THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA)
5007 SOUTHSIDE DRIVE
LOUISVILLE, KY 40214
(502) 375-1904
www.ecwalouisville.org, www.ecwausa.org,
ecwaky@gmail.com
TOPIC: The Educational Psychology Of Jesus Christ
TEXT: Mark 6: 1-16
Rev. (Dr.) Stephen K. Awoniyi
INTRODUCTION
In reference to the woman Donna J. Habenicht, the word Psychology can be explained thus:
Modern scientific psychology is a relatively young, multifaceted discipline devoted to the study of the mind, with its related processes, and human and animal behavior. The science of psychology can be investigated from many different perspectives, including such diverse areas as visual perception, computer models of the brain, mental health issues, learning theory, parenting practices, moral character, human development, or social psychology.
Psychology also speaks to many aspects of everyday living. Psychologists are often called upon to answer questions such as: Is my child's development normal? How should I discipline my child? What can be done about the AIDS problem? What is the best way to help people stop smoking? How can I train my dog to be more obedient?
Psychology and the Search for Truth
Psychology considers itself a scientific discipline and a strongly based on research. However, many areas are really a "soft science" because human beings are very complex and relationships depend on many variables, some of which are difficult to control and to measure. The search for scientific truth has guided psychology since its infancy. What does the research say? Decisions of school psychologists and counseling and clinical psychologists are, as often as possible, based on the research findings related to the problem. Clinicians are expected to have a good grasp of research methods and data analyses.
The above narrated story by the woman mentioned above is from the book titled “Created To Learn,” Chapter 15 page 339.
- THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST or A PEOPLE SPECIAL TO GOD
In today’s sermon we will focus on the topic that says, “The disciples of Jesus Christ” or “A People Special to God.” In order words those that are called to follow Jesus Christ. The Scripture says,
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul (1 Peter 2:1-11(KJV).
Brethren, be assured that we are not called to some abstract ideal, but we are called to prepare God’s people for works of service. This is also clearly narrated in the gospel of Ephesus thus:
I Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 Now that he ascended what it is but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:1-15 (KJV).
The Lord’s purpose or call for us is to take the people and lead them to become all they can. That is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ did with the Apostles Peter, James, and John, the great men of faith. That is, they were chosen carefully after much prayer. The basic characteristics of the twelve men that the Lord chose as His disciples could also be viewed thus:
7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. 10 And he said unto them, in what place soever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them (Mark 6:7-13 (KJV).
- THE COMPASSIONATE OF JESUS CHRIST
What does the phrase “Compassion” really mean? This could be explained thus:
(A) Recognizing the suffering of others and taking effective action in helping them.
(B) The actual capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin.
(C) The knowledge that there can never be any peace and joy for any person until there is peace and joy for the children of God.
(D) To speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.
(E) To defend the rights of the poor and the needy.
The Scripture also narrates it in various ways such as;
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life (Proverbs 31:8-9 (KJV).
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth (1 John 3: 18 (KJV).
Beloved, be assured that our Lord Jesus Christ was very compassionate toward the needs of others, and He was quick to help people in need. For example, one day He was teaching on the subject of fasting, while He was suddenly interrupted by the man Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, whose daughter died. Our Lord stopped His teaching and went with him immediately. The Scripture narrates it this way:
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour (Matthew 9:18-22 (NKJV).
The Book of Leviticus also interpreted it in this way:
19 If a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. 20 Everything that she lies on during her impurity shall be unclean; also everything that she sits on shall be unclean. 21 Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 22 And whoever touches anything that she sat on shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 23 If anything is on her bed or on anything on which she sits, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until evening. 24 And if any man lies with her at all, so that her impurity is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean.
25 If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. She shall be unclean. 26 Every bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her impurity; and whatever she sits on shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her impurity. 27 Whoever touches those things shall be unclean; he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening (Leviticus 15:19-27 (NKJV).
The Lord Jesus Christ didn’t give any evidence of irritation during this interruption, because His Father was in control. Nevertheless, the Lord continued on to Jairus’ house and brought the daughter back to life. Brethren, be assured that the interruptions of our routine are the best opportunities for ministry.
CONCLUSION
Dearly beloved, how often did you depend on the Lord, trust in the Lord, focus in the Lord, and honestly, faithfully, and obediently put your hope in Him? Be assured that no-matter your tribulations, sorrows, and calamities, the Almighty God is on your side whatsoever might be your pains, tribulations, and problems. Trust in Him the more and you will see that your victory is certain.