At His Feet
At His Feet
TEXT: Luke 8:27-29, 35
INTRODUCTION: When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places…Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
A. This passage displays a wonderful characteristic of Jesus.
B. He is always available to anyone, anytime:
1. His life was filled with sleepless nights, murder attempts, unbelievable difficulties.
2. Yet, he took time to let this awful man sit at His feet.
C. Every person has a choice of where they spend their lives.
1. Home-building, career-building, recreation, society.
2. Amassing this world's riches.
D. I have chosen to live my life sitting at the feet of Jesus!!!
E. Sitting at the feet of Jesus offers wonderful blessings:
I. It Is A Place Of Pardon.
Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
A. Verse 37 tells us this woman was a sinner.
1. Proof that anyone can come "Just As I Am."
2. How wonderful to know that Jesus relates to "sinners.”
3. Sadly, many of His followers to “righteous” to deal with "sinners."
4. We have failed to realize that our mission is to reach sinners.
Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
5. We must be about the Father's business doing the things He HAS TO BLESS!
B. Jesus said to her, "Thy sins are forgiven" (vs. 38).
1. He's still a SIN-FORGIVER!!!
2. Through His precious blood, every sin is forgiven and every stain is cleansed.
3. Through His precious blood, sins are blotted out and our names are written in the "Lamb's book of life."
C. The Pharisees did not like it, as we see in verse 39.
1. There is no escape from criticism, for even at the feet of Jesus there will be criticism.
2. There are always "the Pharisees," in every age. and place.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
II. It Is A Place Of Healing.
Matthew 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
A. Jesus was, is, & always will be a great HEALER! There was no sickness too great or too advanced.
1. Even after all doctors had given up.
2. Today the truth is still the same: "By His stripes…"
B. Verse 31 tells us "the multitude … glorified God."
1. The purpose of ever/ miracle is that God be glorified.
2. B/C the purpose of life is SALVATION for all!
3. This is why we are "made over-comers by the word of our testimony", so others see Jesus (not you).
C. Jesus' healing power has not diminished over these 2K yrs. Hebrews 13: 8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, & today, & forever."
1. If He ever healed anyone, then He can heal you today!
2. There is no need (including yours) too great for Him!
3. Any other thought is a LIE from the Father of Lies!
III. It Is A Place Of Learning.
Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
A. Somehow we get the idea that this Christian race is supposed to be a mystery or puzzle.
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
B. God wants to show you how to live your life.
1. You must stay AT HIS FEET!
2. It's when we stray on our own that we loose our COMPASS!
C. Verse 40 tells us that "Martha was distracted" by the serving.
1. How incredible that she could find anything more important than visiting with Jesus.
2. WE DO IT EVERY DAY!!!
D. V 41 says Martha was "worried & upset about many things."
1. How tragic: so concerned with STUFF we miss Jesus.
2. If we would just stay at His feet, He'd fix the STUFF!
E. Jesus told her, "Mary has chosen what is better & it will not be taken from her." (v. 42).
1. The implication here is that everything will eventually be taken away except what we get from Jesus.
2. Jesus said even "heaven & earth will pass away, but my word will never pass away." (Mt. 24:35).
3. Let's lay aside our petty "kingdoms" and spend time at HIS FEET!
IV. It Is A Place Of Prayer.
Mark 5:22-23 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
A. Here you can come & lay all your burdens at His feet.
B. The sole reason He came is so He could hear your prayers.
C. There is no hopeless prayer at the feet of Jesus.
1. There are hopeless cases at the feet of Lawyers.
2. There are hopeless cases at the feet of Bankers.
3. There are hopeless cases at the feet of Doctors.
4. Though the girl was already dead the case was not hopeless AS LONG AS THERE IS JESUS, THERE IS HOPE!
V. It Is A Place Of Escape.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
A. From Sin (Like the prostitute who sat at His feet).
B. From Sickness (Like Jairus who collapsed at His feet).
C. Escape >From Your Life:
1. Demoniac's whole life was changed.
2. Mary's busy life was put on hold at His Feet!
3. Whatever you need, you'll find AT THE FEET OF JESUS!
VI. AT THE FEET OF JESUS IS A PLACE OF THANKSGIVING
Luke 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
A. Jesus had just healed 10 lepers and "as they went, they were cleansed."
1. We serve a merciful saviour; ready to minister to people's needs in such a compassionate manner.
2. Some people's concept of God is that He is just waiting to Judge them and bring damnation upon their lives.
3. Throughout Jesus' ministry, we see His mercy and His long suffering towards others.
B. Verse 15 tells us that one of the 10 returned and gave praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for the great miracle.
1. 10% of this leper crowd was thankful to the Lord; I wonder if that is not a typical percentage of truly thankful people?
2. I am convinced that praise and thanksgiving is the key missing element in the lives of most believers.
3. Church, we just don't praise Him enough!
C. The others could not be found. They were recipients of the great miracle but they were ungrateful and unthankful.
1. Only 1 came back and fell AT THE FEET OF JESUS and demonstrated his thankfulness.
2. God dwells in the praise of his people. We can't find God because we don't come into His courts with praise as often as we should.
3. Take time to sit at his feet often and praise him, be thankful!
VII. AT THE FEET OF JESUS IS A PLACE OF REST
Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
A. You will remember that there was a demon possessed man who lived in the tombs.
1. Many had probably tried to tame him but he got even wilder with each passing day.
2. There was no hope for this poor wretch UNTIL ONE DAY JESUS PASSED BY!
3. Just one word from the Master and every demon had to leave this man.
B. When he was delivered of the demons, he is found "sitting the feet of Jesus," sane and in his right mind.
1. After years of torment, this man finally found rest and peace, at the feet of Jesus. What a place of rest for such a weary soul.
2. There is no rest like the rest that Jesus gives.
3. He can give you that same rest today, just sit at His feet for a season!
C. One of the greatest needs in the body of Christ in our day is the need for God's people to rest in Him.
1. Stop struggling and just rest in Jesus; sit at His feet.
2. Let Him give you that peace that passes all understanding.
VIII. It Is A Place Of Comfort.
John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
A. Mary & Martha were in the greatest turmoil of their lives.
1. Lazarus, their brother, had just died.
2. They had sent for Jesus before Lazarus died but, for some unknown reason, he had delayed His coming.
3. Lesson: God's timing isn't ours, but it is always RIGHT!
4. We don't always understand God's ways but they are always for the best.
B. Mary desperately needed comfort and she knew that she could receive the comfort she needed at Jesus feet.
1. He can and will give comfort in all situations.
2. You will never face a valley so low that Jesus can't give you the comfort that you so desperately need!
3. He is always there to comfort and help you in time of need, regardless of what the need may be!
4. I wonder if the result would have been the same if she had just pouted instead of running to Jesus
5. What do you do in times of disappointment
6. Satan will lead you to withdraw from Jesus
7. Satan knows Jesus Christ is your only HOPE!
C. This passage reveals an incredible quality of Jesus.
John 11:35 Jesus Wept.
1. He is not cold, hard or uncaring but He is caring and compassionate to His children.
2. He will stand by your side when all others fail you leave you comfortless.
3. Through every tragedy, every trial, every sickness, even through death; Jesus will always be with you!
4. This should effect how you come to Jesus.
5. Understand "He is touched by the feeling of our infirmities"
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
6. He loves you more than you'll ever comprehend!
IX. It Is A Place Of Worship.
Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
A. John was cearainly not in a place conducive of worship.
1. He is on a lonely desert island (Patmos).
2. He has lost all of his family.
3. He was very old (90).
4. Even in that lonely place, John saw the Lord and the lonely island of death was converted into a sanctuary of God is presence and power.
B. Jesus put His hand on John.
1. Touched him just like He did the leper.
2. Just to feel the touch of Jesus makes any situation more bearable.
3. His touch is only a prayer away from you at any desperate time in your life.
4. Don't ever get so low that you cannot detect His touch and His compassion.
C. Jesus said to John, "fear not."
1. Fear will rob you of God's greatest blessings.
2. Fear opens the door and allows Satan access to your life.
3. If Christ is with us and living within us, WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!!!
D. At the feet of Jesus is a beautiful place of worship! there is plenty of room for all: for whosoever will
1. Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
2. John 3:16 ….for whosoever believes
3. John 7:37 39 ….and for whosoever thirsts
E. Find your place at the feet of Jesus often and you will find renewed strength for your soul and all that you will ever need, in all situations!!
CONCLUSION: Stay at Jesus feet and you will be everything that God wants you to be as a child of God. Let's make up our minds that we will stay close to him and allow him to have his perfect will in our lives on a daily basis.