Listen in as we look at Matthew 9:1-13 and see the authority and ability of Jesus to forgive sin and form followers and how religion sets up roadblocks toward God and others.Notes/Quotes:Matthew 9:1-13Forgiveness of sins is a “coming home” not only to the Creator but to natural life; forgiveness brings about reintegration with the home and the community. Dale Bruner“By Jewish law a tax-gatherer was debarred from the synagogue; he was included with things and beasts unclean, and Leviticus 20:5 was applied to them; he was forbidden to be a witness in any case; ‘robbers, murderers, and tax-gatherers’ were classed together” H. Merkel, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament“It seems that holiness begins with the recognition that we are not well”Stanley HauerwasRoadblocks begin with a shift from:Truth to opinionLoving to critiquingLearning to arrivingAsking to assumingEmbrace to exclusionFear and glory to apathy and comfortCuriosity to rigidityFollowing to observingOutward to inwardInvitations back to center:Remember the miracle(s)Fully place faith and followCast the current caresHow would you live today if you knew all your sins were forgiven, all your days were guided by a God of love, and your future was secure? - Jared Wilson