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Authority To Forgive

Text: Luke 5:16-26
12 February 2006

Introduction

1. Man’s Perspective Of Needs

2. Physical needs are important

3. Gives much attention to the physical needs

4. Driven by physical needs

The Drive Of The Paralytic’s Friends

“Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.” (Luke 5:18-19)

1. Expressed in their care and love for the friend

2. Expressed in their determination to seek healing for him

3. Expressed in their resourcefulness

4. But limited in their understanding

The Greater Spiritual Need Seen By Jesus

“When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”” (Luke 5:20)

1. The existence of a spiritual need

2. The needs of the spiritual far exceeds the physical

3. The importance of dealing with the spiritual first

4. The need to be forgiven of our sins

Possible Misunderstanding From Others When The Spiritual Is Place Above The Physical

“And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”” (Luke 5:21)

“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”” (Luke 5:26)

1. Lack of faith

2. Lack of understanding

3. Lack of depth of perception

The Authority Of Christ To Forgive Sins

“Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”” (Luke 5:23-24)

1. Authority is not demonstrated with mere words

2. The authority was inherent in Jesus as the Son of Man

3. Authority to teach is accessible for man

4. Authority to cast out demons is accessible for man

5. But forgiving of sins lies within the Lord Jesus only

Authority Is Needed For The Forgiveness Of Sins

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”” (Luke 5:24)

1. No man can forgive the sins of man

2. No man can fulfill the spiritual needs

3. Our state of being forgiven lies with the authority of Jesus