“Interruptions, Healings, and Accusations”

(Matthew 9:18-34)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

May 5, 2019

The Passage

Matthew 9:18-34 (CSB)

18 As he was telling them these things, suddenly one of the leaders came and knelt down before him, saying, “My daughter just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 So Jesus and his disciples got up and followed him.

20 Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years approached from behind and touched the end of his robe, 21 for she said to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I’ll be made well.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Have courage, daughter,” he said. “Your faith has saved you.” And the woman was made well from that moment.

23 When Jesus came to the leader’s house, he saw the flute players and a crowd lamenting loudly. 24 “Leave,” he said, “because the girl is not dead but asleep.” And they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 Then news of this spread throughout that whole area.

27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men approached him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly, “Be sure that no one finds out.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that whole area.

32 Just as they were going out, a demon-possessed man who was unable to speak was brought to him. 33 When the demon had been driven out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Introductory Comments:

Well, we’re still in our series from the book of Matthew. Jesus is ratcheting up His ministry more and more and more as we journey through Matthew’s Gospel. 

In this passage, we see something quite miraculous: we see several miracles including a girl who is raised from the dead. 

We’re going to cover a lot of ground today, so let’s ask God to guide us as we go. 

Let’s pray together.

(Prayer)

Jesus continues to get more and more amazing with the works that He does!

In today’s passage, we’ll see that people start to understand more and more who He is and that He is able to change lives. 

We’ll see three traits regarding the works of Jesus which will always be true. 

First, . . .

I. The works of Jesus will always be available [on screen]

Illustration: Have you ever felt like you were doing something important and someone was bothering you? Perhaps it’s one of your children. Or, if you’re a child, perhaps it’s your sibling. Maybe a coworker keeps asking you simple questions. Maybe you’re watching a ball game and your wife wants to know what you want to do tomorrow. Maybe you’re trying to take a nap during church and the pastor is speaking too loudly. 

Sometimes we feel like we have important stuff to do and we don’t have time for other people. 

Maybe, we’re on the other end. Maybe we need something from someone but we’re afraid to bother them. We think, “They don’t have time for little ol’ me.”

Let me tell you something, church: Jesus always has time for you! 

The works of Jesus will always be available for you!

In today’s passage, we see that Jesus is interrupted four different times by different people wanting to experience His miraculous power. Never once does He turn them away. 

Let’s check out these four situations. 

First, we have this ruler whose daughter has just died. 

This is a very big deal for this man. His daughter is obviously very special to him. 

He must have heard about all the great works of Jesus and he thought that it was possi

“A New Question and a New Way”

(Matthew 9:14-17)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

April 28, 2019

The Passage

Matthew 9:14-17

14 Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

15 Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests be sad while the groom is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one patches an old garment with unshrunk cloth, because the patch pulls away from the garment and makes the tear worse. 17 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Introductory Comments:

Illustration: There are a lot of really important questions that we ask in our lives. Where will I go to college? What are we eating for lunch? Where is the bathroom? Do you take this woman to be your lawful wife? How does the jury find the defendant? Have you seen the car keys? Who is supposed to pick up the kids? What day is Mother’s Day? 

There are an infinite amount of important questions that we must deal with.

Jesus also got a lot of questions thrown His way during His ministry. In today’s passage, He is asked an important question concerning the way He and His disciples followed and worshipped God. 

We’re continuing our series through the Gospel of Matthew and today we’re looking at a short passage that points us once again to who Jesus is and what He came to do. 

We’re going to see in this passage that Jesus was asked an important question and He gave an important answer. 

Let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us. 

(prayer)

We’ve been out of Matthew for a couple of weeks, so remember that Jesus has done great things and His fame is growing tremendously. He’s healing, He’s teaching with authority, He’s forgiving sins, and He’s raising a few questions from others. 

Oftentimes, Jesus is getting questions from Pharisees and religious teachers. Oftentimes, those questions are aimed at trapping Jesus or making Him look foolish.

However, this time the question that is posed to Jesus comes from the disciples of John. 

This is not just any old “John.” This is John the Baptizer, who is a big fan of Jesus. He is the one who proclaimed the coming of Jesus. 

He’s a good guy. 

However, his disciples do have . . .

I. A new question for Jesus (14) [on screen]

This is a question that Jesus has not had to deal with yet.  

From all that we can tell, this question is not necessarily meant to make Jesus look sinful or silly. It may just be a legitimate question. 

Look at verse 14. 

14 Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

Both the Pharisees and the disciples of John were committed to the instructions and laws of God, revealed to them through the teachings of the Old Testament. 

In the Old Testament way of things, fasting typically took place during a time of mourning or repentance. Fasting would take place because the person or people who were fasting wanted to feel close to God, they needed His presence, they needed to experience Him. 

There’s also this idea that fasting is a sign of holiness. Indeed, fasting is a spiritual discipline, one which Jesus spoke about in His sermon on the mountainside. 

So, the Pharisees were just previously questioning why Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, something a holy person wouldn’t do; and now others presume that He isn’t fasting, something a holy person would do. 

It would have been appropriate for John and his disciples to fast as they were repenting before God and waiting for Him to show Himself. They were waiting for God to work, they were waiting for Messiah to come and do His wo

“I Need a Resurrection!”

Easter Sunday Sermon [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

April 21, 2019

Introductory Comments:

Illustration: We often hear our children say that they need things when really they often don’t “need” it. They say, “I need that new toy!” “I need to get out of bed.” “I need to borrow your phone.” We adults are just as guilty, aren’t we? “I need a new car!” “I need a Starbucks.” Or, since it’s Easter, “I need a Cadbury egg!”

There are lots of things that we think we need, but there’s one thing this morning that I know that I need: I need a resurrection!

At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the one true living Son of God and God Himself. 

We celebrate the fact that He rose from the dead and appeared to people on this earth and ascended back into Heaven with God the Father. 

However, we don’t just celebrate the fact that Jesus is no longer dead, although that is miraculous. We also celebrate the fact that the resurrection changes our lives forever!

Today, we’re going to discuss four aspects of the resurrection that I need in my life, and I dare say, you need in your life as well. 

Let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us as study His Word. 

(prayer)

Today, we’ll be covering several different Bible verses as we look at these four aspects, so we have them on the screen for you this morning. 

We’re going to cover a lot, so stay awake and alert!

Here we go, four aspects of the resurrection that I need (and you too). 

First, . . .

I need a resurrected Savior! [on screen]

I don’t need a savior who’s still in the ground. I don’t need a savior who’s imagined with the creativity of mankind. I certainly don’t need to be my own savior. I need a resurrected Savior!

I need someone who conquered death and the grave. I need someone who can save me from my sins. I need Jesus!

Romans 10:9 says . . . [on screen]

9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

I need to be saved from the curse of sin. I need a resurrected Savior!

We who were lost and dead in our sins have been saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus!

Ephesians 2:4-6 says . . . [on screen]

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus.

So, I need a resurrected Savior.

I don’t need some wishy-washy philosophy that can make me feel better about myself.

I don’t need some temporary high that comes from drugs, power, money, or earthly satisfaction. 

I don’t need the latest social, political, or cultural trend. 

I need a resurrected Savior! I need Jesus! 

He changes lives. 

That takes us to the second need I have:

I need a resurrected life! [on screen]

I need to be different. I need to be made new. 

God didn’t create me to achieve short-sighted earthly goals. 

God sure didn’t create me to live like I was living before I had Jesus. 

I need to be changed!

Romans 6:4-11 says . . . [on screen]

4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, 7 since a person who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, 9 because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rul

“The Triumphal Entries”

Palm Sunday Sermon [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

April 14, 2019

Introductory Comments:

Happy, Palm Sunday, everyone!

I dare say that many of us know that Palm Sunday falls the Sunday before Easter Sunday, but that’s about all we know about Palm Sunday. 

We don’t celebrate Palm Sunday because we’re in Florida, and palm trees surround us. There is actually a biblical reason that we call this Palm Sunday. 

You see, as Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, as He was preparing for His crucifixion and resurrection, the people were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem as a king. They waved palm branches in a celebratory fashion to welcome Him. That’s why we call it Palm Sunday. 

In fact, the welcoming of Jesus came with so much fanfare that we often call it the Triumphal Entry. 

However, did you know that the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before His crucifixion and resurrection is not the only triumphal entry of Jesus in the Bible?

Well, today we’re going to look at the Triumphal Entries of Jesus as recorded in Scripture. 

Before we do that, let’s pray and ask God to speak to us. 

(Prayer)

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is one of the biblical events that is recorded in every gospel account.

For today, I’d like for us to look at John’s account of this event.

Let’s look at John 12:12-16.

12 The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord —the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.

This is the first triumphal entry of Jesus. This is why we celebrate Palm Sunday. 

So let’s look at some aspects of this first triumphal entry and see what God is teaching us. 

I. The First Triumphal Entry [on screen]

It’s important to understand the people this passage expected Jesus to be a mighty warrior king who would help them regain their political and geographical status as the rulers of Israel.

The people were tired of being under the thumb of the Romans.

The people knew that Messiah was coming. They were thinking that Jesus might very well be this Messiah. They saw that He taught with authority, they saw that He healed, they saw that He worked miracles. 

They even shouted, “Hosanna,” which means Savior! They thought Jesus was sent by God to be their Savior King. They shouted, “Blessed is he who coming in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel.”

They’re pumped that Jesus will be their Messiah King!

However, Jesus was not the kind of king that they expected. We see that many of the aspects of Jesus’ entry were not descriptive of how you might except a conquering king to come into town. 

Let’s look at those. 

First, . . . 

Jesus came first riding on a young donkey. [on screen]

The first time Jesus came into town, He came into town riding on a donkey. Not just a donkey, but a young donkey!

We might except that Jesus would have come into town instead on a Clydesdale horse, or a lion, or something regal.

It’s worth noting that this was not unusual for a king to ride on a donkey, in fact, King David rode a donkey at times.

However, a king would probably not go into battle, and certainly wouldn’t seek to demonstrate strength, by riding in town on a young donkey. 

Jesus came as a humble Savior, not an intimidating conqueror. 

Interestingly, this very moment was prophesied. John points to the words of Zechariah the prophet who foretold this moment long ago. 

H

“Health and Sickness, Righteousness and Sin”

(Matthew 9:9-13)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

April 7, 2019

The Passage

Matthew 9:9-13

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

10 While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Introductory Comments:

Illustration: Have you ever noticed that people don’t always obey immediately? Perhaps we reflect upon when we give instructions to our children or grandchildren to do something and they don’t do it immediately. Perhaps we think of ourselves when our parents or teacher ask us to do something and we mope around a bit before we do it. Perhaps we think of our pastor challenging us to handout invite cards for Easter, and we don’t feel comfortable giving someone a card. We don’t always obey right away, do we? We don’t always obey fully, do we?

Well, today we’re going to learn about an apostle, who was called by Jesus and obeyed fully and immediately. We’re going to learn about the man that wrote the Gospel which we have been studying for nearly nine months. We’re going to learn about Matthew. 

We’re going to learn three lessons from Jesus’ encounter with Matthew.  

Before we do, let’s pray together.

(Prayer)

This is a very famous story concerning Matthew the tax collector. 

Does anyone know the other name by which Matthew is known? (Levi) He is also known as Levi. 

Matthew, or Levi, was a tax collector. Now, what is a tax collector? Well, a tax collector is someone who collects taxes. 

You see, the Jewish people owed certain taxes to the Jewish religious temple, known as the temple tax. Since they lived under the rule and authority of the Roman empire, they also owed taxes to the Roman government. The taxes to the Jewish temple were relatively small, but the taxes owed to the Roman government were often excessive and burdensome. 

The Romans set-up Jewish tax collectors to collect from their countrymen in order to make sure all of the taxes were paid. This was the system. 

Matthew was one of these guys; he was a tax collector.

Let’s look at three lessons from Jesus’ encounter with Matthew. 

The first lesson we’re going to learn is . . .

I. What it means to followJesus (9) [on screen]

Look again at verse 9. 

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him.

Notice the immediate obedience of Matthew. Jesus said, “Follow me,” and Matthew simply followed Him.

Luke recorded this event in his gospel account as well and he says that Matthew left everything in order to follow Jesus. 

Matthew didn’t waste any time, or hold anything back. He followed Jesus!

Compare this to the warnings that Jesus gave us in Matthew 8:18-22.

Think back with me. Jesus said what was required to follow Him: immediate obedience and willingness to sacrifice. Remember? Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. Also, let the dead bury the dead, but follow me now. These are things that Jesus said concerning what it means to follow Him!

Matthew is living out this kind of obedience and commitment!

Jesus’ call was direct and clear. Matthew obeyed clearly and directly. Are you obeying Jesus clearly and directly? Are you faithfully following Him?

As a tax collector, Matthew probab

“The Power of the Gospel to Bring Peace in the Church”

Philippians 4:1-9

March 31, 2019

Peace is needed when there is conflict in the body (2-3).Peace is needed when there is anxiety in our hearts (4-7).Peace is needed when there is the wrong focus in our lives (8-9).

Bottom Line: Anytime peace is missing in our lives or our church, the solution is to turn to Jesus and obey him.

Weekly challenge:

If there is conflict, seek forgiveness and restoration.If there is anxiety, turn those issues over to God in prayer.If there is chaos in your life check your focus.

The post The Power of the Gospel to Bring Peace in the Church (Philippians 4:1-9) appeared first on First Baptist Church.

“The Authority to Heal and Forgive”

(Matthew 9:1-8)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

March 24, 2019

The Passage

Matthew 9:1-8

1 So he got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town. 2 Just then some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “He’s blaspheming!”

4 Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? 5 For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.” 7 So he got up and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God, who had given such authority to men.

Introductory Comments:

Illustration: When I was a kid I went to a camp called Camp Joy in Apopka, Florida. As a youth pastor, I also took my youth group there. We were setting up a game of basketball one day with some of the adults and some of the youth. There was an older pastor friend that was there with me named Pastor Barry. He wasn’t the youngest guy there, so some doubted whether he could play basketball. Someone asked me if he could, and I had seen him play before, so I said, “He’s probably the best basketball player here.” Now, that statement didn’t’ mean anything until Barry actually played basketball with us. Once he started playing, everyone realized his basketball skills. I was glad he was on my team. 

In Matthew 8 we have seen that Jesus was a healing spree. He has healed many people demonstrating that He has unusual supernatural powers. 

Today, we’re going to learn how Jesus is not merely a healer, although that is quite extraordinary. We’re going to learn that Jesus also has the power and authority to forgive sins, and Jesus will prove that He has that power and authority. 

Let’s pray together as we journey through this passage. 

(Prayer)

We have two simple points today, and the two are tied together so much that we may go back and forth a bit between these two points. 

Let’s look at the passage again. I’ll read the whole passage. 

Read Matthew 9:1-8

1 So he got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town. 2 Just then some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “He’s blaspheming!”

4 Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? 5 For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.” 7 So he got up and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God, who had given such authority to men.

From this passage, we’ll see clearly that Jesus has authority in two particular areas. 

First, . . .

I. Jesus has authority to heal[on screen]

Jesus doesn’t start with this. 

It’s just like Jesus to handle this situation the way He does. By doing it the way He does, He will prove His authority to forgive sins and He will magnify the glory of God in the physical healing. 

Keep in mind what is happening here. Jesus’ home base is in Capernaum. He left Capernaum to go the other side of the Sea of Galilee to minister in the Decapolis. He had a run in with some demons, some men living in the tombs, and some pigs. Afterwards, He comes back across the Sea of Galilee and comes back to Capernaum, His own town. 

His fame has grown and grown and grown to the point that nearly ev

“The Power and Authority of Jesus”

(Matthew 8:23-34)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

March 17, 2019

The Passage

Matthew 8:23-34

23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping. 25 So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!”

26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”

28 When he had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, “What do you have to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

30 A long way off from them, a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 “If you drive us out,” the demons begged him, “send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 “Go!” he told them. So when they had come out, they entered the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 Then the men who tended them fled. They went into the city and reported everything, especially what had happened to those who were demon-possessed. 34 At that, the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Introductory Comments:

We are back in the Gospel of Matthew, in chapter 8 verses 23 through 34. Let’s set the stage for what’s happening here with Jesus. 

Jesus has finished delivering a monumental sermon. He followed that up with miraculous healings and a crowd is gathering near Him at the Sea of Galilee. As He indicates that He is going to cross the sea, some disciples say that they want to follow Him, and Jesus explains some of what it means to follow Him. 

Now, Jesus actually gets in the boat and some of His followers come along. Some of His followers are in a boat with Him, and others very well might have been in other boats around Him. 

We’ve been seeing glimpses of the power and authority of Jesus throughout the Gospel of Matthew. This passage will take this to a whole new level. 

Let’s pray together before we dive into this passage.

(Prayer)

Jesus has already demonstrated that He has power and authority over illness and diseases, as well as over demonic powers. He has healed the sick, He has cast out demons, and many people are following Him. 

However, the people are about to be amazed, and even a bit terrified, by His great power. 

Illustration: Have you ever seen a magician or an illusionist perform a trick that you are impressed with. Then, they up the ante and perform an even more impressive trick? You know that they are a magician. You know they can do tricks, yet, you are still impressed. The more impressive trick demonstrates the more skill possessed by the illusionist. 

Well, today, Jesus is going to raise the bar as far as the demonstration of His power and authority, and it’s not because He’s a magician, it’s because He is God. 

So, let’s see these two examples of Jesus’ power and authority. 

First, . . .

I. Jesus has power and authority over the natural realm (23-27) [on screen]

Let’s look at verses 23-27. 

23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping. 25 So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!”

26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this?

“Jesus as Number One”

(Matthew 8:18-22)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

March 10, 2019

The Passage

Read Matthew 8:18-22

18 When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea. 19 A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

21 “Lord,” another of his disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Introductory Comments:

Illustration: A lot of young men (and some middle-aged men) dream about becoming Navy Seals some day. The Navy Seals are some of the most elite warriors on the face of the planet. You know, there’s a reason why not everyone is a Navy Seal. It takes a tremendous commitment to become a Navy Seal. A young man can’t just hop up off of the couch after playing video games and eating Doritos, and get pinned with the Navy Seal pin. He has to put in the sacrifice; he has to live by different standards. It costs something to become a seal. 

Today we’re continuing our series in Matthew and Jesus is on the move ministering to people. 

Matthew is going to tell us today about two short conversations that Jesus had with two men who wanted to follow Him. Jesus will tell them that it takes sacrifice and it will involve them living by different standards. 

Let’s pray together as we look at Matthew 8:18-22. 

(Prayer)

Look with me if you will at your Bible and notice verse 18. 

18 When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea.

When we were on a trip to Israel last Fall the tour guide would always tell us that when the Bible says Jesus crossed over to the other side of the sea, it meant that he would go to “the other side.”

What’s happening here is that Jesus is leaving Jewish territory and going into Gentile territory. 

Part of the reason is that He is escaping the crowds that are gathering around Him. 

However, Jesus also has ministry to do in Gentile territory.

So, as He’s getting ready to leave to cross the Sea of Galilee, these two men speak up and say that they want to follow Him. 

Jesus responds to their requests. From these encounters, we’re going to learn two aspects of what it means to follow Jesus. 

The first aspect of following Jesus that we are to learn is . . .

I. Following Jesus requires uncommonsacrifice (18-20) [on screen]

Look at verses 18-20. 

18 When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea. 19 A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

As Jesus is preparing to leave, this scribe says he will follow Jesus wherever Jesus goes. 

A scribe would have been a teacher of the law. He’s somebody that would have been knowledgeable and useful to Jesus and His ministry. 

The man had skill and he seemed eager. He would have been just the right disciple for Jesus to have. 

Despite the man’s skill and eagerness, Jesus seemed to want to talk him out of following Him. 

Jesus said foxes can sleep in dens, birds can sleep in nests, but I have no idea each night where I’m going go to lay my head. 

Now, why does this matter to the scribe? It matters to the scribe because if he follows Jesus he may not have any place to lay his head!

Jesus is basically saying, “If you follow me you will have to sacrifice something! Life may not be comfortable for you. You may not have all of the things that are common to everyone else. Following me requires uncommon sacrifice.”

Jesus wanted to make sure that the scribe understood what it meant

“Jesus on a Healing Spree”

(Matthew 8:1-17)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Promise [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

March 3, 2019

The Passage

Matthew 8:1-17

1 When he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 Right away a man with leprosy came up and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 Then Jesus told him, “See that you don’t tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony.”

7 He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?”

8 “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. 11 I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that very moment.

14 Jesus went into Peter’s house and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 So he touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve him. 16 When evening came, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick, 17 so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: He himself took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.

Introductory Comments:

Have you ever heard a really good speaker at a conference or seminar and you see a long line of people lining up at the end to speak to him or her? There’s something about hearing someone share something moving that makes people want to be around that speaker.

Well, here we are after the Sermon on the Mountainside. Jesus has just preached the most famous sermon in human history. We see from this passage in verse 1 that “large crowds” followed Jesus after He finished preaching His sermon. 

We learn that these crowds were not following Him in vain. Jesus was getting to work doing great things for the kingdom of God. 

So, let’s look at this passage together this morning. Before we do, let’s go to God in prayer.

(Prayer)

As we see the large crowds following Jesus we must remember how revolutionary Jesus’ teaching was. He really shook things up, so many are probably wondering what He will do or say next. 

As a result, many come to Him for healing. 

We must also remember that one of Matthew’s main goals in writing his gospel is to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promised Messiah. 

So, here, Matthew is showing us that Jesus is not just a good teacher, He’s also a miraculous healer. 

In your notes, you will see that we have three healings and three truths at which we will look. 

First, . . .

Healing #1: The leper (2-4) [on screen]

Let’s review verses 2 through 4. 

2 Right away a man with leprosy came up and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 Then Jesus told him, “See that you don’t tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the prie