Kingdom Power: Courage & Compassion | Week 3 | Jesus' Authority | Matthew 8:23-9:7

Week 3 | Jesus' Authority

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” - Matthew 8:26-27

Matthew 8:23-9:7 

Being called to mission for and with Jesus does not always mean smooth sailings. Sometimes it is exciting, sometimes mundane, and other times it can feel like being amid a storm. Matthew 8 continues with the disciples in the boat encountering what is described as a “great storm”. Storms come quickly and they can be overwhelming. Storms are chaotic and destructive. Far from comfortable or stable raging water is all around them, beneath them, above them, even running through them. But through all of this, Jesus is with them.

Jesus just told a scribe the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head and now he’s taking a nap in the back of the boat. God can rest in the middle of the storm because He is not worried about the outcome. When the waves got so high they could not see beyond them, the sailors call out to the carpenter. The disciples were wise to call out to Jesus with a three- word prayer. Lord! Save! WE-Perish! Despite their weak and fickle faith, Jesus is going to save them. This is because it is not the amount of our faith that matters, it is the object of it. Faith for faith’s sake, ignoring or minimizing the storms destructive power is foolish. Faith in Jesus saves.

Jesus is the captain of the storm and is the ultimate spiritual authority. Jesus encounters two demon possessed men who have been terrorizing the region. At the arrival of Jesus, it is the demons who cower recognizing His authority overall. Jesus commands them “go”. They fill a herd of pigs and cast themselves into the sea. The men are freed and news of this exorcisms spreads throughout the region causing fear and confusion.

Jesus has authority and power over natural world and the spiritual world. He can change our circumstances, set us free from bondage, and bring us holistic healing. Being brought a paralytic, Jesus sees the faith of those who brought him. Before offering physical healing, Jesus grants him spiritual forgiveness. Pharisees recoil and Jesus responds by declaring His authority by also miraculously healing the man. Rising and walking away many marveled some with fear and some with worship. Jesus’ authority over everything is rejected by those who want to be their own authority and received as a blessing to those whose faith and trust is in Him.

QUESTIONS:

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about Jesus, faith, or authority?
2. What is a storm you have experienced? In the midst of the storm did you find yourself choosing faith or fear? What did you learn enduring the storm?
3. How do we resolve the tension of Jesus having all authority overall things and yet we can experience storms, oppression, and aliments? When has Jesus been a comfort to you
4. What does Jesus forgiving sin before giving physical healing tell us about the importance of our spiritual condition? Where does Jesus need to grant you healing, forgiveness, or freedom?

PRAY – Praise God the Father for being holy, powerful, and good. Confess Jesus authority over everything including your soul and circumstances. Seek the Holy Spirit’s power to bring healing and wholeness.

Watch or Listen to the Sermon HERE