Personalized Faith in a Personal Savior
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Understanding the particular nature of saving faith.
Text: Matt. 9:27-31
Date: 01/01/2012, the Contemporary service.
Series: "Matthew" Part 84
Description:
Matthew's description of the nine miracles that follow the Sermon on the Mount continues with uninterrupted action. No sooner has Jesus left the house where He resurrected the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, than he encounters two blind men who cry out to be healed. Identifying Jesus as the "Son of David", they are persistent in their cries for mercy and follow Jesus right into His next destination. In one of the most precise soteriological interchanges of these miracles, Jesus reveals to the blind men the kind of faith He desires from His disciples-- personalized faith in a personal Savior.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Matt. 9:27-31.
A. Context
B. Jesus heals two blind men, vs. 27-30a.
1. The initial encounter, vs. 27.
a. Non-stop action.
b. The two blind men.
i. Physical blindness.
ii. The religious implications of blindness, John 9:1-2.
iii. The isolation of blindness, 2Sam. 5:8.
iv. The incurable nature of blindness.
v. Spiritual blindness, Isa. 6:10.
c. The persistence of the blind men.
d. The cry for mercy.
e. The designation as the "Son of David".
i. A Messianic designation, Isa. 11:1, Jer. 23:5.
ii. A Messianic tradition, Isa. 35:5-6.
iii. A formalized faith.
iv. The reason for secrecy.
2. The conversation in the house, vs. 28.
a. The location of the house.
i. Jesus' own house in Capernaum, Matt. 4:13, 8:20.
ii. The ruler's house.
iii. Matthew's point.
b. Christ's "personalizing" question.
i. A particular faith.
ii. A personal faith.
c. The excellent answer.
i. Jesus as Savior.
ii. Jesus as Lord.
3. The healing, vs. 29-30a.
a. The two aspects of Christ's healing.
b. The nature of their faith.
c. The gift of faith.
C. The stern warning, vs. 30b-31.
1. The "Messianic secret".
2. The lack of obedience.
III. Application
A. The illumination of Christ.
1. Recognizing spiritual blindness.
a. Realizing your need for a Savior.
b. Realizing the inability to save yourself.
2. Calling on the "Son of David", John 8:12, 12:46.
3. Come just as your are.
B. "Personalized" faith.
1. Faith in a personal Savior, John 14:6.
2. Faith leading to a personal relationship.
3. Faith is organic.
C. The fruit of faith.
IV. Conclusion
