Matthew 9:1-13 True Healing

1. Compassion Answers Critics

Matthew 9:1-6

True compassion Forgives- They came Seeking healing Jesus gives forgiveness.-vs 1-2

There will always be people that are critical of the Lord’s work.

In todays world of social and online media everyone has an opinion, and they feel strongly that they’re opinion is the most valid and the most correct.

I don’t want to stand on my opinions and desires, Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.”

Romans 7:15–20 “For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me.”

I want to want the things of God which means I must walk in the spirit and stand on the truth of God’s Word.

I used to love to argue with people because I thought I was right and I was going to prove them wrong, even as an immature believer I still walked in that mindset.

However, if I’m to fulfill the Great Commission and see people as Christ sees them I’m to have compassion.

Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

Compassion and kindness stifles critics. Vs 4-8

1 Peter 2:12 “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.”

1 Peter 3:9 “not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.”

2. Call to the Unworthy

Matthew 9:9-12

The call to Matthew that vile tax collector

1 Corinthians 1:27 “Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”

Romans 3:10 “as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one.”

Anyone that God uses is unworthy.

Abraham- lied -wife was his sister

Jacob was deceptive

Moses-murdered

David-adultery, deception, murder

God called and used them all for His glory

My own calling

3. Mercy Over Sacrifice

Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 “For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

As Jesus is dealing with the Pharisees He gives a double rebuke when he commands “go and Learn” He challenges them as learners rather than teaches and beginners

In Amos as God’s people were worshiping false gods and still performing their religious rituals to God he gives them this through Amos

Amos 5:21–25 “I hate, I despise, your feasts! I can’t stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even if you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will have no regard for your fellowship offerings of fattened cattle. Take away from me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream. “House of Israel, was it sacrifices and grain offerings that you presented to me during the forty years in the wilderness?”

Colossians 3:12–13 “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.”