Today's Passage - Luke 4:31-37

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 4:31-37   "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people.  They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority...  All the people were amazed and said to each other, 'What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!'  And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area."   Back in the time of Jesus, when people saw how Jesus cast out demon, they were surprised, so they asked each other "what is this teaching?'  They thought it was a new teaching, but it was actually the principle of the heaven: Son of God has great authority.  1 John 3:8 says that "the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."  The Gospel that we believe in is powerful, but we are much like the Israelites back in the time of Jesus, because we often ask "what is this new thing" or "what is this new teaching" when we see signs and wonders.  Because we never experienced them, thus we don't know that the Lord we believe in is almighty and He has the power to heal and to release.   Believers in the Lord are often used to being weak and powerless, thinking that it's perfectly normal or even the way it ought to be.  When we occasionally see Christians who are filled with great joy and power, our first reaction is: "this guy is a fanatic!" or "he must be in a heresy!"  One time Jesus walked on the water and the disciples were surprised by Him.  Their first reaction was: that must be a ghost!  If we've never seen it, then it must be from the devil.  The Lord surprised them by telling them not to be afraid, and then He revealed Himself.  It was indeed the Lord, but they thought it was a ghost.  Isn't that the condition of the church today?  Sometime the Lord performs something new among us, and the "new thing" is not even that new because it probably has been done everywhere by God since the day of early church, but it's new to us.  Our reaction might be fear and doubt, but we don't consider the fact that it might be from the Lord.  Some have said that if it's the work of the Lord, it should not have scared us.  That is also wrong!  In the Bible, the first word that God spoke to people when He revealed Himself was always "do not be afraid."  Our first reaction to the work of God will inevitably always be fear, and we'll only be released after we slowly understand God's work.   Have you experienced signs and wonders?  It is not necessary for us to pursue outward manifestation, but we must believe that God can still perform miracles today, and they can bring forth tremendous transformation in our life.  Let us also believe that the Lord has given the authority to perform miracles to the church and to every believer.  When we pray for others, we will see sicknesses healed, demon cast out, and hearts turn back to true God.  May the Lord reveal to us that we have authority in Christ, for Christ is ever more abundant in us!               Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because you are the Lord with authority, and nothing is impossible in you!  I ask that the Lord remove all the doubt and disbelief in us, and we welcome you to accomplish miraculous deeds in our life today.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!