When Jesus comes to town

MESSAGE BY: P/Ovr. Ernest Akorli

MAIN TEXT: Luke 18:35-42

³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

INTRODUCTION

• Last two years, one of the former presidents of Ghana was invited to attend a program at Pentecost Convention Centre.
• On the actual D-Day for the occasion, we had a tough time attending to different kinds of people.
• Many government officials came around about 3 hours earlier before the arrival of the former president,
  • Head of Protocol
  • Head of Security
  • Interior Minister
  • Other Ministers
  • Every worker of PCC was running around helter-skelter doing something to await the coming of the president and other dignitaries.
• The arrival of these people caused a serious tension at PCC as:
  • Sitting arrangements were changed.
  • A waiting room for him was created and decorated within a short time and neatly furnished.
  • Fridge was provided and stocked with water and all sorts of drinks to await His Excellency.
  • All these things happened and everyone was busily walking and working around because a Higher Name Was Mentioned.
  • The Former President has not yet arrived but HIS NAME ALONE caused a stir and changes were made at PCC because of his coming.
  • But there is a Greater Name and He is the Greatest above all other Names in the Heavens, on Earth and beneath the Earth; that name alone can save; it is the name Jesus.

• In early 1800s, Rev. D. L. Moody, one of the most powerful American Televangelists was once on a train to another state.
  • About 40 miles away from where he was in the train, there were so many crazy things happening in town.
  • People were falling down under the anointing, shouting and screaming.
  • Some people were speaking in tongues which was strange to people at that time.
  • One Manager who was in a meeting and could not understand the great confusion that was happening around, asked his secretary “What is happening?”
  • His secretary replied: “It seems Bro. D. L. Moody is in town. Whenever he comes to town, these are the things that happen around in town”.
  • Rev. D. L. Moody himself was not present at the various places where those things were happening but his anointing alone went ahead of him as far as 40 miles ahead.
• Sometimes, when Kathryn Kulman went to minister at some places, people fall under the anointing miles away from her to the extent that, one day, she was forced not to pass through the main entrance but through the kitchen and there too, the women in the kitchen were caught falling under the anointing and speaking in tongues.

EXPOSITION

• In the above scripture, there was tension in the city of Jericho as many people thronged into the city.
• Everybody was busily moving to and fro in the city of Jericho because Jesus has come to town.
• Normal activities in town had changed.
• Conversations and discussions on latest banner headlines in newspapers and social media had changed.
• The latest gossip and the most trending news item on social media was that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is passing by this way.
• In Ghana, some principal streets will be blocked to vehicles and pedestrians when high profiled dignitaries are visiting the nation.

But When Jesus Comes To Town, Things Happen Differently

• When Jesus comes to town, your Lazarus cannot remain in the grave – Jesus replied – I am the resurrection and the life.
• When Jesus comes to town, your wine can never get finish at your wedding and you will not be disgraced.
• When Jesus comes to town, the blind beggar will surely see and stop begging for money.
• When Jesus comes to town, the cripple will surely walk.
• When Jesus comes to town, the woman with the 12 years issue of blood cannot go home the same.
• When Jesus comes to town, 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread are enough to feed over 5,000 people.
• When Jesus comes to town, demons must flee a thousand miles away.
• When Jesus comes to town, something spectacular must happen.
• When Jesus comes to town, know that it is time to set the captives free to have their liberty in Jesus.
• When Jesus comes to town, you will be set free from the bondage of sin and fornicating around.
• When Jesus comes to town, no sickness shall take over your body; for your body is the temple of God.
• When Jesus comes to town, who you are o sickness called COVID-19; for He has defeated you long ago on the cross.
• When Jesus comes to town, know that it is show time.

LIFE APPLICATION LESSONS

Lesson 1: Have an inquiry mind

• In Luke 18:36 – The blind man inquired to know what was happening in town when he realized something unusual was happening.
• The blind man was told, “Jesus Christ of Nazareth is passing this way”.
• Do not sit down unconcern about what is happening in town and around you.
• Be curious to know what is happening and ask relevant questions.
• When the blind man who could not see realized that something unusual was happening, he inquired and he was told that Jesus Christ would be in town on that day.

  • Point 1: The people you might not even care to greet and mingle with them may have the information leading to your breakthrough in life.

  • Point 2: Do not look far, the information you need for your miracle and breakthroughs in life are just closer to you.

  • Point 3: Sometimes, the people you may look down on them may have the information to your elevation in life.

  • Point 4: There are some people in Ghana currently that have no idea about the COVID-19 and how they can protect themselves. They just don’t care whatever that happens in town and around them.

  • Point 5: The blind cannot read latest updates in town, read the most trending news on social media.

Lesson 2: For once, desire to follow the crowd

• In 18:36 – the blind man realized that the crowd of people moving was to see Jesus. He wished he could also move with along with them but he was handicapped.
• We always say do not follow the crowd if you really want to achieve your purpose in life.
• You don’t have to follow the crowd if you want to maintain your focus in life but for once, these crowds of people were moving towards Jesus.
• In these COVID-19 Pandemic season, everyone is looking for solace, protection and comfort in Jesus.
• Move with the crowds that are moving to see Jesus.

Lesson 3: Seeing is not always believing

• Many people only believe what they see and do not believe what they cannot see.
• This man was blind but he believed the report of the people that indeed, Jesus Christ was passing by so he also desired to see Jesus.
• When COVID-19 started in Ghana and the nation was partly locked down, many doubters agitated and said, “If it is really true that, the virus is in Ghana, then the government should show the patients on Tv and let them testify they have the virus before they will believe and obey the lockdown rules”.
• Apostle Thomas sat under the feet of Jesus Christ and had the chance to see all his miracles and listened to all his teachings but he doubted when he was told that Jesus Christ has resurrected from the dead.
• In John 20:25 – Apostle Thomas said “Until I see his wounds, touch it and feel it, I will never believe”.
• In John 20:29 – Jesus Christ Himself said to him, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed”.

Lesson 4: Call unto Jesus

• The blind man shouted – Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me
• I believe this man has tried all the best eye specialist hospitals
• This man has moved from one specialist to another but Jesus Christ is the chief doctor that heals without any medicine.
• You just have to believe.

Lesson 5: When your voice is heard, Jesus will stop and attend to you

• In Luke 18:40 – The Bible said Jesus stopped walking and ordered the man to be brought to him.

• Jesus Christ is a very busy Man but He has time to stop and listen to you.
• Do not keep your mouth shut in times of crisis and difficulties.
• A shut mouth is a shut destiny.
• In times of trouble, open your mouth and pray and Jesus will stop whatever He is doing to attend to you.

Lesson 6: Live your life beyond distraction and disturbances

• People passing by rebuked the blind man to keep quiet
• Why did the people tell him to keep quiet and not shout and call the name of Jesus?
• Because people think He doesn’t deserve any attention.
• He is not fit for public gathering to come before any great men.
• But Jesus has made a way for us all to come to the Father.

Lesson 7: Your faith can heal you

• In Luke 18:42 – Jesus said to the blind man “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you”.
• Faith is one of the greatest things you need in difficult and critical times to survive.
• About 70% of all the miracles Jesus performed in the Bible were engineered by the people’s own faith.
• Jesus said to this blind man – your faith has healed you.
• The first miracle of Jesus at a wedding by turning water into wine was engineered by the faith of his mother Mary in Jesus.
• Jesus turned to the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years and said – woman, your faith has made you whole.
• Jesus turned to the centurion who demanded healing for his servant and said – I have not seen such great faith in Israel like this man.
• Your faith can reduce the many years of your suffering and bring your miracle closer to you.
• Jesus said in Matthew 21:22 – If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
• In James 1:6-7 – the Bible said, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord”.

CONCLUSION

• When Jesus comes to town, situations will turn around.
• When Jesus comes to town you – you need faith to receive your blessings otherwise, you will be a spectator
• When Jesus comes to town, you must move with the crowd that seek Him and tap into your blessings.
• All you need is to locate where Jesus can be found and connect to Him.
• The blind man was told, Jesus of Nazareth is passing this way.
• Do not let Jesus pass by you today without accepting Him and your Lord and Saviour.