Message Notes
With Jesus | Through Opposition
Hebrews 2.17 MSG(Jesus) had to enter into every detail of human life.
Steven Covey"Opposition is a natural part of life. Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity."
Matthew 9.1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.
Mark 2.1-2Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
Matthew 9:2a Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat.
Mark 2.3-4Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION: STRONG FAITH
Faith-filled friends fight to get in front of Jesus.
Matthew 9:2b When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
“Your sins are forgiven”
Rabbi Ami “There is not death without sin, and no pains without some transgression.”
Rabbi Alexander “The sick arises not from his sickness, until his sins are forgiven.”
“Your sins are forgiven”
1 John 1.8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION: GRACE
Forgiveness and grace are found with Jesus.
Matthew 9:3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
Blasphemy = the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or to something sacred.
Matthew 9:4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION: CHARACTER
Jesus proves his character.
Matthew 9:5 “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?”
Matthew 9:5-7 “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 9:8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Mark 2:12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”