Sermon # 20 Series: Matthew
Title: “BELIEVE YE THAT I AM ABLE TO DO THIS?”
Text: Matthew 9:27-38
Subject: Lessons From The Lord’s Miracles
Date: Tuesday Evening – November 29, 1994
Tape: # Q-71
Introduction:
In the passage before us two blind
men and one dumb man, one who was possessed by an evil spirit were hated by the
Word of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the power of his touch.
The two
blind men who were healed come to the Lord Jesus seeking mercy. These two
men who had been companions in misery were about to be made companions in
mercy. Notice what Matthew tells us about these men.
The
two blind men came seeking the Lord; but the poor demon-possessed man who
could not speak, was brought to the Master – (v. 32). Notice the word
“behold,” This is a striking case. This man was not himself. A demon had taken
possession of him. He does not cry for help. He does not come to
Christ. But someone cared enough for his wretched soul to bring him to Christ. Let
us do the same. Some will come to the house of God because God creates in
them a need to be in the place of worship. But most will never come until
gracious souls go out and bring them into the house of mercy.
These two examples of grace are
set before us, one immediately following the other to teach us that the
experience of grace is as varied and diverse as the recipients of grace. All
three of these men needed mercy. All three obtained mercy. All
three obtained mercy through Christ the Mediator. But they did not obtain it
the same way. Mercy came to the blind men only after they actively,
earnestly sought it. But mercy came to the dumb, demon-possessed soul by such
immediate power that he never even thought about it before he had obtained it.
Proposition:
The things written in these verses of Scripture are here recorded by
Divine Inspiration to teach us about the mercy, grace, and compassion of our
Lord Jesus Christ and about our responsibilities before him.
Divisions:
Specifically there are five things taught in this passage of Scripture, which deserve our close attention.
I. Faith is Frequently Found Where It Is
Least Expected.
Who would have thought two blind men, or that poor demon-possessed
wretch would have believed on Christ.
They could not have seen the miracles at least two of
them could not. – They were blind! But having heard the common reports
of Christ, they believed him. Believing him, the eyes of their
understanding were enlightened.
A. Faith is the gift of God.
It is not something we muster up in ourselves by the exercise of our
freewill. Faith is something God the Holy Spirit gives to and produces in
chosen, redeemed, called sinners (John 1:12-13; Rom. 9:16; Eph. 2:8; Col.
2:12).
1.
It is a gift which God
gives to some and withholds from others (John 10:25-26).
2.
It is a gift that God
works in sinners by the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 10:17).
3.
The object of
God-given, saving faith is the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. Having said all that, I want you to
realize that it is the responsibility of every man to believe God and that
there is a direct correlation between our faith and God’s work.
Our Lord asked them, “Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said
unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched him. Their eyes, saying, According to your
faith be it unto you (vv. 28-29).
“He touched them with his hand; but
they must also touch him with their faith…Had these men been mere pretenders to
faith they would have remained blind.” C.H. Spurgeon.
NOTE:
We must never blame on God’s
sovereignty that which is the result of our own shameful unbelief. I wonder
what God might do, if we simply believe him!
II. Disobedience To Christ is Always
Inexcusable – (vv. 30-31).
The Lord Jesus was not like the self-serving, glory seeking preachers of
our day. He did not seek and did not want worldly fame. Therefore he strictly
commanded the men he had healed to tell no one about what he had done. But they
disregarded his command. I am sure they convinced themselves that their
disobedience was really what he wanted them to do; but they were dead wrong!
We are never doing right if we
disobey Christ. Even if the results turn out to be advantageous, disobedience
is not to be excused – “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice! (I Sam.
15:22).
Illus: 1. Saul Sparing Agag and His Spoil.
2.
Believer Marrying an
Unbeliever.
In all things, it is our responsibility to submit to
and obey the revealed will of God.
III. None Are Beyond The Reach of Christ’s
Omnipotence.
We must never despair of anyone’s
salvation, merely because he lives in unfavorable circumstances. Grace is
stronger than circumstances! We must never despair of any because they are
blind, or because they are under the yoke of satan, or because they obstinately
refuse to come to Christ. Our Lord’s arm is not shortened that it cannot
save. His Omnipotent arm of mercy can both break the power of satan and break
the power of man’s obstinate rebellion – (Ps. 110:3).
Notice in verse 35 that the
Lord Jesus healed “every sickness and every desease!” None
were too loathsome for him to touch. None were too far gone for him to cure.
The Son of God is indeed “The great Physician.”
A. All Physical Healing is His Work.
We use medicine, doctors, and hospital, just as we look both ways before crossing a busy street. But we look to our God for life and health.
B. The Healing of Our Souls Is Altogether
His Work too.
Christ is the Balm of Gilead. He is
the Sun of Righteousness who has risen with healing in his wings! Yes, “With
his stripes we are healed!” There is no desease of soul that he cannot, or will
not completely cure (I Cor. 6:9-11; 1:30-31).
IV. The Lord Jesus Is A Savior Full of
Compassion For Needy Souls – (v. 36).
Let theologians argue and wrangle
all they will over such texts as this – I want everyone here to understand
that when our Savior saw the last multitudes before him he was overcome by
sympathy. His whole being was stirred by the sight of perishing souls. “He was
moved with compassion on them!”
What are our feelings when we see the lost multitudes around us?
Multitudes are seen on every side Muslims, Jews, Papists, and Protestants,
intellectuals, scoffers, and a thirst ignorant, lost, unconverted, perishing! Do
you feel their destitution? Do
you long to see their destitution relieved? These are serious questions;
and they ought to be honestly answered. Those who are unmoved by perishing
souls do not have “the mind of Christ” (I Cor. 2:16).
V. There is A Great Harvest of Souls to be
Gathered by Grace For Which We Are Responsible – (vv. 37-38).
A. There is A Harvest to be Gathered In.
· God’s Elect!
B. The Lord of the Harvest is God Himself.
1. He controls the field – The World.
C. Faithful Gospel Preachers are Laborers in
God’s Vineyard.
1. They are always few.
D. It is the Responsibility of Every Believer
to Make God’s Harvest a Matter of Earnest Prayer.
There are many things you can
and should do.
But
there is one thing about all else that must be done – Pray!
Application:
“Believe ye that I am able to do
this?”
This much I know – If we believe him, we will act
accordingly!