“But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then says he to the sick of palsy,) Arise, take up your bed, and go unto your house (Matt 9:6).”
Christ gives power over sin to show that He has power to forgive. He gives NEWNESS of life to prove that He atoned our sins at the cross, we’re reconciled to God, and God’s salvation is REAL in this life.
We hate the fact that we’re not better, but we LOVE the Lord Jesus Christ and others. We walk with God.
1. He gives great calm – “And he said unto them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matt 8:26). Even though sin is tremendous and we are sinners, even though faith is small, the Lord Jesus does more than we ask or think. He reveals foes greater than we can handle, so He handles them with ease, by His word. The testimony of Christ produces calm in us, quieting us in the storm.
2. He tames untamable sinners – “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way” (Matt 8:28). His power isn’t limited to the whims or wills of men. Men say, “It is up to you”. Yet, you are too evil to choose what is best for you (Rom 3:10-12). It is up to Him, not only to choose but also to PERFORM what is impossible with us. And, to make His power known, He empties us of ability to save ourselves, so that His power be praised (II Cor 1:9-10).
3. Christ controls Satan – “And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If you cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine” (Matt 8:30-32). The christ of this world can do nothing without man’s approval, and the devil is his rival. But, the Christ of God rules Satan absolutely, using him for His purpose, and then sending him to hell – “Therefore has he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens” (Rom 9:18). Christ has power to do as He pleases, and He casts out Satan as He sees fit. He doesn’t need advice, help, or PERMISSION from anyone to save. All the Father gave Him shall come and be saved, and Him that comes, no matter how much DEVIL he has in him, shall not be cast out (John 6:37).
4. Jesus sees our faith, and He uses us in the salvation of His people – “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; your sins be forgiven you” (Matt 9:2). We have the commission of WALKING with God ourselves, which is SEEKING the salvation of sinners by the gospel of Jesus Christ, that He’d reveal Himself to them through our faith and our love (Matt 5:16). He does hear, so our labor is not in vain. He does see and use the faith of the church.
5. The Son’s power is no fairy tale of speech and rhetoric; it is NOT something that tickles the ear only, sounding good: His power is the interaction between God and man, whereby man is benefited by the relationship with newness of life and character - “And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitude saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men” (Matt 9:7). God gives life to all He forgives to prove His power. Do you have this life? If you have forgiveness, you do. Walk in the light of forgiveness, and you’ll be able to walk in maximum power, for RECONCILIATION brings us to God without the OBSTACLE of sin, whereby we expect Him to do us good because sin is CONQUERED and SALVATION’S of the Lord.
We hate the fact that we’re not better, but we LOVE the Lord Jesus Christ and others. We walk with God.
1. He gives great calm – “And he said unto them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matt 8:26). Even though sin is tremendous and we are sinners, even though faith is small, the Lord Jesus does more than we ask or think. He reveals foes greater than we can handle, so He handles them with ease, by His word. The testimony of Christ produces calm in us, quieting us in the storm.
2. He tames untamable sinners – “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way” (Matt 8:28). His power isn’t limited to the whims or wills of men. Men say, “It is up to you”. Yet, you are too evil to choose what is best for you (Rom 3:10-12). It is up to Him, not only to choose but also to PERFORM what is impossible with us. And, to make His power known, He empties us of ability to save ourselves, so that His power be praised (II Cor 1:9-10).
3. Christ controls Satan – “And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If you cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine” (Matt 8:30-32). The christ of this world can do nothing without man’s approval, and the devil is his rival. But, the Christ of God rules Satan absolutely, using him for His purpose, and then sending him to hell – “Therefore has he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens” (Rom 9:18). Christ has power to do as He pleases, and He casts out Satan as He sees fit. He doesn’t need advice, help, or PERMISSION from anyone to save. All the Father gave Him shall come and be saved, and Him that comes, no matter how much DEVIL he has in him, shall not be cast out (John 6:37).
4. Jesus sees our faith, and He uses us in the salvation of His people – “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; your sins be forgiven you” (Matt 9:2). We have the commission of WALKING with God ourselves, which is SEEKING the salvation of sinners by the gospel of Jesus Christ, that He’d reveal Himself to them through our faith and our love (Matt 5:16). He does hear, so our labor is not in vain. He does see and use the faith of the church.
5. The Son’s power is no fairy tale of speech and rhetoric; it is NOT something that tickles the ear only, sounding good: His power is the interaction between God and man, whereby man is benefited by the relationship with newness of life and character - “And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitude saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men” (Matt 9:7). God gives life to all He forgives to prove His power. Do you have this life? If you have forgiveness, you do. Walk in the light of forgiveness, and you’ll be able to walk in maximum power, for RECONCILIATION brings us to God without the OBSTACLE of sin, whereby we expect Him to do us good because sin is CONQUERED and SALVATION’S of the Lord.
