ADVENT SERIES 2011

THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING

“JESUS, THE HEALER OF THE OPPRESSED”

ACTS 10.34-43

In this section of Scripture that has tucked away in it the gospel of Jesus Christ, I’d like us to zoom in tonight on verse 38 which reveals to us another purpose of Jesus coming.

Acts 10:38 How God anointed (same Greek word that we read in Luke 4.18 this morning) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing (Gr. curing, healing, make whole) all that were oppressed (to exercise dominion against; harassed; under the power) of the devil; for God was with him.

• Peter writes about being a witness of how Jesus Christ went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil by the power of God.
• The Biblical meaning of oppression is “to exercise power over; to tire down with toil; exhaust with labor; afflict.” Two of the most effective fiery darts in the arsenal of the enemy, are the fiery dart of oppression, and the fiery dart of discouragement.
• Oppression is that heavy dark cloud that can come to any one of us as a result of a loss of finances, loss of health, loss of a relationships, the emotions of guilt or condemnation because of past sins, addictions or substance abuse. Oppression can come through the unkind, cruel treatment of other people.
• For example, when Israel was being cruelly treated in Egypt, The Lord said I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them (Ex 3.9).  God sees and knows our oppression.
• And of course the source and origin of all oppression is the devil himself. This is why is so vital that we renew our minds with the Word of God. Because when the devil sinks his venom of oppression into your heart or mind, there is a tendency to either try to fight your way out of it in the strength of your flesh, or cave in under the intense pressure of the struggle and quit. And when the enemy causes you to focus on the trial, the attack, the people or whatever is oppressing you, you quit praying, you quit coming to church for fellowship, you quit reading the Scriptures.
• If the seeds of oppression are not dealt with biblically, they will give way to mental and emotional anguish and despair.
• The goal of the enemy in using the fiery dart of oppression is to wear you down, and wear you out. When he brings you to that point, the next step is self pity. When self pity takes root in your heart, you become angry at others, angry at yourself, and most dangerously, you begin to ask where God is in all of this? You begin to think that He has forgotten you in your time of need. Listen.
• Ps 42:9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
• Ps 43:2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
• Ps 44:24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
• Though it may appear tonight that God has forgotten you or has forsaken you, I once again appeal to Scripture for the truth of the matter:
• Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Psa 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

• There were cities of refuge under the law, God is our refuge city under the gospel.  As the ships when vexed with tempest make for harbour, so do the oppressed hasten to the wings of a just and gracious God. CHS
• Beloved, we will never have all then answers for the complex issues that arise in our lives, but this much we do know. The Lord has promised to be there with us and for us in those dark seasons of the soul.
• Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
• Ps 46:1 <<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.>> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
•  Ps 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
• Whatever the source of your oppression tonight, your Lord God is right there with you to help you and give you strength. He is indeed our refuge in difficult times.
• Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
• Pr 18:10 The name (character, nature) of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
• Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
• Php 4:6 Be careful (anxious,fret) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (garrison, mount guard) your hearts (emotions, will) and minds (thoughts) through Christ Jesus.
• One of the most powerful gifts from God in times of oppression and discouragement is prayer. You say tonight, but Pastor Ray, I am so depressed and discouraged that I don’t feel like praying. Let me ask you a simple question….who would not want you to pray? Jesus or the devil?

When Solomon was observing life on earth, he was writing from the perspective of an individual that was not taking into consideration the presence and power of God. And his conclusion was this:

• Eccl 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
• While the absence of comfort may be true for those who do not belong to Jesus Christ, this is not the case for us tonight who are the blood bought children of The Living God.
• 2Co 1:3 ¶ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
• The gospel is not a promise of a trouble free life. The gospel does not promise the speed to run from our problems or the ability to fly away from them, but the presence and comfort of God to endure them.
• As I mentioned this morning, The Scriptures do not promise that God will deliver out of every single trial in this life, but He does promise that He will be there with us.
• Matt 28.20 lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
• When was the last time that you read the book of Acts? Jesus was with every one of the 11 apostles here their entire lives….all of them were martyred for their faith except John….many of the saints in the 1^st century endured great sufferings of opposition, loss of loved ones, loss of income and property…but they endured because they were looking for a better kingdom whose building and maker is God.

The Granddaddy of oppression is fear beloved…..fear or failure, fear of death, fear of los of health. We are a phobia driven society….look at the amount of TV ad’s that relate to health or financial issues. Beloved, God is not the source of that kind of fear.

• 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What is The greatest antedote to the fiery dart of oppression or fear? The awareness of the presence of God.

• God told Abrahamthe father of faith: Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
• God told the next generation of Israelites who were on the verge of entering into the giant infested promised land: Deut 1.21 fear not, neither be discouraged.
• God told the fear stricken Joshua after the death of Moses: Deut 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
• God told the nation of Israel when under threat of enemy attack by surrounding nations: O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.2 Chron 20.17 (are you beginning to see a pattern develop here beloved?)
• When the apostle John saw the Risen Lord on the aisle of Patmos and was stricken with fear, The Lord Re 1:17 laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last.
• For those of you that are gripped by fear and oppression tonight, The Lord Jesus would say to you: John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

God uses people as instruments of deliverance from oppression.

Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

• This fast that God tells His people to observe is a kind of fast that ministers a helping hand to people who are in need. Isa 1.17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
• Many Christians are afraid of getting involved in “social causes”, because they believe that then only thing that Jesus commanded us to do was to only be concerned for souls (Samaritan’s Purse). While the most important mission of the church is to preach the gospel to every creature, we can use other platforms to “open the door” in to certain countries, neighborhoods. We see this week after week with The Fathers Heart Ministry.
• On a personal level, when you see a brother or a sister that is “going through it” so to speak, remember that Scripture talks about praying for one another, comforting one another, bearing one another’s burdens, weeping with those that weep. Remember beloved, Jesus is The Head of the body, we are His hands, His feet. He has chosen to work in us and through us.

Oppressed by the noonday heat, a tired farmer sat under a walnut tree to rest. Relaxing, he looked at his pumpkin vines and said to himself, "How strange it is that God puts such big heavy pumpkins on a frail vine that has so little strength it has to trail on the ground!" And then looking up into the cool branches of the tree above him, he added, "How strange it is that God puts small walnuts on such a big tree with branches so strong they could hold a man!" Just then a breeze dislodged a walnut from the tree. The tired farmer wondered no more, as he rubbed his head ruefully and said, "It is a good thing there wasn't a pumpkin up there instead of a walnut."

Loved ones when the breezes of life blow, please remember that God, Who is great and wise, makes no mistakes. He deserves our praise under any circumstance, even when we’re being oppressed.

• If you are battling with oppression or depression tonight, keep looking to Jesus, keep trusting Jesus. When we take our eyes off of Jesus or look to other sources of help other than Jesus, we give way to deeper despair.
• Pray with one another. Pray for one another.