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THE KING’S BUSINESS
a man possessed by an unclean spirit. Almost any missionary who has been in inland China for a number o f years can tell you about demon-possessed men and women whom he has seen. See Dr. John Nevins’ book, “ Demon Possession and Allied Themes,” for a wonderful discus sion o f the subject by a veteran Presby terian missionary. The Master’s teaching was interrupted by the demon (note care- fully the exact language o f verses 24, 25, 26), who recognized Jesus as the One who could destroy him, and who would save the matt. Jesus would not suffer the demon to testify concerning Him (H e wants no such testimony today) but ordered him to be quiet and to come out of the man, which he did; but not until he had done the man all the harm he could. The congregation was astonished at the manifestation pf the power o f Jesus. Have you experienced the power o f Jesus in your own life, driving out uncleanness and setting you free ? Has anyone been delivered by Him in your class or in your church lately? If not, is it because there is nobody needing His power in your com munity, dr because you have not been giv ing Him the opportunity? Bring the unsaved to Him in Sunday school and church and see what He will do for them, even if it breaks up the order o f service. The pleaching and teaching are not the ends for which the services are held; they are only the means for achieving the end, which is the-saving o f people-from sin; the delivering o f people from the devil’s bondage. II. Jesus at Work in. the Home, 29-31. After, the exciting scene in the synagogue Jesus went home, maybe for dinner, with Simon Peter and Andrew. Peter’s mother-' in-law was very sick with fever. Dr. Luke says it was “a great fever.” Naturally the folks told Jesus, and He just took her by the hand, and she was so completely cured, instantly, that she got dinner ready for them. I like that about the way Jesus cured people when he was down here— He did it at once and He did it completely. Folks then didn’t have to try and make
themselves, and others, believe they were cured,, when everybody could see they were not. Gratitude showed itself in deeds—not mere words, in that house. Does yours? Are you telling Jesus about your sin-sick friends and bringing Him to their side? III. Jesus at Work in the City, 32-34. When other people in Capernaum heard what He had done they carried their sick friends to Him, and He healed them all, whether it was disease or demong that troubled them. If there were any suffer er’s groans in the city that night it was not Jesus’ fault. That is just a sample o f what He wants to do in your city, and what He will do one day, everywhere. IV. Jesus in the Place of Prayer, 35-38. After the busy Sabbath day in Caper naum, Jesus was up before daylight and out in the desert place, where He could have a season o f quiet communion with His Father. That was His power-house. That was the secret of His wondrous life. Not having a power-house, or rather not using it, is the secret o f many a man’s fail ure. Andrew Murray suggests that it is not that we need to work a lot and to pray just enough "to keep our work going, but that we need to pray a lot and just work enough to keep the prayers going. It is easier for most o f us to spend time in working for Christ than in communion with Christ, and somehow a lot o f our work does not seem to accomplish much. How is it with you, brother, sister? V. Jesus at Work in the Country, 39-45. Avoiding the crowds o f curiosity mon- gers, Jesus and His little band o f disciples left the city, and spent ‘some weeks itiner ating in the smaller villages o f Galilee. In one o f these, we do not know which, a leper came kneeling to Him, and confessed that He believed Jesus had power to heal him, if He only: would do so. That kind o f faith never appealed to Him in vain. He touched him, healed him, sent him to show himself to the priest in Jerusalem, to get his official certificate of his being cured, and being no longer an outcast. He told him to keep quiet, but the man’s gratitude ran away with his obedience, and he wit-
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