We heard of a great work happening amongst the Roma Gypsies in Romania
On Wednesday a Gypsy woman was marvellously saved
Last week we heard of a woman with a demon possessed child who overcome many barriers to have an encounter with God
Do we pray regularly for the salvation of others?
Also we must bring them to Christ
In this passage we see these people bringing this man to have an encounter with Christ
How will people encounter Christ if we don't bring them to the Lord?
Surprising Encounter
Jesus went to the region of Tyre and Sidon
Jesus may have already walked 70 mile but then came back down again to Decapolis (Matt 15:29, Mark 7:31)
It is calculated He probably walked 150 miles outside of Gallilee
What was He doing for all this time?
He was with His disciples teaching them
It is surprising that He should go outside Israel and spend this time alone/with His disciples
He meets a deaf man and has time for Him
You can not limit God
He works in a different way to the previous lady
Sometimes He healed with a word, sometimes with a touch, usually instantaneously, once with a two-fold process
It seems strange He would put His fingers in his ear, touch his tongue, spit and sigh
It seems strange He spoke a Hebrew word in a Gentile region
What did the man think when Jesus healed him
How much could the man understand was going to happen to him
God works in unexpected places
The people of Decapolis has originally rejected God
The demoniac pleaded with Jesus to go with Him but Jesus sent him back to his family as an evangelist
The example of the Russian soldiers
Maybe we will meet someone we are not expecting and have the opportunity to witness
Private Encounter
Jesus took him aside (v33)
Jesus shunned popularity
He didn't want people to follow Him because He had a name as a miracle worker
If only some churches were like this today
Jesus commanded the man that he tell no-one of this miracle (v36)
The man made it widely known
This is human nature to brag and to boast - but Jesus was humble
Jesus knows us through and through
Jesus knows our every situation
Jesus takes him aside and deals with him in love and tenderness
Jesus does not expose your need to others
Jesus deals with you individually
This reminds us to do our deeds before God and not before men
The majority of acts should not be seen by men but all will be seen before God
Compassionate Encounter
Jesus took him aside and gave him His full attention
Perhaps through putting His finger in his ears and spitting and touching his tongue Jesus was communicating to the man that He was going to deal with these problems
Was this man's impediment from birth or acquired - we do not know
We do not know how he communicated with others and his family
The Lord comes very close to him to show him tenderness
Jesus looked up to heaven as if to say that his cure was going to come from God
Jesus sighed
We do not know why?
It may be related to Romans 8:22 - creation groans as it waits for the whole earth to be redeemed
Isa 35:10 - waiting for creation to be renewed and the ransomed to return
Do you look forward to this day?
Jesus spoke "Ephphatha"
Why this word - maybe it is easy to understand or lip read
He was healed instantly
He did not require any speech training, he could speak "plainly" (v35)
The people were "astonished beyond measure" (v37)
The Greek is very strong
Matt 15:31 - they glorified the God of Israel
How big is your God?
You must come to Him and He will transform your life
Life Transforming Encounter
His life was totally transformed
He couldn't stop speaking
He couldn't stop listening
People are deaf to God
1 Cor 2:14 - they cannot understand the things of God
They must be spiritually discerned
Lydia's heart was opened by the Holy Spirit
Some people sit in church and don't hear God speaking
In conversion people become alive to the Word of God
Have you had an encounter with God?
Maybe people are praying for you
Have you experienced a new birth?
When you become a Christian people will recognise the change and difference in you
