Extreme Makeover Matthew 9:18

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Extreme MakeoverMatthew 91-8

• Logos Bible Fellowship
• January 17, 2006

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Framework of the Passage

• Healing of the leper (81-4)
• Healing of the Centurians servant (85-13)
• Healing of Peters mother-in-law (814-15)
• Healing of the many (816-17)
• Demands of discipleship (818-22)
• Calming the storm (823-27)
• Healing of demon-possessed men (828-34)
• Current passage (91-8)
• Conversion of a blatant sinners (99-13)

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Faces of the Crowd (v.1)

• Pharisees
• Small ritualistic and legalistic sect of Jews
• Rigid adherence to the fine points of the law
• Jesus rebuked them for
• Using human tradition to nullify Scripture (Matt
  153ff)
• Rank hypocrisy (Matt 2313-32)
• Teachers of the Law (scribes)
• Professional scholars
• Authorities on Jewish Law
• Did not teach with authority (Matt 729)
• Application Examine our traditions speak and
  live by the authority of Scripture (Romans
  930-33)

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Faith of the Friends (v.2)

• All three gospel accounts mention the friends
• Mark points out that there were four men
• Seeing their faithyour sins are forgiven
• Whose faith? Does their describe the four men
  only or is the faith of the paralytic included?
  Why? What verses support your argument?
• What kind of faith was demonstrated?
• A strong faith, humble faith, and active faith
• Application How can you intercede for those who
  cannot go to Christ on their own? Be concerned
  about spiritual sickness first and foremost.

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Forgiveness of the sins (vv.2-8)

• Who has the right to forgive a sin? Were the
  Pharisees correct (Luke 521)?
• But there is forgiveness with You God, that You
  may be feared (Psalm 1304)
• Against you, you only, have I sinned(Psalm 514)
• Healing the paralytic proved that Jesus had the
  power and authority to forgive sins ironic
• What was the result of the healing?
• Application Are there any sins that you need to
  forgive? Are there any that you need to confess?

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Fingerprint of the God (vv.2-8)

• Only God can completely see mans faith (v.2)
• Only God can forgive sin (v.2)
• Only God can read minds (v.4)
• Only God has authority (v.6)
• Kenosis emptying (Philippians 26-8)
• Jesus emptied Himself of glory
• Jesus set aside the independent use of His divine
  attributes (Luke 517 v.8 John 530)
• Application Realize that God sees all of your
  thoughts. How will you allow that to affect your
  walk this week?

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Small Group Discussion

• Why do you think the Pharisees and Scribes clung
  to tradition? Where did they go wrong? What can
  we learn?
• Who can you intercede for (see Gen 207,17)? How
  powerful is corporate prayer (James 516)?
• How far would you go to help a friend? Give
  examples.
• Jesus healing of the paralytic proved that He
  had power to forgive sins. How did His
  Resurrection prove that He was who He said He was
  and that His words are truth?
• How did Jesus actions compare with the peoples
  expectations? How does His work in you compare
  with your expectations?
• How did the paralytic feel after he was forgiven?
  What affects does sin and/or unforgiveness have
  on a person?
• What aspect of the friends faith do you most
  want to emulate? How about of those friends who
  have carried you to the Lord?
• Name some things only God can do? What is the
  affect on us?
• Actions speak louder than wordswhat are some
  practical ways that we can show our love to God
  and others?

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