Authority to Forgive Sin

October 23, 2022 • Jon Morales • Matthew 9:1–8

Have you been in the presence of someone almost famous? What was your experience? Were you underwhelmed, or did that experience exceed your hopes?

As we begin Matthew 9 in our series Outsiders In, the reputation of Jesus precedes his presence. People are anticipating something special upon his arrival. But when a few men lower their paralyzed friend down through a roof, Jesus says and does things even the crowd and religious leaders don’t expect. It reminds us that Jesus is far more than a healer.

Harvest Time

November 27, 2022 • Jon Morales • Matthew 9:27–34

"Harassed and helpless." Does this describe you? And are these sentiments magnified by the sense that no one notices or cares? When Jesus saw the crowds in Matthew 9, this was precisely what he perceived — a mass of humanity, distressed and overwhelmed. But he didn't turn a blind eye or begin avoidance maneuvers. He saw them — just as he sees you — and his compassion turns to action. As we conclude our Outsiders In series, Jesus invites us to move with him toward the harassed and helpless today.

Fame & Opposition

November 20, 2022 • Adam Mashni • Matthew 9:27–34

Desperation is a great motivator! We’ll try almost anything if we’re running out of options. This week, desperate people come to Jesus, sometimes bringing their friends. As Jesus heals and drives out demons, his fame grows. People are amazed, and some even believe, but not everyone is happy about it. These varied responses lead to critical questions about what belief accomplishes in us.

Why Women Flock to Jesus

November 13, 2022 • Jon Morales • Matthew 9:18–26

In this week’s passage from the book of Matthew, we witness Jesus heal two women. The younger, the daughter of a synagogue leader, had died. The older suffered from a chronic condition lasting years. Having heard such stories many times before, we may be overly familiar with Jesus’ power to resurrect the dead and heal the sick. But when we observe the cultural context in which these healings took place, a powerful lesson emerges that both women and men need to receive.