FAITH TRIUMPHANT
Matthew 9 v. 18 - 38
we read in Romans "The just shall live by faith" in the following passage we see:-
1. Faith triumphant over death v. 18 - 26 with Jairus daughter Note:-
(a) The tragedy of death "my daughter is even now dead" or has just died "the last enemy to be destroyed is death" Remember death is impartial - young and old die, death is imperative " it is appointed unto man once to die" death is implacable " we all must needs die."
(b) The trust in death v. 18 "Behold there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him."
(1) Who came?, Jarius
(2) Where he came?, to Jesus
(3) Why he came?, v. 18 that his daughter might live, what a lesson in prayer.
we see here: - his brokenness ( he comes with respect, with reverence, and with resolve, because his daughter has just died.) his burden, " and she shall live." ( nothing less would satisfy.) his boldness,( he came personally, publicly, and positively, regarding not who saw him.) his belief, - she shall live. (death is shaken at such faith.)
(c) The triumph over death v. 25 "and the maid arose" His prayer was answered,
she arose - personally, positively (definite), promptly, and publicly v. 26 " and the fame hereof went abroad into all that land."
2. Faith triumphant over disease v. 20 - 22 with the woman healed
(a) Her condition - haemorrhaging for 12 years
(b) Her concern - was for physical healing only
(c) Her conviction v. 21 " if I may but touch the hem of his garment".
She had confidence in His person i.e.the Son of God, in his pity i.e. He healed others, and in his power i.e. to heal her.
(d) Her confession we read in Mark 5 v. 33 " she came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth"
(e) Her consolation "daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole".
Her’s was a personal faith, a persistent faith (overcoming the crowd), a powerful faith ( if I may but touch his garment.), a precise faith (centered in Christ alone.),
a productive faith - "Thy faith hath made whole", and a proclaimed faith.
3. Faith triumphant over doubt v. 27 - 31 -with the blind men
(a) Their condition - blindness
(b) Their conviction " thou son of David "
(c) Their confrontation the Lord responded v. 28 "believe ye that I am able to do this?" we see here:-
The necessity of faith "without faith it is impossible to please God"
The nature of faith i.e. in a person, "believe ye me" I do it, not you ( not of works, lest any man should boast.)
The nurture of faith i.e. confession " They said unto him, yea Lord" - Romans 10 v. 9 "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
(d) Their consolation v. 29 Note:-
(1) The timing of it "then" i.e. after their confession
(2) The testimony of it "touched he their eyes." at the point of need
(3) The test of it "according to your faith" what a challenge
God says it, I believe it, that settles it.
(4) The triumph of it " and their eyes were opened." Amazing grace
4. Faith triumphant over demons v. 32 - 34 with the dumb man
(a) The cause for his dumbness i.e. he was demon possessed
(b) The cure for his dumbness i.e. v. 33 "casting out the demon" - "when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake."
(c) The comments on his deliverance:-
(1) positively v. 33 "it was never so seen in Israel"
(2) negatively v. 34 "but the Pharisees, blasphemed the Holy Ghost.
note:- inspite of their
(A) religion
(B) remarkable proofs (of Christ’s deity)
(C) reasoning Nicodemus could say later John 3 v. 2 " we know, that thou art a teacher come from God" - yet they called him a devil.
5. Faith triumphant over destruction v. 38 "pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." we see the :-
(a) size of the mission " The harvest truly is plenteous."
(b) shortage of the manpower " but the labourers are few."
(c) and the solution of the Master " pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest."
it may not be the most exciting solution but it is the most effective, so pray ye therefore.
