Three Cheers From Jesus!

Title: Three cheers from Jesus!

Text: Matthew 9:2

Introduction: It’s been said that attitude will determine your altitude. I mention that this morning because I believe in many places in the body of Christ we have let the attitude of the world creep into the church!

I believe we could agree that we live in the midst of a troubled, depressed, and downcast world and, unfortunately, this same attitude has crept into the church. I’ve got to tell you quite candidly that when I see some saints, I honestly wonder if they can remember the last good day they have ever had, and if they can remember it, their face doesn’t show it!

One of the recurring commands of Christ that I find in God’s Word is the command, “be of good cheer!” Listen, I don’t believe that Jesus Christ was a gloomy, depressed, always-serious person, but I believe He had a smile on His face and “good cheer” in His heart! Further, I believe it is God’s will for His people, yes that includes, having a smile on our face and “good cheer” in our hearts.

Prop. Let’s look together at Jesus’ “three cheers” to you.

I. Matthew 9:2 – “…be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

A. WHAT A GLORIOUS FACT, OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN! The old song says, “I once was lost in sin but Jesus took me in…” What a grand and glorious day that was! SPEAK

B. I was in bondage to the devil and the flesh and the world but today, I am gloriously free! You know this, but it’s good to be reminded of what we have. Listen, Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross of Calvary so that I could be free; and He died there for your freedom also. The DAY I bowed my knee to Jesus and accepted His free offer of salvation I was forgiven of EVERY SIN!!

C. Someone says, “Pastor, why are you talking about this ‘sin’ business? Why, I’m basically a pretty good person!” Question, ‘pretty good’ compared to whom? SPEAK every person is born into sin; we have no choice in the matter. Here is the Bible fact: when Adam sinned, every member of Adam’s race “fell” that same day. McGuffey Reader – In Adam’s fall, we lost all! Someone objects, “that’s not fair! I wasn’t even there on that day! I didn’t take a bite of that fruit! I wasn’t there!” Listen, Adam stood in the place of all humanity that day. He stood for all future generations. He stood as mankind’s representative. When he fell, WE fell! “But I never committed Adam’s sin!” No, but you inherited Adam’s nature, and so did I! Listen to the Word in Rom. 5:14 - Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Listen, a sinner isn’t a sinner because he sins. Rather, he or she sins because they are a sinner! It’s a nature issue!

D. If it were possible for you to live your entire life without ever committing a personal sin (by the way, it’s NOT possible), you would still have to be lost and go to hell when you die because you inherited a “sinful nature” from your father, and mine, Adam. Listen; because you received an implanted sin nature, you must receive an imputed righteousness, there is no other way! I don’t mind telling you this morning; there is only one “cure” for sin, the applied blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son! Good works will never be good enough! Charity won’t suffice! Morality will fall short, and good intentions won’t get you to heaven.

E. The old song says, “What will wash away my sin, NOTHING but the blood of Jesus.” BE OF GOOD CHEER, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN!

II. Matt. 14:27 – “…be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.”

A. WHAT A GLORIOUS REALITY; AS LONG AS JESUS CHRIST LIVES WITHIN US, WE HAVE NOTHING, TO BE AFRAID OF!!! The background of this statement is that the disciples were out on a storm tossed sea. SPEAK [Elaborate]

B. It was the “fourth watch of the night”, the darkest and most depressing period of the night. They were in the boat rowing and fighting for their very lives!

C. Don’t let this fact escape you. They had embarked on this journey at Jesus’ command. Here’s the point: As long as Jesus has sent me someplace, I’m not afraid to go, regardless of what opposition may come my way! To go without hearing His command, however, is a sure formula for disaster

D. As things looked the darkest, Jesus came walking to them on the storm tossed sea and said, “be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid.” Can you imagine the relief that must have come upon the twelve that night? They knew everything would be all right, Jesus was with them! They knew the storm was no match for Jesus and His power! SPEAK