TEXT: Mark 2:1-12
In this passage we
see…
An Illustration
of the Human Condition: Mark 2:3
“They come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.”
Romans 5:6
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly.”
A Demonstration
of Evangelistic Zeal: Mark 2:3 “They
come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.” Notice their…
· Faith (v 5). “When Jesus saw their faith,…”
·
Perseverance (v 4).
“And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the
roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed
wherein the sick of the palsy lay.”
What
are the results of Evangelism?
· God is glorified! John 15:8 “Herein is My Father glorified…”
·
The lost are rescued! James 5:20
“…he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul
from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
·
Christians are encouraged: 1 Thessalonians 2:19 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are
not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
·
The Church is strengthened:
Acts 2:47 “Praising God, and Having favour with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
A Manifestation of Divine Power:
·
To Forgive (v 10)
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,
(he saith to the sick of the palsy,)”
·
To Heal (v 11).
“I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”
What did
Jesus recognize as the palsied man’s greatest need (v 5)? “When Jesus saw their faith, he
said unto the sick of the palsy, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
How
can we know that Jesus is here? When
Jesus is in the house...
1. His presence
cannot be hid (v 1). “He
entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the
house.”
People will come to hear what Jesus has to say (v 2). “And straightway many were
gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so
much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.”
2. He will fill the
house (v 2). “Many were gathered together,
insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the
door:”
3. Lives will be
changed (v 11-12). “I say unto thee,
Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the
bed, and went forth before them all;…”
4. God will be
glorified (v 12). “They
were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw it on this fashion.”
5. We must be
careful not to forget why He has come (v 2). “He preached the word unto them.”
6. Not everyone will
be happy when Jesus shows up (v 3).
John 3:17
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through him might be saved.” [4:34]
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
finish his work.”
The helpless must be brought to Jesus (v 3). “And
they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.”
“Hearers only” often stand in the way of “seekers” (v 4).
“And when they
could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he
was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the
palsy lay.”
James 1:22 “Be
ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Some will
complain about methods employed (v 4, 6, 7).
CONCLUSION: It takes 4 things to bring a soul to Christ.
It takes…
1.
VISION! Prov 29:18
“Where there is no vision, the people perish:”
2. FAITH! Heb 11:1-2 “faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.”
3. DETERMINATION! Galatians 6:9 “Let us not be weary in well
doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
4. COMPASSION! Matthew 9:36-38 “When he saw the multitudes, he
was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered
abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few; 38
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers
into his harvest.”
Jesus
wants to fill this house, but he must first fill our heart.
John 15:4 “Abide
in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide
in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
Ephesians 5:18 “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit;”
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
me.”
Rev Kev | Cornerstone Baptist Church
| Sunday AM, July 8, 2012
