hanks

4. Why is it so hard to maintain a Quiet Time? What have you found that enables you to set aside this time? Any tips to share with the rest of us? In our busy world today, we often don’t have time for our Lord and Saviour Jesus. There is so much to distract us. Making it very difficult to squeeze in some time with Jesus. On top of this we are motivated by greed, and power, amongst other things. We are mostly self-centred – it’s all about Me. It helps to acknowledge Jesus in everything we do daily – making Him the centre of our life. I have my Quiet Time with my wife, 4 times a week. Initially we persevered and made a point of sticking to our schedule. Afterwards it became ingrained into our life style. We hardly ever miss our morning Quiet Time. So, it is important to persevere that it becomes a sort of habit. Also, we have a fixed format. We start off with a prayer and finish with a prayer – which we alternate weekly as to who starts. In between we have a Bible Reading, with a commentary, alternating with 2 lessons from different phone apps. This usual takes about 60 minutes, and the format makes for spiritual growth. Each time it is different and exciting so that we always look forward to our early morning Quiet Time.

3. Which was the more important motivator for Jesus: compassion or duty? Did they ever conflict? Jesus' priority was to proclaim a new kingdom of which He is the King. But out of compassion He healed the sick - laying His hands on every one of them and healing them. But Jesus did not make it His major emphasis. He had other duties. In the kingdom Jesus came to establish, it is more important to help people begin to find some new positive attitudes and behaviours. Jesus proclaimed a new king, a new centre, a new direction, and new priorities. Incidentally, much of our illness has been dealt a death blow. But not all. We still live in a broken world. Love, faith, hope, and joy - these clinical descriptions of wellness are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are the overflow of His presence in our lives. Their absence produces illness and their presence makes for health. Our primary focus is not on the elimination of illness or immorality but on righteousness. Righteousness is loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbour as yourself. Righteousness is receiving the Spirit and the gifts of faith, hope, love, joy - the magic ingredients to wellness.

2. How did Jesus treat the sick people He encountered that afternoon and evening in Capernaum? What kind of example does that set for us to follow? There is an awareness that we are basically spiritual and our body responds to positive attitudes and emotions. With this in mind we have to be there for the sick, listening, always showing love and compassion, being positive, and negating any thought of hopelessness. At the same time being strict and bringing joy into their lives. Prov 17:22 tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Remember they aren’t unhappy because they are sick, but more likely they are sick because they are unhappy. Joy is one of the gifts of the Spirit, along with hope, love, and faith. There is a spiritual dimension of illness – an inter-relatedness of faith and wellness. The positive imagery begins to release healing forces. So, we are to remain positive at all times, since there is a measurable physical change in the body for those who believe they are healed. In healing the sick and the demon possessed, Jesus had already demonstrated that He could heal with just a word (Luk 4:39). Yet here in Capernaum, it was the touch of Jesus' hand that healed the sick. He also, went through the trouble of treating each person individually, showing us that human touch is so very important. He could have spoken the word and healed the whole crowd at once.

1. What does Jesus' ministry of laying on of hands for healing teach us about Him? Jesus did not have to personally lay hands on each person, but by doing so, He showed compassion and an interest in each individual - listening to their illnesses and healing them one by one. When we are not well some kind words and simple wordless gestures are so important – such as a hug or laying on of hands. Another thing we noticed is that He healed instantly - Peter’s mother-in-law was able help immediately in preparing a meal for all who were in the house. By His power to heal and by His miracles, Jesus proved His deity.

7. What will happen in your life if you toy with or nurture the temptations you have to sin? What happens when sin and Satan get a foothold in your life? We have to take Satan seriously. If not, he will gain a foothold that might be most difficult to break. We cannot do this on our own strength; we need to use one of God’s spiritual weapons He has made available to us, such as the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – just as Jesus Himself showed us. But rather, nip any temptation in the bud, that might come our way. Immediately ask for forgiveness for the thought and repent, thus not giving Satan or one of his demons any chance to gain a demonic stronghold in our life.

6. Give examples from your own life or experience on how deceptive and innocent involvement in sin can appear, and how terrible the consequences. I have found that, as I grow spiritually and have a deeper relationship with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I’m most careful not to do anything that might hinder my fellowship with Him. As an example: the few times that I have not been charged with items when shopping, I’ve made a point to return to the shop and pay for the item. Not wanting Jesus to find me dishonest in any way. However, if I did ignore this, I deceive myself. Once I ignored returning to the shop and gloated upon the fact that I got something for nothing - not thinking of the loss the shopkeeper had suffered. After several months I found that this worried me and I was constantly trying to decide what to do. This incident can lead to one lowering one’s guard and even giving in to temptation. I decided to go and pay for the item. The shopkeeper praised me for my honesty. What a good feeling and relief! It always pays to be honest. I try to live according to God’s Word and know that I need the help of the Holy Spirit to empower me to resist sin, and not give in to its temptation. From experience I have found it best to confess our sins and truly repent as soon as possible. This includes our evil thoughts and the things we should have done but did not do. When we do this, we know that God is faithful and just to forgive, for we read in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.

5. Why isn't recovery from demonic deception always instantaneous? What is the process of deliverance that a person must go through to come to full freedom? Having lived under a demonic influence requires a strong will, depending on the intensity and time period involved to break away. The process to be delivered from this influence requires using divine power to break these strongholds (2 Cor 10:3-4) – which can be anything from ****, pleasure, and greed. Being merely weak humans, the believer does not use wealth, power, or any other carnal method to win our battle to achieve full freedom, but rather God’s mighty spiritual weapons of prayer, faith, His Word, and the Holy Spirit to fight against these demonic strongholds.

4. After you've read Dr. Wilson's essay on "Demonization and Deliverance in Jesus' Ministry" (in Appendix 2), do you think he proves his assertion that demonization describes a range of demon influence, rather than complete possession? Why or why not? God’s elect, a true believer who has repented and put their faith in Christ, is a new creation, and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. No way will the Holy Spirit allow this new creation to be possessed or controlled by a demon. However, the believers will still commit sins but less often, and when they do they will be full of remorse; confess, ask forgiveness, and continue to obey Him. God has freed true believers from their slavery to Satan, and He will keep them safe from Satan's continued attacks. We know that the whole world is under the control of the evil one, who is always trying to undermine the character and Word of God, and in the same way that Satan attempted Jesus (Luke 4:2), demonic forces will tempt us to sin and oppose our efforts to obey God. Christians are particularly vulnerable during times of suffering, when lonely, weak, helpless, or focused on our troubles. It is then that they may have an influence over our thoughts, behavior, and spirituality. That is all. But, now would be the time to focus on Jesus, and the Word; then Satan will flee from you (James 4:7). We can put on the full armour of God (Eph 6:11) which comes from the Holy Spirit. So, we see that the power for victory over and freedom from demonic oppression is always available – “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). So, I agree that demonization describes a range of influences that can be used, but this only applies to the unconverted or Christians in moments of weakness. We must remember that the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) is always available to overcome any demonic oppression or influences.

3. Why do you think the demon oppressed man interrupted Jesus? The demon knew Jesus was the Holy One of God, and he was petrified thinking this was the end and that he would be thrown into the lake of fire. This he knew was their ultimate destination. He knew from Scripture that Jesus would come and destroy all the demons. He just was not sure if the time has arrived. Until now he managed to keep a low profile, this is what they do to maximize their evil deeds. Now he is suddenly confronted by Jesus who speaks with power and authority.

2. Jesus' words were spoken with conviction and authority, compared to the scribes who often spoke in the synagogue. What was the source of Jesus' conviction and authority? His divinity? Or something else? Should we expect conviction and authority to attend our own teaching? Why or why not? The Words Jesus spoke were direct messages from God to man. That is why they are the absolute truth (John 17:17) and can be spoken with conviction and absolute authority. God has been speaking to us through His creation, the prophets, the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and through the Word (His Son, Jesus Christ). Jesus is the Word who became flesh and lived among us, who came from the Father full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Jesus Christ is the perfect expression of God in human form. In the same way when we teach Scripture we should expect it to be treated with conviction and authority. It is not just a collection of words. It is God speaking to us. It is the living, powerful Word that requires that we not only listen but must obey so that it can shape our lives. It discerns what our thoughts are - both good and evil.

1. What is the relationship between Jesus' commission in Luke 4:18-19 and His ministry acts in Capernaum? In Nazareth, it is mostly about the identity and person of Jesus, the promised Messiah. It is John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah who announces Him. In Capernaum there is a shift in emphasis. It is not so much about the person, but more about the power and authority of Jesus. If we are to believe that He is the Messiah there must be some show of this authority and power. He tells us that He has the power over all teachers and all teaching, power over disease, power over nature, and then goes on to demonstrates His power over demons. The first of Luke’s miracles.

4. How did Jesus show courage in the face of rejection? What lessons can you learn from His example? At His baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, and God spoke from heaven "You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased." He knew that He would face rejection from the majority of people, but He had the approval of His heavenly Father, giving Him the courage to face rejection. We can learn from Jesus. We will face rejection here on earth but as believers we know we have been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. (Eph 1:3-4). This is all that matters!

3. Why couldn't they kill Jesus at Nazareth? Why did Jesus willingly allow Himself to be captured in the Garden of Gethsemane? God is sovereign and it was not in God’s plan for Jesus to die at Nazareth. His 3-year ministry had to be completed, and at the right time He will be captured and eventually will die on the Cross as God had planned. Jesus was constantly in contact with His heavenly Father and with the Holy Spirit, and must have known the exact events that had to happen in God’s wonderful plan of redemption.

2. Why do you think Jesus "rubbed it in" with two stories of God blessing Gentiles while Jews were still in need? Is He egging on the residents of Nazareth? There was no real appreciation of His true identity or worth. To them, He was just one of their own home-town boys who had made good in Capernaum. He was rubbing it in by telling them about two OT prophets who were not appreciated by the people of Israel and so were sent to the Gentiles. The first incident involved Elijah who was sent to help a Gentile widow. Elisha was sent to heal a Gentile leper instead of helping the many lepers in Israel. Jesus knew their culture placed women, Gentiles, and lepers at the bottom of the social scale. And here the Lord pointedly placed all three above unbelieving Jews! What He was saying was that OT history was about to repeat itself. In spite of His miracles, He would be rejected not only by the city of Nazareth but by the nation of Israel. He would then turn to the Gentiles, just as Elijah and Elisha had done. He was trying to make them see the error of their ways – the misunderstanding of what He said and meant.

1. How can it be that Jesus can go from declaring His commission from God on high one moment, to being subjected to an attempted assassination the next? Have you ever experienced highs and lows this extreme? Yes this can easily happen. I have had a similar experience in business. The one day everything is going so well, and then all of a sudden things go wrong. As if the bottom has fallen out. You take time to fathom out what has happened, and why? Truly a frightening experience. In this circumstance it was only my faith in my Lord Jesus and prayer that got me out of this situation with minimum damage.

6. Who are the oppressed in your particular community? How can you assist them and help them find justice? The victims of oppression are the weak and vulnerable, the poor, widows, orphans, foreigners, and servants. This oppression is mainly caused by the oppressors’ greed and **** for power. God is concerned for the victims of oppression and we should exhibit that same concern. In Psalm 72:4, we read that down through the centuries the poor and needy have been oppressed, underpaid, persecuted and even killed, and that He will liberate them and punish those who took advantage of them. We imitate our Lord by showing them compassion, and by trying to help them out of their situation. We need to remember the love and mercy Jesus Christ showed us in sparing us from the judgment which our sins deserved. More often than not they are unable to help themselves.

5. How should you heal the broken-hearted in your world? We must be with them, giving a listening ear, and comforting them. Death is always a time of grief for those left behind, but there is no need for hopeless sorrow for believers. Although we are sorrowful that we won’t share any more earthly experiences with our departed Christian loved ones, we can also look forward to an eternity with them. Grief and hope can coexist when we know the destiny of the ones we love. That knowledge helps us move on, eager for the day when the Lord will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 7:17; 21:4). Compare this with the despairing grief of those who have no hope of heaven, or reunion, of anything but judgment. God has promised to be “close to the broken-hearted” (Ps 34:18), and to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through this difficult time. God understands our grief and will be with us and comfort us with promises from His Word. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), for us death is not the end but the beginning. While the non-Christian may sense a waning in intensity of heartbreak, only a Christian can experience complete recovery because only the Christian has access to the power of the Spirit of God who alone “heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). What wonderful news! Thank You, LORD.

4. Who around you is a prisoner? How can you declare freedom to them with sensitivity? Everyone around me and including myself, is a prisoner - we are either prisoners/slaves to sin or to righteousness. We find that when sin is our master, we are unable to resist it. As prisoners/slaves, as spiritual prisoners/slaves we are held in spiritual bondage - held captive to our guilt. Living a life enslaved to sin with the resulting guilt, suffering, and separation from God. As slaves to sin we cannot free ourselves; we need to put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ who through His death on the Cross is able to free us from the penalty and power of sin. This is the good news, that by His power to overcome the power of sin, we find ourselves being set free from sin and now we become slaves to righteousness (Rom 6:18). We find complete peace and true freedom. Just think, through our bondage to Christ, we have become sons and heirs of the Most High God (Gal 4:1–7), and as heirs, we are partakers of that inheritance - eternal life - which God confers on all His children. So, we are no longer slaves, but God's children. This is a privilege beyond any earthly treasure we could ever inherit, while those in bondage to sin inherit only spiritual death and an eternity in hell.

3. Why can being around the very poor make us feel uncomfortable? Can we with integrity declare good news to the poor without seeking to alleviate their poverty? Can the two be separated? Should they be? Did Jesus give alms to the poor, do you think? Sometimes I might feel uncomfortable, knowing that if it was not for God’s grace and mercy, I could be in that position of poverty. This realisation can hit one, resulting in being overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude. On the other hand, there can be a feeling of guilt in not having done enough to help that person in their time of need. Very often one does not know what are the circumstances involved and how to help. Poverty can be self-inflicted through laziness, bad choices, drug addiction, and other. Yes, Jesus said the poor will always be with us (Matt 26:11). There is no shame in being poor. We can declare Good News to the poor without easing their poverty. But there is nothing stopping us to do both together. So, the two can and could/should be separated. Very often we find the poor are rich in Christ and the opposite also occurs; there are those who are wealthy but are without Christ. There needs to be a balance of not too rich and not too poor (Prov 30:8), of avoiding these extremes. Being poor can be dangerous to spiritual and physical health. On the other hand, being rich is not the answer – we might become independent of the Lord and deny Him by not feeling any need for Him. The ideal is to learn how to live with neither poverty nor riches (Php 4:12). Jesus Himself was poor. His disciples and most of Jesus’ followers were poor as well. At least in worldly terms. However, they were rich in spiritual wealth.

2. Here is a premise: "If we are followers of Jesus, then Jesus' commission is our commission, too. We must both embrace His mission and adopt it for ourselves." It could be argued that one person's mission need not be another's. Do you think this is a valid premise? Why or why not? The fundamental mission was to fulfil God’s plan of saving the lost. Yes, in this global strategy we must both embrace His mission and adopt it for ourselves. We as His disciples, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, are to carry on Jesus’ commission throughout the whole world – making disciples of all nations by preaching the gospel. Getting them to repent and to trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. But, it must go beyond evangelism; it is not enough to simply make converts and let them fend for themselves. They must be taught to obey the commandments of Christ, and how to become more and more like Jesus Christ Himself - this is brought about by systematic teaching of, and submission to, the Word of God. However, there is also a personal strategy used in fulfilling Jesus’ commission, where one person’s mission need not be another’s. This involves using the different personal spiritual gifts we have received from the Holy Spirit in achieving His goal.

1. Is it reasonable to expect that the power of the Spirit will be as great in a Christian today as it was in Jesus? In believers the power of the Spirit is dependent upon their faith and obedience or unbelief and disobedience. The evidence of the presence and blessing of God is directly dependent on our response to the Lord. The Holy Spirit will bring great blessing in the life of believers whose conduct is pleasing to God. It is true that when regenerated we became new creations, and we all received the Holy Spirit as a deposit. But the power depends on our walk with Jesus Christ. Jesus, on the other hand, was completely without sin, and He received unlimited power of the Spirit.

1. Did Jesus have any special powers at His disposal to resist temptation that Christians today don't have? No, He did not have any special powers to resist temptation that is not available to us today. Just as He had, we have the Holy Spirit who will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. He will provide a way out (1 Cor 10:13). Jesus also taught us that we have the Word of God as a response to temptations. Satan will bombard us with temptations that we can list under 3 categories, the **** of the eyes, **** of the flesh, and the pride of life. And the only way to combat these temptations is to use Scripture as a weapon. The only difference with Jesus was the fact that He could not sin. We might think that the temptations of Jesus wee meaningless because He could not sin. But it is important to realise that His temptations were not to see if He would sin but to prove that He could not sin. Jesus is God, and God cannot sin. Also, only a holy sinless Man could be our Redeemer. He was tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin. Scriptures tell us that Jesus knew no sin (2 Cor 5:21), He committed no sin (1 Pet 2:22), and there is no sin in Him (1 John 3:5). On top of this, He was absolutely obedient to the Father (John 5:19), and the Father would never lead Him to sin.

1. What is the essence of the third temptation, to throw oneself down from the temple? How do we face this temptation today? In this third temptation Satan uses a different tactic. If Jesus will not prove He is the Son of God by doing what God has not said, namely use His divine power independently to make bread. If He will not prove He is the Son of God by doing what God has said not to do, worship anyone other than Himself. Maybe He will prove He is the Son of God by doing something to prove the truth of what God has said. Satan tells Jesus: You trust God, You only want to obey His Word, You trust His love, You trust His care and You will only do what His Word says to do. Since You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. He then quotes Psalm 91:11-12, “For He will command His angels concerning You to guard You in all Your ways; they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone”. For the third time, Jesus resisted temptation by quoting from the Bible. “Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah” (Deu 6:16). In our search for material wealth, or a prominent place in the world, or public recognition, or even to gain a high position in the church, we may be tempted to choose a way that is not part of God’s plan for us. This pride in our achievements and possessions our obsession with one's status or importance are some of the temptations we face today. When tempted we need to do what Jesus did, and that is to rely on the Word of God and stand fast in our commitment to worship God alone, no matter the cost or the sacrifice. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Eph 6:17), and as we learn to apply the Word to every circumstance of our lives, we too can emerge victorious from fierce temptations.

1. What is the essence of the second temptation, to attain power and splendour? What similar temptations do we face today? Satan offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world, which one day will become His, as we read in Rev 11:15: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever." So, Satan was offering Christ what would eventually be His anyway. The only real thing Satan rules over and can offer is evil. But there could be no short cut to the throne. God the Father had planned that Jesus had to first suffer on the cross before He could enter into His glory. There is no quick fix, no other way, only God’s way. Jesus would not worship the devil, no matter what the prize might be. Jesus' response was immediate, and said to him, "It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only,’" and He quotes Deuteronomy 6:13. We face similar temptations. Instead of trusting God’s plan we begin to have doubts when things aren’t moving quick enough to our liking. We want it all, now – wealth and power. Our life isn’t working out as we have planned it, and we start wondering if God really cares for us or even really loves us. And so, we begin to murmur and gripe and complain just like the children of Israel did. All the trouble, pain, anxiety, and deprivation doesn’t seem to be the plan we had hoped for. On top of this, we find that we are constantly bombarded by temptations and promises from Satan to distrust God's love, and to give it all to us if we worship him. We cannot serve two masters (Matt 6:24). Remember that we live because we obey God, and that there's only one plan and that's God's plan. We should not be doubting God's plan and there are no shortcuts to the fulfillment of His plan. I will worship God and God alone - I will trust My God's love and care - I will worship My God unwaveringly.

1. What is the essence of the first temptation, to turn stones into bread? Which temptations we face are similar? Jesus was tempted when He was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. At the end of 40 days in which Jesus ate nothing Satan tempted Him. He wanted our Lord to use His divine power to satisfy bodily hunger. Of course, being God, He could turn the stones into bread, but this would be in obedience to Satan. The subtlety of the temptation was that the act in itself was perfectly legitimate. But it would have been wrong for Jesus to do it in obedience to Satan, He must act only in accordance with the will of His Father. The purpose of the temptation was not to see if He would sin, but to prove that even under tremendous pressure He could do nothing but obey the Word of God. Satan uses the same tactics that he tried on Jesus to tempt us when we are at our most vulnerable. This can occur when we are lonely, tired, under emotional/physical stress, or faced with uncertainty or even a big decision. He will try and tempt us not only when we are weak, but will also through our strengths, especially when we are most susceptible to pride. The similar temptations we face are the ones that gratify our natural desires, the one John calls “the **** of the flesh” (1 John 2:16). Instead of craving for physical pleasure we should be seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt 6:33). That is to put God first in our life, to fill our thoughts with His desires, to serve and obey Him in everything. Jesus answered the temptation by quoting the Word of God. In the same way to resist temptation we must be armed with the power of the Word of God.