NOTES: God is Near, Part 2
Sermon: God is Near 2: A Deeper Healing Awaits
Date: Sunday, September 8
Text: Matt. 4:23-5:1
Matthew 4:23–5:1 (ESV) 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Let’s Connect:
Times you’ve asked God to heal you?
Text Explained:
Matthew’s story and summary of Jesus’ ministry:
Jesus was famous as a Healer before he was famous as the Son of God— as prophesied
Psalm 103:2–4 (ESV)
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
Jesus is the Healer of all diseases in all forms.
Disease: a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that has a known cause and a distinctive group of symptoms, signs, or anatomical changes.
Healing is about restoring order to what has fallen out of order
Remember, all brokenness— disease, was a result of the Fall
Before the Fall — Nearness was the norm — Falling from nearness
Everything and everyone needs healing — Everything and everyone needs a Healer
Healing is found within the Nearness of God
Some healing is temporary — The deepest healing is eternal
Jesus came so persons can experience the deepest healing imaginable— Wholeness
Matthew wants us to learn the distinction between the crowds and the disciples- talmidim.
John 15:16 (ESV)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
The crowds came to see Jesus — Jesus healed them
The disciples climbed the mountain to be near Jesus — Jesus gave them wholeness
Our story: Crowd or talmid?
The Take Out:
Seek the deepest healing (wholeness)
Spend time with Jesus by reflecting deeply on the Gospels
Our Challenge:
Don’t settle for being a crowd. Together, let’s climb the mountain as the talmidim of Jesus.
Need healing? Ready for a deeper healing? Let’s come to Jesus right now!