April Teaching Series

THE FAITH THAT ASTONISHED THE LORD
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
April 11, 2008

Key Scriptures:
Matthew 8: 5-13; Hebrews 11:6

“When JESUS heard this, he was astonished and said told those who following him, ‘I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’ ” Matthew 8:10

The Centurion
” When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a Centurion came to him” (v. 5a)
1. His Position
2. His Character
3. His Concern

The Petition
”…came to him, asking for help”
Beseechingly – not demanding it as his “right.”

1. Humbly – came …asking for help…”Lord”
2. Unselfishly – for another

The Response
“I will go and heal him.”

1. It’s Promptness … I will go  (Isaiah 65:24; Jeremiah 33:3)
2. It’s Certainty … I will go and heal him

The Faith He Displayed

1. He took the right place in the presence of the Son of God. “Lord, I do not deserve to have you under my roof” (V.8a)
2. He feels the Lord can heal the servants without even going to his home. “ Just say the word … and my servant will be healed” (v.8b)
3. He had a personal faith on Jesus. “ just say the word”

The Commendation
Jesus commends him for so much faith!

1. A faith that Recognized his authority
2. A faith that was humble before his person.
3. A faith that trusted in his mere word.

 The Result of Faith …
 “And his servant was healed at that very hour.” (v.13c)

1. Great faith, great blessing !
2. “Just as you believed it would”
3.  Mark 11:22

Lessons for us Today
1. What Jesus is after is Faith.
2. True faith is demonstrated in a humble approach to God.
3. He loves and ministers to all classes of people.
4. The amount we receive depends on our faith in Him.
5   Faith in the authority of God’s word brings results.

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THE FAITH OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN
Sis. Celia de Guzman
Chairman, Prayerline
April 18, 2008

 “Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”  Jesus did not answer a word.  So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”  He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”  The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.   He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”  Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”  And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” 
-Matthew 15:21-28 NIV

• The primary purpose of prayer is not to change God but us, and if we are not prepared to change, there is nothing to say.
• The only way God can bring somebody to a new level of faith is to challenge their present level.  When the woman heard nothing from Jesus, she turned to the disciples.  We are prone to do this when God is silent, we turn to others for help only to find out they were not helpful at all.  “Let’s get rid of this woman”.  But Jesus did not answer their request either (Because Jesus is not an expert in sending away people empty handed.

Second (2nd) Response of Jesus:

• He appeals to His official mission
• His mission is to the household of Israel,
• He does only what he is sent to do;
• He does not want to exceed it.
• First time of Jesus to set a demarcation line.  
• From walking position to standing position she now knelt before Jesus, saying “Lord help me!”.  At this time she realized that it’s not just her daughter who needs healing but she herself as well. God wants to save this woman too.

 Third (3rd) response of Jesus:

• The Canaanite woman is not put off by this insult and by his silence and rejection which she all suffered.  SHE ANSWERS IN EFFECT, “LORD, YOU ARE RIGHT.  But have you thought of the possibility? I am not asking for the food of the children, not for a loaf of bread either.  Only the crumbs that fall off from their table are enough for me.” 
• What about you?  If the crumbs satisfies, what about the whole bread. By what God did on the cross of Calvary, He entitled us to receive the so-called “children’s bread”, and it is JESUS! NO MORE NO LESS, CAUSE HE SATISFIES.
• Let us come to Him. How do you see Jesus? Do you only expect crumbs from Him?  We are his people.  Let us release our faith in Him that we may experience His many wonders and miracles. Sometimes there are delays but it does not mean denials. 
• IF WE HAVE THE FAITH, HE WILL RESPOND TO THE NEED NO MATTER WHO MAY ASK. 
• IN FAITH EVERYBODY IS EQUAL; NO PERSON IS ABOVE THE OTHER.
•  FAITH SEES NO BOUNDARIES.          
• “I WILL OPEN WIDE MY MOUTH AND YOU WILL FILL IT” (Psalm 81:10) 

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TOUCH OF FAITH
Pastor Beng Magallanes
Regional Pastor
Central Operations – Region 3
April 25, 2008

Luke 8:42b-48
[New International Version]

42b         As Jesus was on His way, the crowds almost crushed him.
43           And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her
44           She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45           “Who touched me?”  Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46           But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47           Then the woman, seeing that she could                not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet.  In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.
48           Then he said to her, Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace.”

The Woman with an Issue of Blood

•   “A miracle within a miracle”
•   “A wayside miracle”
•   “An ‘over splash’ of God’s grace, mercy, love and power”
  

I. The Desperate Condition

Physically weak  [v. 43]
“subject to bleeding” [NIV]
“an issue of blood”    [KJV]

Financially drained
“She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.”

 Socially detached

Leviticus 15:25-27

Spiritually secluded

Leviticus 15:28-31

Emotionally broken

 II. The Desperate Move

Mark 5:27 - “When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd...”
A. She was purpose driven
B. She pressed through the crowd
C. She risked getting close to Jesus
D. She confessed her faith
“If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [Mark 5:28]

III. The Desperate Touch

Luke 8:44a She…touched…
“the edge of his cloak”     [NIV]
“the hem of his garment” [KJV]

•  Numbers 15:37-41
  

A. Physical healing

Luke 8:44b, 47
[see also Mark 5:29]
“…immediately her bleeding stopped.”
“…how she had been instantly healed.”

Luke 8:45a
“Who touched me?”
Jesus asked.

Luke 8:46
But Jesus said,
“Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

It was a touch of faith!

• The woman was trembling and fell at his feet.
• In the presence of all the people, she declared her faith.

Luke 8:46

B. Spiritual healing

Luke 8:48
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Conclusion:
All it takes is a touch of faith!
A desperate touch is a touch of faith!

• What issues do you face with?
• Don’t get lost in the crowd.

Reach out to Jesus... Touch Him now!
He has the answer to your every need.

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THE LEPER WHO SAID “THANK YOU”
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
May 2, 2008

Key Scriptures   
Luke 17:11-19

“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan (v. 15-16) NIV.

A Brief Introduction

• Expressing “Thank You” is a Courtesy
• Expressing “Thank You” is a Habit
• Expressing “Thank You” is a Faith

Their Condition (v.12)

• Unclean (Lev. 13:45) “…cover the lower part of his face and cry out, Unclean! Unclean!”
• Afar off (Lev. 13:46) “…he must live outside the camp.”
• Without hope - Incurable by any human means.

Their Cry (v.13)

1.  They recognized his Authority…Jesus, Master  (“epistata”)
-“The One who has the power to meet the needs.” 
2.  Earnest … lifted up
3.  Humble ….Mercy

• There is mercy with God
• We need God’s Mercy
• We must seek God’s Mercy

Their Cure
1. The word given … “Go and show yourselves to the priests”
2. The word obeyed …” And as they went, they were cleansed”

The Gratitude of the One- His gratitude was expressed in a four fold way…

• In coming back ….when he saw he was healed, came back (V.15)
• In powerful praise … came back , praising God in a loud voice (v.15b)
• In humble worship ….  And threw himself at Jesus’ feet (v.16)
• In sincere thanks …. Thanked him (v.16b)

The Ingratitude of the other Nine
1. The sad words, “Where are the other Nine?”
2. The commendation “…was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
3. The word of assurance “…Your faith has made you well!”

LESSONS FOR US TODAY

• Ingratitude is a serious sin.
• Jesus expects us to show gratitude.
• Gratitude and praise brings assurance to the heart.
• Spiritual blessings come in the pathways of obedience.
• Jesus can heal people from a distance without touching them.

We must seek God’s mercy.

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