Pastor Patrick Toner opened the message titled God of Miracles (Matthew 9) by asking a direct and personal question: do we truly believe in miracles? He then led the congregation through Gospel of Matthew 9, showing that the entire chapter revealed Jesus performing miracles that both displayed His divine authority and invited faith. Patrick explained that creation itself testified to the miraculous power of God (Romans 1), and that if one believed the Book of Genesis 1:1, then believing in all other miracles—including the resurrection—naturally followed. He emphasized that the greatest miracle believers must consider, especially approaching Easter, was the resurrection of Jesus Christ, upon which all faith depended.

As he walked through Matthew 9:1–8, Patrick highlighted the healing of the paralytic, showing that Jesus first addressed the man’s greatest need—his sin—before healing his body. This demonstrated that Jesus had authority to forgive sins, proving He was God. He also connected these miracles to messianic prophecy, referencing Book of Isaiah 35:5–6 and the promise first seen in Book of Genesis 3:15, where God foretold redemption. Jesus’ works fulfilled prophecy, revealed His identity, and showed His power to reverse the curse of sin.

In Matthew 9:9–13, Patrick described the calling of Matthew the tax collector as a miracle of salvation. Jesus met sinners where they were and called them by grace, not by works. He contrasted this with the attitude of the Pharisees, explaining that religion attempts self-righteousness, while Jesus came as the Great Physician for the spiritually sick. He stressed that salvation came by faith alone, just as seen throughout the chapter.

Continuing through Matthew 9:14–34, Patrick explained Jesus’ teaching on new wine and wineskins, showing that Christ did not come to reform religion but to establish a new covenant. He then described several miracles—the healing of the woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9:20–22), the raising of the ruler’s daughter (Matthew 9:18–26), the healing of the blind men (Matthew 9:27–31), and the casting out of a demon (Matthew 9:32–34). Each miracle revealed both the compassion and authority of Jesus, as well as the necessity of faith. He emphasized that these miracles reversed the effects of sin—sickness, blindness, and even death—pointing forward to the ultimate restoration believers would experience in eternity.

Patrick also encouraged the congregation to pray with desperation and faith, like those who sought Jesus in these accounts. He reminded them that miracles still pointed to God’s glory and that Jesus remained the same today. He highlighted the hope of eternal life, referencing passages like First Thessalonians and Second Thessalonians, and encouraged believers with the promise of reunion and resurrection.

He concluded with Matthew 9:35–38, emphasizing the heart of God. Jesus saw the crowds as sheep without a shepherd and was moved with compassion. Patrick urged the church to share that same compassion, to pray for laborers, and to actively participate in the harvest by making disciples. He reminded the congregation that the greatest miracle today was salvation and pointed to baptism as a visible picture of new life in Christ.

This message was shared at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, under the leadership of Pastor Allen Victor.

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