4. THE BOOK OF MATTHEW.

JOHN CAST INTO PRISON.

Matthew marks the beginning of the Galilean ministry:

“Now, when Jesus had heard that John was cast into Prison, He departed into Galilee.”

Matthew chapter 4:12.

The original plan was to go directly to Jerusalem, but circumstances hindered Jesus, so he made a detour into Galilee.

THE MINISTRY IN GALILEE.

Matthews’s writing is a perfect preparation for the following three gospels because he presents a meaningful grouping of our Lord’s doings and sayings.

Then His teachings.

Then His miracles.

Next, in chapters 11 to 18, he groups the various reactions to our Lord and his ministry, accompanied by his counter-reactions and His Wisdom.

So we learn what Jesus Taught: What Jesus Wrought and what people Thought, and that is the order Matthew follows.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNTAIN.

There a ten parts of the sermon on the mount.

THE BEATTITUDES.
MORAL STANDARDS.

3. RELIGIOUS MOTIVES

4. THE WORSHIP OF MONEY.

5. WORRY AND ANXIETY.

6. SOCIAL DISCERNMENT.

7. PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT

8. HOW YOU SHOULD FULFIL SCRIPTURE

9. THE BROAD AND NARROW WAY.

10. THE FINAL WARNING.

JESUS’ MIRACLES.

Jesus healed each and every sickness. He passed His miracle-working power on to His disciples so they could, with joy, reveal the Kingdom of God. Read chapters…

8-10.

The first three miracles were the healing of functional physical diseases that afflict the whole body, i.e. in other spheres, Leprosy, Palsy, and Fever.

The next three show the Lord’s power in other different spheres.

In the natural realm ( The stilling of the storm.) Then in the spiritual realm (the casting out demons.)

In the moral realm. ( “your sins are forgiven you”)

The final four miracles concern local and organic ailments of the body i.e. bleeding, blindness dumbness and deafness.

And the crowning power- display of raising the dead!! Jesus raised the widow’s son in Nain.

The effect of these healings produced a great response in the crowds: “I will follow you wherever you may go.” The multitude “marvelled and glorified God.” They, astonished, said, “It has never been seen, no, not in Israel.”

Does Jesus still heal today? Oh yes, HE ‘DOES’ HEAL TODAY.’

“HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.”

I have seen it with my eyes, heard it with my ears and have experienced it in my body.

Every healing happens in many different ways.

1.Through one supernatural touch directly from God.

2.Through the natural process of our own miraculous body designed by God to heal itself.

3.Through special diets created for your particular needs. Remember the saying, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.”

4. Through medication and herbs.

5.Through a practitioner such as a … Surgeon,

Chiropractor,

Physiotherapist and Psychologist.

THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING.

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS, BY FAITH IN CLAIMING THE PROMISES OF GOD BY HIS INFALLIBLE WORD.

Through ANGELIC VISITATION.

By listening to Christian music as you worship.

There are many other ways. Keep in your mind that God is the source of all healing no matter how it happens.

ALWAYS GIVE HIM THE GLORY, AND YOU MUST DO YOUR PART IN CARING FOR YOUR BODY AND AVOID ANYTHING THAT WOULD HARM IT.

(that is another subject. For another time.)

A healing prayer you can pray.

“Lord Jesus, I can’t do a thing without You; I am hopeless and helpless in this sin-sick world. Firstly, I am coming to you for Salvation. Please save me from sin, sickness, grief and shame. Please break all addiction off my life and grant me the power to say No!!

Thank you for bearing my sin and sickness on the cross, and I believe your Word is absolute TRUTH! Thankfully that according to your Word I am already healed by the wounds of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:24. Help me to believe it and live it. This I ask in the Name of Jesus, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Amen.