SUGGESTED TEACHING OBJECTIVES

To teach the wisdom of attending the services of the church.

To teach the plan of salvation.

To teach the power of Christ to heal and change lives.

To teach how Jesus undid the work of Satan.

To teach the importance of serving God.

To teach the danger of procrastination and that the unpardonable sin cannot be committed by Christians.

INTRODUCTION: Last Sunday, we studied in Chapters 1 and 2, the things Jesus did in a typical day. He prayed, He preached, He changed lives, He helped others and He corrected erroneous beliefs. He taught that He was the Lord (Master, ruler) over the Sabbath and that the Sabbath was for man's benefit. Today, as we study Chapter 3, we will see the many-sidedness of the perfect character of Christ. As we study this chapter, we will also learn new truths from the master teacher, who was the all-knowing God. We will further see Him under trying circumstances and how well He responds to these pressures.

Vs. 1 - Here we notice that Jesus was a man of habit. He cultivated religious habits yet He did not like formalism. Luke 4:16 tells us it was His custom to go into the synagogues. We should always attend Sunday School and church, Sunday evening services and Wednesday night. Hebrews 10:25.

Vs. 2&3 -- The Pharisees watched to see if He would help this man on the Sabbath. They had changed the meaning of the commandments and their traditions had made the Word of God of none effect. Mark 7:7-3. But Jesus was always looking for ways to help the needy. He was a man of compassion and so He said, "Stand forth".

Vs. 4 - The Priests performed services in the Temple on the Sabbath. But these men had hardened their hearts and would not admit that it was all right to do good and to save lives on the Sabbath.

Vs. 5 - This rebellion, we see, angered the Lord. It is a dangerous and unwise thing to rebel against God and righteousness. By His command, Jesus directed the man to exercise faith and will. To stretch it out meant that he believed Jesus could do for him what no one or nothing else had done and that he desired Christ to do that for him. He was healed.

Every form of disease healed by our Lord seems to picture some aspect of sin, which is like a fever burning in the soul, a leprosy polluting the whole being, a palsy making one utterly unable to take a step toward God and, like a withered hand, incapable of true service.

The entire human race suffers because of sin. Israel, in particular, had been promised immunity from disease if obedient to the law of God. (Exodus 23:25) Every blind, deaf, crippled, or diseased person among them was a witness to their failure in this respect (Deuteronomy 28:15-23). In healing the sick, Jesus was undoing the work of the Devil (Acts 10:38). And in doing this, He was fulfilling what had been predicted concerning the Servant of Jehovah, Israel's promised Messiah-King  (Isaiah. 35:4-6).

THE MULTITUDES HEALED -- VS. 6-12

Vs. 6 - Here we see Jesus as a man of circumspection. Pharisees were a religious party of the Jews and the Herodians were those of the political party who were followers of Herod. The Jewish leaders hated the political rulers but their hatred for Christ was even more intense and so they collaborated to get rid of Him.

Vs. 7 - But Jesus wisely left the city where the trouble was brewing. He does not become inactive but just goes to another place of service. Note: We should never quit God's service!

Vs. 8 - Great multitudes, having heard of His authority and power, came from all over Palestine to see and hear Him.

Vs. 9&10 -- The people in the crowd tried to touch Him so they would be healed and they crowded Him to the shore so that He had to get into a small ship and teach from it.

Vs. 11&12 -- Even the demons feared Him and fell down before Him. He was God and they knew it even if others didn't. Let's teach our pupils that He was more than a great man or a great teacher. He was God. John. 1:1-3, 14; Hebrews 1:8.

He commanded the unclean spirits not to make Him known. He has reserved that task to us who are saved. Mark 16:15; John. 15:16; Acts 1:8.

A Man of Dependence -- Dependent on God and Man

Vs. 13 - Luke tells us in his Gospel 6:12, 13, that Jesus prayed all night in preparation for selecting His apostles. Notice He called whom He would. God is sovereign and He is the only one who calls preachers. But God has a work for us all and we should find it and do it. Ephesus 2:10; Phil. 2:12,13.

Vs. 14&15 -- "Ordained" means "appointed". Notice the three-fold reason for their calling.

To be with Christ and witness His life

To preach

To have power to change lives

The latter is done by our example and our obedience to Him and His Word. If we will pray

properly, live and act properly and give out the Word properly, we will have power.

Vs. 16--19 -- Simon was the leader and was given a new name, Peter, which means a little stone. CF.(I Peter 2:5).

James and John were brothers and were called, "The Sons of Thunder". They were

evidently of an electric disposition, easily stirred to quick decisions and likely were quick to act decisively. Andrew seemed to be the quiet type but he led his brother, Simon to Christ. (John. 1) and so he was a soul-winner. Philip and Bartholomew (Nathanael of John, Ch. 1). Matthew the Tax Collector. Thomas' early life we know nothing of but he was one who was not easily swayed to believe the miracles. James and Thaddaeus were brothers. Simon, the Canaanite, elsewhere distinguished as the Zealot, had belonged to a rapidly subversive party of Jewish patriots working secretly and at times, covertly, for the deliverance of Palestine from the Roman yoke. Lastly, there was Judas Iscariot who was always listed last and who became the treasurer and greatly trusted but who was probably never saved. So God uses all types of folks to do His work.                  I Corinthians 1:26 -- 29; and Chapter 12.

Jesus was about his Father's business and there was so much to do that He didn't even stop to eat.

The multitude had needs that had to be met. His friends (later we learn they consisted of His brethren and His mother, CF. Vs. 32; John. 7:5; Acts 1:14), thought He was foolish and unwise to treat His body so. The world, and even many Christians, have not yet awakened to the responsibility that is ours to tell the multitudes about Christ. We must sacrifice, "This generation must reach this generation".

As He ministers tot he multitudes we see that He is a man of Philanthropy. Philanthropy comes from two Greek words that indicate love for mankind, benevolence toward the human race, and universal good will. Jesus showed this. Let's not think of philanthropy as that of dolling out money, but as of pouring out life and this He was doing.

Vs. 22 - Beelzebub was the "god of flies" and was associated with filth. They accused Him of casting out devils because His power was from the devil.

Vs. 23-26 -- He answered in a sweet spirited and unperturbed manner. He was a controversial figure but He acted prudently and did not panic at their charges. He said, >why certainly Satan wouldn't cast out Satan for that would be defeating his purpose.' A house, or a kingdom, divided against itself would fall. Satan is not stupid.

Vs. 27 - Here, Jesus speaks of the fact that He (Jesus) has come to bind the strong man (Satan) and the He will defeat Satan and this He did on the cross.

Vs. 28--30 -- The unpardonable sin cannot be committed by a saved person. John. 5:24; Romans 8:1. It can be committed by the lost, by their continued rebellion against the pleading of the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus as Saviour. There are three persons connected with salvation. If one turns down the plea of God, he has the Son and the Spirit left. If he turns down the Son, he has the Spirit left. If he turns down the Holy Spirit, there is no more hope for him. A continuous rejection of the Spirit's pleading can lead to the unpardonable sin.

Jesus did have brothers and sisters in that Joseph and Mary had children and He was their half-brother for He was born of Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit. He had at least four brothers and two sisters. Matthew 13:55 & 56.

His mother and brethren made up the "friends" of Vs. 21. Jesus used this occasion to point out a great truth, i.e., that human relationships are superseded by those of a spiritual character. Those who are "Born Again" have come into an everlasting relationship with Christ. John. 6:37-40; Galatians. 3:26; Romans 8:16,17; Hebrews 2:11.

CONCLUSION: In all of these things we see Jesus as a man of rare personal power. He heals, He controls unclean spirits, He wisely selects His workers, He masterfully teaches spiritual truths, He conducts Himself prudently and circumspectly and He serves the needy in a most sacrificial way. So we can say He is a man of power, a man of habit, a man of passion, a man of circumspection, and a great philanthropist. Let's all strive to be like Him. Ephesus 5:1.