THE POWER OF GOD TO FORGIVE SIN
LUKE 5:17-26
Introduction:
There is seen in these verses two types of the power of God. God’s power to heal (???????); this is the Lord spiritual power.
Then we see God’s power to forgive sin (???????) which is God’s authority and right to do it. The religious leaders began to reason among themselves saying, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
I. THE FAITH THAT MANIFEST GOD’S POWER
A. Jesus sees the faith of the men that carried the man with palsy.
1. The faith of those that brought the man, v, 19, “And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.”
2. The faith of the man himself, vs. 24-25, “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”
B. The Roman Centurion’s servant, Luke 7:9, “When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”
C. A blind man near Jericho is healed, Luke 18:42, “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”
D. The woman with an issue of blood, Luke 8:48, “And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
II. THE POWER OF GOD ITSELF
A. The Power to Heal Physical Disease, Jairus, daughter is healed, Luke 8:50, 52-55,
1. Believe, v. 50“But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”
2. Trust the Lord even under difficult circumstances, vs. 52-55, “And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55And her spirit came again and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.”
B. The Power of God over the Elements; Jesus calms the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Luke 8:25 “And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.”
C. The Power of God over the Souls of men
1. God forgives sin on Gospel Terms.
a. God honored the faith of the men who brought the sick man to Jesus, v. 20, “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”
b. God honored the faith of the sick man, vs. 24b-25, “(he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”
2. The people were amazed at the power of God and glorified the Lord, v. 26, “And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.”
3. They were “filled with fear,” Luke 7:16, “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”
CONCLUSION
God had healed a man by His infinite power to do whatever He chooses to do. That is His DINAMITE power (???????).
God had saved a man by His AUTHORITATIVE power (???????). God had the authority and right to save whomever He chooses to save, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”