Miracles and the puzzle of Jesus power - Matthew 8-16
Matthew’s Gospel: THE Puzzle of Jesus’ power
Explore how God reveals himself through through Jesus’ acts of wonder, displays of power, and signs.
A One-Page Diagram
of Matthew 3-17
Matthew SERIES OUTLINE
It may surprise us to discover that the term “miracles” is not a word that the scriptures (nor its early translators) use to describe the work of Jesus or God the Father in this world! However, this is not because Jesus didn’t perform amazing deeds. Matthew’s Gospel is saturated with accounts of what it describes as acts of wonder, signs, and power that Jesus performed during his life and ministry.
We’ll be aiming to make sense of Jesus’ actions; to understand them in contrast to the “magic” of the ancient world and the popular understandings of “miracles” that confound the modern imagination. This talk series will be a great opportunity to bring along those friends and family who are curious to make sense of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Check out this link to explore the terminology the gospels use to describe Jesus’ wonderful deeds!
Matthew’s Gospel
TALK SERIES SCHEDULE
__________________________
(12/01) Matt. 8:1-22
(19/01) Matt. 8:23-34
(26/01) AUSTRALIA DAY
”My Brother’s Keeper”
(Genesis 4:1-12 + 5:29)
(02/02) Matt. 9:1-13
(09/02) Matt. 9:18-26
(16/02) Matt. 9:32-11:30
(23/02) Matt. 12:1-14
(02/03) Matt. 12:15-13:58
THE DOCTRINE OF Angels
& Demons
(09/03) Matt. 14:13-21
(+ 15:29-39)
(16/03) Matt. 15:1-28
(23/03) Matt. 16
OTHER RESOURCES:
LINKS & ARTICLES From around the Web
Below are some recommended resources for exploring Matthew 8-16 along with some topical explorations of miracles, angels, and spiritual beings.
ANGELS, DEMONS,
& UNCLEAN SPIRITS
Matthew 8-16 references demons, angels, and unclean spirits over and over again. While the scriptures are unwilling to focus much attention on demonology and angelology. these beings are a real and present backdrop to Jesus’ ministry. We’ll take one week to reflect a little on the spiritual realm and the kingdom of God. Below are some resources to assist you in further reflection.
A POCDAST ON ANGELS
Visit the podcast page with additional notes and resources here
This podcast explores what we can know about Angels from scripture. And equally, what we can’t know about angels from the scriptures.
A Podcast About Science
& the Miraculous
This podcast interviews a Physicist Professor at MIT about how he understand the relationship between his work as a scientist and his belief in Jesus’ wonderful works.
Visit the podcast page with additional notes and resources
Miracles, Materialism
& How
Science & Religion Relate
Peter Harrison has been the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford. He is now professor emeritus at Queensland University.
Highly regarded in his field, he has written extensively in the area of cultural and intellectual history, and is an expert in philosophical, scientific and religious thought.
Read a review of Peter Harrison’s thinking HERE on the Gospel Coalition web page.
Jesus’ MIRACLES THROUGH
OLD TESTAMENT EYES
A brief exploration of how the Old Testament helps us better understand the nature of Jesus’ wonderful deeds!
RELATED TEACHING & RESOURCES FROM SUMMER HILL CHURCH:
Below are some curated teaching from Summer Hill Church; recordings (new and old) along with some answers to submitted Questions from Q&A that might complement your exploration of Matthew’s Gospel 8-16.
Submit questions on Matthew 8-16 and Jesus’ healings, exorcisms, displays of power, and his dealings with unclean spirits and demons.
A sample of questions already submitted:
How do we decide if something is a miracle, or just an unexplained & really unlikely coincidence, or an answer to prayer?
Why are miracles not used to address widespread suffering or issues such as poverty or climate change?
Can miracles awaken faith in
the existence of God and a transcendent reality?
Questions like these will be answered either as a mini-video or in a Q&A PDF
WHAT SHOULD WE CALL
MIRACLES?
The word “miracle” is one that the biblical writers did not have available to them in describing Jesus’ wonderful deeds; it is derived from a Latin word referring to things that cause wonder. This PDF infographic unpacks the key biblical terms the gospel writers used in describing Jesus’ wonderful works.
“BECAUSE OF THE ANGELS…”
Follow THIS LINK to a sermon preached at Summer Hill on Paul’s appeal to Angels in 1 Cor. 11:7.
The comments on Angels and head coverings come at the 25:21min and especially 27:07min mark in the talk.