Healing The Paralitic Series

Introduction

A. The students in my third-grade class were bombarding me with questions about my newly pierced ears. "Does the hole go all the way through?" "Yes." "Did it hurt?" "Just a little." "Did they stick a needle through your ears?" "No, they used a special gun." Silence followed, and then one solemn voice called out, "How far away did they stand?"

B. We continue our walk through Matthew

1. Today, Matthew 9:1-8

II. Body

A. Joni Earekson Tada

1. Not too long ago we were watching the John Ancherburg Show with Joni, she is a beautiful Christian woman who was paralyzed from the neck down after a diving incident.

a. Though she does have some control of her arms

2. Here in Matthew 9:1, after being kicked out of the country of the Gadarenes because allowed demons to destroy their pig industry, Jesus returns to Capernaum

a. By the way, notice Jesus complied with their wishes

b. I remember one individual saying that God is a gentleman and will not force Himself on anyone.

(1) Whether this is so or not I cannot tell you

(a) But just take note

(2) The local citizens asked Jesus to leave, so He did, He left

(3) What an opportunity lost

(4) When people reject Christ, He complies with their wishes and leaves

(a) As I said, Jesus won't force Himself on anyone

(b) He won't force Himself on you

i) Just think, the town’s people were paralyzed by their heart attitude toward Christ

B. Now if you will remember, before Jesus and the disciples left in the boat, there was a large crowd

1. But, by the time He returned to the other side of the lake, the previous crowd has disbursed, but several days later, according to Mark 2:1&2, they hear He is back in town and come from everywhere to hear Him speak.

Mark 2:1-2 NKJV

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. {2} Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.

2. Now this is where Jesus heals the paralyzed man

a. We have read Matthew 9:1-7, but lets read it again

Matthew 9:1-7 NKJV

So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. {2} Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." {3} And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man blasphemes!" {4} But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? {5} "For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'? {6} "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"; then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." {7} And he arose and departed to his house.

b. We also read Mark 2:1 - 12, but lets read it again

Mark 2:1-12 NKJV

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. {2} Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. {3} Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. {4} And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. {5} When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." {6} And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, {7} "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" {8} But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? {9} "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? {10} "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"; He said to the paralytic, {11} "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." {12} Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"