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[0:00] please take your bibles and go to matthew's gospel if you're visiting with us the black bible and the chair in front of you go to the back find page six matthew matthew's gospel chapter nine excuse me eight we're going to read chapter eight into chapter nine so matthew's gospel chapter eight 23 823 we'll do our study of 823 through chapter nine verse eight matthew chapter eight starting in verse 23 i'll read through chapter nine verse eight again page six in that black bible and getting into the boat his disciples followed him and look there arose a seismic storm in the sea so that the boat was covered with the waves but he himself was asleep and coming to him they awoke him saying save lord we perish and he said to them why are you timid little faith ones then rising he rebuked the winds and the sea and there came a great calm and the men marveled saying what kind of man is this to even the winds and the sea obey him verse 28 and when you come to the other side into the country of the gadarenes two demonized men met him as they were coming out of the tombs exceedingly violent that no one could pass by that road and look they cried out saying what to us and to you son of god have you come here to torment us before the time now there was a at a distance from them a herd of many swine feeding and the demons entreated him saying if you cast us out send us into the herd of swine and he said to them go and they came out and went to the swine and behold the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters and the herdsmen ran away and went to the city and reported everything and that of the things with the demonized men and look the whole city came out to meet jesus and when they saw him they entreated him to depart from their region chapter nine and getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city and look they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed and seeing their faith jesus said to the paralytic take courage child your sins are forgiven and behold some of the scribes said among themselves this one blasphemes and knowing their thoughts jesus said why are you thinking evil in your hearts for which is easier to say your sins are forgiven or to say rise and walk but in order that you may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins then he said to the paralytic rise take every bed and go to your home and he rose and went to his home but the multitude seeing this were all filled with fear and they glorified god who had given such authority to men interested in team building and training go to adventures associates website adventures associate.com to see the different programs they

[4:08] offer one of which of is their high ropes course this is what it says on the website quote business teams use harnesses helmets cables ropes and wooden beams strung 20 to 50 feet high among trees or poles to explore risk-taking trust and coaching quote the high ropes elements are up in the tree so the perceived risk is high but the actual risk is low really so says you participants walk across cable bridges negotiate giant ladders or ride zip lines through the trees the different things that they have they have what's called a catwalk a giant's ladder they call it another thing called a heebie jeebie a multi-vine something else they call the flying squirrel yikes the trapeze jump and this other one i like this one the wild woosie and then of course they have the zip line so if you've ever done this i don't know if you've ever done a ropes course i've done this one twice and it's definitely interesting and by the way next Sunday we're going to do that as a church so Judy's going to lead the way now if you've ever done a ropes course

[5:29] I did one of the adventures associates describes you know it truly develops trust in your team yes in the instructors yes but really in the ropes you're you know they say you're going to learn to trust yourself no I don't I don't trust myself I don't trust those ropes that's the problem right it's the ropes I have difficulty with it's not easy to trust when things look bleak hard difficult impossible it's one thing to sit there and say with your mind I trust those ropes are going to hold me up and for you to actually get up on that thing and walk across the wild woosie or whatever it is but that's the time to trust Matthew's gospel is calling his readers bow down and worship Jesus he is the Messiah King of Israel and in this section of Matthew's gospel we have this question put before us how far will we trust our King?

[6:39] how far will we trust our King? bow down and worship Jesus the Messiah King of Israel okay well how far will you trust your King?

[6:56] to what extent will we trust? here's a statement for you Jesus is the powerful Messiah King of Israel who reigns over the power of nature Satan and sin do we trust him and his power?

[7:14] how far will we trust our King? this is the second set of three miracles in Matthew's gospel we did the first set a couple weeks ago this is the second set we'll look at the next set next Sunday this is where Jesus is displaying his authority over nature evil powers and sin disease too but the emphasis is on sin and these miracles were set against the backdrop of discipleship to truly believe or follow Jesus is glorious and yet it's dangerous because he calls us to trust him it's a high cost but it's well worth it reflecting upon these miracles tells us a lot about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus his authority is sufficient that he overcomes trials he can overcome Satan and sin when life is uncertain when Satan attacks when sin is present will we trust our King?

[8:39] life is filled with uncertainties sin is ever before us Satan is constantly attacking us because he hates us he hates everybody will we trust our King?

[8:57] notice the three different parts you see over nature evil powers sin number one the first one we'll see King Jesus reigns over the power of nature then I'm going to give you a question actually an answer to the question will we trust him amid life's certainties he controls all he's in control he's sovereign he controls will we trust him amid life's uncertainties notice how it begins in verse 23 he got into the boat his disciples followed him how far would they follow Jesus?

[9:48] to what extent would they follow Jesus? when a person comes to faith they put their trust or hope in Jesus receiving him as Savior and Lord that's the gospel and Jesus will take our simple trust in him and grow it he will test our discipleship just like he did with his disciples right here he shows us that even the winds and the seas obey him look if nature answers to Jesus he is sovereign over everything he controls or you can put he dominates thine is the dominion oh Lord thine is the dominion oh Lord thou hast exalted thyself as head over all that's why you were singing that I'm not as dumb as I look

[10:49] I try to get those songs to match the passage that way you're singing the very thing you're going to be looking at notice what happens verse 24 and look there arose a great storm literally it's a great seismic it's where you get the word earthquake a great seismic in the sea now understand the sea of Galilee is 700 feet below sea level and so winds will sweep down through the steep ravines whipping up sudden and destructive storms and notice it says so that the boat was covered with the waves the waves were way up high and the boat was way a little tiny down low keep in mind too four of the disciples were fishermen commercial fishermen they knew the sea of Galilee they're used to these kinds of storms so they knew that this one was particularly bad to the point that they truly thought they'd die they really thought this but he himself was asleep

[12:07] Jesus sawing logs baby tired from a long heavy day of healing and teaching it tells us something it showed Jesus complete trust in the Father's providential care when the storms of life hits trusting Jesus and his saving power as one writer put it will be rewarded trust the Father like Christ trusted the Father well notice how the disciples responded in verse 25 they come into him they woke him saying it's just three words in the Greek save Lord perish we perish they're freaking out they beg him to deliver them from this horrible peril interesting sometimes

[13:07] God takes the perils away sometimes he doesn't but our trust and our confidence as Ed Welch said it's not in Jesus to the point where it's going to act like a sedative quote confidence in Jesus does not act like a sedative end quote no we suffer in this life and yet God is always faithful isn't he notice how Jesus responds to them actually a gentle rebuke he says why are you timid why are you cowardly they were so desperate they actually asked a carpenter for help when they were fishermen with all their sea skills right they're asking a carpenter for help I noticed what he calls them little faith ones really guys how much do you really trust me as they just called him

[14:14] Lord did they have faith of course they did genuine faith yes limited tiny weak Jesus will bring trials to deepen our following him trust or faith or belief is stepping out and doing it it's just not merely a cerebral thing of your mind it involves as the reformers would say fiducia for latin meaning commitment and then he does this the end of verse 26 rising he rebuked the winds and the sea and it became perfectly calm the storm stopped as quickly as it began a great calm happened as the God of the Old Testament rules over nature so does Jesus because he truly is God incarnate the

[15:14] God man he spoke and the winds and the seas obeyed him and that's why it says in verse 27 the men marveled what kind of man is this such power over the storm over the winds and the sea we as his followers are powerless but he is majestic even the elements obey him the floods have lifted up the Lord the floods have lifted up the floods have lifted up their voice as you just read in Psalm 93 and yet our trust and our hope is in God and his word he's more than just a man he's the God man Lord of all and in this Jesus strengthen the quality of their faith in him if nature obey Christ how much more should we our faith is in direct proportion to our accurate perception of Jesus to what extent will we trust him he will take our simple faith and make it stronger and Jesus calls us to focus on him and his power when life is uncertain to what extent will we trust our king you know how things happen things happen things happen that you don't plan on you don't plan on getting sick you don't plan on things falling through financially you don't plan on losing that job you don't plan on any of those things it would be ridiculous absurd you would plan on that life is filled with uncertainties how far are you going to trust

[17:10] God how far are you going to trust your king king he's calling you king jesus reigns over the power of nature will we trust him amid satan's attacks christ conquered satan christ conquered him that's what we see in chapter 8 verses 20 to 34 notice in verse 28 he comes to the other side into the country of the gadarens two demonized men met him as they were coming out of the tombs the region of the gadarens notice matthew's not concerned about details you can see details in luke or mark's gospel but there's no details he gives here his focus is this jesus has authority over the evil forces that's the focus and with the word he sent them out and he has mercy on these men these two demonized men they lived in a cemetery that's fun and a total menace to anyone notice it says the end of verse 28 exceedingly violence that no one could pass by that road what were they all about death and violence here because because jesus took on human flesh there was increased activity among the demonic realm why because they wanted to oppose jesus they wanted to oppose the incarnation and they wanted to oppose his death they didn't want that to happen they were confused notice what happened in verse 29 and look they cried out saying what to us and to you notice how they recognized Jesus as the son of God they knew better than religious leaders or the crowds yet testimony from this kind of source is not welcome there's no applause when our rivals welcome us what to us and to you literally from the Greek what to us there's no common ground with us what are you doing here they wondered if Jesus had come to torment them before the appointed time of their judgment

[19:39] Artemis know their final destination they know their final fate is destruction they know that but they don't want it any sooner than necessary and when Jesus came it began the messianic age God's kingdom is here now there's still the future part that's to come right there's still the future part that's to come in Jesus reign but God has come now in Jesus the messianic age has started now his kingdom is here now notice what takes place there in verse 30 a distance a herd of swine many swine feeding nearby so this was most likely a Gentile territory notice they entreated Jesus you see Jesus' authority to send them to the swine if he was going to cast them out notice their urgency and yet they were so respectful of him his authority over them and it says here the end of verse 31 excuse me beginning of verse 32 and he said to them go literally in the Greek it's just one word

[20:52] Jesus said only one word in this whole section from verses 28 to 34 do you notice that? he only says one word go to display his dramatic powerful authority Matthew does this on purpose no other details no other parts about the story just a simple word from Jesus go because he has authority he didn't do some incantation he didn't show them a crucifix he didn't work up some mantra or do some little dance just one word go you see his authority notice it says here in verse 32 they came out they rushed down the steep bank they went into the swine rushed down the steep bank perished in the waters again Matthew is not concerned about details that's not his point verse 34 herdsmen they ran away they went to the city reported everything and then what happened to the demonized man the whole city comes out notice it says they came out look verse 34 whole city came out maybe he's a dangerous magician maybe he messed up their livelihood

[22:17] Matthew doesn't concern us about any of those details but what does he point out to us the end of verse 34 they entreated him to depart from their region do you see this contrast here Matthew doesn't tell us anything but he does tell us the stunning part is that they asked Jesus to leave them this is amazing a stark contrast compared to the other responses that were given to Jesus Carson D.A. Carson says this quote they quote preferred pigs to persons swine to the Savior end quote an unfavorable attitude toward Jesus they value pigs and the normal life over Jesus this is this is shocking where you think there would be worship there's opposition where you think people would say wow

[23:35] I can't believe that he did this these guys they're making our lives horrible he messed up everything that's going on in our lives he messed up our routine wait what it's true that's true sometimes people think this way though Jesus brings healing freedom grace compassion and the defeat of the enemy people still want the ordinary same routine because it's familiar usual habitual comfortable freedom posed a threat you want to know why people go back to substance abuse you want to know why they go back to that a reason why because it's comfortable it's familiar freedom poses a threat it's sad you would think the opposite would be the response from the people but it's not so we too must be ready to face rejection and persecution with faith not in fear if Jesus face it so will we we must trust the

[24:52] Lord as we faithfully proclaim the gospel word leaving the results to him he will turn rejecters into followers with whomever he wills and realize that he conquers the evil one the enemy hates us and wants to destroy us but as James says resist the devil and he will flee Jesus conquered him will you trust him in that Jesus conquers the evil forces Jesus conquers nature will we trust him in the midst of life's uncertainties Jesus conquers the evil forces will we trust him amid Satan's attacks he controls he conquers and he forgives number three king Jesus reigns over the power of sin will we trust him amid sin's presence he forgives us there's always forgiveness in the name of Jesus he always forgives notice how it happens here in chapter 9 and getting into the boat he crossed over came to his own city and look they brought him a paralytic lying on a bed again Matthew is leaving out all the details of this historical story what's the crucial aspect of Jesus authority he can and does forgive sin he's not a blasphemer of God but the savior of people he can heal the sick but it's more important is that where there is faith Jesus forgives sinners only in

[26:30] Jesus are we forgiven notice he says this to the paralytic seeing their faith which most likely would be those carrying him as well as that man the paralytic take courage child notice his tenderness your sins are forgiven his compassion and gentleness in his authority to forgive he had such tenderness no guilt in life no fear in death because all our sins are gone in Christ this is the essence of the gospel Jesus can bring forgiveness of all our sins because he took sin upon himself he took our sin upon himself where he died where we should die he died as our substitute and physically resurrected from the dead if you're here and you're not a Christian this gospel message is for you you can have forgiveness of all your sins repent and trust Jesus

[27:32] Christ you can be saved all of that sin that punishment was put on Jesus in the place of sinners that's why he can forgive God's a just God but he's also merciful and gracious God just a question was this healing a direct result of sin we don't know we do know that all sickness is really the indirect result of the fall the reason we get sick is because we're fallen and we live in a fallen world and yet it seems that because Jesus forgave him it seems like his illness may be due to some sin we just don't know because again Matthew doesn't give us the details but notice what happens the next part here in verse 3 behold some of the scribes said among themselves this one blasphemes these are the legal experts of the law who had no compassion but were defiant rejecting as one writer says accusatory blaspheming means he was slandering God by reviling his name and pretending to do what only God can do to say this was to take on God's prerogative that's not for Jesus to do you can't do that you can't say that who does this guy think he is look at verse 4

[29:03] Jesus knowing their thoughts by the ministry of the Holy Spirit and by his deity of course he knew their evil thoughts or rather the fact that they were thinking evil of him he says why are you thinking evil in your hearts verse 5 for which is easier to say your sins are forgiven or to say rise and walk it's easier to say sins are forgiven because the bystanders they can't confirm it right they can't refute it or confirm they can't but if a paralyzed man gets up and walks well that's obvious that's harder right ah but on a deeper level it's switched on a deeper level his second statement was actually easier because a healer can say it but only God truly forgives sinners that's harder but then notice he says here in verse 6 but in order that you may know that the son of man is authority on earth to forgive sins healing the man would show that he had the authority to forgive sins his words confirm his authority as notice he calls himself the son of man that's from

[30:20] Daniel chapter 7 verse 13 and 14 I have the authority to forgive sins guess what guys I am God that's what he's saying he's calling himself God God the son of man I have authority to forgive sins Jesus miracles his actions and his teaching his words confirm and show his authority to rule on earth he is the great king of Israel to whom all should bow and worship and for those who bow to the Lord Jesus they will receive forgiveness of sins he forgives his arms are wide open to you come and he will forgive you you're not good enough that's the whole point well I'm not good enough that's the whole point you're not you never will be that's why you keep repenting and trusting Jesus because you're horrible and so am I we're all horrible sinners that's why we need grace that's why we need a savior to save us and for God to show us mercy and forgiveness he does it end of verse six he turns to the paralytic rise take up your bed and go to your home verse seven he rose went home bada bing bada boom right there did exactly as he was told the power to heal is evidence of the greater authority to forgive

[31:49] I mean if he can heal you can assume safely assume the first statement your sins are forgiven is just as genuine and real and for sure it is notice what happens here in verse eight the multitude seen this they were all struck with fear and they praised God not just that the man was healed but that authority was given to Jesus to do such a thing what thing to forgive sinners the king has arrived he heals and he forgives with these healings God was speaking and it showed as one writer put it quote the ultimate defeat of sin and Satan has begun and we also see a little bit of opposition with Jesus is beginning to rise up beginning to brew but to those who trust him he'll forgive their sin and who grow their faith so recapping through these things

[32:55] Jesus is the powerful Messiah king of Israel who reigns over the power of nature of Satan and sin will we trust him amid life's uncertainties he controls let this passage almost be a comfort but even a conviction to us life is filled with uncertainty God's calling you to trust him life is filled with things that you do not expect Jesus is calling you to trust him he controls the great seismic waves that you feel like are about to topple over you and you think you feel that he doesn't care he does he controls will we trust him amid Satan's attacks he conquers the evil one has no power over you

[33:59] Jesus has conquered him resist the devil he will flee we take God's word and our trust is in God's word not in the things that we see before us not in the circumstances but in Jesus Christ and him alone will we trust him amidst sin's presence you will constantly be dealing with sin and yet Jesus will constantly forgive you I mean does not 1st John chapter 1 verse 9 ring into your ears he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness it just keeps ringing in our heads the promise that Jesus forgives he controls he conquers he forgives this is what we see in this passage you have such hope in our savior and Jesus help us our faith is weak Ward and I just looked at each other and we both just affirm that statement we have such weak faith and at times you call us little faith ones life throws such curves at us things that we don't expect

[35:22] Jesus help us to trust you Satan will attack us he will come after us in so many different ways despair discouragement through persecution help us to stand firm as Paul says because you have conquered sin is there it's ever present in our lives we still have the remnants of sin in us and yet thank you Jesus for your authority over the things of this life your authority over the evil one and your authority even over our sin and we come in trust and faith and you forgive us we remind ourselves of this gospel truth you are near oh

[36:25]  God you are near to us through your son the Lord Jesus Christ help us to hold on to these promises help us to hold on to you I encourage you in these few moments to let your mind dwell on these things that we've seen in Matthew's gospel we'll do our time of giving we'll sing a couple more songs but first let's just take a few moments for you to let your mind think and ponder on this on these truths on the gospel on God's promises let God's word be planted deeply inside your soul 77 miles 0 oh more than a angel