SHARING THE GOSPEL - 1

Mark 2:1-5 And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 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. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 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. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

The Challenge of the FOUR:

1.   They were willing to do what others considered foolish!

2.   They overcame great difficulty! (Serving God is not easy).

3.   They acted in an extreme manner to meet another's need!

4.   They worked as a team! (We can't do it alone)

There are FOUR things necessary to bring Salvation to Mankind.

1.   The LOVE of The Father! John 3:16

2.   The BLOOD of Christ! Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;... 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

3.   The POWER of God’s Spirit! John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

4.   The FAITHFULNESS of Christians to act upon The Great Commission! Matthew 28:18-20. God gave us a “Go Tell” Gospel, not a “Come Hear Gospel.”

There Are FOUR Things We Need To Bring The Lost To Christ!

1.   WE NEED VISION. Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish.

What is Vision?

·     Anything which is the object of sight.

·     In scripture, it is revelation from God; divine insight.

What Does Vision Do?

·     It creates Passion (a burning element).

·     It develops Focus (goal orientation).

·     It results in Energy (vision births energy).

Why do we want to be people of Vision?

·     Vision is the starting point of all achievement.

·     Vision makes you a person worth following.

·     Vision makes it easier to recruit the help of others.

·     Vision makes the impossible a reality.

What Does Vision Do?

·     Vision leads me to believe, “It can be done!”

Matthew 19:26 Jesus…said unto them, With men this is

impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all   

things are possible to him that believeth.

 

2.   WE NEED FAITH. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now 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 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

What is faith? From a Biblical perspective, it is the assent of the mind to the truth declared by God.

Faith creates commitment.

Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Faith says “I believe God is able.”

3.   WE NEED DETERMINATION. Galatians 6:9 Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

What is determination? Determined = concluded, decided, fixed, settled, resolved.

Determination says, “I will not quit.” You can’t stop a person who won’t quit.

1 Corinthians15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

4.   WE NEED 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.

What is compassion?

·      Compass = to stretch around.

·      Compassion = to suffer with another; to participate in another's sorrow, grief, or pain.

Compassion is…

1. Having a heart broken for the things of God.

2. Being others oriented.

3. Having a selfless lifestyle.

4. Love in action.

CONCLUSION:

1. These people had Vision.

2. They had Faith.

3. They had Determination. 

4. They had Compassion.