Sermon Recap | June 1, 2025

Jesus came down from the mountainside after delivering the Sermon on the Mount, and what followed was a powerful demonstration of putting His teachings into action. The transition from learning about God's kingdom to actually living it out is what transforms our faith from mere knowledge into life-changing power.

When Jesus finished teaching the Beatitudes and other principles in His famous sermon, He immediately began demonstrating what those principles looked like in action. He healed the sick, commanded the wind and waves, and set free those who were tormented. This shows us that our faith journey shouldn't stop at simply learning biblical principles—we must apply them in our daily lives.

As James 1:22 reminds us: "Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Many of us admire, respect, and agree with God's Word, but we haven't translated that into coming down off the mountain and applying those principles in real life.

In Matthew 8:1-4, we read about a man with leprosy who approached Jesus after He came down from the mountain. This encounter teaches us several powerful lessons:

In biblical times, leprosy was more than a physical disease—it was a social death sentence. Lepers were:

• Considered unclean and forced to live outside the city
• Required to announce "Unclean! Unclean!" when others approached
• Viewed as being under God's judgment
• Stripped of dignity, intimacy, and livelihood

Yet despite these crushing limitations, this man refused to be forever marginalized or discarded. He dared to believe God is good and chose hope over despair. He broke out of the parameters society had placed on him.

The Bible tells us the leper "knelt before him" (Matthew 8:2). This act of kneeling demonstrated his recognition that he was in the presence of someone greater than himself—someone who could do what he could not do on his own.

Kneeling is a lost art in our culture, but some of the greatest moments in Scripture were preceded by kneeling. Whether physically or in our hearts, this posture of submission acknowledges God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him.

The leper said to Jesus, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" (Matthew 8:2). This statement reveals that he already knew Jesus had the power to heal him—his only question was about Jesus' willingness.

How do you view God? Do you see Him as an ogre in the sky waiting for you to mess up? Or do you see Him as a loving, personal God who desires to work in your life? The need of the hour is to truly know God's heart and nature so that when crisis comes, you aren't blown about by circumstances.

Jesus' response reveals the radical nature of Christianity:

"Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man" (Matthew 8:3). In that culture, touching a leper would make someone ceremonially unclean. But Jesus wasn't concerned about that—He was concerned about the person.

Some would study lepers, some would be moved by their plight, but Jesus touched them. This single act demonstrates the radical difference between religion and relationship. Christianity isn't just about learning principles—it's about experiencing the touch of Jesus in your life.

Jesus said, "I am willing. Be clean!" (Matthew 8:3). When it comes to healing, restoration, and deliverance, we have a willing God. There are areas in your life where God wants to move right now—not someday, but now.

"Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy" (Matthew 8:3). There is a "now" to God's activity. While some healing happens over time or will be completed in the resurrection, we shouldn't miss that God often desires to move immediately in our lives.

Jesus told the healed man, "See that you don't tell anyone" (Matthew 8:4). This instruction wasn't about keeping the miracle secret forever, but about operating in God's perfect timing rather than our own.

Timing is critical in our lives. Sometimes healing is immediate, sometimes it's over time, and sometimes it will be completed in the resurrection. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."

How can we move from being hearers of the Word to doers? Here are some practical steps:

• Recognize your identity beyond your limitations: Like the leper, refuse to be defined by your circumstances, past failures, or what others say about you. Choose hope over despair.
• Position yourself before Jesus: Make time to kneel—physically or in your heart—acknowledging that you need Him more than anything else.
• Believe in God's willingness: Ask yourself: When was the last time you considered God's willingness to work on your behalf? He is willing to heal your heart, restore relationships, and fill your emptiness.
• Become a carrier of God's presence: Understand that wherever you go, God's presence goes with you. You bring hope into every room you enter because you carry His Spirit.
• Trust God's timing: Whether healing comes immediately, over time, or in the resurrection, trust that God "will have the last word, and it will be good."