6 Practice in Public

Kingdom Sons and Daughters in Public

Restoration and Healing notes

23 Oct 2024

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28: 18-20

18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

Prayer:

Thank You, Jehovah- Rapha, Our God who heals and restores us, who makes us whole. We come before You today, laying down all shame and guilt, grant us a repentant heart so we can see Your holiness. Work through our imperfections so we do not rely on our own selves, but find strength in You. Refine and sanctify us into the likeness of Jesus.  By Your Word, let Your truth illuminate our minds and hearts, to help us navigate this world, and help us show others Your truth so they may be free.  

In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen

We live in a community, even if we live in the middle of nowhere.  We are the body of Christ, and He is the head.  Meaning the whole body has to function well to accomplish on earth as it is in heaven,  

Imagine you live in a dorm, or apartments, or live with a big family. Guy across the hall from you has roaches, guy downstairs smokes, one of the kids came home with lice.  Do these things affect you?  Even though you did everything right. You have roaches, smell like smoke, and get the lice.  

If the community is unhealthy, the body, you are susceptible to that. Especially if they're your family or friends.  

If someone falls, we can help them back up, as God helps us back up. 

Ecclesiastes 4: 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Psalm 37: 24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him

MIcah 7: 8 Rejoice not against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me.

River (of life) flows out of us:

John 7: 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Ezekiel 47: 9 …so where the river flows, everything will live…. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.

Revelation 22:1-2 Eden Restored

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Obedience:

Matthew 6: 33 But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

Anyone ever feel sick, or something happens in life, but you still go to work. Push through it? Whatever it is. 

Our parents maybe taught us to be tough. Or suck it up, or “you still have to work”. Right? Taking sick time was shameful, etc. 

And we did. And we got through.

But maybe (at least for me) work took advantage of this mentality and maybe we pushed too much. Sacrificed our health or life things for work. And our health and life maybe suffered for it. 

What if we had that work mentality for doing God’s Will?  His anointing(job(s)) for us. Our obedience to Him. Our mission or work, if you will, for Him. 

We do it. Push through. 

Despite feeling unworthy or sick or not enough finances or whatever. 

(I can’t come to work today, boss, I don’t have enough gas money to get there. I don’t feel worthy. 

I'm not sure any boss would accept those excuses. )

But we push through regardless!  Just like that old work mentality!  

Except. When we do it for God….He doesn’t take advantage!  We don’t lose our health or life or suffer!!!  In fact the exact opposite happens. 

Imagine that. 

Practice in public:

Matthew 10 (Mark 6, Luke 9)

Jesus sent them out 2x2

9 Then Jesus called together the Twelve [apostles] and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, 2 And He sent them out to announce and preach the kingdom of God and to bring healing. 3 And He said to them, Do not take anything for your journey—neither walking stick, nor [a]wallet [for a collection bag], nor food of any kind, nor money, and do not have two undergarments (tunics). 4 And whatever house you 

enter, stay there until you go away [from that place]. 5 And wherever they do not receive and accept and welcome you, when you leave that town shake off [even] the dust from your feet, as a testimony against them.

In The Chosen, the scene where Jesus told them their mission, and the round table scene after they all came back, they were confused, felt unworthy, didn’t have understanding, but remained obedient. Little John (in the show), has a disability, and asked Jesus how he was supposed to have authority to heal people when he himself wasn’t healed.  

If Jesus commissioned us to do His Will, He has made us worthy, and any doubt is planted by the enemy.  

Remember your actions and words are planting a seed. Your actions and words should look like Jesus’ ministry, like he told the disciples when he sent them out 2x2.  

(Anyone ever try to plant bluebonnets in their yard?  Hoping that the following year you would get a huge field of bluebonnets, like we see on the countryside.  Except, you’re lucky to get one to bloom up in the next two years.)

The most difficult thing, that I see anyway, other than worrying about doing the wrong thing, is offense.  

Are we going to offend people? 

What did Jesus tell His disciples about people who wouldn’t receive?  Dust off your feet, and move on.

Proverbs 18: 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

People become offended with God when they think their sacrifice for God outweighs His sacrifice for them.

Matthew 24: 9-14 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The Spirit of Offense Keeps You From Loving Like God

Mark 4: 16-17 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

MANY Will Be Offended

John 6: 60-66 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.

Offense Is a Sin of Unforgiveness

The root of being offended is… unforgiveness! (also fear)

Why not be passive? 

The heart of offense is hatred, offense leads to deception, produces lawlessness, makes for false prophets, offense thrives where there is lack of love.

Matthew 16: 23  But Jesus turned [a]away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are [b]minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men

Jesus would put up with everything BUT offense.

Matthew 5:13 you are the salt of the earth,  but if not you will be thrown out and trampled on.

You are the preservers and healers of society. If you don’t participate in that process, you are good for nothing but to be cast out and trampled upon

Whatever in society we do not salt, it will rot with corruption and evil-

Government, Entertainment, Media, Economy(money), Education, Family(health), Religion etc.

The kingdom of heaven is at hand (it’s here, right now)

So carry you into the darkness and light it up!  You are the light!  

In the beatitudes sermon Jesus tells everyone there that they are the light. (Before Jesus even met the cross, rose again, and then ascended and give us Holy Spirit) we are God’s children. We were born of light 

As we mature in Christ, we become sons and daughters and re-ignite that light. Hence born again. Rid the darkness in our life. Invite God back into it. And then shine His light to the world so they can all see and feel His love and forgiveness. 

Whenever you see a place of darkness

State

I reverse the curse (of sickness ) 

I reverse the curse and I release God’s blessing of peace and restoration in place of the curse, with the power of Jesus’s blood.

Philippians 4: 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace will be with you.

What you have learned from the Practice on Your Own notes, is what you can teach others who are ready to receive.  

Sometimes just being you, people seeing you, works.  Seeing you full of joy and no worries. 

Testimony helps.  Sharing your similar troubles or experiences and how you made it through with God. 

Listening to people without judgment or opinion.  Being heard is an act of love. 

Showing people that life is amazing without the drinking, or sex, or lewdness etc, and replacing those things with things of God instead. 

People who are interested in adventure, science, history, rabbit holes, mysteries, can all be found with God and in the Bible.  

Things to remember:

Choose life not death, blessing not curse-and practice it!  Choosing is not just in thought, it’s in action. 

Deut 30:19 and 11:26

But, people have the free will to choose, however in my experience they don’t usually realize they’re choosing curse and death. Whether through their choices, beliefs, or even words.

TREE of LIFE/GOD

God’s Will, Light, Peace, Joy, Love, Humility, Innocence, Life-giving, Honor, Respect, Grace, Forgiveness.

Verses Tree of good/evil, Tree of Me

Sin, darkness, pride, envy, blaming, shame, hiding, hate, dishonor, judgmental, selfish,

bitterness. 

Oppression and sickness (death and curse) is just garbage looking for a place to live. When people feel the light and love of God(through you), and the truth and freedom He has for their lives, they will be more apt to choose life and blessing. 

When you speak to people try and speak to them as the God’s voice picture says:

GOD’S VOICE:

Stills you

Leads you

Reassures you

Enlightens you

Encourages you

Comforts you

Calms you

Convicts you

  Versus satans voice: rushes, pushes, frightens, confuses, discourages,      worries, 

obsesses, condemns.

Jesus, when He was with the woman at the well, and the woman the pharisees accused of a adultery and wanted to stone, first He gets on their level, doesn’t condemn them or judge, uses eye contact, speaks with love, establishes a relationship, gets rid of their shame, and tells them He has something better.  Paths of righteousness start with relationship, love, grace, the kindness of the Lord which leads people to repentance.  Remember repentance to God has no regret because He fills the cup with salvation. The Father in heaven does not condemn us for our sins.

Prayers with scripture: 

For I am not ashamed of this good news about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. – Romans 1:16 NLT

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the good news, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. – 2 Timothy 4:5 NLT

And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone.” – Mark 16:15 NLT

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” – 2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT

Jesus, Thank You for making me Your ambassador to my friends. Show me how to live my life in such a way that my friends see You in me. Help me to remember when I share the gospel, I speak on Your behalf. In Your name, amen.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. – 1 Peter 3:15 NLT

Lord, thank You for transforming me and helping me grow to be more like You. It is too easy for me to skip sharing the gospel with my friends because I don’t always feel ready. Help me to be intentional in bringing the gospel of Jesus into my conversations and to remain in a position of readiness to share it. In the name of Jesus, amen.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Thank you, Lord, for helping me accomplish what You have planned for me through Your grace. Help me influence my friends for Jesus’ glory, and let me lean into the confidence that doing this aligns my life to Your plans and purposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Lord, there are many instances when I don’t feel qualified to share the Bible with my friends. May Your power appear greatest in my weakness. As I allow Your power to work through me, I pray my friends will be shaped significantly. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

“This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:12-13 NLT

God, sometimes when I’m with my friends, it’s easy to notice their faults and issues. Help me to remember to love them in the same way that You have loved me. Allow that love to propel me to share the good news with them, and I pray that I can count it a joy to know Your Son by sharing Your love with my friends. I pray all these things in Jesus’ name, amen.