Matthew Part 5 - Healing ...

Matthew Part 5

Matthew 4:23 25

This amazing Chapter culminates in something of a healing revival.

We must however take note that Jesus taught in their synagogs AND preached the “Good News” of the kingdom, then saw some dramatic healings. This is not prescriptive but simply descriptive I know, but we can however glean some lessons from the text

Jesus gave himself to teaching. The simple impartation of knowledge. Teaching and explaining, undoing and informing. Laying a foundation for what was to come next and that was preaching the “Good News” that the Kingdom of heaven was at hand. This preaching took on a much more declarative and challenging tone. It came with the authority of the one who brought it, was backed up by the one who sent Him and was confirmed by the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

What a cool pattern emerges here. Teaching, Preaching and demonstrating the life of the Spirit. As I look at this pattern I am reminded of a conversation that I had last week with a friend who has planted an outstanding church about 30min drive from us. As we talked through the life of the Spirit and the challenges of church planting we came to the necessity of explaining some of what we do when we have visitors or those that may be a little more conservative than us in the meeting. I think we make a mistake when we assume that everyone is as comfortable with the move of the Spirit as we may be. A simple explanation of what we are doing need add no more 20/30 seconds and yet will have a profound effect in helping people to understand what God is doing and ultimately open themselves more to His dealings.

Proclamation is the declarative announcing of The Gospel with power, anointing and authority. The kingdom of heaven is near! Your sins have been forgiven! God will never be angry with you again for the wrath of God has been fully satisfied on the Cross! THAT is indeed “Good News”

I am convinced of this: Good News and good deeds still go together! Healing here by the power of The Spirit represents good deeds and so much more! I would define good deeds as broadly as any action that changes that person’s immediate circumstances or situation

What glorious goals to desire … that the mysteries of God would be given adequate explanation so that the thoughts that stand against them would be torn down - We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Cor 10:5)

That the proclamation of The Gospel would once again ring out with clarity, conviction, power, anointing and authority

AND that the life of the Spirit would be so honored and celebrated that the manifestations of His presences would be obvious

No wonder this text ends with … “Large crowds followed Him”!