One More Miracle Series

I. Introduction

A. A Church note in The New Forest Magazine, England: "In the future the preacher for next Sunday will be found hanging on the notice board."

B. Davy Troxel from New Albany, Ind wrote in the Christian Reader this little story: One day in junior church, I taught about Gideon. The following Sunday, for the sake of review, I asked who remembered last week's Bible hero. No hands went up. "Okay," I said. "I'll give you a clue: he fought a battle using only lamps, pitchers, and trumpets." Still no response. "Maybe you remember how he used a fleece to learn God's will," I said. Ten little blank faces stared at me. "One final clue," I pleaded. "There are people today with the same name as our hero, who go around hotels putting Bibles in the rooms." Finally an eager 8-year-old boy shot up his hand and said, "Oh! Oh! It was Hilton!"

C. Today we will examine one more miracle

1. In this chapter Jesus has done many miracles

a. He has healed a paralytic

(1) You know, the one lowered down through the roof

b. He has healed Jairus’ daughter

(1) Well, resurrected Jairus’ daughter

c. He healed the woman with the issue of blood

d. He gave sight to two blind men

2. And now, He will heal the mute by casting out the evil spirit

a. Turn to Matthew 9:32

II. Body

A. The demon possessed man was brought to Jesus by another or others

Matthew 9:32 NKJV

As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed.

1. This man was possessed by an evil spirit

a. Anthony of Egypt said, in part, “Demons are very cowardly, always anxious about the fire that has been prepared for them.”

(1) If we turn to Matthew 8:28-29

(2) The demon called legion when confronted by Jesus showed their fear

Matthew 8:28-29 NKJV

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. {29} And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"

2. The man with the mute spirit had to be brought to Jesus

a. He would not have voluntarily gone to Jesus

b. The demon would have wanted to keep the man away from the Lord

B. There are lessons to be learned here

1. One, Many have to be brought to Jesus if they are ever to come.

a. They are too weak in spirit, mind, or body to come on their own

b. Remember the paralytic who’s friends brought him to Jesus and would not be deterred from their purpose

c. Remember, friends and family have the greatest chance of bringing some one to Christ

(1) We tell the AWANA kids just to ask their friends to come

(2) Its the easiest thing to do, won’t you come to AWANA with me this Wednesday evening?

2. Two, We must go after the needy in order for them to come

a. Many would come

(1) If we would simply visit and go after them

(2) If we would make friends and nurture them along the way

3. Three, Some are possessed by the wrong spirit

a. Spiritually they are mute, lacking knowledge of the Lord

b. There is no spiritual awareness

c. They have no spiritual consciousness

d. They have no understanding

e. They don’t believe that they are in need of a Savior

4. Four, Some are in the grip of monestrous evil

a. Habitual sin such as drug addiction

b. Or some other foul compulsion or obsession

c. Even demon possession

5. Very few individuals will come to Christ on their own

a. I know that it happens

b. But it is rare

c. These people need to be brought to Christ by those who care enough

(1) Brothers bring sisters, sisters bring brothers

(2) Mom’s bring their kids

(3) Dad’s bring moms and kids

(4) Friends bring friends

6. Those who brought the man with the mute spirit had to care enough to bring him

a. Sergei Nikolaev, an energetic Christian leader in Russia, said, "Don't look at the circumstances and don't look at what you can't do. Look at your Lord. Call on his power. Trust his timing. Don't put a period where God puts a comma."

b. Do we care enough?

(1) Turn to Matthew 9:33

C. Jesus cared enough

Matthew 9:33 NKJV

And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"

1. Jesus cast the demon out of the man