Power Over Sin Matthew 9:1-13
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Intro:
Yesterday I did some much needed yard work in my front yard.
I trimed the hedge, repaired a border, and rooted out some pesky grass
The most difficult and time consuming was the grass
You have to get down to the root
What was interesting is how many neighbors walked by and stopped to talk
Not only do homeowners appreaciated a weeded and maintained yards, neighbors do as well
I was thinking about this mornings message as I did the yard work
Jesus wants to remove the sin from our lives
He gets to the root of the problem
After it is over the person and others enjoy it so much more
Read Matthew 9:1-6
Read Matthew 9:1-6
Transition
The most distinctive message of Christianity is the reality that sin can be forgiven.
That is the heart and lifeblood of the gospel, that men can be freed from sin and its consequences
God’s receiving the sinner and refusing the righteous is central to the Christian faith.
The gospel is not for good people but for bad people who know they are bad and who come to God for forgiveness and cleansing.
From the earliest part of his gospel, Matthew gives the message of God’s forgiveness of repentant sinners.
In chapter 1 he specifically mentions a number of people whose lives were marked by terrible sin.
Both Rahab and Ruth were from pagan, idolatrous, Gentile nations, and Rahab was even a prostitute.
Although David was a man after God’s own heart, he was also a murderer and adulterer.
In the Sermon on the Mount He proclaimed God’s offer of forgiveness for those who sincerely and humbly hunger and thirst for righteousness
The dual theme of the gospel—men must turn from sin in order for God to forgive, cleanse, and save them.
The only people who ever receive salvation and enter God’s kingdom are those who acknowledge their sinfulness and repent of it.
This morning we look 5 benefits of Jesus’ power over sin
I. vs. 1-2 Gets to the of the Root Issue
I. vs. 1-2 Gets to the of the Root Issue
The first benefit of Jesus’ power over sin is that it gets to the root of the issue
Jesus has just returned from the other side where he rebuked thousands of demons
Now he is returning to his home base which is Capernaum
He encounters a group of faithful friends bringing their paralytic friends on a mat
In the other gospels Jesus is in a crowded house and they have to tear the roof off to lower him down
Some might look at this as a discrepancy in the Gospels
In reality it Matthew telling his version of the story
To him, the roof doesn’t matter
He is focused on Jesus’ power to forgive sins
Jesus marveled at their faith
For forgiveness or healing to happen you have to believe
Jesus also chose to address this man’s greatest need, his sin
Now it is important to understand that his sins didn’t cause this paralysis
That was a common belief in that day
Either the person or the parents were responsible
Jesus new the root of this man’s problem was his unforgiven sin
That is true for everyone in this room as well
Jesus power to forgive sins gives us the confidence
II. vs. 3-8 Exposes Wrong Thinking
II. vs. 3-8 Exposes Wrong Thinking
The second benefit of Jesus power over sin is that exposes wrong thinking
Some of the scribes heard Jesus forgives the man’s sins
Their first thought was “This man is blaspheming.”
In their minds only Yahweh could forgive sins
They never thought “Only Yahweh can do miracles or heal people”
Narrow thinking prevented them from seeing the Messiah
Wouldn’t it be interesting if one of these scribes was the one who said “Lord. I will follow you anywhere.”
What a headache if Jesus would’ve brought him on
Instead, Jesus addressed their wrong thinking
Which is easier to say? You are forgiven or be healed?
To prove that he could forgive sins he looked at the man and told him to rise, pick up his bed, and go home
Sometimes our thinking is wrong
We major in the minors
The scribes thought they had the system down but Jesus exposed they had no anointing
Some Christians got the system down and have everyone convinced that they are mature Christians
Jesus has a way of humbling them by exposing their sin
Thankfully He is merciful and we can be forgiven
III. vs. 9-10 Draws You Closer to Him
III. vs. 9-10 Draws You Closer to Him
The third benefit you get from following Jesus is that it draws you closer to Him
Matthew was a tax collector
Next to Roman soldiers these were the most despised humans in Israel
Considered traitors for working with Romans
He sees Matthew (the author of this book) and calls him to follow him
This had to shock the disciples
If you watched the Chosen you saw that Peter and Matthew weren’t on friendly terms
Yet Jesus called the tax collector but rejected the overeager scribe
This shows you he draws you closer to him
Sin separates us from God
Only His forgiveness can break down that wall
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Many Christians stop there but Jesus isn’t done
He’s not just interested in forgiving us and making us clean and right
He wants to see us grown closer to him
Jesus goes to Matthews house and eats with him
It’s one thing to interact with a tax collector but to go to his house and share a meal was over the top
In Jewish culture, if you share a meal you are considered family
The Pharisees couldn’t handle all of this love and affection being shown to a tax collector
Before Jesus called us to follow him we were like these tax collectors and sinners
He searches us out, forgives our sins, and then walks with us
He draws you closer to him
IV. vs. 11-12 Brings Needed Healing?
IV. vs. 11-12 Brings Needed Healing?
The fourth benefit you get from Jesus’ power over sin is that it brings needed healing
The Pharisees prided themselves on excluding themselves from those who were unholy
They reasoned that this kept them clean
In reality it was how they elevated themselves and made others to feel less than worthy
The Spiritual leaders, who were supposed to be leading people towards God, were doing the opposite
V. vs. 13 Extends Mercy
V. vs. 13 Extends Mercy
The final benefit you get from Jesus’ power over sin is that it extends mercy