“But God Alone”

Opening Prayer (Adoration and Petition)

Unforgiving people have not been forgiven themselves; those who are forgiven are so broken by it that they cannot but forgive others. Children of God, 115

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

Key Question: Do I respond with gratitude or with arrogance to God’s presence in my life?

I. God Sees Beyond the Physical to the Spiritual. (v.5)

Genesis 16:13 LSB

13 Then she called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?”

A. Faith is evident in those who are possessed by it.

B. Jesus Christ tenderly calls the man “child,” not in arrogance or impudence, but in tender love as a Father has for a child.

C. Jesus gives forgiveness freely as an expression of His Divine right. (Leviticus 4:20)

Psalm 33:13–15 LSB

13 Yahweh looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; 14 From the place of His habitation He gazes On all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 He who forms the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.

II. The Teachers Dwell in Their Own Thoughts, Not God’s Word. (v.6)

Psalm 140:8 LSB

8 “Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the wicked; Do not promote his evil scheme, that they not be exalted. Selah.

A. The Teachers of the Law present keep quiet among the crowd as they observe Jesus’ ministry. (Mark 1:22)

B. Upon hearing the declaration of forgiveness of sins, some teachers begin to dwell in their thoughts.

C. The Teachers of the Law remain steadfast on their personal understanding of the Law, not the Word of God before them.

Genesis 6:5 LSB

5 Then Yahweh saw that the evil of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

III. The Teachers Miss God for Their Expectations. (v.7)

Genesis 44:7 LSB

7 And they said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing.

A. The Teachers of the Law encounter someone greater than a typical Prophet.

B. Jesus confronts the private accusations of reviling the name of YHWH for exercising the power to forgive sins.

C. The Teachers of the Law, looking for a human Messiah, missed Immanuel before them.

Numbers 15:30 LSB

30 ‘But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, that one is blaspheming Yahweh; and that person shall be cut off from among his people.

IV. What’s The BIG Deal?

In Jesus Christ we meet the solution to all our needs.

As Disciples our hearts must be opened before God to avoid legalism.

We must maintain a wide-eyed wonder before the LORD’s work.

Invitation / Prayer of Petition / Invite the Worship Team Up