1. Introduction: Jesus returns to Capernaum from a ministry trip where He did great miracles. News spread about this and a crowd awaits Him in Peter's house. People came for different reasons-some where desperate for healing, help, restoration-others were sceptical and curious. They were expecting more miracles, instead Jesus preaches to them. This shows the importance of Spirit and Word. Proclaiming the Word was important to the ministry of Jesus. So it should be today!
In this crowd was the four men carrying their paralyzed friend on a stretcher. Their attitude: WE MUST GET THROUGH TO JESUS, no matter what the cost! Their desperation activates faith. Nothing's gonna stop us!
2. Jesus is in the house (Mark 2:1). The Messiah, the Anointed One, the King of Kings and the Lord of lords is in the house. This makes the difference. The presence of the Creator God, the Star Maker is in the house! The Word that became flesh, God Himself, Immanuel, God is with us, is in the house. He is here to touch, change, heal, restore, save, deliver!
Jesus has drawing power (John 12:32.) When He is lifted up, when word gets out that Jesus is in the house, the people come.
Jesus came to model what the Spirit can do through one person. Get your attention on what God is doing now and not on what He has done. Don't go off on your own mission.
3. Desperate times require desperate measures. They couldn't get through by the door but they were willing to do whatever it takes to get to the Lord! NO excuse stopped them, they pressed in. They dared to do the unusual. It is not business as usual for the church. We need to pray, fast, worship, love, serve, give, sacrifice, minister, seek God, be open as never before. It took ingenuity to break up the roof to get that man to Jesus. They dug a hole through the roof (Amplified.) They made a plan to get into a position to receive. It is time for us to do the unusual to show our faith. We had lots of teaching, now we need lots of living! GOD IS CHALLENGING EACH ONE OF US TO MOVE UP to a next level with Him.
If we move up, the church will move up, His presence will increase, the life of Jesus will be evident amongst us.
4. Desperate times require faith. (V5) says, "...and when Jesus saw their faith..."
Jesus first sorts out his spiritual need (your sins are forgiven). This man's faith was very low, but Jesus saw the faith of his friends and acted because of it! When we are a blessing to others, helping them to believe, believing with them, God moves. Sometimes our own faith is low and we need brothers and sisters believing for us. It is impossible to be a blessing without a blessing also splashing over you as well. These friends dared to do what was difficult and costly. They realized that this man needed more than just being in the vicinity of Jesus, so they took him up close.
By forgiving his sins Jesus declares publicly He is the Messiah. The Jews was well aware that only God can forgive sin and that Jesus is claiming deity.
The scribes were just sitting there (Mark 2:6). They were discussing this amongst themselves and didn't have the courage to speak to Jesus openly.
Jesus heals this man and proved that He was worthy of faith.
5. With God all things are possible. When we turn to God in our desperation, He hears and moves. Whatever your situation may be, Jesus can change it, can change you, can change people that is involved, can change circumstances, can touch and heal! God is at work with His church in South Africa. It is a time of faith, of opening up to His Spirit and followinh where He leads.
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