Matthew 8:18-9:8 After you hear Experience Christ’s power and authority

Anyone use Cliff notes in school

Examples

Get the critical parts without all the details.

As we move back to the gospel of Matthew, we see some of the cliff notes version of some of the events in Christ’s life

We can get more details elsewhere – here we see the main point – at least the main point that Matthew wants us to see. Important at times to let  the individual gospel itself to speak for itself rather than always bringing in all the others – What is this gospel writer including – will tell us what point he is trying to make.

In this case it is ----- Jesus has authority like none other.

As we consider what kingdom character looks like – remember that Christ backs up His demands with a display of authority

When we look at Matt 8:2-17 we focused on response. And in fact each display of authority created a reaction – we can see the expected response and often the actual response which fell far short.

In these verses we saw that Jesus has authority over defilment, and sickness. We saw that Jesus has authority to govern who enters the kingdom and how they need to then follow Him.

Today focus on Jesus Power - Authority – His authority continues today – It should drive reactions from us – the right reaction.

I. Experience Christ’s power: Over life’s ‘normal’  events

Jesus' stilling of the wind and waves demonstrate Jesus' power over nature and events in our lives

A. An intentional event

(ESV) Matthew 8 18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. … 23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

1. Upcoming events are intentional

a. May come from an evil source – but He is not surprised

b. Intention is for benefit

c. Multiple purposes

1) Reason it is hard to answer the question ‘Why?’

2) Uses everything as part of a complex plan

3) Here He will use the events to primarily reveal His authority

2. Intervening events may lessen the impact of the initial commands – forget

B. A radical event

(ESV) Matthew 8 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

1. Events often come suddenly from our perspective – but part of His plan

2. Great storm

3. Boat being overwhelmed with the water

4. Seem to not be involved in the difficulty

C.  A faithless response to the event

(ESV) Matthew 8 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” …

1. Assumed the worst – look in desperation – other versions worse

2. Had power to immediately address the problem

3. Look for reaction of faith

D. His authority over the event

1. Demonstrated in His control over events

(ESV) Matthew 8 26 … Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

a. Absolute control / event responded / nature under control /radically so

2. Demonstrated in people’s reaction to His power

(ESV) Matthew 8 26 … Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

3. Reaction: Who can do this – Only God

4. Intention found here – Show His amazing power – demonstrate His authority over the kingdom   - Jesus does something God size

5. Identify true faith or lack – His power and authority revealed regardless

6. Encourage future faith

II. Potential to Experience Christ’s power: Over supernatural bondage

Through the exorcism and restoration of the Gaderene demonic, Jesus demonstrates his sovereignty to the Gentiles over  the demonic realm showing the right of the creator is greater than right of the one who has usurped His authority.

A. An intentional encounter

(ESV) Matthew 8 28 And when he cameto the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.

1. Came over the sea for this very reason – will depart later having done nothing but this encounter

2. Not name / two demon possessed rather than one

3. Here the point is the spiritual opposition itself

B. A radical encounter

(ESV) Matthew 8 28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.

1. Powerful influence

2. Beyond human ability to control or even manage  - Defeated all others

C. His authority over the encounter

(ESV) Matthew 8 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

(ESV) Matthew 8 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he saidto them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.

1. No contest here

2. Victory certain – only question was how / when

3. Impacted everything

a. Men in bondage freed

b. Livelihood changed

c. Fear instead of embracing

D. A faithless reaction to the encounter

(ESV) Matthew 8 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. 9:1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

1. Reaction: Asked Him to leave

2. In spite of impact to others

3. Their previous life more important than change of life

4. Authority to let people go their desire way – to live in spiritual bondage if we so desire

5. The point is that no matter how great the spiritual opposition --- Jesus has unrivaled authority over the spiritual world

a. Application – no matter what we face – He is greater – greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world ---- not a radical fight – focus on Jesus not the opposition – may not be immediate, but the ultimate victory is certain if we stand (he will flee from us – stand in truth)

III. Potential to Experience Christ’s power: Over sin

In the midst of a large assembly of official representatives of the Sanhedrin, Jesus forgives a paralytic man's sin and confirms His authority to do so  by healing His paralyzed condition resulting in their being convinced of His ministry as Messiah.

A. Some embraced it

(ESV) Matthew 9 1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he saidto the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

1. Brought Him

2. Brought Him by faith

3. Seems to be a deeper understanding than just healing –

4. Jesus responds to their faith

5. Sees their faith and He responds in forgiveness

6. Addresses the real problem

7. Also addresses other problems (in this case to emphasis that He had addressed the real problem)

B. Some rejected it

(ESV) Matthew 9 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’?

1. Immediate rejection

2. Intense rejection

3. A problem of evil in their own hearts

a. Personal prejudice? Pride? Moralism?

4. I’ll do whichever you think is harder to prove it – in their minds the healing was harder

C. Jesus proved it

(ESV) Matthew 9 6 But that you may knowthat the Son of Manhas authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home.

1. Christ has authority over sin

2. No matter how impressive all the external things – the real deal is His authority over sin

3. It requires more than just a change of nature / it cannot be just undone / requires just to be done / it requires a Savior to die for that sin

D. Most missed it

(ESV) Matthew 9 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

“We have seen extraordinary things today.”

1. Amazed at what they saw

2. Gave glory to God

3. All just a shallow view

a. Just like the scribes – focus on what you can see

b. Viewed Jesus as a man

c. Did not discern the more significant need  // the more significant act - forgiveness

4. The more amazing thing was what he did within that they could not see

5. The real authority comes in forgiveness of sin