It is amazing to see what God is doing! We believe that God is starting to do a new thing in the earth! We look forward to all that God has in store.
Included below is the next set of notes. These notes are entitled '
COME TO ME'. They focus on the invitation from God for each one of us to COME TO HIM. One thing we have discovered is that there is always more of God for us to discover and experience. As we draw close to Him, He promises to draw close to us.
Let us press on and let us not draw back!
Enjoy your week,
Regards,
Andrew & Vanessa Roebert
ALIVE TO GOD
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COME TO ME INTRODUCTION
We want to look at one of the great invitations that Jesus made. The invitation is that we are invited to ‘COME TO HIM�? Today His invitation to us still stands. It is still in the heart of God that we would ‘COME TO HIM�? When we respond to this invitation, we must respond like children. Ready to go and sit with our God, our Saviour. Today Jesus is saying: ‘COME TO ME!�? What we need to do is respond.
THE STORY
The story during which Jesus made this invitation is well-known and special. It is a story of man’s longing! It is a story that shows us the heart of mankind! It is a story that shows us the heart of God!
Luke 18:15-17 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother Him (They rebuked them!). Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.�?/EM>
This is a remarkable story! There are four role players in this story:
1. The Parents.
2. The children.
3. The Disciples.
4. Jesus.
I wonder how each of those groups felt about this experience?
1. WE ALL KNOW WE NEED GOD
In this story we see how parents were spontaneously bringing their children to Jesus. They must have known that there was some benefit to having their children around Jesus. These parents desired that their children would experience Jesus and get His blessing on their lives. These parents had brought their children and some may have traveled a long way. In the same way today parents still want their children to be dedicated, baptized or christened. They want the blessing of God on the lives of their children. There is this deep seated knowledge that we need God and God’s blessing in the lives of our children. BUT it goes further, because we know that we need God’s blessing and presence in our daily lives. In a very real sense we all know that need for the touch of God in our lives. We can find it! As we push in, and just like the children in this story, find a place at the feet of our creator.
2. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OBSTACLES
When it comes to getting closer to God there will always be obstacles, hurdles and hindrances. There will always be things that try to keep us away from God. It could be religious leaders, our spouse, our children, our work, our careers, our health, our wealth, our hobby’s, the busyness of life and many other things. The issue is that we need to recognize and deal with them. We must never allow circumstances, people and pressures to keep us away from God. In this story the ‘well-meaning�?disciples decided it was too much for Jesus and they felt these parents and their children were bothering Jesus. So the disciples got a bit strong. The Bible uses the word ‘rebuked�? This means to ‘criticize sharply�?or to ‘reprimand�? Whatever it means they were being forceful in an attempt to get these people away from Jesus. The devil will be forceful in making sure that he keeps you as far away from God as he can. There will always be obstacles, BUT press through, God is waiting for you!
3. THE RESPONSE OF JESUS
Then Jesus intervenes. This is what makes this story so remarkable. He does not just leave it there and agree with what His disciples are doing. He recognizes what is going on and He puts a stop to it in a very decisive action. Jesus tells His disciples: ‘DON’T STOP THEM!�? He was not mixing words about this, He wanted what the disciples were doing to stop and stop right now. He was not diplomatic or gentle, He was direct and clear. I believe that Jesus wanted this matter cleared up. He wanted it known that despite what the disciples had wanted, He wanted His children to come to Him! And He said it just like that: ‘Let the children come to Me.�?
4. THE TOUCH OF GOD
The touch of God is such an essential ingredient in our lives.
Mark 1:40 �?42 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.�?nbsp;Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.�?nbsp;As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
Notice the process:
1. Desperation and determination
2. The touch
3. The words
4. The healing
We all need to experience the touch of God in our lives. Many people here and around the world have begun to experience a fresh touch from God.
Acts 3:19 So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
5. THE INVITATION
And so Jesus invites the children to come to Him. ‘Let the children come to Me!�?nbsp;This matter was settled once and for all. The heart and the intention of Jesus was that these children should have access to Him. Today you and I are children of God. As such we can receive this same invitation from God. Today Jesus is saying to you as His child: ‘COME TO ME!�?nbsp;It is the same child-like faith that brings us to a place of receiving God’s blessing and favour as well as being able to be with Him and enjoy His presence in our lives. We must never allow anything to block or stop us from enjoying this connection with God. We must respond to the invitation and as we hear the words: ‘COME TO ME!�?we must say: ‘Lord, HERE I AM I COME TO YOU RIGHT NOW!�? What is an invitation worth if we do not respond?
CONCLUSION
What are we to make of all this?
1. God has time for each one of us!
2. God invites us to come to Him. Your Heavenly Father is drawing you to Himself!
3. As children of God it is our natural response to want to be with our heavenly Father.
4. There will always be those things trying to stop us.
5. Press in and press on to know and experience more of God.
6. We need the touch of God!
7. He is waiting for us to come to Him in child-like faith!
By: Andrew W Roebert
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