Matthew 4:12-25

Matthew 9:27-38

Matthew 9:27-38 1. Let us mark that strong faith in Christ may sometimes be found where it might least have been expected. 2. Let us mark that our Lord Jesus Christ has had great experience of disease and sickness. 3. Let us mark our Lord's tender concern for neglected souls. 4. Let us mark that there is a solemn duty incumbent on all Christians, who would do good to the unconverted part of the world. "An example like this shows us, that we must never despair of any one's salvation, merely because he lives in a position unfavorable to his soul. Grace is stronger than circumstances." "We never know what racking complaint we ourselves may have to submit to, before we lie down and die. But let us arm ourselves quickly with the precious thought that Jesus is specially fitted to be the sick man's friend. That great high-priest to whom we must apply for pardon and peace with God, is eminently qualified to sympathize with an aching body, as well as to heal an ailing conscience." "There are millions of idolaters and heathen on earth--millions of deluded Muhammadans--millions of superstitious Roman Catholics. There are thousands of unsaved Protestants near our own doors. Do we feel tenderly concerned about their souls." "Never, never may we forget that if we would do good to the world, our first duty is to pray." Questions: 1. We see Jesus healing the sick as He goes around preaching and teaching. The truth of this fallen world is that sin affects every part of life, including our bodies. Sin is the root of all sickness, illness, and ultimately death. And, as Ryle says, we never know what illnesses we may have to submit to before we die. But he challenges us to arm ourselves with this precious thought: Jesus is specially fitted to be the sick man's friend. In whatever sicknesses you have endured, do you tend to run to Jesus or to doctors? Do you believe that Jesus is able to sympathize with and care for you? A quick side note: this is not to say you shouldn't go to a doctor or take medicine, but it is a question of whether our trust is primarily on such things or in Christ who brings the healing. 2. Jesus looks at the multitudes of sheep without a shepherd and had compassion. How is our heart toward the unbelievers around us? Do we have the mind of Christ toward those who are perishing without Christ? If not, may we plead to have the compassion of Christ! 3. Jesus exhorts the disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers. Ryle declares that this is a call for all Christians to walk in. He says that such prayer "is one of the surest ways of doing good, and stemming evil." He goes on to say, "Never, never may we forget that if we would do good to the world, our first duty is to pray!" Do our actions show we believe this? May the Lord give us hearts to believe this calling, and to be faithful to do the best good we can for this lost world!

Matthew 9:14-26

Matthew 9:14-26 1. Let us mark the gracious name by which the Lord Jesus speaks of Himself: "the bridegroom." 2. Let us mark what a wise principle the Lord Jesus lays down for the treatment of young disciples. 3. Let us mark what encouragement our Lord gives to the humblest faith. 4. Let us mark in this passage our Lord's almighty power. "What the bridegroom is to the bride, the Lord Jesus is to the souls of all who believe in Him. He loves them with a deep and everlasting love." "We must not be in a hurry to require a minute conformity to one rigid rule in 'things indifferent', until the first principles of repentance and faith have been thoroughly learned. To guide us in this matter, we have great need to pray for grace, and Christian common sense." "Our faith may be feeble. Our courage may be small. Our grasp of the Gospel, and its promises, may be weak and trembling. But, after all, the grand question is, do we really trust in Christ alone? Do we look to Jesus, and only to Jesus, for pardon and peace? If this be so, it is well." Questions: 1. Jesus calls himself 'the bridegroom' and Ryle highlights what that means. As I read it again, try and pick one that stands out to you and ask why. "What the bridegroom is to the bride, the Lord Jesus is to the souls of all who believe in Him. He loves them with a deep and everlasting love. He takes them into union with Himself. They are "one with Christ and Christ in them." He pays all their debts to God. He supplies all their daily need. He sympathizes with them in all their troubles. He bears with all their infirmities, and does not reject them for a few weaknesses. He regards them as part of Himself. Those that persecute and injure them are persecuting Him. The glory that He has received from His Father they will one day share with Him, and where He is, there shall they be." 2. We see a woman with touch the edge of Jesus' cloak and is healed because of her faith. Ryle draws great encouragement regarding the strength or weakness of our faith. He says, "Our faith may be feeble. Our courage may be small. Our grasp of the Gospel, and its promises, may be weak and trembling. But, after all, the grand question is, do we really trust in Christ alone? Do we look to Jesus, and only to Jesus, for pardon and peace? If this be so, it is well." We need to ask ourselves, do we really trust in Christ alone for pardon and peace? Am I seeking to grow in the grace of faith so that I may have more joy in this journey to heaven?

Matthew 9:1-13

Matthew 9:1-13 1. Let us notice our Lord's knowledge of men's thoughts. 2. Let us notice the wonderful call of the apostle Matthew to be Christ's disciple. 3. Let us observe Matthew's decision. 4. Let us notice our Lord's precious declaration about His own mission. "Surely we ought to be very humble when we consider these things. We ought to thank God daily that the blood of Christ can cleanse from all sin." "Let us never despair of any one's salvation. Let us pray on, and speak on, and work on to do good to souls, even to the souls of the worst." "The first thing needful, in order to have an interest in Christ, is to feel deeply our own corruption, and to be willing to come to Him for deliverance. We are not to keep away from Christ, as many ignorantly do, because we feel bad, and wicked, and unworthy. We are to remember that sinners are those He came into the world to save, and that if we feel ourselves such, it is well. Happy is he who really comprehends that one principal qualification for coming to Christ is a deep sense of sin!" Questions: 1. We see that Jesus had the ability to read minds, which among other things, is evidence of His being God. Ryle would have us consider, though, that the same Jesus that could read the Pharisees hearts, knows us the same. He asks, "What do we think of, in private, when no man sees us? What do we think of, in church, when we seem so grave and serious? What are we thinking of at this moment, while these words pass under our eyes?" (or in this case, while you hear these words). What does it do to our hearts that no thought of ours is hidden from God's sight? Does it produce humility like Ryle suggests? 2. We see Matthew, a hated tax collector, turn to Christ upon being called to follow Him. Ryle encourages us that there is no heart so hard that cannot be turned and that we should not give up praying for those we feel are impossible to be saved. Is there anyone like that in your life? Take some time to pray for them now. 3. We see that the entire reason Jesus came was to save sinners by calling them to repent. We see that the qualification for coming to Christ is to see our need for Christ. This is completely the opposite of what many think, namely that I can only come to Christ if I get my life together or something like that. So, this is good news! The truth is that we will never get our lives together to God's standard, and so what is needful is to feel our corruption - our sin and unworthiness - and come to Jesus for deliverance. Have you been deceived in thinking that you just need to get your life together? Have you felt your need for Christ and come to Him in faith, trusting His promise for cleansing? If not, would you ask, as Psalm 51:3 says, that you would know that your transgressions and sin is ever before you? I would encourage you to read Psalm 51 and make it your prayer.

Matthew 8:28-34

Matthew 8:28-34 1. Let us settle it firmly in our minds, that there is such a being as the devil. 2. Let us settle it firmly in our minds, that the power of the devil is limited. 3. Let us settle it in our minds, that our Lord Jesus Christ is man's great deliverer from the power of the devil. 4. Let us not leave this passage without observing the painful worldliness of the Gadarenes, among whom this miracle of casting out a devil was wrought. "There is an unseen spirit ever near us, of mighty power, and full of endless malice against our souls." "Mighty as he is, there is one mightier still. Keenly set as his will is on doing harm in the world, he can only work by permission." "Our great remedy in all the assaults of the devil, is to cry to the Lord Jesus, and to seek His help. He can break the chains that Satan casts around us, and set us free. He can cast out every devil that plagues our hearts, as surely as in the days of old." Questions: 1. As we read about a demon possessed man, Ryle wants us to remember that there really is such a thing as the devil and a spiritual world. He even says that there is an unseen spirit ever near us, of mighty power, and full of endless malice against our souls. It is a frightening thought. If you grew up on the West, it is likely that this comes more as a shock as we lean towards materialism and only believe what we see. If you are from an animistic culture, this won't surprise you as much. The question is: do I believe that there is a devil who hates my soul? How often do I think about this? 2. No sooner that we should believe there is a devil, we must also believe that the devil's power is limited by one who is greater, namely the Lord Jesus Christ. Ryle says that "it would be miserable indeed to know that there is a devil ever near us, if we did not also know that Christ was "able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him." We see in this text that the demons could not even enter the pigs without Jesus' permission. Do we take comfort in the fact that we can run to Jesus and that He is greater than even a fearsome enemy like the devil? If you are not familiar with Martin Luther's hymn, A Mighty Fortress, please take some time to sing it as an encouragement as we close this time.

Matthew 8:16-27

Matthew 8:16-27 1. In the first part of these verses we see a striking example of our Lord's wisdom in dealing with those who professed a willingness to be His disciples. 2. In the latter part of these verses we learn, that true saving faith is often mingled with much weakness and infirmity "Nothing, in fact, has done more harm to Christianity than the practice of filling the ranks of Christ's army with every volunteer who is willing to make a little profession, and talk fluently of his experience." "We never perhaps know the weakness of our faith, until we are placed in the furnace of trial and anxiety. Blessed and happy is that person who finds by experience that his faith can stand the fire, and that he can say with Job, "though he slays me, yet will I trust in him." (Job 13:15.)" Questions: 1. We read of two people who would follow Jesus and are given replies by Jesus that are designed to have them to count the cost of what they are asking for. Jesus doesn't tell them no, nor does he give a quick yes, either. We need to learn from Jesus in these things. When you were told of Christ, were you also told of a cross you would have to carry and that hardships are on this path? When we talk to others about Christ, do we tend to talk of only the benefits (of which there are many) or also the cost? Why or why not? 2. We then read of the disciples, who have counted the cost and are following Jesus, show weak faith as their boat floods with water. Ryle draws encouragement for us in how Jesus responds to his disciples. He says, "We have great reason to thank God that Jesus, our great High-priest, is very compassionate and tender-hearted. He knows our frame. He considers our infirmities. He does not cast off His people because of defects. He pities even those whom he reproves. The prayer even of "little faith" is heard, and gets an answer." How does that truth encourage you? And in addition to this, would you not add to your prayers "Lord, increase my faith?" so that we may stand in the days of trial more steadfastly?