Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Matthew – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 12
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Matthew 8 & 9
Jesus Christ the Great Healer

Jesus Christ is a healer of the mind, body and soul. His healings can take place immediately anywhere at anywhere. To receive healing from Him, one has but to believe in Him and His ability to heal them. In this passage, Christ immediately heals a man from cancer. [Mt 8:3] He also heals the beloved servant of a Centurion from palsy. [Mt 8:13] The Lord Jesus healed Apostle Peter’s mother-in-law from fever. [Mt 8:15] He offered supernatural healing to two who were possessed with demons in the country of the Gergesenes. [Mt 8:28-33] Indeed, Christ healed many more from physical, mental and supernatural illnesses. [Mt 8:16] Not only were His healings gratuities of His mercy and power, but were purposed to fulfill prophecy concerning Him. His Person and Body are the Source of miraculous healing. [Isa 53:5; Mt 8:17; I Pet 2:24; Jn 14:12-14; 16:23-28; Heb 11:1, 6] Per this passage, Christ also controls the weather and elements thereof. [Mt 8:23-27] Per the experience of the demoniacs at Gergesenes, it is made known that demons recognize the Person and authority of Jesus Christ. [Mt 8:28-33] In [Mt 9:35], Apostle Matthew notes that being forgiven of sin is more valuable than being healed from an ailment of the physical body. In fact, Jesus Christ clarified that He did not come to CALL the RIGHTEOUS but those who are in need of healing from the power of sin. [Mt 9:10-13] The passage discloses that some unregenerate souls are attracted to regenerate souls and will make their acquaintance with them. These realize that they are unregenerate SINNERS and make no pretense of it. Christ regards them as potential candidates of His healing. Ironically, they are not at all attracted to religious hypocrites and try to avoid them at all cost. Because of their reverent attitude toward Christ and His brethren, they are inspired by the Holy Ghost to inquire of their insight.
This is an indication that they may be predestinated to become sons of God themselves. [Jn 6:37-40, 44, 45; St Jn 1:12, 13; Jn 10:4, 5, 14]



*call Gk #2564 kaleo (kal-eh-o) it means to call, which is to…
1. cry out in a loud voice, command and request to come
2. ask or invite to come or rouse from sleep as by a call
3. announce authoritatively, order into effect and summon by divine command
4. summon to an office or duty and cause to come
5. attract or lure and direct attention to
6. name or address someone and designate or think of as something specified

*righteous Gk #1342 dikaios (dik-ah-yos) it means equitable in character or action, fair, just, innocent and holy in Yahweh’s perspective

*sinners Gk #268 hamartolos (ham-ar-to-los) it is one who is full of sin

*repentance Gk #3341 metanoia (met-an-oy-ah) it is reversal of one’s decision and an uneasy feeling or guilt for one’s actions

Apostle Matthew notes beneficiaries of double healing. [Mt 9:1-7, 32, 33] These miraculous healings were also performed publicly and generated glory to THE LORD and honor to HIS servants. Apostle Matthew emphasized how people acknowledged that it was GOD WHO enabled HIS servants to perform such works. [Heb 9:8; 5:14-16] Per the experience of the woman healed from the issue of blood, it is revealed that Christ knows one’s thoughts without one having to verbalize them. [Mt 9:3, 4, 20-23] With just a touch, Christ woke the daughter of another Centurion out of a coma. [Mt 9:18, 23-26] Two blind men received their sight by the power of their faith in Christ. [Mt 9:27-31] Apostle Matthew notes that Christ appropriately addressed every circumstance, taking certain measures at prescribed times. This is exemplified when the disciples of John the Baptist inquired about why Christ’s disciples did not fast as often as they did. [Mt 9:14-17] The passage resources the excellence of effective preaching, teaching and divine healing. However, while such services were well received by many, there were others who did not and deemed it the work of EVIL. [Mt 9:34, 35] Apostle Matthew notes that Jesus Christ taught that while the HARVEST of souls to be redeemed is PLENTEOUS, LABOURERS who are qualified to effectively serve them are few. Therefore, He admonishes His disciples to PRAY that Yahweh would SEND FORTH LABOURERS into HIS HARVEST.

*harvest Gk #2326 therismos (ther-is-mos) it is a reaping

1. reap is to…
• cut with a sickle or other implement or a machine as in harvest
• gather or take
• get as a return or recompense
• reap a crop

2. crop is…
• the cultivated produce of the ground, while growing or when gathered
• the yield of such produce for a particular season
• a supply produced
• a collection or group of persons or things appearing or occurring together

*plenteous Gk #4180 polulogia (pol-oo-log-ee-ah) it is talkativeness

*labourers Gk #2040 ergates (er-gat-ace) it is a toiler and figurative of a teacher

*pray Gk #1189 deomai (deh-om-ahee) it means to beg as binding oneself and petition

*Lord Gk #2962 kurios (koo-ree-os) it means supreme in authority and controller, which is one who directs, regulates or restrains

*send forth Gk #1544 ekbello (ek-bal-lo) it means to eject, drive or force out and expel as from a place or position

This gives credence to the idea that there is an audience already in place for each disciple of Christ to serve. These audiences are constantly identifying themselves per their inward and outward conversation. Yahweh’s LABOURERS have but to be present and available to engage them. By divine intervention, these audiences are drawn to the LABOURERS who is appointed to serve them. Yahweh does not want the sheep of HIS flock to remain scattered abroad, seeking the substance they require. Therefore, HE directs them to LABOURERS HE has equipped to nurture them with HIS Word. [Mt 28:19, 20]
<See March 7, 2013 Notes on The Divine Request to Be God’s Footman; September 26, 2012 Notes on Sempi Com; August 26, 2012 Note on What Do You Think God Wants to Do with You?>

Matthew 10:1-16
Sent Forth to Share the Message of Christ

In this passage, Christ sends forth His initial Twelve Apostles to serve specific communities with physical and supernatural healing. They were Simon Peter, Andrew Peter’s brother, James and John the sons of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the publican/tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Lebbaeus Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot the betrayer. This gives credence to the idea that being divinely led is a key element to providing effective public ministry. Not being divinely led can invoke unfortunate consequence like that of the Seven Sons of Sceva. [Acts 19:14] Apostle Matthew shares his firsthand experience of Christ’s healing power. Christ knew He was only going to be with His disciples a short time. Therefore, His goal was to administer salvation and healing first to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.

*lost Gk #622 apollumi (ap-ol-loo-mee) it means to destroy fully, perish or lose

Apostle Matthew notes the importance of having faith in Yahweh’s ability to provide during public ministry. The passage discloses that the personal needs of Christian teachers are supplied by those they render service to. All oracles of THE LORD are to render their services with the message that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. They are to herald this Good News to the souls who are waiting to receive it. It is the fulfillment of divine prophecy, which had finally come per the Person, Power and Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the outset of Christian ministry, Christ instructed His disciples to take no money, scrips, excessive clothing, shoes or staves. He wanted them to experience firsthand how they, as WORKMEN of GOD are worthy of their MEAT. Thus, He wanted them to learn to go about their work, knowing that Yahweh will provide their personal needs. Therefore, it is never necessary for true messengers of GOD to swindle, mishandle or prostitution their charisma to receive the financial support they need. Yahweh wants HIS teachers to totally rely on HIS faithfulness to provide for them, as they serve in HIS HARVEST.
HE expects HIS WORKMAN to SERVE the audiences HE has appointed them to, in the spirit of love, meekness and gentleness. THE LORD certainly does not want them using gimmicks or propaganda purposed to generate attention to themselves as mystics, wonder workers or entertainers like workers of magic.

*workman Gk #2040 ergates (er-gat-ace) it is a toiler or a teacher

*meat Gk #5160 trophe (tro-fay) it is nourishment, rations or wages

True Oracles of GOD are divinely sent into public service to help those who desire it, to better understand divinely inspired words. THE LORD sends them out to specifically expound upon HIMSELF as being the ONE TRUE GOD, Jesus the Christ as HIS Son and the Gospel of HIS Christ. They are not to spend excessive time judging or debating with others about other alleged gods or doctrines. The primary effort of their ministries is to inspire souls to be reconciled to HIM through faith filled obedience to Christ. [I Cor 8:6; 2:1-4; Eph 4: 5, 6; II Tim 2:24-26; Mt 5:19] The motivation of their LABOR OF LOVE is founded in their personal devotion to THE LORD through Christ. It is never motivated by praise of men or money. Furthermore, they are to ENQUIRE about the HOUSE that is WORTHY of their services and abide therein until it is time to move on to the next.

*enquire Gk #1833 exetazo (ex-et-ad-zo) it means to thoroughly test with questioning, ascertain or interrogate

*house Gk #3614 oikia (oy-kee-ah) it is a residence, abode or domestic family

*worthy Gk #514 axios (ax-ee-os) it means deserving, comparable and suitable

*salute Gk #782 aspazomai (as-pad-zom-ahee) it means to enfold in the arms, salute and to welcome

Christ expresses that there are those who are not WORTHY of the message and service of GOD’S servants. Therefore, He instructs them to avoid offering their substance to certain ones saying,

Give not that which is holy to dogs neither cast your pearls to swine lest they trample them and turn again and rend you.
[Mt 7:6]
This gives credence to the idea that ENQUIRING is necessary to determine which souls who are WORTHY of divine insight and service. One must be led of the Holy Ghost as to where and who to SALUTE and serve as servants of GOD.

*peace Gk #1515 eirene (i-ray-nay) it is prosperity, oneness, quietness, rest, reconciliation to oneness or wholeness again

In addition, Oracles of GOD are to revoke divine PEACE from those who are not WORTHY of it and wipe the dust of that UNWORTHY HOUSE from their FEET as they depart from it. One’s FEET are figurative of their delegated influence and authority. The given authority of genuine Christian TEACHERS is to effectively expound upon divine words, namely those of Jesus Christ. [Rm 10:14, 15; Jn 5:24, 25; 6:63, 68; 8:31, 32, 36] UNWORTHY HOUSES are clearly marked by their refusal to HEAR or RECEIVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

*receive Gk #1209 dechomai (dekh-om-ahee) it means to accept, take or receive

*hear Gk #191 akouo (ak-oo-o) it means to hear, give audience to and understand

In [Mt 10:16], Jesus Christ advises that He SENDS His messengers forth as SHEEP in the midst of WOLVES.

*send Gk #649 apostello (ap-os-tel-lo) it means set apart and send out on a mission [Mt 28:19, 20]

*sheep Gk #4263 probaton (prob-at-on) it is something that only walks forward

*wolves Gk #3074 lukos (loo-kos) it is a wolf, which is a predator that survives best when strategically travelling in packs

Both SHEEP and WOLVES require effective leadership, strategy and team work to survive. The one strives by divine mercy and care, while the other strives by killing. [Jn 10:10] Therefore, Christ admonishes the SHEEP of GOD’S flock to be WISE as SERPENTS yet HARMLESS as DOVES.

*wise Gk #5429 phronimos (fron-ee-mos) it means thoughtful and cautious
*serpents Gk #3789 ophis (of-is) it is a snake and is figurative of an artfully sly, cunning and malicious person, especially Lucifer

*harmless Gk #185 akeraios (ak-er-ah-yos) it means unmixed, innocent and simple

*doves Gk #4058 peristera (per-is-ter-ah) it is a pigeon or dove

• pigeons …
o were among the offerings made unto THE LORD first by Abram [Gen 15:9]
o were later enumerated among the sin-offerings of the Hebrews. [Lev 1:14; 5:7; 12:6; Luke 2:24]

• doves are…
o pure white members of the pigeon species and are symbolic of innocence, gentleness, tenderness and peace
o symbolic of the Holy Ghost and an innocent, gentle or tender person
o symbolic of one in public office who advocates peace and the conciliatory attitude of a nation

Oracles of Yahweh are to be aware of satanic forces that operate in the geographical areas they minister in. Namely, agents of the anti-Christ spirit, who feign themselves as messengers of Jesus Christ. [Mt 7:20; 10:17; Phi 3:2; II Cor 11:14]

*********************<Time 14m32s>*********************