Living in the Kingdom Series THE POWER OF THE KING Matthew 8

Introduction Why did Jesus perform MIRACLES? a. To MEET human need “Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the Good News about the Kingdom, and healing people who had all kinds of disease and sickness. The news about him spread through the whole country of Syria, so that people brought to him all those who were sick, suffering from all kinds of diseases and disorders: people with demons, and epileptics, and paralytics---and Jesus healed them all.” Matthew 4:23-24 GNB Matthew 4:23-24 GNB

b. To PROVE His Messiahship “Jews want miracles for proof, and Greeks look for wisdom.” 1Co 1:22 GNB “The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders” 2Thessolonians 2:9 GNB c. To FULFIL OT prophecies “Tell everyone who is discouraged, "Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies." The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear. The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert” Isaiah 35:4-6 GNB

“He did this to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said, "He himself took our sickness and carried away our diseases." Matthew 8:17 GNB “Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing: the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor.” Matthew 11:4-5 GNB

“That is why we must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away. The message given to our ancestors by the angels was shown to be true, and those who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment they deserved. How, then, shall we escape if we pay no attention to such a great salvation? The Lord himself first announced this salvation, and those who heard him proved to us that it is true. At the same time God added his witness to theirs by performing all kinds of miracles and wonders and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will. Heb 2:1-4 GNB

d. To REVEAL saving truth to people “no one could perform the miracles you are doing unless God was with him”. John 3:2 “When the Pharisees heard this, they replied, "He drives out demons only because their ruler Beelzebul gives him power to do so." Matthew 12:24 GNB “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

1. Power over DISEASE a. CLEANSING the leper (Matthew 8:1-3) “For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2Corinthians 5:21 MKJV “God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved” 1Timothy 2:3-4 “not willing that any should perish” 2Peter 3:9

b. The centurion’s SERVANT healed Matthew 8:5-13 c. Peter’s MOTHER-IN-LAW healed Matthew 8:14-17 “Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed. 1Peter 2:24 GNB “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Psalm 103:3 A DISCIPLESHIP interlude Matthew 8:18-22

2. Power over NATURE Matthew 8: Power over DEMONS Matthew 8:28-34 “….all the animals in the forest are mine and the cattle on thousands of hills. All the wild birds are mine and all living things in the fields.” “….all the animals in the forest are mine and the cattle on thousands of hills. All the wild birds are mine and all living things in the fields.” Psalm 50:10-11 GNB “And a human being is worth much more than a sheep! So then, our Law does allow us to help someone on the Sabbath." Matthew 12:12 GNB