Jesus: The Compassionate Healer and Divine Authority
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor returning to their series on the Gospel of Matthew, specifically focusing on Matthew 8:1-13. The pastor recaps the journey through Matthew thus far, highlighting key events such as Jesus's genealogy, birth, baptism, triumph over Satan's temptation, and the Sermon on the Mount. The pastor emphasizes Jesus's authority and the profound impact of his teachings on the crowd. As they transition into chapter 8, the pastor mentions that they will now be focusing on Jesus's miraculous deeds, which further underscore his divine authority.
The pastor then uses the example of someone who talks about their cooking skills but fails to deliver when it comes to actually cooking. This serves as a reminder that words must align with actions. The pastor highlights that Jesus was not just a compelling preacher, but a doer, as demonstrated by the extraordinary miracles and supernatural acts He performed. The sermon focuses on the seamless alignment of Jesus's words and actions, using the healing of a leper and the centurion's servant as examples.
The pastor emphasizes the compassion of Jesus as demonstrated in a miracle. Jesus willingly heals a tired and broken man out of his deep compassion and grace. This stands in stark contrast to the religious leaders of the day who boasted about mistreating people with leprosy. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus extends his hand of grace to the rejected and despised of society, pointing to his ultimate purpose of coming to cleanse us from our sin.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of not avoiding the topic of hell and instead focusing on the good news of the gospel. The pastor highlights the unshakable faith of the leper and the Centurion, who believed that Jesus could save and heal them despite their outcast status. The pastor reminds the congregation that while hell is a real consequence, Jesus took upon himself the punishment for their sins on the cross, offering forgiveness and freedom.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing that Jesus is not just a historical figure or distant deity, but a living savior who is eager to touch, heal, and transform lives. The pastor encourages those who feel unclean to bring their uncleanliness to Jesus and ask for him to make them clean, reminding them that Jesus is not only able but also willing to do so. For those who have already experienced the cleansing power of Jesus and are now clean with the righteousness of Christ, the pastor urges them to be a people of compassion and grace, following Jesus' example of reaching out and touching others with love, regardless of their condition.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus's words and actions were seamlessly aligned, demonstrating his divine authority. He was not just a compelling preacher, but a doer, as demonstrated by the extraordinary miracles and supernatural acts He performed. His actions were a testament to his divine authority and his commitment to fulfilling God's will. [12:45]
- Jesus extends his hand of grace to the rejected and despised of society, pointing to his ultimate purpose of coming to cleanse us from our sin. His compassion and grace stand in stark contrast to the religious leaders of the day who boasted about mistreating people with leprosy. [22:30]
- The unshakable faith of the leper and the Centurion, who believed that Jesus could save and heal them despite their outcast status, is a testament to the power of faith. Their faith in Jesus's ability to heal and save them is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith in Jesus. [32:15]
- Jesus is not just a historical figure or distant deity, but a living savior who is eager to touch, heal, and transform lives. He is willing and able to cleanse those who feel unclean and burdened by sin, offering forgiveness and freedom. [42:00]
- For those who have already experienced the cleansing power of Jesus and are now clean with the righteousness of Christ, they are urged to be a people of compassion and grace, following Jesus' example of reaching out and touching others with love, regardless of their condition. This is a call to action for believers to extend the same grace and compassion that Jesus has shown them to others. [52:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 8:1-13
2. Leviticus 13
3. Romans 5:8
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 8:1-13, what are the two miracles that Jesus performs and who are the recipients of these miracles?
2. What does Leviticus 13 say about the treatment of people with skin diseases, and how does this compare to Jesus's actions in Matthew 8:1-13?
3. Romans 5:8 speaks of God's love for us. How is this love demonstrated in the actions of Jesus in Matthew 8:1-13?
Interpretation Questions:
1. In Matthew 8:1-13, what does Jesus's willingness to heal the leper and the centurion's servant reveal about his character and mission?
2. How does the faith of the leper and the centurion in Matthew 8:1-13 reflect the message of Romans 5:8?
3. Considering Leviticus 13 and Matthew 8:1-13, what does Jesus's interaction with the leper suggest about societal norms and expectations during that time?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on the faith of the leper and the centurion, can you identify a situation in your life where you need to trust Jesus despite the circumstances? What is one step you can take to demonstrate that trust?
2. Jesus showed compassion to those who were rejected and despised in society. Can you think of a person or group in your community who is marginalized or overlooked? What is one specific way you can show them compassion this week?
3. Jesus's words and actions were seamlessly aligned. Can you identify an area in your life where your actions do not align with your faith? What is one change you can make this week to bring them into alignment?
4. Jesus is described as a living savior who is eager to touch, heal, and transform lives. How can you invite Jesus into a specific area of your life that needs healing or transformation this week?
5. For those who have experienced the cleansing power of Jesus, they are urged to extend grace and compassion to others. Who is one person in your life that you can extend grace to this week, and how will you do it?
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Words with Actions
Jesus's words and actions were seamlessly aligned, demonstrating His divine authority. He was not just a compelling preacher, but a doer, as demonstrated by the extraordinary miracles and supernatural acts He performed. His actions were a testament to His divine authority and His commitment to fulfilling God's will. [12:45]
James 1:22 - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where your words and actions are not aligned? How can you strive to be more like Jesus in this regard?
Day 2: Embracing the Rejected
Jesus extends His hand of grace to the rejected and despised of society, pointing to His ultimate purpose of coming to cleanse us from our sin. His compassion and grace stand in stark contrast to the religious leaders of the day who boasted about mistreating people with leprosy. [22:30]
Luke 5:31-32 - "Jesus answered them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'"
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who feels rejected or despised? How can you extend Jesus's hand of grace to them today?
Day 3: The Power of Unshakable Faith
The unshakable faith of the leper and the Centurion, who believed that Jesus could save and heal them despite their outcast status, is a testament to the power of faith. Their faith in Jesus's ability to heal and save them is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith in Jesus. [32:15]
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: How can you exercise unshakable faith in Jesus in your current circumstances? What does that look like in practical terms?
Day 4: Jesus, the Living Savior
Jesus is not just a historical figure or distant deity, but a living savior who is eager to touch, heal, and transform lives. He is willing and able to cleanse those who feel unclean and burdened by sin, offering forgiveness and freedom. [42:00]
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel unclean or burdened by sin? How can you bring this to Jesus today and ask for His cleansing?
Day 5: Becoming People of Compassion and Grace
For those who have already experienced the cleansing power of Jesus and are now clean with the righteousness of Christ, they are urged to be a people of compassion and grace, following Jesus' example of reaching out and touching others with love, regardless of their condition. This is a call to action for believers to extend the same grace and compassion that Jesus has shown them to others. [52:30]
Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Reflection: How can you extend the same grace and compassion that Jesus has shown you to someone in your life today?
Quotes
"Let's see how Jesus's words align seamlessly with his actions." ([06:30])
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnNSFG3ANq0&t=390.319s
"Jesus extends his hand of grace to the rejected and despised of society and what we see Jesus do here is a shadow is a sign pointing a picture of what he was born to do in the midst of our uncleanness our sin." [21:39]
"Jesus Takes our sin upon himself he takes our uncleanliness and he Nails it to the cross... but we read here in Colossians 213 to15 and you who were dead dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh God Made Alive together with him having forgiven us all our trespasses." [23:22]
"For those of us who used to be unclean but now clean with the righteousness of Christ, let us be a people of compassion, of grace...let us love like you love, love with no expectations, love qualified by your goodness and grace, not by our condition." [44:13]
"This man's deep grasp of Jesus's power genuinely amazed Jesus. He believed so strongly that just a simple word from Jesus could bring healing, showing faith that wasn't tied to any old superstitions. It was the kind of trust that truly stood out and deserved recognition." [35:24]
"The bad news is that hell is real and many are heading there but the good news is that your hell was poured out Upon Jesus on the cross paying for your sin in full paid in full forever clean forever healed forever free." [38:27]
"As we delve into chapter 8 we transition from Jesus's teaching to his miraculous Deeds each underscoring something very important his Divine Authority." #!!03:13!!#
"The leper then says something extraordinary to Jesus: 'If you will, you can make me clean.' He appeals to Jesus to make him clean but he does so by asserting his belief and confidence that Jesus can make him clean." #!!13:51!!#
"Jesus reaches out and touches the unclean man with Leprosy, the Untouchable, the shunned, the despised. Jesus reaches out and touches him." #!!14:52!!#
"Jesus intentionally reaches out and touches him in verse three says and Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him saying I will be clean and then 3 weeks later he went to the doctors and he was clean no no it doesn't say that says and immediately his leprosy was cleansed." #!!16:38!!#
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