Jesus' Authority: Healing, Forgiveness, and Radical Discipleship
Summary
In my sermon, I explored the profound authority of Jesus as depicted in Matthew chapters 8 and 9, emphasizing His dominion over disease, disciples, disasters, demons, and death. I began by recounting the three miracle stories from the previous week, where Jesus healed a man with leprosy, a centurion's servant, and Peter's mother-in-law, demonstrating His authority over disease. I then discussed the cost of discipleship, as illustrated by two men who were not ready to follow Jesus fully.
I continued with the story of Jesus calming the storm and healing two demon-possessed men, showcasing His authority over natural disasters and demonic forces. I then delved into the heart of the matter, addressing the root of all suffering: sin. I recounted the story of Jesus forgiving and healing a paralytic, highlighting that our deepest need is spiritual, not physical. I emphasized that Jesus' authority over sin is the foundation for His authority over all suffering.
I shared the personal transformation witnessed in my mother-in-law, who, despite her physical ailments, found renewal and hope in Christ because her deepest need—forgiveness of sin—had been met. I warned against the prosperity gospel, stressing that the true good news is not health and wealth but reconciliation with God through the forgiveness of sins.
I then discussed Jesus' authority over death, as seen in His raising of a ruler's daughter and His own resurrection, which assures us that death is temporary for those in Christ. I also touched on Jesus' authority over disability and the devil, as He healed two blind men and a demon-oppressed mute man, further proving His comprehensive dominion.
I addressed the question of fasting, explaining that while Jesus was on earth, it was a time for feasting, not mourning. However, after His ascension, fasting became an expression of longing for His return and the consummation of His kingdom. I concluded with the story of Jesus calling Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him, demonstrating that Jesus pursues, summons, and satisfies sinners, inviting us into a life-transforming discipleship.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus' authority over disease and disaster is a testament to His divine power, but His authority over sin addresses our ultimate need. As we face physical and emotional trials, we must remember that our spiritual well-being is paramount, and only through Jesus can we find true healing and peace. ([09:48])
2. The story of the paralytic teaches us that Jesus prioritizes our spiritual needs over our physical ones. His forgiveness of sins is a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is the most critical aspect of our lives, and it is this relationship that brings eternal comfort and hope. ([07:13])
3. Jesus' interaction with the tax collector Matthew reveals His heart for the outcast and His call to radical discipleship. As followers of Christ, we must be willing to leave behind our security and status to embrace a life of following Jesus, knowing that He satisfies our deepest desires. ([21:49])
4. Fasting in the New Testament era reflects both a celebration of what Christ has accomplished and an anticipation of His return. It is a spiritual discipline that expresses our satisfaction in Christ and our longing for the full realization of His kingdom. ([30:45])
5. The resurrection of the ruler's daughter and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood illustrate Jesus' compassion and authority over death and despair. In our darkest moments, we can take heart in knowing that Jesus is intimately aware of our struggles and is able to bring life where there is death. ([33:57])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 9:1-8 - Jesus forgives and heals a paralytic.
2. Matthew 9:9-13 - Jesus calls Matthew and dines with sinners.
3. Matthew 9:18-26 - Jesus raises a ruler's daughter and heals a woman with an issue of blood.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three miracle stories mentioned in the sermon that demonstrate Jesus' authority over disease? ([00:44])
2. How did Jesus respond to the faith of the paralytic and his friends in Matthew 9:1-8? What was the reaction of the scribes? ([05:00])
3. What was the significance of Jesus calling Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him? ([19:07])
4. How did Jesus demonstrate His authority over death in the story of the ruler's daughter? ([33:17])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus prioritize forgiving the paralytic's sins before healing him physically? What does this reveal about our deepest needs? ([07:13])
2. How does the story of Jesus calling Matthew challenge our understanding of who Jesus pursues and calls to discipleship? ([21:09])
3. What does Jesus' response to the question about fasting teach us about the nature of His kingdom and our current spiritual practices? ([24:59])
4. How does Jesus' authority over death and His resurrection provide hope and assurance for believers facing physical and emotional trials? ([38:58])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant physical or emotional trial. How did your faith in Jesus' authority over all things provide comfort or challenge you during that time? ([03:10])
2. In what ways can you prioritize your spiritual well-being over physical or material concerns in your daily life? How can you remind yourself of the importance of your relationship with God? ([11:11])
3. Jesus called Matthew, a tax collector, to follow Him, demonstrating His heart for the outcast. Is there someone in your life who might feel like an outcast? How can you reach out to them with the love of Christ this week? ([21:09])
4. How can you incorporate fasting into your spiritual practices as a way to express both your satisfaction in Christ and your longing for His return? What specific steps will you take to begin or deepen this practice? ([30:09])
5. Think about a recent moment of despair or struggle. How can the knowledge that Jesus is intimately aware of your struggles and has authority over them change your perspective and response? ([35:52])
6. Jesus' resurrection assures us that death is temporary for those in Christ. How does this truth impact the way you view your own mortality and the loss of loved ones? How can you share this hope with others who are grieving? ([38:58])
7. Reflect on the ways you might be holding onto security and status instead of fully embracing a life of following Jesus. What specific changes can you make to live out radical discipleship? ([21:49])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Power Over Disease
Jesus' authority over disease is not just a demonstration of His miraculous power, but a sign pointing to His divine nature. In the accounts of Matthew 8 and 9, we see Jesus healing the sick, which serves as a testament to His identity as the Son of God. These miracles are not merely for the purpose of alleviating physical suffering; they reveal that Jesus has the power to meet our deepest spiritual needs. The healing of the leper, the centurion's servant, and Peter's mother-in-law are not just acts of compassion but are also symbolic of the cleansing and restoration that Jesus offers to all who come to Him in faith.
Physical ailments often remind us of our mortality and limitations, but the spiritual healing that Jesus provides transcends our earthly existence. While our bodies are subject to decay, our souls can be made whole and pure through the forgiveness that Jesus offers. This is the ultimate healing, and it is available to everyone, regardless of their physical condition. The authority of Jesus over disease is a foretaste of the complete restoration that awaits believers in the new creation, where there will be no more sickness or pain. [09:48]
Matthew 8:16-17 (ESV)
"That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 'He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.'"
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeking temporary relief in physical healing to pursuing the eternal wholeness that Jesus offers through spiritual healing?
Day 2: Spiritual Needs Above Physical
The story of the paralytic not only showcases Jesus' power to heal but also emphasizes His priority in addressing our spiritual condition. When Jesus first forgives the sins of the paralytic before healing his body, He makes it clear that our spiritual well-being is of utmost importance. This encounter illustrates that the greatest miracle is not the restoration of physical abilities but the forgiveness of sins, which reconciles us to God and grants us eternal life.
This prioritization challenges us to examine our own lives and consider what we value most. Are we more concerned with the temporary and physical aspects of our existence, or are we seeking the lasting peace that comes from a right relationship with God? Jesus' interaction with the paralytic invites us to trust in His power to forgive and to transform our lives from the inside out. It is in the spiritual healing that we find true comfort and hope, which sustains us through all of life's trials and tribulations. [07:13]
Mark 2:5 (ESV)
"And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"
Reflection: What physical or material concerns might be overshadowing your need for spiritual renewal, and how can you realign your priorities to reflect the primacy of your relationship with God?
Day 3: Radical Call to Discipleship
Jesus' invitation to Matthew, the tax collector, to follow Him is a powerful example of His call to radical discipleship. This call is extended to all, regardless of past sins or societal status. Jesus seeks out those who are considered outcasts and offers them a new identity and purpose. In following Jesus, we are called to leave behind our former ways of life, including our security and status, to embrace a journey of faith and obedience.
This radical discipleship is not a path of comfort or convenience. It requires sacrifice and a willingness to trust Jesus completely. Yet, in doing so, we find that Jesus satisfies our deepest desires and gives us a joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures. The story of Matthew is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus' transformative love, and that in Him, we find the fulfillment that our hearts truly long for. [21:49]
Luke 5:31-32 (ESV)
"And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'"
Reflection: In what ways might you be holding on to your old identity or comforts that hinder you from fully embracing the call to follow Jesus, and what steps can you take to respond more fully to His call?
Day 4: Fasting as Longing for Christ
Fasting in the New Testament is not merely a religious ritual; it is a heartfelt expression of longing for the return of Jesus and the fulfillment of His kingdom. While Jesus walked the earth, His presence was a cause for celebration, but after His ascension, fasting became a way for His followers to express their deep yearning for His return. It is a discipline that helps believers to focus on their satisfaction in Christ and to cultivate a desire for the ultimate consummation of His reign.
Fasting is a tangible way to remind ourselves of the temporary nature of this world and to fix our eyes on the eternal. It is an act of faith that acknowledges the sufficiency of Christ and the hope we have in His promises. As we fast, we are drawn closer to the heart of God, growing in our understanding of His character and deepening our anticipation for the day when we will be united with Him forever. [30:45]
Acts 13:2-3 (ESV)
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."
Reflection: How can incorporating fasting into your spiritual practice enhance your awareness of Christ's presence in your life and intensify your longing for His return?
Day 5: Victory Over Death and Despair
The resurrection of the ruler's daughter and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood are profound demonstrations of Jesus' compassion and His authority over death and despair. These miracles are not just historical events; they are assurances that Jesus is intimately aware of our struggles and has the power to bring life where there is death. For those who are in Christ, death is not the end but a doorway to eternal life.
In moments of darkness and hopelessness, these stories remind us that Jesus is our source of light and life. His victory over death through His own resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection and the hope that sustains us. As we face the trials of this life, we can take heart in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and that, in Him, we too will overcome. [33:57]
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (ESV)
"When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'"
Reflection: How can the assurance of Jesus' victory over death influence the way you deal with despair or loss, and what practical steps can you take to live in the light of this victory?
Quotes
"immensely personal and he knows amidst those moments of despair and loneliness where you feel like nobody else understands know this he understands he is familiar with your pain in a way that nobody else in this world is and he is committed as your Lord and save to meeting the deepest needs of your hearts in the middle middle of your heart in the middle of your struggle that's really good news hope that encourages you even in a room full of people tonight I think you do not get lost in the crowd when it comes to Christ you have his attention he brings hope in the middle of despair and he brings life in the midst of death." [37:29]
"absolute allegiance from the world so did you notice how in these stories there were three types of people that we saw on one hand we saw the crowds watching all this take place and the crowds Revere Jesus first miracle in this chapter Matthew chapter 9 the crowd saw it they were afraid last miracle crowd saw it there marveled so Matthew's given us a picture of here of crowds who are being attached to Jesus who are following Jesus but at the same time they're following him they are admiring him their revering him from a distance and very few from these crowds will be with him along a dusty difficult road to a cross in Jerusalem." [49:34]
"so some trust in the one who has authority over sin let him sever the root of suffering which is sin in your heart if you have never trusted in Jesus to forgive you of all your sin to wipe the slate clean in your heart urge you to do that and if you have I urge you to proclaim that as the good news of the kingdom and nothing else but death that leads into the next story Jesus has authority over sin and Jesus has authority to save." [19:07]
"they make a way for me to conquer death so I checked the tomb of Buddha and it was occupied and I checked the tomb of Confucius and it was occupied and I checked the tomb of Muhammad and it was occupied and I came to the tomb of Jesus and it was empty and I said there is one who has conquered death and I ask the second question did he make a way for me to do it and I opened the Bible and discovered that he had said because I live you shall live also brothers and sisters death is real death is sobering death is serious death is immensely painful but with Jesus death is always temporary." [40:10]
"and she will live so see this dad's put yourself in in the story here your daughter has just died your young daughter she's pleading come and lay your hand on her and she will live and she just rose and followed him with his disciples and behold a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for 12 years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment for she said to herself only I touch His garment I will be made well and she just turned and seeing her he said take heart daughter your faith has made you well and instantly the woman was made well." [33:57]
"all of our physical struggles all of our physical suffering all of our physical pain in addition to emotional struggle spiritual struggles they all go back to the fact that we have sinned and we are separated from our Creator all suffering goes back either to sin in your life specifically so I mentioned last week and I want to mention again much of the suffering in our lives is due to specific sin in our lives when we disobey God when we flirt with sin we will suffer you can mark that down we will suffer the consequences of sin and those consequences are painful even the discipline of God out of his love and mercy toward us is painful to draw us away from sin." [09:48]
"the guy didn't even ask for forgiveness of sins right like I try to put myself in this guy's shoes or on this guy's mat more appropriately and so friends bring you in you're paralyzed to Jesus the first thing he does he look he's got all these healings that he's been doing and so so he looks at you he says take heart my son and you're thinking your friends are thinking the scribes around you are thinking he's about to heal this guy who's for alysus and he looks at you I'm trying to picture this just looking at me paralyzed on a mat and he says son your sins are forgiven and what's going through my mind I'm probably thinking okay it's not really what I was looking for but I'll take that it's not what anybody was looking for friends weren't thinking this the scribes clearly weren't thinking this." [06:30]
"New Testament fasting though everything's different New Testament fasting is looking backward and forward right New Testament fasting is looking back and seeing yes the King has come yes we have reason to rejoice and celebrate he's conquered sin he's conquered death he's conquered the grave and we have tasted the satisfaction of Christ in the king who has come at the same time there is longing looking forward because we know that we what we've tasted and what we've seen in Christ we know there's more to come it's not that we're mourning because we don't have any satisfaction no we got satisfaction in Christ at the same time now this is where we realize why understanding how Matthew chapter eight and nine are put together and the whole structure of this thing is so important." [30:45]
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