Ephphatha! Be Opened!

Ephphatha! Be Opened!

Mark 7 is about three different stories/scenarios of 'shut tight' situations.  These are situations that require a massive, superior power of intervention for necessary change.  In all three instances, Jesus reveals that HE has the power to change impossibly difficult situations effortlessly.  Jesus reveals that the challenge isn't the situation, but faith in God is.

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Scenario One:  - The Laws Of God

(Open Your Heart)

The Pharisees condemned the disciples of disobedience to the laws of God. But Jesus rebukes them not just for disobedience but amelioration.  They rearranged the law and approved it, nullifying God's authority. 

13 So you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. You do many things like that.”

The Pharisees made the laws the issue. Plus, they did not consult God before changing the laws to suit themselves. Jesus revealed that God's intent was man's heart condition towards him and each other.  The laws were made as a guideline.  They are a path setout for us based on the 'conviction' of our hearts.  Jesus came to earth to explain the significance of the laws.  Jesus opened up our understanding of God's view. His compassion gave the laws (the skeleton) God's original intent - flesh.  HE demonstrated that obedience to the laws should be driven by compassion for God.  Obeying the laws without conviction is abominable unto God.  

6 He answered them, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites. As it is written:
These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 They worship me in vain, teaching human rules as if they were doctrines.

God is interested in people who desire to serve and please HIM innocently.  Pride is a very subtle and dangerous weapon.  We need to stay humble. Our God and Father is extremely jealous.  HE will not share HIS praise with anyone else.  

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Scenario Two: - The Greek Syrian Phoenician Woman

(Open Your Arms)

God told the Israelites that they belonged to HIM.  Everyone one knew and saw that based on the countless victories Israel endured amidst their enemies.  Over the years, all the other nations feared, hated, and or rejected Israel.  Israel was set apart by God, and God protected and provided for them.  They alone were HIS responsibility.  Jesus was the first Jewish leader who offered an outsider the same opportunity as the Israelites.   HE listened to her story and afterwards granted her request and healed her daughter.  It's as if HE engrafted her. She understood that she was an outsider, yet she confronted God. Instead of turning her away, HE accepted her and improved her situation.

Mark 7: 26 - 30

26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

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Scenario Three: - The Deaf and Mute Man

(Open Your Eyes)

See what the Lord has done, is doing.  Jesus touched lives.  HE healed many people of all their diseases.  In this case HE touched a man and caused him to be able to hear and speak simultaneously.

Mark 7: 33 - 35

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 

34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 

 

35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

Jesus traveled all throughout the cities and towns exhibiting the love of God for people. HIS challenge to us was and is to first open our hearts to God.  Then open our arms to others.  Jesus demonstrates HIS love towards us by touching lives and souls; healing diseases and casting out demons.  HE did for us what we couldn't/ can't do for ourselves. Jesus is a healer.  HE restores completely. There is nothing that HE cannot fix. Jesus reconciles us to the Father. Romans 5. Seeing HIS actions towards us and others should lead us to hear/ listen to the 'Word Of God' and in turn share it with others.  John 15.  It is the word of God that has the power to change our hearts and minds. But we first need to feed our souls with the right kind of nutrition. For if we truly love God, then we will keep HIS commandments.  Our hearts need to be like fertile soil where the seed of God's word can take root. Matthew 13.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Ephphatha!  This is God's cry to us today. Hear the heart of the Lord and go share it with others. Jesus did not come to earth to do away with the law.  The first two commandments are to love God first, and then love others next.  For how can we love a God whom we cannot see if we can't love our fellow men that we do see. 1 John 4. God's call to mankind is always to walk in obedience to the precepts of HIS word.  For faith find its roots in the soil of HIS word. Romans 10. The more we spend time in the word of God is the more that HE will reveal HIS heart to us with the assistance of the Holy Spirit who understands the nature of God, and gives us revelation. John 16. We need God's help to serve God well.  We cannot succeed without HIS power and intervention.  We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.  Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.  We have the power to overcome because HIS divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of HIM who called us by HIS own glory and goodness. We were born to thrive and dominate.  So DOMINATE!

TESTIMONY: Misused or Misunderstood? Defending the New Testament with the Old | Case For Messiah

WORSHIP: Breathe - Dunsin Oyekan #dunsinoyekan #worship #praise

God's word is the oxygen our spirits need to thrive in and dominate the world we live in!

The Kingdom of God(pt.2)...It is the Gospel, not the Cross!

The Kingdom(pt.2)...It is the Gospel, NOT the Cross!

Man was created in God's image to have dominion over the earth.  In the garden of Eden man sinned by transferring that authority to the devil when he disobeyed God.  God's way of restoring man's dominion was to send HIS son Jesus Christ - 'The Messiah' to take back rulership from the devil by HIS death on the cross.   

 

Matthew 25: 34 

 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.   

 

Kingdom governance of man on the earth was God's plan all along. That's what God commanded Adam to do when HE created him. The laws of God's Kingdom state that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin.

  

Hebrews 9:22

22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

The significance of the cross

The cross was the means, but the end was the restoration of a relationship and the rulership of the Kingdom of God to man on earth.  A sacrifice was needed, but the blood of animals nor humans wasn't sufficient to redeem man's position, i.e. dominion.  The only sacrifice good enough to appease God the Father, was the blood of  Jesus Christ.  That's why Jesus died.  Jesus died to restore a right relationship between God and man, and to grant us re-access to a right representation of God's dominion on earth.  God loves mankind. John 3 Separate and a part from the fact that HE created man to 'be occupied' with governing the earth, HE wanted to be in a personal relationship with man.  

 

Before Adam and Eve were banished from the garden it was God's custom to 'walk and talk' with them daily. Genesis 3 God cares about man's ideas and well-being.  As a result of God's love towards man HE gave man HIS best, and that's what HE expects of/ from man.  God expects man's best. The Almighty God is firstly interested in man's attitude towards HIM.  HIS possessions are a bonus, not the prize.  The real prize is HIM. Dominion is a possession.  The earth is The Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.  Psalm 24 When Jesus died HE recovered man's dominion from the devil by taking back the keys that our forefathers had given to the devil.  God did not give the devil dominion, man did.  Man did not fall from heaven, he fell from dominion over the earth. 

Matthew 16:19

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Luke 4: 43

43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

Mark 1: 14-15

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The reason for our shortfall....

 

Jesus while HE was on earth spoke mostly about the Kingdom of God.  HE only ever spoke once about being born again to an old priest who was trying to understand HIS explanation about the Kingdom.  Understanding and accepting the fact of the Kingdom was of utmost importance.  For, why would you want access if you don't understand it's culture and precepts? And why would I grant it to you if you couldn't/ wouldn't maintain its privileges?  God doesn't want subjects.  HE wants children. We've been misled.  Repentance was/ is primary.  It challenges us to reject our concept of God and heaven and to change our attitudes towards both.  The Almighty God is interested in 'right relationship' with man.  The Jews wanted God and 'The Messiah' for the wrong reasons.  The objective of the Kingdom of God therefore was to attract a 'people with a different motivation and mindset'.  Romans 12 

 

God's motive is love.  HE expects our to be the same. Appreciation for the King and The Kingdom is priority. We are heirs and co-heirs to HIS throne.  Romans 8 If we don't value its privileges we will 'do what Adam did and give it away again'.  God cannot afford for 'that to happen again' i.e. our ungratefulness and nonchalance.  Hence there's a qualification process. Adam and Eve got if for free.  Jesus paid the price for our repossession. But there is a clause. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Hebrews 11 Access to the King and Kingdom of God is via The Holy Spirit.  Jesus introduced mankind to the gateway for our shortfall.  But we needed to understand 'the reason' first.  Nicodemus visited Jesus privately by night and Jesus told him that he must be born again in order to access the Kingdom of heaven.  Jesus focused on faith. Access to God is based on faith in the counsel of The Holy Spirit.  HE didn't preach on deliverance or healing, nor religion, church membership nor condemnation.  HE went about instead proclaiming the gospel of faith in the Kingdom of heaven on earth.  HIS parables continuously alluded to it.  That was HIS mandate.  When HIS disciples asked HIM to teach them how to pray HE said: ...THY Kingdom come, THY will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6: 9-13

Why is it good news?

In order for man to be reconciled to God and his position, a better way/ system had to be put in place.  Man wasn't understanding his purpose, nor how to maintain it.  Even after the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, and had experienced God's multiple miracles and grace, they constantly reverted to their old way of thinking and doing things as if they were still in bondage in Egypt.  They didn't make it to the promise land; only the children born in the wilderness did.  Yet it was all theirs.  But their mindset was incorrect.  They didn't understand the ways of God's government. They didn't understand god's original intent. They didn't understand God's heart. They didn't understand the value of their relationship with the Almighty God. They complained a lot rather than take charge over their situations.  Constantly they were ungratefully misled. They just didn't get it.  Over and over, men continuously subjected themselves to being ruled, rather than ruling.  God's chosen people didn't understand what God had in mind when HE created them.  They didn't understand 'dominion over the earth, nor the value of their relationship with God.'  

Adam and Eve gave up their 'birthright' before they ever began to really enjoy it.   The devil tricked them, just like in the story of Esau and Jacob.  They didn't understand the significance/value of what they had. That's why Jesus kept alluding to the Kingdom of God, and preached so much about it's value. For instance: the parable of the treasure

Matthew 13: 44-47

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

The benefits of the Kingdom....

The Kingdom of God gives us personal access to God as our Father, not just King.  God wants our actions to be driven by our relationship and not just our fear. As a result we won't abuse HIS grace, but rather use it to improve our attitudes towards our responsibilities, HIMSELF and HIS Kingdom. We are not to abuse them. The Kingdom also gives us power for change.  It changes our wealth and capabilities.  It is supposed to change our entire lifestyle.  It puts us in a better position, we gain more, we control more, and our outlook is transformed.  We fear less, command more, and give God the glory. For instance: if your bank account is $1 million dollars you are rich until it finishes.  But if you father owns the bank you have unlimited access to money.  Jesus came to change our mindset.  

 

In a Kingdom the King owns everything.  As children of God we are 'stewards' i.e. managers.  Our role is to share and maintain, not hoard.  God's resources are unlimited.  Two fishes and five loaves of bread fed over five thousand people. We are a part of a 'body'.  1 Corinthians 12 God has many children and no grand children.  We all have the same access because of the cross. The Cross is extremely significant.  God doesn't entertain sin.  There's no way we could have access to the Kingdom without the cross.  The Cross is like crossing the Red Sea - the pathway from slavery to freedom; and the Jordan River is our mindset which we have to get over too.  But the Kingdom is Canaan - the Promise Land with all its milk and honey.  Don't get stuck in the wilderness.  It's time to cross over the Jordan.  Claim what God has already ordained for you.  You are entitled to it.  Stop stumbling, complaining, and being distracted; and instead, focus and take charge!

Picture this:  The Cross is the socket.  Jesus Christ is the plug.  The Holy Spirit is the cord. The Good News is the lamp.  The only way to see and experience what's going on in the room (Kingdom) is to use the light from the lamp.  The reason why most Christians live defeated, enslaved lives is because they wander around in the darkness 'feeling for stuff' rather than using the light to enjoy it. Isaiah 9: 1-8

TESTIMONY: God's Kingdom Business "My Journey" Kris Vallotton

WORSHIP: Kingdom Come

Focus on the gospel!