Notes + Questions: Jesus' Authority: Over Sin

Introduction: 

What sets Christianity apart from other religions?

FORGIVENESS OF SINS

Hinduism - 

 • Dharma - Ethical and Dutiful Life

 • Kama - Love - Desire - Pleasure

 • Artha - Prosperity

 • Moksha - Ending the Cycle

Buddhism - 

 • Self-Improvement - become enlightened and reach Nirvanah

Islam - 

 • Submit to Allah reach Paradise through Good Works

Secular Humanism - 

 • Improved Experience

 • Pleasure

Recap: 

Matthew is about King Jesus who has all authority in heaven and on earth!

 • Theological

 • Physical

 • Natural

 • Spiritual

Matthew 28:18 - All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Jesus and a Paralytic: 

1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 

Eye-Witness Account:

"I have been reading poems, romances, vision literature, legends, and myths all my life. I know what they are like. I know none of them are like this. Of this [gospel] text there are only two possible views. Either this is reportage as close to the facts as Boswell reporting on Samuel Johnson’s life, or else, some unknown [ancient] writer…without known predecessors or successors, suddenly anticipated the whole technique of modern novelistic realistic narrative fiction. If these things did not happen, the writer must have accomplished this, or else it is nothing but a fraud." – C.S. Lewis on reading the gospels

—> WILL YOU BELIEVE?

2a And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. 

Luke 5:18-19

—> WHAT WILL YOU DO TO BRING YOUR FRIENDS TO JESUS?

2b And when Jesus saw their faith, 

The friends believed both that Jesus could and that Jesus would!

—> WHO DO YOU NEED TO HAVE FAITH FOR?

—> DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO STAND WITH YOU AND HAVE FAITH FOR YOU?

2c he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 

Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?

 • Psalm 103:2-3

 • Isaiah 43:25

3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 

 • Scribes

 • Pharisees

 • Blasphemy

4 But Jesus, knowing[a] their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 

5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 

7 And he rose and went home. 

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Responses to Jesus: 

 • Paralytic - Praise

 • Friends - Joy

 • Crowds - Amazement

 • Pharisees - Grumbling

How about you?

CG Qs

1. What do you love about this story? What stood out?

2. Do you have friends, neighbors or family members you want to bring to Jesus? How can we pray/help?

3. Is there anyone you are praying for / having faith for? 

4. Do you need us to stand with you and believe God on your behalf?