Faith and forgiveness

Matthew Chapter 9

Faith and forgiveness is the theme of this chapter.  Maybe it should be worded forgiveness and faith.  Jesus starts the chapter by forgiving a man who is a paralytic.  Don’t ever diminish the miracle of redemption.  For us to be spiritually awakened by the miraculous power of God’s resurrection should continuously be breath taking.  I am saved! This should be our joyous cry each morning, my sins are forgiven.  Dr. R.O. Woodworth, a great man of God, use to enter class almost every morning singing, “I just heard from heaven and this one thing I know my sins have been forgiven they are washed white as snow.”  Don’t get over the wondrous transformation by God’s Spirit which has baptized us into God’s family.

Jesus calls Matthew in this chapter and all of Matthew’s friends join him for dinner.  The amazing thing is Matthew brought Jesus, and Jesus’ purpose is to seek and to save these tax collectors.  Don’t make this into anything but Matthew loving Jesus enough that he brings his friends to meet the Lord.  When you first come to Christ you have more lost friends and you need to bring them to Jesus.   This Sunday we are giving a clear presentation of the gospel through a Billy Graham video, bring someone with you.  The chapter ends with seeing a multitude of people that need Jesus.  Jesus asks His disciples to pray for workers.  Here is the beauty of this prayer; if we will pray for workers and become a worker we will answer our prayer by producing workers.   What do I mean?  If you become a worker and win one this year and help that worker to win one next year we double in people and workers.  Yes it has to be a work of God, but do not overlook YOU are a work of God.

Faith is produced through a solid belief in who Christ is and what He has said.  The strong doctrinal faith produces a stronger actionable faith.  In reading this chapter you see “their faith” when dealing with the paralytic man and “according to your faith” when dealing with the blind man.  Faith is an action word that is produced by truth.  Do you believe?  Maybe your faith is weak and you need their faith.  The church is built by Christ to have a joining effect that transforms and strengthens us.