Scripture Reading: Matthew 8:23-27

Why Do You Marvel at This?

Intro.

1. It seems like little impresses us today in this computer age.

2. The majesty & power of God’s creation makes us marvel in amazement (Grand Canyon, mountains, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.). 3. Cf. our relative insignificance yet honor God has bestowed on us – Psa. 8:3-5.

4. Acts 3:12 – People marveled at the miraculous work of apostles.

a. Marvel (v.) – “Signifies to wonder at”; (adj.) “marvelous” (Vine).

b. Astonishment, striking, surprising, impressive; hold in admiration.

5. Jesus was the object of wonder, astonishment & admiration: Power (Matt. 9:32-33); Knowledge (Jno. 7:15); His teaching (Mk. 12:17).

6. Do you marvel at Jesus (person, power & presence)? What caused Jesus to marvel? What caused His apostles (us) to marvel? Things we do not marvel at.

I. JESUS MARVELED:

A. At Great Faith – Matt. 8:8-10.

1. Christ sees & honors genuine faith – Matt. 8:5-8, 13; (8:11-12; Jno. 12:42-43); Acts 6:7 (Jas. 2:20).

2. Honors it with salvation – Acts 10:43.

3. We will receive from Jesus according to our faith – Matt. 8:13 (11-12); 1 Jno. 5:4-5.

B. At Unbelief – Mk. 6:4-6.

1. At their hardened hearts in spite of overwhelming evidence (6:3); Heb. 3:12-13.

2. Don’t become complacent about Jesus / don’t be hardened by sin!

3. At the unreasonable nature of sin & unbelief.

a. No ultimate advantage to sin – Heb. 11:25; Isa. 59:2; Rom. 6:23.

b. Do not reject the only One who can save you! – Matt. 11:28 (Acts 4:12)

II. THE APOSTLES MARVELED.

A. At Jesus’ Power – Matt. 8:23-27.

1. Complete lordship over nature is evidence of His deity.

2. We must daily put our faith in who Jesus is & what He does! – Matt. 16:16; Jno. 1:1-3

3. Jesus gives redemption, knowledge of God, this universe & its constancy, & the church – Col. 1:14-18. What comfort!

B. At Jesus’ Teaching Practices – Jno. 4:27.

1. He knew the universal human need (salvation) – Lk. 19:10.

2. Mk. 2:13-17 – Jesus applied the principle (we must, too). He taught the immoral, criminal, divorced, religious zealots, morally good, culturally diverse, etc. – He taught sinners!

C. At Christians’ Departure from Truth – Gal. 1:6-7 (5:7).

1. Objective of gospel: Christ in you – Gal. 2:20; 4:19 (Col. 1:27-28).

2. Gal. 1:6 – To accomplish we must be grounded in the faith – Col. 2:6-7. (We must determine to not be deterred from this goal.)

III. WE NEED NOT MARVEL:

A. At Satan’s Effort to Deceive Us & Destroy Us – 2 Cor. 11:13-15.

1. Whether it is false prophets (disguised as real), or sin (as innocent pleasure & wise actions) – We must be prepared, not surprised!

2. 2 Cor. 2:11 – Don’t be ignorant of Satan’s devices – Let no advantage be gained; 1 Cor. 10:13.

B. When We are Hated for Following Jesus – 1 Jno. 3:13.

1. Why? Jno. 15:18-21:

a. 15:18, 20 – Hated Jesus first (servant is not greater than lord).

b. 15:19 – Not of the world (17:16).

c. 15:21 – They don’t know the Father.

2. You will suffer for Jesus when you live godly – 2 Tim. 3:12. You will have trials for Christ (job, friends, family & brethren).

3. Matt. 5:10-12 – Have a happiness defined by God, not man.

C. At the Need for Conversion – Jno. 3:7 (3, 5).

1. New birth – cf. Col. 1:13; Acts 3:19.

2. We now put our energy toward the new man – 2 Cor. 5:17 (Eph. 4:17-24).

D. At the Coming Day of Judgment – Jno. 5:26-29.

1. Executed by Jesus Christ – Acts 17:31. (Jno. 12:48)

2. Some reject this kind of Christ, but Jesus affirmed it (5:28-29).

3. We must yield to Jesus & the life He gives now, or we will yield to the condemnation of sin He will execute on the day of judgment!

Conclusion

1. Be astonished at His great power, mercy & truth.

2. Have faith that will cause Jesus to marvel & He will bless you!

3. Be prepared for temptations: Obey the gospel & be converted, then live as a new person in the hope of eternal life.