GET UP & WALK!
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Paralyzed man
i) 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. (Matthew 9:2-9 NIV)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Among the first words Jesus said to the paralyzed man were "Your sins are forgiven you." Then he healed the man. We must be careful not to concentrate on God's power to heal physical sickness more than on his power to forgive spiritual sickness in the form of sin. Jesus saw that even more than physical health, this man needed spiritual health. Spiritual health comes only from Jesus' healing touch.
b) Both the man's body and his spirit were paralyzed - he could not walk, and he did not know Jesus. But the man's spiritual state was Jesus' first concern. If God does not heal us or someone we love, we need to remember that physical healing is not Christ's only concern. We will be completely healed in Christ's coming kingdom; but first we have to come to know Jesus.
c) Blaspheming is claiming to be God and applying his characteristics to ourselves. The religious leaders rightly saw that Jesus was claiming to be God. What they did not understand was that he is God and thus he has the authority to heal and forgive sins.
d) It's easy to tell someone his sins are forgiven, it's a lot more difficult to reverse a case of paralysis! Jesus backed up his words by healing the man's legs. Jesus' action showed that his words were true; he had the power to forgive as well as to heal. Talk is cheap, but our words lack meaning if our actions do not back them up. We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to demonstrate that love, our words are empty and meaningless. How well do our actions back up what we say?
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we will come to know and knowledge who Jesus really is, the Son of the Living God.
b) Pray that we will come to him no matter what obstacles are in front of us.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Paralyzed man
i) 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. (Matthew 9:2-9 NIV)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Among the first words Jesus said to the paralyzed man were "Your sins are forgiven you." Then he healed the man. We must be careful not to concentrate on God's power to heal physical sickness more than on his power to forgive spiritual sickness in the form of sin. Jesus saw that even more than physical health, this man needed spiritual health. Spiritual health comes only from Jesus' healing touch.
b) Both the man's body and his spirit were paralyzed - he could not walk, and he did not know Jesus. But the man's spiritual state was Jesus' first concern. If God does not heal us or someone we love, we need to remember that physical healing is not Christ's only concern. We will be completely healed in Christ's coming kingdom; but first we have to come to know Jesus.
c) Blaspheming is claiming to be God and applying his characteristics to ourselves. The religious leaders rightly saw that Jesus was claiming to be God. What they did not understand was that he is God and thus he has the authority to heal and forgive sins.
d) It's easy to tell someone his sins are forgiven, it's a lot more difficult to reverse a case of paralysis! Jesus backed up his words by healing the man's legs. Jesus' action showed that his words were true; he had the power to forgive as well as to heal. Talk is cheap, but our words lack meaning if our actions do not back them up. We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to demonstrate that love, our words are empty and meaningless. How well do our actions back up what we say?
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we will come to know and knowledge who Jesus really is, the Son of the Living God.
b) Pray that we will come to him no matter what obstacles are in front of us.
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