~BACK TO GALILEE~ Matthew 28:16-20 INTRODUCTION A. One of the most unique and powerful things that happened yesterday was the use of drums to call the attention of people to come to our annual Mens Clinic. B. So professional drummers arrived and began to play their drums right in front of the Churchs sign, and, as you can expect, people began to stop, park their cars, stop their walk in a busy Saturday, and come into the clinic. C. There was a moment during that drum playing, in which I remember my father, one of the greatest percussionist, and decided to sit down and play drums, too. D. It just flowed naturally. I was there feeling the music, the rhythm, using my hands and playing the drums -- or allowing the drums to play me! E. That moment, exactly on the day before the celebration of the Fathers Day, took me back home, to my childhood, to my fathers musical passions, to my roots! G. Today, the Gospel Lesson also talks about going back, back home, back to our childhood, to our parents faith, even musical passions, to our very roots!-- back as far as Galilee! I. MOVING TOWARD GALILEE MEANS MOVING, DRAWING CLOSE OR CLOSER TO THE MOUNTAIN OF REUNION WITH JESUS! A. VERSES 16-17 say Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. B. THREE SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL SIGNIFICANCES OF GALILEE IN JESUS LIFE AND MINISTRY 1. GALILEE MEANS HOME AND CHILDHOOD: The Galilee region was presumably the home of Jesus during at least 30 of his 33 years of life. a. It is a fact that Jesus was brought to Galilee by his parents Joseph and Mary after learning of the death of King Herod while residing in Egypt (Matthew 2:19-23). 2. GALILEE WAS THE SCENARIO OF JESUS POWERFUL AND WISE WORDS AND PROMISES TO THE DISCIPLES AND TO US: The first three Gospels of the New Testament are essentially an account of Jesus public powerful, wise words in the province of Galilee, particularly in the towns of Nazareth and Capernaum. a. GALILEE WAS ALSO THE SCENARIO OF HISTORY AND WISDOM: The Galilee to the Jews was also known as a wellspring of miracle workers and mystical philosophers of all types, especially just prior to the major split between Jesus followers and those who opposed Jesus. 3. GALILEE WAS THE SETTING OF GODS PRACTICAL, VISIBLE MIRACLES AND WONDERS: Galilee is also cited as the place where Jesus performed many public miracles. a. One of the famous miracles performed by Jesus in Galilee was the curing of a blind man. (1) What a great image!: That makes Galilee the place of regaining our sight and seeing beyond! II. GALILEE ALSO MEANS TAKING THE RISK OF WORSHIPING JESUS; GALILEE IS THE PLACE OF THE DECISION OF WHO AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO WORSHIP! A. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. B. WORSHIP AS SURRENDERING ALL OUR WILL, ALL OUR EMOTIONS, ALL OUR THOUGHTS TO OUR GOD! III. GALILEE BOTH AS THE PLACE AND THE MOMENT IN WHICH WE ARE COMMISSIONED TO COMMISSION OTHERS! A. Verses 18-20 states, Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you:... IV. FROM GALILEE TO THE WORLD: GO, TRAIN, MAKE DISCIPLES, BAPTIZE, INSTRUCT IN FAITH AND BE CONFIDENT OF GODS CONTINUING AND FAITHFUL PRESENCE Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” ~CONCLUSIONS~ A. Going back to Galilee today, we find, we feel the urgency to go back in time to the spiritual, missional and ministerial place called Galilee B. Going back to Galilee today, we find, we feel that Galilee is the Mountain of our Childhood; a Mountain called Home! C. Going back to Galilee today, we find, we feel that Galilee is also the name of our state of mind and soul filled with the unforgettable Jesus wise words and powerful miracles and wonders. D. Going back to Galilee today, we find, we feel that Galilee is the place where we overcome our doubts, surrender all our will, all our emotions, all our thoughts to our God, and then and only then, we worship freely, and in Spirit and truth, our Risen Lord! E. But overall, Galilee is the place where we learn to go, to train, to disciple, to baptize and to instruct in Christian faith our new converts; Galilee is the place where we learn to deeply trust in our hearts the faithfulness of the One who promised, I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.
Posted on: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 23:41:19 +0000
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