Complete Restoration (Matthew 8:2-7)
Gary McManus, 03/01/2015Part of the Jesus Came to Restore series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Introduction:
dirt, clean, disinfectant, filthy=”filthy lucre”
dirty, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
good germs, bad germs
When the Bible talks about uncleanness,
it is NOT talking about sanitation.
When the Bible talks about uncleanness,
it is talking about God.
What is unclean? Whatever God says it is.
Whatever the Bible says it is. Whatever the priest
says is unclean IS unclean.
God is holy; people must PREPARE themselves
to be in God’s presence.
Holiness is associated with purity.
Purity= what is NOT polluted.
What is polluted? The Lord will tell you in his word.
Even the Greek pagans practiced some purity.
Generally, if polluted, the pollutant had to be removed.
Then purification could take place.
Water was purifying. Water could remove dirt but
the ancients did not associate dirt with disease or
illness. Fire was also purifying.
Blood was also purifying.
Jesus’ followers no longer conern themselves
with this aspect of ritual purity.
(Matthew 15:11-18, Luke 6:45)
It isn't what is OUTSIDE a person that makes it unclean.
Bible text: “leprosy” could be any number of skin
conditions which the priest could discern as uncleanness.
The man’s problem is NOT that he is sick.
The man’s problem is NOT that he is afflicted.
His problem is that he is unclean. He asks to be made
clean!
To be in God’s presence is denied him as long as
he is afflicted and unclean. [Only two other people
in the Bible removed leprosy: Moses and Elijah
(See Numbers 12:1ff, 2 Kings 5:9 ff.)]
The man’s faith:
a) kneels / worships
b) calls Jesus “Lord”
This report all about restoring a person
to be in God’s presence.
Is that what you want?
Jesus cleanses his followers.
(John 15:3, 1 John 1:7, Hebrews 10)
The man demonstrated faith, hope and trust
in the Lord and his restoration was assured.
One more thing
Jesus tells the restored man to NOT tell anyone.
To be made clean is a SPIRITUAL issue,
not a public health issue. WE focus on the disease
but Jesus saw that the man was focused on God.
People want to be healed but Jesus is interested
in the spiritual life and their relationship with God.
Do we want a relationship with God just so God
can do things for us?
Job will say (13:15) even if the Lord slays me,
yet will I trust Him.
Relationship with God is primary.
Is that what you want? Complete restoration IS
available from the Lord. Matthew tells us that the Lord
IS willing. Amen.
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