Summary of the preaching
Sunday, February 12, 2023 – Mrs pastor Billey.
Luke 7
36. Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.
37. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,
38. and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
There are many situations in the Bible that demonstrate God’s mercy such as the story of this lady.
Thus, the Lord teaches us how to approach him and benefit from his mercy.
As we approach the throne of mercy, we must know that Jesus is there.
A/ Luke 7.37 And behold, a sinful woman who was in the city, when she heard that he was at table… brought an alabaster jar full of perfume.
The sinful woman had heard about Jesus, so she made sure she knew Jesus was there and went into his presence.
She left with faith, with the problem she was going through. She prepared herself with an offering, she knew that her situation would change.
His confidence, his faith was manifested by this perfume. Even before she went, she had already started to thank him with her perfume.
*** In the same way, you must know that Jesus is there when you go to the throne of mercy and when Jesus is there there is deliverance, healing, restoration ….
If there is a doubt in you, settle it first, and convince yourself of this truth before going. Then approach with confidence and faith the throne of mercy. You must have the assurance in your heart that he is present.
B/ Luke 7. 38. and stood behind at the feet of Jesus.
This lady was a sinner. Sinner, here in the Bible, meant that she was of bad life, a prostitute.
So she stood behind because she knew she was not worthy, that she could not stand face to face before her Lord.
She knew she was approaching someone holy. So she recognized that she had sinned, so she humbled herself.
And with her heartfelt attitude, she got down on her knees…
*** So before Jesus we must let go of our pride and recognize that he is the Lord.
The attitude of our heart is therefore very important when we approach the throne of God. We need total humility. To recognize that Jesus is too great, too holy, and before him we can only abase ourselves.
C/ Luke 7.38…. She wept, and soon she wet his feet with her tears
When she presented herself to Jesus, she didn’t open her mouth, just cried… Her whole state said what she felt and thought… And the Lord understood.
Her tears showed the state of her heart.
All this was between her and Jesus, the people around her did not know what was going on. These people around them condemned it, even criticizing Jesus like this Pharisee.
But it didn’t matter to the woman, she didn’t look at everyone around her, but simply wanted to meet and touch Jesus.
*** So when we come to the throne of mercy, we don’t care about the outside noise, we focus on our relationship with the Lord.
D/ Luke 7.38…. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with perfume.
The woman’s hair represents her glory. And this lady wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair.
She thus gave up everything that was valuable to her, everything that could make her proud, that was dear to her …
She left all this at the feet of Jesus so that he could intervene in her life.
We don’t know how she became a prostitute, but we can ask ourselves what led her to become a prostitute?
Perhaps she had lost her parents? Did she have no resources left? Or was she following friends? Or did he love money too much? ….
Whatever the reasons, she made a decision that affected her life negatively.
It closed the door of marriage, child, fulfillment, sullied his reputation, ruined his life…
This decision became a garment for her, because she was known by this bad reputation.
And this lady recognized that she was guilty, it was not someone else’s fault, but her fault, her responsibility.
Any bad decision we have made has led us to something… We must know that it is not the fault of the wizard, our parents, friends, brothers, sisters, neighbors ….
If we walk in God’s righteousness, the enemy will not be able to find a loophole to reach us. Like Job who walked in the justice of the law so that to attack him where the enemy had to ask permission from God.
The decision not to forgive, to hold on to anger, to respond to evil, to take revenge, to lie, to steal…is a permission you yourself give to the enemy to destroy your life.
All the bad decisions we make affect us and have produced the result of our lives.
*** Let us learn to recognize our responsibilities, our faults, then humility will come into our hearts. However, know that there is hope in Jesus Christ.
E/ Forgiveness – Luke 7 v. 48 – 50
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
By going to Jesus, he was able to reverse the effects of this lady’s bad decision and restore her life.
To restore his destiny, she needed a savior… And the opportunity came through Jesus her savior.
If this woman was able to receive God’s mercy, how much more so for us, because Christ died and much more He rose again!
All Jesus asks of us is our repentance, asking for forgiveness, acknowledging our sin…
But often when we go to Jesus, we only look at the promises of God without looking at the depth of heart to have before we get these things.
Sins had to be forgiven first before peace could be given.
It was necessary to forgive first so that the door would be closed to the enemy;
And these words spoken by Jesus in front of all men were enough to restore the life of this woman.
Jesus not only forgave, but also restored her life, gave her a mission, a meaning to her life, a reason to live, a mission, a goal to accomplish for the Lord.
And she began to follow Jesus on the path of truth and serving him with other women of whom the Bible tells us.
Therefore, his life was restored not only on earth but in heaven;
** So don’t go to the throne of mercy as if you have no hope, God is the God of all possibility.
In summary, we must know that there are conditions, a state of heart to have when going to the throne of God’s mercy in order to obtain the desired restoration.
2 Chronicles 7.14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
1/ Being born again
This is the first fundamental step because the name of the Lord must be invoked in your life.
2/ Humility
You must throw away your crown, and recognize that without God you are lost, recognize your mistakes.
This woman humbled herself completely before the Lord.
3/ Searching for his face
We must seek the face of the Lord by following his instructions, spending quality time in his presence, praying, meditating on his word…
4/ Turn away from your evil ways
That is to say, to reject everything that is not to the glory of God
It means changing the way you see, perceive and act. Repentance is asking for forgiveness and deciding not to continue.
This sinful woman had certainly decided to leave her evil ways.
You cannot say to the Lord, for example, I accept to forgive, but when you see your sister, you do not greet her…
5/ Result: forgiveness and healing
Then forgiveness, healing and restoration will indeed come, not only for you but for your whole nation.
Know that you represent a nation because there are many lives attached to your life, people under your responsibility. And besides, apart from your children, you have to impact the people around you.
So be careful how you live. The Christian life is not about you alone because you represent a nation.
Beloved, there is hope for you, for everyone, for all in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
But it all starts with a decision, are you ready for that?
LET US PRAY →
- Lord, by your finger and by the blood of Jesus Christ, write the desire of your heart in my heart in Jesus’ name.
- Father, may your finger of power put an end to everything that conflicts with the knowledge of your greatness and goodness in my life and in my home, in Jesus’ name.
- Let the light of your Word shine in my mind and soul, and dispel the darkness of ignorance.
- Lord, bring more of you into my home in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, I thank you for answering my prayers, in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen!