Matthew 9:1-34. Mirales and Message

Miracles and the Message Matthew Chapter 9 HCC February 5th, 2023 A brief story on… Some of the most important things are simply… “Caught Not Taught” Fundamentally Human Questions What is my purpose in life? What is love? What does it mean to be good? Today’s Message • Recap where we are in the Book of Matthew • Give an overview and key themes of Matthew 9 • Deep dive into the bigger message Where We Are in Matthew Birth and significance of Jesus Start of Jesus’ ministry and gains followers Sermon on the Mount (5-7) Chapters 1-2 3-7 Miracles and More teachings expansion of and parables; ministry Escalation of tension with Pharisees 8-10 11-13 Jesus reveals himself as son of God People struggle with Jesus’ kingship; Teachings of judgment to come 13-18 19-25 Climax: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, followed by victory and the great commission 26-27 Reminder: Sermon on the Mount (5-7) The Beatitudes 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God Reminder: Sermon on the Mount (5-7) Challenge to a Higher Standard 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (and more teachings re Anger, 27 Telling falsehoods, Revenge) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to 43 Where We Are in Matthew Birth and significance of Jesus Start of Jesus’ ministry and gains followers Sermon on the Mount (5-7) Chapters 1-2 3-7 Miracles and More teachings expansion of and parables; ministry Escalation of tension with Pharisees 8-10 11-13 Jesus reveals himself as son of God People struggle with Jesus’ kingship; Teachings of judgment to come 13-18 19-25 Climax: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, followed by victory and the great commission 26-27 Matthew Chapter 9 Contains Five Events # 1 Jesus Heals a Paralytic Man # 2 Jesus Calls Matthew the Tax Collector # 3 Jesus Challenged on the Topic of Fasting # 4 Jesus Restores to Life a Daughter and Heals Woman # 5 Jesus Heals Two Blind Men and Another Man’s Inability to Speak Theme #1: Jesus Wants to More Than Just Heal Us Physically And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 2 Theme #1: Jesus Wants to More Than Just Heal Us Physically And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 10 Theme #2: Knowing God is Not a Transaction Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 14 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 15 Theme #3: Faith Is More Important Than “Being Good or Right” And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith… 2 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 22 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 28 The Problem of Morality Being “Good” Being Right With God The issue is how you define what “being good” really means Pharisees • Religious and cultural leaders/influencers • Sought to preserve purity of Jewish practices • Attainment of righteousness from following God’s law…as well as their own man-made traditions The Problem of SelfRighteousness • The greatest sin? • Definition: justifying ourselves through our moral actions only • Like a drug – becomes abused and very addictive • And we tend to use our own standards and change the rules • Result: hardened by our need for security and superiority, difficult to love others, no longer need to relate to God What Did the Pharisees Misunderstand About Righteousness? • True righteousness comes from the inside, not the outside • 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” • It’s about the inner heart: our motivations, what drives us • Selfish gain? Social reputation? • Out of gratitude and trust towards a loving Creator • The temptation to be complacent and in denial about our issues and failings True Righteousness For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 2 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 3 Genesis Romans chapter 4, quoting Back to the Sermon on the Mount (5-7) The Beatitudes 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. God sees the heart Do we mourn over our sin? Or do we harden ourselves, build defenses Back to the Sermon on the Mount (5-7) A Higher Standard 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (and more teachings re Anger, 27 Telling falsehoods, Revenge) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you 43 God sees the heart Are we able to forgive those who have hurt us in the past? Testimony Key to Forgiveness “I had to let go of my (self) righteousness” Life Gives a Challenge and a Choice Challenge Choices / Options • God will judge us based on what is in our heart • Continue to try to increase our selfrighteousness, to prove ourselves • Reject God’s standards and “hope for the best” • Continuously feel guilty and crushed The Gospel says we are more sinful than we dared imagine, yet we are more loved than we dared to believe Gospel According to Matthew Birth and significance of Jesus Start of Jesus’ ministry and gains followers Sermon on the Mount (5-7) Chapters 1-2 3-7 Miracles and More teachings expansion of and parables; ministry Escalation of tension with Pharisees 8-10 11-13 Jesus reveals himself as son of God People struggle with Jesus’ kingship; Teachings of judgment to come 13-18 19-25 Climax: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, followed by victory and the great commission 26-27 Wrap Up • Chapter 9 is about Jesus’ encounters with people, to inspire belief in way that is “caught not taught” • He came to not just heal us physically, to show that knowing God is not just a transaction, and that belief (trust) in God is more important than religious performance • And to teach us the bigger message of seeking a righteousness that comes from God by faith