Matthew 8:1-34

 

Many will say Jesus has all authority, yet we live as if He doesn’t. In Matthew 28:17-18 it says, “And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The difference between someone who follows Jesus’ authority, and someone who doesn’t is whether or not they worship Jesus with their life? Do you see the Sermon on the Mount as a Blueprint to follow Jesus? My prayer for you as your pastor is that following Jesus wouldn’t be reduced to acknowledging Him, but living for Him. My greatest fear is that some who think they have a relationship with Him, in fact do not. Matthew 7:21-23 ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’(Proposition) My question is, not if you know about Jesus, my question is do you respect, rest, render submission to, and rejoice in the authority of Jesus Christ? Does Jesus having all authority warm your heart or cause you to run? I’m thankful for the Christ who has all authority! If you study theology, don’t place limits on Christ by making Him out to be someone helpless who needs us. We desperately need Him! With every heart beat we need Him! I believe Matthew (CIT) gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ authority in chapters 8 and 9. So rest in His authority, but don’t rest during this sermon!
 
Christ is the Cure Over Disease (Matt. 8:1-17)
 
  a. He cleanses the physically unclean. (vv.1-4) The Leper approached Jesus knowing that He
      could heal him. Leprosy is a serious skin disease that attacks the nerve system. Leviticus
      13-14 and Numbers 12 put restrictions on Lepers. They had to yell out, “Unclean” when
      someone came near.
 
  b. He heals the ethnically unworthy. (vv.5-13) The Gentile soldier felt unworthy for Jesus to
      come to his home, but knew Jesus could heal simply by speaking.
 
  c. He heals the socially unwanted. (vv.14-17) People filled with Demonic spirits are socially
      unwanted people. They act strange, naturally so, but Christ has the power to heal them. In
      all three of these cases, we have to realize the authority of Christ. Let’s be careful to not look
      at Jesus as a wishing well, but the Creator, who’s sovereign plan is beyond our grasp.
 
Christ Demands Complete Devotion (Matt. 8:18-22)
 
This statement seems crude, but Jesus is not saying that family doesn’t matter. He’s saying that every area of your life comes in second in comparison to your devotion to Christ. Remember Jesus says, “die to self and pick up your cross…” Biblical discipleship is not an occasional relationship, it’s a call to follow Him daily! The command here by Jesus, “follow me,” requires a response, because Christ has all authority.
 

Christ has Control Over Disasters (Matt. 8:23-27)

Christ has Command Over Demons (Matt. 8:28-34)
 
  a. Demons fear because of their belief.
  b. Disciples fear because of their unbelief.
 
Application:
 
  1. Respectfully trust in Jesus’ authority
  2. Rest peacefully because of Jesus’ authority
  3. Render complete submission to Jesus’ authority
  4. Rejoice gladly in Jesus’ authority