Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive
our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
The Sermon for This Week is: The Itinerant Ministry Of Jesus - Matthew 4:23-25 - And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria:
and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed
with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great
multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from
Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
INTRODUCTION
1. Jesus started His public ministry by moving to Capernaum - Matthew 4:12-17
- Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he
came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the
land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people
which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that
time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
a. A city on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee
b. A fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:1-2 - Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when
at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict
her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked
in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
c. From which He began to preach His message of the kingdom
2. But Jesus’ work was not what you might call a “located ministry”...
a. He did not stay in one place
b. Where people might easily come to see and hear Him
3. His ministry was an “itinerant ministry”...
a. He traveled from place to place
b. If people wanted to hear Him more than once, they had to follow Him
[In our text, Mt 4:23-25, we find a summary of “The Itinerant Ministry Of Jesus.”
In this study, let’s begin by taking a look at...]
I. THE NATURE OF JESUS’ ITINERANT MINISTRY
A. HE DID NOT STAY IN ONE PLACE LONG...
1. He “went about all Galilee” - Matthew 4:23 - And Jesus went about all Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of
disease among the people.
2. He went about “teaching in their synagogues” - Matthew 4:23 - And Jesus went
about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease among the people.
3. Luke records an example: in the synagogue at Nazareth - Luke 4:14-30 -
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region
round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought
up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered
unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed
me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable
year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and
sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words
which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And he said unto them, Ye
will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in
thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut
up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none
of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon,
unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the
city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing
through the midst of them went his way,
4. But as mentioned by both Mark and Luke, Jesus felt compelled to keep moving - Mark 1:35-39 - And
in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And
Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may
preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast
out devils. - Luke 4:42-44 - And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought
him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I
must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of
Galilee.
B. HE PROCLAIMED THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM...
1. His preaching involved “good news” about the kingdom - Matthew 4:23 - And Jesus
went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease among the people. - cf. Mark 1:14 - Now after that John was put in prison,
Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
2. As recorded by Mark, this “good news” included the following:
a. “The time is fulfilled” - the time foretold by the prophets, cf. Daniels 2:44 - And
in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall
not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms,
and it shall stand for ever.
b. “The kingdom of God is at hand” - the kingdom foretold by the prophets, cf. Daniels
2:44 - And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and
the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all
these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. - Luke 1:32-33 - He shall be great, and shall be called the Son
of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of
Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
C. HE HEALED ALL KINDS OF SICKNESS AND DISEASES...
1. He healed people afflicted with various diseases and torments - Matthew 4:23-24 - And
Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner
of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him
all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which
were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
2. Including the demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics - Matthew 4:24 - And his fame went
throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those
which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
3. Both Mark and Luke provide more detail at this point in their gospels
a. Casting out an unclean spirit - Mark 1:21-28 - And they went into
Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine:
for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean
spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus
of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a
loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing
is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits,
and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. - Luke
4:31-37 - And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished
at his doctrine: for his word was with power. And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil,
and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of
God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil
had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying,
What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and
they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
b. Healing Peter’s mother-in-law - Mark 1:29-30 - And forthwith, when they were come out
of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick
of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. - Luke 4:38-39 - And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into
Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her,
and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
c. Healing many after a Sabbath sunset - Mark 1:32-34 - And at even, when the sun did set, they
brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together
at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to
speak, because they knew him. - Luke 4:40-41 - Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with
divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out
of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered
them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
-- Matthew records these events after The Sermon On The Mount in his gospel
D. HIS FAME SPREAD...
1. Throughout all Syria, the region to the north of Galilee - Matthew 4:24 - And his fame went
throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those
which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
2. Also Decapolis, Judea, and beyond the Jordan, regions to the south and east - Matthew 4:25 - And
there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from
beyond Jordan.
3. The healing of a leper forced him to stay in deserted places - Mark 1:45 - But he went out,
and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no
more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
E. GREAT MULTITUDES FOLLOWED HIM...
1. From Galilee and regions all around - Matthew 4:25 - And there followed him great multitudes
of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem,
and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
2. Mark says they came to Him from every direction - Mark 1:45 - But he went out, and began
to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly
enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
3. They came to hear Him, and to be healed by Him - Luke 5:15 - But so much the more went there
a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
II. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING JESUS’ ITINERANT MINISTRY
A. EVERYONE NEEDS TO HEAR THE GOSPEL...
1. Jesus’ concern was not just for those in his town of Capernaum
a. Compelled to preach the gospel in other cities, He went about “all Galilee”
b. He later sent His disciples to preach throughout all the cities of Israel
c. He finally commissioned them to preach to “every creature”, making disciples “of
all the nations” - Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned. - Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
2. It has been said, “No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, before everyone has heard
it once”, reflecting a sentiment worth remembering
a. Once the gospel has been shared, we are not under obligation to repeat it again and again to one not
interested
b. If those who hear are not interested, they have judged themselves unworthy
of eternal life - e.g., Acts 13:44-47 - And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the
word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken
by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God
should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo,
we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be
a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
c. As long as there are souls who have not heard, we do not always have the luxury of “spoon feeding”
the spiritually indifferent in an attempt to reach them!
3. Similarly, churches may not always have the luxury to hold on to their evangelists
a. Some are like the people who tried to keep Jesus from leaving them - Luke 4:42 - And when
it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he
should not depart from them.
b. Having received the word, they should appreciate the need for others to hear - Luke 4:43 - And
he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
c. Especially today, when we have Bibles to teach us, we can more liberal with letting evangelists do
their work of evangelizing! - cf. Romans 10:14-15 - How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they
preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things!
B. THE PURPOSE OF THE HEALING MIRACLES...
1. Certainly they were expression of Jesus’ compassion - cf. Matthew 14:14 - And Jesus
went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. - Matthew
20:29-34 - And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by
the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou
Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have
mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said,
What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received
sight, and they followed him.
2. Such miracles were also confirmation of prophecy - Matthew 8:16-17 - When the even was come,
they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his
word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took
our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
a. They were recorded that we might believe - John 20:30-31 - And many other signs truly did
Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
b. They were intended to confirm who Jesus was - cf. John 5:36 - But
I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which
the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
3. In a similar way, the miracles done by His followers was for the purpose of confirming their message
as being from God - cf. Mark 16:19-20 - So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven,
and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. - Hebrews 2:3-4 - How shall we
escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both
with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
a. Their purpose was not to make Christians “healthy and wealthy”
b. Their purpose was not for personal benefit; e.g., Paul did not heal Timothy of his stomach ailments
and frequent infirmities, prescribing medicinal treatment instead
-- The primary purpose of such miracles, as always, was to confirm God’s messengers; in this case,
confirming Jesus to be the Son of God! - cf. Acts 2:22 - Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth,
a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves
also know:
C. AUTHENTIC MIRACLES CAN’T BE KEPT SECRET...
1. Jesus’ reputation quickly spread throughout the region
2. Even His enemies had to admit His miracles were real - John 11:47 - Then gathered
the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
3. Such was true with the miracles performed by the apostles - Acts 4:14-16 - And beholding
the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside
out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle
hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny
it.
4. If one could truly heal today as Jesus and His apostles did...
a. It would be on every TV network
b. None would deny it, especially Christians who question the validity of what is often claimed to be
miraculous today!
-- The more you study the miracles of the Bible, the easier it is see that those who claim to do miracles
today are either sincerely mistaken or deliberate deceivers!
D. FOLLOWING JESUS REQUIRES EFFORT ON OUR PART...
1. The multitudes who wanted to hear and see Jesus had to follow Him where He went
a. It required leaving their homes, probably at great expense
b. It was probably very inconvenient, especially when sick and disabled!
2. Following Jesus today requires some effort also!
a. Time and energy must be expended to learn and grow in the teachings of Christ
b. It may not always be convenient to utilize opportunities to learn more about Jesus
-- The next time you stay home because of some physical inconvenience, think of those souls who followed
Jesus on His itinerant travels!
CONCLUSION
1. Many Christians have often thought how wonderful it must have been to see Jesus on earth during His
public ministry...
a. To see the miracles, to witness the healings
b. To hear His sermons proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom
c. To sit at His feet, listening to His gracious words of instruction
2. In reality, it may not have been as easy as one might think...
a. You would have had to leave home for an extended period of time
b. Contending with the multitudes, it might have difficult to even get close to Jesus
-- I wonder if many Christians today would have made the effort!
3. As we think of “The Itinerant Ministry Of Jesus”, I hope we will remember...
a. The importance of spreading the gospel of the kingdom today
b. The compassion our Lord had for the sick and oppressed
c. The effort we should be willing to make to follow the Lord
4. Perhaps most importantly, to realize that...
a. Once you have heard the gospel, no one is obligated to repeat it to you again and again
b. Having heard it once, you may never have the opportunity to hear it again!
It is your responsibility to heed the call to repent and accept the good news concerning the Lord
Jesus Christ. Have you?
Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 - And
he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Prayer:
Lord I truly thank You for giving me the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will
give them Your eternal blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray
in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen
Peace
be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace
be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24
This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement:
That it never be used for profit.
