we to attempt to do anything for God without spending time in prayer. If you attempt to serve God and never talk to Him, you are filled with pride.
You might as well say, “don’t bother Lord, I can do this on my own” If Jesus needed some alone time with the Father, it is imperative that we do the same. What a peaceful moment in the life of the Master. After all of the events of the previous day, and just before many other miracles were to be performed, Jesus had a moment with the Father. Oh how sweet it is amid the troubles and tasks and busyness of daily life to just get away from it all…find a quiet place alone… and to commune with the Father.
Do you understand what a privilege it is that we can go directly before the throne and make our requests known to God? It is an amazing privilege but it is one that we often take for granted. Praise God for those peaceful moments with the Master! In verse 36-39 we see another “Moment with the Master”
IV. A Purposeful Moment - v36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. 38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
Have you ever been in intense prayer and the phone rings, or a knock on the door or some other type of interruption. How frustrating that can be! Jesus Himself was not immune form that type of interruption. This peaceful moment with the Master was interrupted by… who else? Peter! Just leave it to Peter to mess up a good thing! They found Jesus and told Him that “All men seek for thee”
Jesus’ fame was spreading and spreading rapidly. The crowds were growing, the people were looking and Jesus was the answer that they needed. Look at Jesus’ response. He did not scold Peter for interrupting Him. He basically said “Let’s get to work”
Notice: v38b he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. Once again I say that there is no greater example for the Child of God than Jesus!
1) We Are Blessed To Experience Personal Moments With The Master
2) We Are Blessed To Experience Public Moments With The Master
3) We Are Blessed To Experience Peaceful Moments With The Master
These are great and we should enjoy every second of each moment. But there comes a time when we are to get to work. Let it be stated at this point that the “peaceful moments” or time spent alone with God, prepare us for the purposeful moments, or the time spent in Christian service.
Jesus has not only called us into Christian ministry, He has equipped us for it! Jesus will not call you to accomplish any task without supplying you all that is needed to fulfill said task. Eventually Jesus would send these men out to do what they were witnessing Him do at this moment in time - Luke 9:1 ¶Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
These same miracles that astonished everyone in this city, would eventually be performed by these common fishermen. How is this possible? Obedience on their part and power on Jesus’ part. The same is possible for us today! God can do extraordinary things with ordinary peopleHow? By your obedience and by the power of Jesus Christ.
You can have a great impact on this world and on the Kingdom of God if you will just allow Him to move in your life. As I mentioned in the beginning, these men left a lot to follow Jesus but they were blessed beyond measure. Again I ask, …Are you saved? If so, then are you living a life that can be described as “Close to Jesus?”
"I want to get closer to my God each day"
"I want to get nearer to the heart of God"
"I want to get closer to my God"
Is that your prayer today? Do you want to get closer? The only thing stopping you is you. Draw close to God and when you do you will experience some great “Moments With The Master” - Personal Moments …Public Moments …Peaceful Moments …Purposeful Moments
