Introduction. Isaiah.54:1-5. v2-3. Picture of enlargement – Stretching – Growth.

Adam and Eve – Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth - Reproduce – Stretch yourselves.

God is in the Stretching business – His purpose:- a. Trust in Him – as Church or Individual.

b. 2.Cor.5:7 “To walk by faith not by sight”

Eph.4: 11-13. Specializes in faith development – a. To bring believers into maturity

b. To the fullness(completeness of Christ)

Eph.3:20-21. Reveals this is more than possible.

1. Luke.4:14-19. The Lord is stretching them to believe in Him. New and living way!

a. Returns from Wilderness – in Power of Spirit – having been stretched by Satan.

b. Proclaims the GOOD NEWS

c. Freedom for the prisoners – Captives

d. Recovery of sight for the blind – Physical and Spiritually blind.

e. Release the oppressed – Downtrodden! Crushed! Disheartened! Despondent!

2. Luke.6:6-11. Jesus in Synagogue on Sabbath(Type Church) Mt.12.9-14 & Mk.3:1-6.

a. Jesus teaching – Principles of the Kingdom of God?

b. Attention drawn to man – with withered RIGHT HAND– shriveled, wasted, unable to function.

n.b. Right hand = Service. God’s Power. Psalm.98:1-2

c. Pharisees and Scribes present – Rigid thinking – under the Law of “DO and DON’T”

d. Jesus knowing what they are thinking – Tells the man to stand up front and centre

e. Mark.3:4d-5. Jesus is angry with their attitude.

f. “Stretch out your hand” – Command – Obedience brings immediate restoration

g. Response from legalists – Leave (church) go seeking to kill Jesus.

3. Lessons to be learnt. Synagogue Typical of many churches.

a. Some believers in church – IN RIGHT PLACE with WRONG ATTITUDE!

b. Have received Salvation – No FULLNESS! GROWTH! ABUNDANT LIVING IN CHRIST!

c. Can discern between TRUTH and ERROR – NO JOY! BLESSINGS! EXPECTATION!

d. WITHERED HANDS – NEVER SERVE, GIVE OF THEMSELVES, ONLY RECEIVE! NO

VOLUNTEER SPIRIT! NEVER TITHE/GIVE!

n.b. Problem – SPIRITUAL PARALYSIS – HAND OF SERVICE IS WITHERED.

4. The Answer:- Allow the Lord to stretch us – Be amazed at what can be achieved

Conclusion:- Don’t rest in salvation experience – Stretch to:

a. Water baptism

b. Baptism of the Holy Spirit

c. Become a willing volunteer

d. Start giving to the Lord

e. Become faithful

f. Grow in faith.