Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• The intention this evening is to bring comfort from God's word
• Jesus knew the disciples needed time of rest and comfort
• Thinking of the theme of restoration in Tuesday night Bible studies
• God might use us to bring someone back
• The example of the restoration of Peter
• A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench
• Not just [against] the negative aspect but the positive also
• Jesus sees us as fragile and weak
• Jesus will lift us up and heal us
• Matthew has taken this passage from Isaiah 42
• Chapter 12
• A controversy because the disciples picked grains of corn and the pharisees criticised
• Jesus challenges them with the example of David and the showbread
• Another controversy of the man with the withered hand
• Jesus challenges them with the example of the lost sheep
• Jesus withdrew but the multitudes followed Him
• All were healed (v15)
• The passage from Isaiah is cited
• Jesus has fulfilled this prophecy
• Jesus has come to minister to 'bruised' sinners
• Jesus declares His ministry
• Spurgeon said the bruised reed reminds him of a contrite sinner and the smoldering flax as a back slidden saint
• Our text this evening is a word of hope to all of us
• Overview:
• A Word to the Wounder Sinner
• A Word to the Weary Christian
• A Word to the Tempted Christian
• A Word to those who feel Weak in Faith
• A Word to the Back Slider
• A Word to the Church

A Word to the Wounder Sinner

• Maybe your conscience has been accusing you for months
• Matt 9:12-13
• Christ came for sinners
• Do you have a broken and contrite heart?
  • Think of the woman caught in adultery
  • Think of the woman who came into Simon of Cyrene's house
• Has Jesus ever turned any sinner away?
• Will Jesus ever turn anyone away who confesses in truth?
• No! - 1 John 1:9

A Word to the Weary Christian

• We can be weary for many reasons
• Examples
• Matt 11:28
• "God gives power to the weak and to those who have no might He increases strength"
• It is true that God giveth and 'giveth and giveth again'
• We are described as lambs, chicks, babes (Matt 11:25)
• We are spoken of in terms of weakness and fragility
• God choses the weak things of the world
• Ezk 34:15-16
• Do you believe this?

A Word to the Tempted Christian

• Christians can have a very bruising time
• Think of David - a man after God's own heart
• He confessed his sin and came back to the Lord
• Think of Moses
• If anyone sins we have an advocate before the Father
• Satan will accuse us but we come to God through Jesus Christ
• Heb 2:17-18
• Our temptations are nothing compared to the temptations Jesus faced
• He is able to help us
• Heb 4:14-16
• When we come to the point that we cannot pray or feel so week, Jesus prays for us and the Spirit intercedes for us
• If we are going through a severe time of testing and temptation - remember He will give you aid

A Word to those who feel Weak in Faith

• It is good to feel weak - it is dangerous when we feel strong
• Some feel too weak as if they might fall away
• Remember how Jesus ministered to those who struggled
  • Consider doubting Thomas

A Word to the Back Slider

• Do you feel cold in your heart before God and spiritually sick
• Think how God brought back Jonah
• Think how God restored David
• Think how God restored Peter
• Think of the parable of the prodigal
• Come back to the Lord

A Word to the Church

• When someone treats us ill do we want to shout back?
• Do we have a merciful spirit?
• Sometimes the church is not as good as it should be at restoring sinners
• 2 Cor 2
• 1 Thess 5:14
• Eph 4:32
• Rom 14:1
• Rom 15:1
• Gal 6:1
• The ministry of the church
• The promise - Matt 12:20
• God will send forth victory
• It is important for those going through hard times to see God's restoring power and grace