Matthew 9:1-13
Christ's authority to forgive sins was more threatening to the religious leaders than His authority
to heal sickness.
Just because sin is a sickness doesn't mean there is no morality involved.
We treat the sickness, but not the sin.
The Church as a Support Group
1. say who the “Higher Power is
2. alleviate the guilt
It's only when you experience God's forgiveness that you can be made truly well.
3. offer a non-condemning, caring community of people who have the same affliction.
Task
not to lift up ourselves as examples, but to lift up God as the One who has the power to make the sick well
and to make sinners righteous.
Social gospel controversy
It isn't enough to just say it, we have to live it.
It isn't enough to just live, we have to say it.