“The Master’s Guide to Greatness” Part 3 “Recognize Jesus Authority” Matthew 9:9-26

Greatness is obtaining the “invigorating, life-giving, and adventuresome river” we call the Kingdom of God and then “channeling people into its white-water rapids”.

Jesus invited an unlikely candidate to join His team. As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (v.9)

Jesus demonstrated how to deal with the tension of living as a holy person in a sinful culture. Jesus embraced sinners and expected His holiness to impact them (vv.10-13)Jesus embraced sinners and expected His holiness to impact them (vv.10-13)

Jesus demonstrated how to deal with the tension of living as a holy person in a sinful culture. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.

Jesus demonstrated how to deal with the tension of living as a holy person in a sinful culture. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”

Jesus demonstrated how to deal with the tension of living as a holy person in a sinful culture. The Pharisees thought holiness was preserved by separation from ungodly people.The Pharisees thought holiness was preserved by separation from ungodly people.

Jesus demonstrated how to deal with the tension of living as a holy person in a sinful culture. Jesus regarded His holiness as contagious and able to bring grace to sinners.”Jesus regarded His holiness as contagious and able to bring grace to sinners.”

Jesus demonstrated how to deal with the tension of living as a holy person in a sinful culture. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means:

Jesus demonstrated how to deal with the tension of living as a holy person in a sinful culture. ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus taught us the role of spiritual disciplines. John’s disciples thought holiness was gained by religious practices of self- discipline.John’s disciples thought holiness was gained by religious practices of self- discipline. Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (v.14)

Jesus taught us the role of spiritual disciplines. There is a time for fasting and a time for celebratingThere is a time for fasting and a time for celebrating Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?

Jesus taught us the role of spiritual disciplines. There is a time for fasting and a time for celebratingThere is a time for fasting and a time for celebrating The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. (v.15)

Jesus taught us the role of spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines should not become legalistic burdensSpiritual disciplines should not become legalistic burdens “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. (v.16)

Jesus taught us the role of spiritual disciplines. Traditional rituals are not straightjackets to prevent us from celebrating lifeTraditional rituals are not straightjackets to prevent us from celebrating life Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins.

Jesus taught us the role of spiritual disciplines. Traditional rituals are not straightjackets to prevent us from celebrating lifeTraditional rituals are not straightjackets to prevent us from celebrating life If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.

Jesus taught us the role of spiritual disciplines. Traditional rituals are not straightjackets to prevent us from celebrating lifeTraditional rituals are not straightjackets to prevent us from celebrating life No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (v.17)

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25)Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25) While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died.

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25)Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25) But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25)Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25) When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.”

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25)Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25) But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand,

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25)Jesus was approached by a “ruler” who was desperate. (vv.18-19; 23-25) and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.

Jesus cared for the broken

Jesus has authority over deathJesus has authority over death

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was interrupted by a desperate woman who was restored. (vv.20-22)Jesus was interrupted by a desperate woman who was restored. (vv.20-22) Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was interrupted by a desperate woman who was restored. (vv.20-22)Jesus was interrupted by a desperate woman who was restored. (vv.20-22) She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Jesus cared for the broken Jesus was interrupted by a desperate woman who was restored. (vv.20-22)Jesus was interrupted by a desperate woman who was restored. (vv.20-22) Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

Jesus cared for the broken She suffered from the pain of feeling “left over”.She suffered from the pain of feeling “left over”. “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”“If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” “train of his robe filled the temple”“train of his robe filled the temple”

Jesus cared for the broken

Bottom Line: Embrace your brokenness, because Jesus restores broken people.

Jesus is not an accessory.

I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!!“AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO…”

Becoming a follower of Jesus is a walk of convenience; it is a commitment to a cause.

Jesus died because you are dead and the only way for you to live was for Him to die!

Tunisia

Jesus did not die so you could have a better life or live in a nice country or enjoy financial prosperity.Jesus did not die so you could have a better life or live in a nice country or enjoy financial prosperity.

In Jesus kingdom there are no classes of people to be avoided.In Jesus kingdom there are no classes of people to be avoided.