Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Mar 1st, 2021 Bearing Fruit When Your Spirit is Broken … by Dawson Parker

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 1 – 2 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 1 Corinthians 9 – 12; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Read the “0301 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. … When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.” (Matthew 14:9-10, 13)

Read all of Matthew 14:1-21

We are going to be looking into the life of Jesus and how even in a time of brokenness in his life, he was still able to greatly be used of God. Before we look at how God used Jesus, we are going to look at what made Jesus broken. We see that John the Baptist said something Herod didn’t like, and Herod put him in prison and some things eventually led to Herod beheading John the Baptist. The disciples found about the death of him and went and told Jesus. The Bible says in verse 13, “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by a ship into a desert place apart:”. In my opinion, I think Jesus was very upset and went to be alone to pray to God.

1. John the Baptist was Family of Jesus – (Luke 1-2)

• mothers were cousins
• similar age
• both births prophesied by angels

2. John the Baptist was a Friend of Jesus –

• they respected each other – Matthew 11:11 – “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.”
• they shared spiritual moments together (baptism) – Matthew 3:13-17

3. John the Baptist was the Forerunner of Jesus –

• Mark 1:2-4 – “As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the remission of sins.”

I say all of that so we can realize the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus. When Jesus found out this this man who meant much to him was put to death, he was upset! What he did next is what is so important. He got alone with God and that is what we need to do when we get bad news. Often times, running to God is the last resort but we should run to the one who has all of the answers and we should do it immediately. What is interesting is the fact that even though Jesus was broken and wanted time with God, there was still people who had a need. Verse 14 says, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion towards them, and he healed their sick.” Next, we see the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand but let’s not forget that this event is taking place while Jesus was still broken. No doubt, this is a picture for us that God can greatly use us when we are broken but only if we run to God and get power from him. II Corinthians 12:9-10 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasures in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

So, in conclusion, let’s look at the 3 key points of this lesson so we can apply them in our lives –

1. When we get bad news, we need to run to God!
2. There are still people with needs even when we are broken.
3. God can greatly use us when we are broken.