Matthew 9:32-34

- Sermon Outline 1

Breaking the Chains: The Voice of Healing

Bible Passage: Matthew 9:32–34

As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

Summary: Matthew 9:32–34 narrates a remarkable event where Jesus heals a mute man possessed by a demon. This passage not only illustrates the physical act of healing but also emphasizes the spiritual liberation Jesus brings to those tormented by evil. The crowd's astonishment at this miracle contrasts sharply with the Pharisees’ skepticism, showcasing the varied responses to Jesus' authority.

Application: This sermon invites those feeling trapped by their circumstances or by spiritual oppression to recognize that freedom is found in Christ. It encourages listeners to approach Jesus with their struggles, knowing He has the power to transform their silence into a testimony of faith and hope. Through His healing, individuals are called to reclaim their voices, share their stories, and testify to His goodness.

Teaching: The teaching emphasizes that Jesus' authority extends beyond physical healing; it encompasses the redemption of our voices and lives. Believers are reminded that surrendering their struggles to Jesus opens the door to healing and empowerment, enabling them to proclaim the truth and share their experiences with others.

How this passage could point to Christ: This healing miracle is a continuation of the redemptive narrative throughout Scripture, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate healer who fulfills the prophecies regarding the Messiah. It underscores the consistent biblical theme that Jesus brings life, joy, and the ability to communicate God’s truth to the world, fulfilling the prophetic expectations of Isaiah and others.

Big Idea: In Christ, the silence of our struggles can be broken, restoring our ability to speak truth and life into the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider examining the theological implications of demon possession in the New Testament within your Logos library. Explore how this relates to the broader spiritual warfare theme present in Scripture. Additionally, review commentaries on Matthew’s Gospel, focusing on the healing narratives and their significance in the portrayal of Jesus as the Messiah.

1. Presenting Our Problems

You could explore how the initial presentation of the mute man to Jesus signifies the recognition of needing divine intervention. This point focuses on the faith of those who brought the man, highlighting the importance of community in seeking Jesus for healing. Emphasize that in our struggles, we should seek out and support each other to bring our burdens to Christ, the one capable of breaking our silence.

Matthew 9:32-33a

32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him.

ABE

1. The Coming for the Miracle (Matthew 9:32) It is frequently very instructive to observe some of the details of the coming of people to Christ for help. • The work in the coming. “They brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil” (Matthew 9:32). Once again others bring the needy to Christ. Work was involved, inasmuch as there would have to be persuasion of the needy to come, and here the persuading would be difficult because the man could not speak. But the “bringers” persisted and got the man to Christ. It was a noble work indeed. • The wisdom in the coming. “Brought to him” (Matthew 9:32). It is wisdom that realizes that Christ is the answer to our problems. Today folk look to the government and other agencies for help rather than to Christ. • The when of the coming. “As they went out” (Matthew 9:32). The “they” refers to the two blind men departing after their healing by Christ. The “when” of the coming of the dumb man possessed of a demon simply shows how busy Christ was. No sooner did one case get solved than another showed up for help. But though wearied by many cases, Christ had compassion to help another case. 2. The Cause for the Miracle (Matthew 9:32) The man brought to Christ had a serious cause needing Christ’s help. Actually there were two problems, but one was tied to the other. • The demon in the cause. “Man possessed with a devil [demon]” (Matthew 9:32). When a demon possessed a man, it was not a blessing but a burden. Evil curses. Any blessing it appears to bring is a mirage. • The dumbness in the cause. “A dumb man” (Matthew 9:32). The effect of the demon possession was loss of speech. Generally Satanic influence results in too much speech, not too little. But stopping the mouth would stop outward praise to God and testimony for God.

PSOB

Division V: The Messiah’s Great Authority and Power Revealed in Word and Work, 8:1–9:34

In this commentary by Leadership Ministries Worldwide, the author explores the profound authority of Jesus as demonstrated through His healing miracles, emphasizing His ability to meet the desperate and helpless needs of individuals. The passage highlights four key examples: a ruler whose daughter has died, a woman suffering from a long-term illness, two blind men seeking sight, and a demon-possessed man. Each character embodies a unique form of desperation, showcasing their faith in Jesus’ power to heal. The ruler approaches Jesus with worship and a firm belief that his daughter will live again, while the woman, feeling unworthy, believes that merely touching Jesus’ garment will restore her health. Jesus responds to both with compassion, affirming their faith and performing miraculous healings. The commentary also notes the skepticism of the crowd when Jesus arrives at the ruler’s house, yet He demonstrates His authority over death by raising the girl, further solidifying His identity as the Messiah. The blind men, acknowledging Jesus as the “Son of David,” persistently seek His mercy, and their faith leads to their sight being restored. The author emphasizes that faith is crucial in these encounters, as God responds to genuine belief, whether it is the individual’s faith or that of others interceding on their behalf. The commentary concludes by reflecting on the necessity of bringing those in need to Christ, highlighting the power of intercessory prayer and the importance of faith in experiencing God’s transformative work. Ultimately, the author underscores that Jesus’ authority and compassion are central to His mission, offering hope and healing to all who seek Him.

33a And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke

ABE

The Casting out in the Miracle (Matthew 9:33)

3. The Casting out in the Miracle (Matthew 9:33) Jesus never met a demonic power He could not conquer. So when the demon was confronted by Christ, that was the end of the demon possession. • The celerity of the casting out. “When the devil was cast out, the dumb spake” (Matthew 9:33). The quickness of the miracle is seen in the quickness of the speaking. As soon as the demon was cast out the dumb spoke. As with the other miracles of Christ, speed was proof of His power. If the miracle work did not take effect for days or weeks or months, people would have given credit to other influences, but not to Christ. • The consequences of the casting out. “The dumb spake” (Matthew 9:33). Christ went to the root of the problem to get the dumb to speaking. Before the man could speak, the demon needed to be exorcised. Many problems today are not solved because people will not go to the root of the problem. When Elisha healed the waters, he put the salt in “the spring of the waters” (II Kings 2:21), not miles down stream. If you do not correct the problem at the root or spring of it, you will never solve it down stream. Seat belts in automobiles is an attempt to solve the problem of accidents; but you will never correct the problem of accidents caused by drunk driving, if you do not go to the heart of the problem, namely, booze.

PSOB

Division V: The Messiah’s Great Authority and Power Revealed in Word and Work, 8:1–9:34Leadership Ministries Worldwide emphasizes the profound authority of Jesus as demonstrated through His miraculous healings, which address the desperate and helpless needs of individuals. The commentary highlights four key examples: a ruler whose daughter has died, a woman suffering from a long-term illness, two blind men seeking sight, and a demon-possessed man. Each case illustrates the theme of faith—both personal and intercessory—as a crucial element in receiving healing. The ruler approaches Jesus in worship, expressing faith that his daughter will live again, while the woman believes that merely touching Jesus’ garment will heal her. Jesus responds to their faith with compassion and power, showcasing His ability to conquer death and restore life. The commentary also notes the persistent faith of the blind men, who acknowledge Jesus as the “Son of David” and receive their sight as a result of their belief. Additionally, the healing of the demon-possessed man underscores the need for others to bring those in spiritual bondage to Christ. Despite the miraculous works, the commentary points out the mixed reactions from the crowd, with some amazed and others, particularly the religious leaders, dismissing Jesus’ authority and attributing His power to evil. This highlights a critical lesson: faith in Jesus is essential for experiencing His transformative power, and the response to His miracles can vary widely among individuals. Ultimately, the commentary calls for believers to bring their needs and the needs of others to Christ, trusting in His ability to heal and deliver, while also recognizing the importance of faith in the process.This is an AI-generated summar

2. Powerful Healing Declared

Matthew 9:33b

Perhaps reflect on the transformative power of Jesus' actions, which astonished the crowds. This healing signifies Jesus' authority over darkness and His ability to restore what was lost. Encourage listeners that Jesus can break the silence and bring freedom to both spiritual and emotional bondage. This is a call to witness and participate in Christ's transformative mission in the world.

3. Proclaiming Boldly Amidst Opposition

Consider the varied responses to Jesus' miracle—while the crowd is amazed, the Pharisees respond with skepticism. This point highlights the decision everyone must make in response to Jesus’ authority: to believe despite opposition or to dismiss His work. Inspire believers to confidently proclaim their faith, standing firm in the truth amidst doubts and criticism.

Matthew 9:34

34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

The Comments about the Miracle (Matthew 9:34)4. The Comments About the Miracle (Matthew 9:34) The reaction of the observers to this miracle was twofold. Some praised it and some criticized it. Times have not changed much. Every work of God will have both praise and criticism. • The acclaim in the comments. “The multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel” (Matthew 9:33). The multitudes made the best comments. First, the character of the acclaim. “Marvelled.” This means to admire, wonder, be amazed. The deficiency here is that it does not express a belief that saves. As we noted in earlier miracles, it is not enough to marvel and wonder, but faith must be involved. Second, the conclusion of the acclaim. “It was never so seen in Israel.” This was true even more than they realized. And if not in Israel then not in the world either. Christ was unique. He was more than a prophet or an exceptional man. He was in fact God incarnated in the likeness of human flesh. He created the world, and so His miracles were superior to anything ever seen by man not only in Israel but also in the whole world. • The accusation in the comments. “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince [Satan] of the devils” (Matthew 9:34). Again it is the religious leaders of the land who were the most critical of Christ. And their accusation was full of venom. They accused Christ of being in legion with Satan to do this exorcising. It is bad enough to criticize Christ, but to accuse Him of being in legion with Satan is gross evil. G. THE PUBLIC MINISTRY SUMMARIZED

PSOB

In this passage, Leadership Ministries Worldwide emphasizes the profound authority of Jesus as the Messiah, illustrated through His miraculous healings that address the desperate and helpless needs of individuals. The commentary highlights four key examples: a ruler whose daughter has died, a woman suffering from a long-term illness, two blind men seeking sight, and a demon-possessed man. Each case showcases the characters’ helplessness and their faith in Jesus, which is pivotal for their healing. The ruler approaches Jesus with worship and a firm belief that his daughter will live again, while the woman, feeling unworthy, believes that merely touching Jesus’ garment will heal her. Jesus responds to their faith with compassion and power, demonstrating His ability to conquer death and restore life. The commentary also notes the persistent faith of the blind men, who acknowledge Jesus as the “Son of David” and cry out for mercy, leading to their sight being restored. Additionally, the healing of the demon-possessed man illustrates Jesus’ authority over evil. Despite the miraculous works, the commentary points out the mixed reactions from the people; while many are amazed, some, particularly the religious leaders, respond with skepticism and hostility, attributing Jesus’ power to demonic influence. This contrast underscores the theme that true faith is essential for experiencing God’s power, and it is only through genuine belief that individuals can receive healing and restoration. The author concludes by stressing that faith must be directed towards God, who alone knows what is truly good, and that requests made in faith, aligned with His will, will be answered.

ABE Factbook Summary

In his commentary, John G. Butler explores the various aspects surrounding the miracle of a dumb man possessed by a demon who was brought to Christ for healing. He emphasizes the effort involved in bringing the man to Jesus, highlighting the noble work of those who persuaded him to seek help despite his inability to speak. Butler points out the wisdom in recognizing Christ as the ultimate solution to human problems, contrasting this with contemporary tendencies to rely on governmental or institutional aid. He notes the timing of the event, indicating Christ’s busy ministry, as He was constantly approached by those in need. The author delves into the dual nature of the man’s affliction, identifying both the demonic possession and the resultant dumbness as intertwined issues that required Christ’s intervention. Butler underscores the immediacy of the miracle, illustrating that the moment the demon was cast out, the man regained his ability to speak, which serves as a testament to Christ’s power. He draws parallels to modern issues, suggesting that many problems remain unresolved because they are not addressed at their root. The commentary also reflects on the varied reactions to the miracle, with the multitudes expressing amazement and admiration, yet lacking the saving faith necessary for true belief. Conversely, the Pharisees’ critical response, accusing Christ of colluding with Satan, highlights the persistent skepticism and opposition faced by Him, particularly from religious leaders. Overall, Butler encapsulates the significance of the miracle, the nature of faith, and the challenges of recognition and acceptance of Christ’s divine authority.

PSOB Factbook Summary

Leadership Ministries Worldwide emphasizes the profound authority of Jesus as demonstrated through His miraculous healings, which address the desperate and helpless needs of individuals. The commentary highlights four key examples: a ruler whose daughter has died, a woman suffering from a long-term illness, two blind men seeking sight, and a demon-possessed man. Each case illustrates the theme of faith—both personal and intercessory—as a crucial element in receiving healing. The ruler approaches Jesus in worship, expressing faith that his daughter will live again, while the woman believes that merely touching Jesus’ garment will heal her. Jesus responds to their faith with compassion and power, showcasing His ability to conquer death and restore life. The commentary also notes the persistent faith of the blind men, who acknowledge Jesus as the “Son of David” and receive their sight as a result of their belief. Additionally, the healing of the demon-possessed man underscores the need for others to bring those in spiritual bondage to Christ. Despite the miraculous works, the commentary points out the mixed reactions from the crowd, with some amazed and others, particularly the religious leaders, dismissing Jesus’ authority and attributing His power to evil. This highlights a critical lesson: faith in Jesus is essential for experiencing His transformative power, and the response to His miracles can vary widely among individuals. Ultimately, the commentary calls for believers to bring their needs and the needs of others to Christ, trusting in His ability to heal and deliver, while also recognizing the importance of faith in the process.