Pointed Questions – Week 1 (6-2-24)
Pointed Questions
Straight to the Heart
June 2, 2024
The Power of a question…
The right question at the right time is a powerful tool.
2 Questions
- Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
- Which is easier to say “Your sins are forgiven, or to say “Get up & walk?”
Matthew 9:2
Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
“Some men” — “The Paralyzed Man” — “Teachers of the Law”
Matthew 9:3
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
1st Question:
Matthew 9:4
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
Matthew 15:16-20
“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
2nd Question:
Matthew 9:5-7
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home.
Without forgiveness, there is no future, only the endless repetition of a painful past.
(Matthew 6:14-15)
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
John 20:23
If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Matthew 9:8
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Where are you in the story?
- Paralyzed man
- Some Man
- Teachers