Jesus Fights for Our Healing Pt. 2

Jesus Fights For Our Healing

(from 9/25/16 sermon)

I. OPEN - See if there is anyone who wants to share a short testimony, or if there are there specific praise

updates to begin CG.

Pray

Q - Sermon take-aways from those who were in attendance?

*Have someone read aloud Matt 9:9-13

II. REFLECT

Notice in 9:9 and following that Christ called Matthew, a tax-collector. Discuss the reputation of

tax-collectors at t hat time. First, no one likes to pay money to the government, especially when the

government is an oppressive regime like the Roman Empire of the 1st century. Those who collected the taxes for such a government bore the brunt of much public displeasure. Second, the tax collectors in the Bible were Jews who were working for the hated Romans. These individuals were seen as turncoats, traitors to their own countrymen. Rather than fighting the Roman oppressors, the publicans were helping them—and enriching themselves at the expense of their fellow Jews. Third, it was common knowledge that the tax collectors cheated the people they collected from. By hook or by crook, they would collect more than required and keep the extra for themselves. Everyone just understood that was how it worked. The tax collector Zacchaeus, in his confession to the Lord, mentioned his past dish onesty in Luke 19:8. Fourth, because of their skimming off the top, the tax collectors were well-to-do. This further separated them from the lower classes, who resented the injustice of their having to support the publicans’ lavish lifestyle. The tax collectors, ostracized as they were from society, formed their own clique, further separating themselves from the rest of society.

Q - In light of these facts, why is of such significance that Christ would call Matthew. Furthermore, how significant was it that “many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.” When Jesus heard what the people were saying in response to His eating with tax collectors and sinners He made this profound statement, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick...I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Q - When is the last time you invited the lost into your home for dinner? Or, when’s the last time the lost have invited you into their home? Honestly, what is your comfort level around the  lost...comfortable or uncomfortable? How can you/we be more intentional in this area and make ourselves and our faith attractive to the lost?

KEY Talking Point - As we discussed last week with the words “He saw,” we need to open up our eyes and really take note of the lost people around us. If they are turned off by us and if our mercy and love are not contagious then we have missed the point. They’ll know we are Christians by our…

Have someone else read Matt 9:18-26

Notice in v. 19 that Jairus, a synagogue ruler, comes into the home of the tax collectors and sinners in search of Christ. He humbles himself and kneels before Christ telling him that his daughter has just died, and then he says “but come...” What a remarkable show of faith. He left his dead daughter, his wife, and the rest of his family in search of Christ. In v. 23 when they made it back to his home the funeral had already started. Discuss the significance of this tremendous show of faith.

Q - Last week, and in this same passage, we see Christ healing the sick. But, in this particular instance he actually brings back a 12-year old girl from the dead. What is Christ communicating regarding His power, and the sting of death compared to this power? Look at the story of the  woman with the issue of blood for twelve years...the same number of years that the little girl belonging to Jairus had been alive. For 12 years she had sought relief and healing but to no avail. But in v. 21 she says to herself “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” And Jesus in turn heals her and makes her well.

Q - Who do you know that has suffered for years that you want us to pray for Jesus to touch?

III. APPLICATION

Christ fights for us. He comes into our homes, He steps into our situations, He meets us where we are hurting most, and He fights for us in ways that no one else can. We must believe this and speak this fighting-for-us Christ into the lives of those around us who are suffering.

IV. CLOSE

Final thoughts

V. BE ON-MISSION

Q - What 1-2 things did you receive from this passage or discussion that you can implement and/or give away this week? Specifically, how do you plan to do so?

Announcements

/Reminders

● New Faces - Go over new hires (per earlier e-mail): 1) Daniel McIntosh executive pastor. Will probably start in Nov. Wife = Michelle, w/3 kids. 2) Sam Adams stepping down from Children’s Ministry Director due to seminary, job, and new baby. Debbie DuPre hired and begins this week! 3) Seth Hise working part-time hours to help with communications (weekly, bulletin, social media, etc.)

● Women’s Retreat - Oct 21-23 in Pigeon Forge. Encourage ladies to attend. E-mail Karen Trigg at RuthsHope@gmail.com for more info or to sign up.

● Women’s Gathering - This Tuesday @ 7:00. 5 Strawberry Place, J.C.

● Prayer Service - There will be a designated evening of prayer for healing and deliverance on Tuesday, Nov 1. More details to come later. Be praying now.

● Starting Point - Gathering for those new to RS who simply want to know more about the church. After church on Sun, Oct 30. More details to come later.

● Church membership - For those who want to make RS their church home, there will be a membership meeting on Sunday, Nov 13. More details to come later.

Prayer Requests ●