Matthew 9:9-34 After you hear: Christ makes people different

We are talking about Biblical Cliff notes

Get the critical parts without all the details.

Last week we saw small versions of stories that show Jesus has power and authority in the kingdom

Over events of life “natural” things that occur

Over spiritual opposition

Over sin

Jesus has authority like none other. He has authority to make people different.

How has Christ changed you – what is the different about you today?. 30 sec or less testimony. How are you different because  of Christ?

Here in these passages are a series of pictures. People with a need to be physically changed. And they were. But the issue is not the physical. What does it matter if someone is changed physically but remain unchanged spiritually.

The issue is greater than these miracles. Christ makes people different.

Here physically. But the greater miracle is spiritual.

Do you have a commitment to something else – he canmake you different – He calls out of the world. And will enable you to come.

Are you locked in religion or moral superiority? – he can make you different – He offers grace and forgiveness based upon forgiveness of sin

Are you really dead. – he can make you different – He makes people alive in Him.

Do you spiritually blind – he can make you different – He opens our eyes so that we can see.

In today’s world He may not be offering physical healing. But He absolutely will make you different spiritually.

Christ will change you today – He makes us different.

I. Christ makes people different: Calls out of the world

Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, demonstrating his authority to call men out from under the authority of Rome or any other human authority and place them under His own authority.

A. From other allegiances

Other life focuses – here a tax collector

(ESV) Matthew 9 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

1. Matthew was dedicated to money / business / regardless of its impact on others

2. He followed / was changed

B. From allegiances to sin

Focus on sin of all kinds

(ESV) Matthew 9 10 And as Jesusreclined 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?”

1. The marginal folks. Unacceptable sin. Unacceptable by society/ sinners

2. They followed / were changed

C. From the sickness of sin

(ESV) Matthew 9 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.”

1. People broken by sin and knew it

2. Christ came for these folks. To give mercy because of His death for sin

II. Christ makes people different: Calls out of religion

Jesus demonstrates his authority over both the traditions of the Pharisees and of John's disciples and the incompatibility of the previous views to the new state indicating the offering of the Davidic kingdom which is rejected by Israel in favor of the previous traditions.

A. From religion based on mere ritual

(ESV) Matthew 9 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 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.

1. Never was intended to be this

2. Ritual based systems in place --- Christ stands out – not religious based

B. A need for a different system

(ESV) Matthew 9  16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilledand the skins are destroyed. …

1. Previously a need to capture a veiled view of God and His desires

Justice / holiness / the need for sin to be atoned for / The covenant love of God for people ----- The staged revelation of God and His plan through the ages

1. But only a shadow – point to the real truth

(ESV) Hebrews 10 1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

(ESV) Colossians 2 17 These are a shadowof the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

2. If you look closely nothing really has changed, Ritual did not save / an active response of faith in God saved

(ESV) 1 Samuel 15 22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

(ESV) Isaiah 1 11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

(ESV) Isaiah 1 18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

C. (Christ has the )Authority to clarify the pursuit of God

(ESV) Matthew 9 17 … But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

(ESV) Hebrews 9 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

(ESV) Hebrews 7 27 (Jesus) has no need,like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

(ESV) Colossians 1 24 … the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1. Christ came to clarify how to pursue not the Father.

a. Not through religious or moral acts but through the mercy that is found only in His death and resurrection as payment for sin

III. Christ makes people different: Calls out of Death

The healing of the woman with an issue of blood and the raising of Jairus' daughter based upon their faith demonstrates Jesus' power over disease and death.

A. By faith

(ESV) Matthew 9 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.

1. Picture of a greater death – not just physical death but spiritual death

2. The call out of death is always by faith

B. In various ways

(ESV) Matthew 9 20 And behold, a womanwho had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

1. A living death – Faith made well

C. In the midst of other’s unbelief

(ESV) Matthew 9 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

1. A true death – unable to solve – Jesus solves

2. Jesus makes alive

IV. Christ makes people different: Calls out of blindness

Jesus' response to the faith of the two blind men in His Messianic role results in their healing, yielding amazement by the crowds but further rejection by the leaders.

A. Based in mercy

(ESV) Matthew 9 27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.”

1. Again a greater picture – not just physical blindness – spiritual blindness

2. A recognition of his condition – a need for mercy not justice

B. Energized by faith

(ESV) Matthew 9 28 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.” 30 And their eyes were opened.…

1. A trust in Jesus’ ability to work – give sight

C. Results in Christ’s glory

(ESV) Matthew 9 30 … And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

(ESV) Matthew 9 32 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. …

…

1. Amazement at Jesus ability to transform a life

2. Even in a time when Jesus sought to minimize his greatness

3. The word of change spreads

4. Others come to Christ

(ESV) Matthew 9 33 … 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.”

5. Nothing else like it

6. But some still disbelieve --- and remain unchanged --- remain doomed in their sin

(ESV) Ephesians 2 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienatedfrom the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, … 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, …

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. … 19 So then you (can be) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,