First Evangelical Free Church Sioux City, Iowa

Mathew 9:9-26 Questioning Jesus

Jesus is the teacher par excellence. He does not shy away from hard questions, and his answers go much deeper than the questioners ever intended. Click here to listen to the sermon.

1. Of Tax Collectors and "Sinners"
   1. Matthew 9:9-10 Who would you pick to be one of Jesus' disciples? Probably not Matthew - tax collectors in those days were widely known for their ______________. And not only does Jesus choose Matthew as His disciple, but He also goes to a social dinner with a bunch of Matthew's friends.
   2. Matthew 9:11-13 The Pharisees are shocked at Jesus' choice of friends - so they confront Him - but notice His response: Jesus has come for those who know they aren't perfect and who need a spiritual doctor.
2. Being Religious Enough
   1. Matthew 9:14 A second question is posed to Jesus: why don't His disciples ________ like other spiritual people do?
   2. Matthew 9:15-17 Jesus' response is simple: you fast because you are in mourning, repentant, or perhaps hoping for something to be different. None of these is an issue when the One you are fasting to is right there with you. There will be time enough for fasting in the coming days, which is shown by Jesus' examples of "old" and "new" - fasting will have a place, but someday it will be no more.
3. Faith and Trust
   1. Matthew 9:18-19 In the midst of a teaching moment comes crisis: this leader (probably of a synagogue) comes to Jesus believing that Jesus can bring his daughter back to _______.
   2. Matthew 9:20-22 However, before Jesus can arrive at the man's house, a woman who is in poor health believes that simply by touching His cloak, she will be healed. This she does, and indeed she is healed through her faith in Jesus.
   3. Matthew 9:23-26 Finally, Jesus arrives at the house where there is a funeral going on. In the midst of angry jeers, He goes into the house and raises the dead girl to life.
4. Application: Asking questions will build a faith you can lean upon, which is based upon Jesus' forgiveness of sinners.