Latest / Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago / Forgiveness: The Greatest Miracle | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Bible Study Series)

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Forgiveness: The Greatest Miracle | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Bible Study Series) · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

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Grateful to God that we can gather this afternoon maybe in
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your Bibles in The Gospel According to Mark and chapter 2.
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Mark chapter 2 is where we will spend our time together this
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afternoon. And as you're there, just bow
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your hearts with me and reverence to the Lord and his
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word as we pray and ask for his help.
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Loi, thank you so much. We are so grateful for your
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Mercies in our lives. Lord we are helpless and we are
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needy Lord. We know what is right, but we
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don't have the strength to walk in righteousness law.
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We know what is true, but oftentimes we believe lies.
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We just throw ourselves at your feet and ask that you would
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enable us to be the people. You've called us to be Lord.
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In this moment as your word is delivered.
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May be delivered with Clarity freedom from confusion, or the
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commentary of man. And we ask Lord that the hearts
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in this place who have chosen to be in your house, would be
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rewarded with a word that comes with power and conviction and
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comfort and transformative Grace Lord we pray that Satan's
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schemes for the service. Be cancelled and that he would
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not have a foothold in this house, but Lord, you instead
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would have the full reward of what your will is for us, in our
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obedience to you. Well, we submit all things, our
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will our emotions, our resources, our hearts, our lives
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that are, but a Mist for your name and your name alone in
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Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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Mark, 2 beginning in verse 1, we read And when he returned to
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Capernaum, after some days, it was reported that he was at home
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and many were gathered together, so that there was no more room,
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not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to
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them. And they came bringing to him, a
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paralytic carried by four men, and when they could not get near
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to him because of the crowd, they remove the roof above him,
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and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed
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on which the paralytic Lane, And when Jesus saw their faith, he
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said to the paralytic, son, your sins are forgiven.
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Now, some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in
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their hearts. Why does this man speak like
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that? He is blaspheming, who can
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forgive sins, but God, alone, and immediately Jesus perceiving
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and his spirit that they that's questioned within themselves.
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Said to them, why do you question these things in your
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hearts which is easier to say to the paralytic your sins?
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Ins are forgiven or to say rise take up your bed and walk but
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that you may know that the son of man has Authority on Earth to
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forgive sins, he said to the paralytic, I say to you rise,
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pick up your bed and go home and he rose and immediately picked
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up his bed and went out before the mall.
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So that they were all amazed. And glorified God saying, we
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never saw anything like this. If you have been with us on a
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consistent basis, you might have noticed that the text that we
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are unpacking today is lengthier than what we would usually
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digest on a Sunday afternoon, it is still possible to dissect
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this into smaller portions so that we can we can glean much
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more specifics out of different passages in this larger tax but
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we will will trust that as we have an overview of the story,
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it will suffice and ministering to our hearts.
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Now, if there was a major theme of chapter one and the book of
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It can easily be identified as the multi-faceted authority of
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Jesus Christ in so many ways. He has displayed his Supremacy,
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over Satan over, Temptation in his preaching, in his
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deliverance, and all these things we see that Christ is
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indeed Sovereign. And the more you will learn
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about Jesus, the more you will understand just how far-reaching
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his Dominion really is. Is and that is certainly the
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case as we bleed into Mark chapter 2 because what will the
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C is the most crucial aspect of the authority of our Lord and
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Master, and that is in his ability to be able to forgive
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sins. This is almost the, the heart of
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his authority. This is the emphasis that Mark
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wants to make. This is the climax, so to speak
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of the power of Jesus Christ. If there was anything that could
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be louder in terms of a statement of the deity of Jesus
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Christ, even more powerful than him, cleansing a leper.
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As we heard last week, it is in his authoritative assurance that
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your record of sins can be made right by his word.
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By his will, by his choosing. And this is precisely the core
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message of the miracle that we are facing today.
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That Christ is not only able to make your body hole.
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He can restore your soul unto God, that through his
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intervention and his mediating work.
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He can connect us back again to our creator and not just know
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him as such but to be able to say you are my father and I have
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your friendship and your favor over my life because of Christ.
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How do we do with a large text like this?
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How do we deal with points? How do we go about this?
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Well instead of trying to find a central theme or to go with a
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specific angle because you can go from the angle of the men who
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was on the bed, or the friends or the crowd or Christ himself.
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All we will do is just glean over this and just speak on
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different observations and comment on them as Mark chooses
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to give us specific details about this incident.
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So we read in verse S 1 and verse 2 that Jesus returned to
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Capernaum and he found himself at home and many were gathered
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together, because the report had gone out that Jesus is back in
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the neighborhood. The last that you, and I have
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heard about the whereabouts of Christ, was at the end of Mark,
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chapter 1 where he had to retreat into desolate places
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because one man, disobeyed Christ and blurbing all that
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happened to him. Creating almost this tsunami of
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need to come from people who wanted to touch from him.
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And so now he is In the wilderness and people are coming
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by the droves where there is enough space to receive Ministry
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from Christ. It was very difficult.
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We learn for Jesus to go into any town without experiencing
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the crushing effects of the masses who wanted just a simple
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touch from him. But somehow some way we read
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here in Mark chapter 2, that Jesus with stealth, And with
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Grace, was able to find his way back into Capernaum without
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getting any immediate attention and snuck his way into home and
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was able to I guess for some time at least a little time,
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received some rest after much Ministry.
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But what's interesting is that we know something about Jesus.
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Do we not? Jesus didn't own very much
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Jesus, did not own a home, that is for certain he even said
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himself. The son of man has no place to
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lay his head. And so as we understand that,
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then we come to a text like this and realize that he was at home.
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Now, we know Jesus willfully as a servant chose to be dependent
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upon the hospitality of others throughout his ministry.
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But we read here that he was at home and the question is, simply
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this, who's home did he Retreat to And most people agree that
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the home that Jesus was at at this time was in fact the home
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that he was in earlier in chapter 1, which was the home of
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Peter and Andrew who lived in Capernaum.
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Now, that is significant for many reasons, because Jesus
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chose to make Peter's house the headquarters for the segment of
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his ministry during his, his tour in Galilee and I think that
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is an incredible, think if you just meditate on it for a little
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bit because this says something significant for these brothers
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We chose the host, Jesus. Jesus did not just come over to
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their home for a visit Jesus felt at home in their home.
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And what's so amazing is when you consider Jesus instructions
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to his own disciples, when he sends them out in their own
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Evangelistic campaign, he gives them a list of instructions, one
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of them being something that we've heard many times and
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whatever town, or Village, you enter find out who is worthy in
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it and stay there until you depart Matthew 10 11, when you
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go into a town, find out, who is worthy enough to host you and
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then you stay there. Be content.
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Don't try to find a better place.
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Stay there. Until you depart to the next
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town. And So based on that Jesus who
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gave these commands and live by them from his own Ministry, must
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have found something worthy about the house of Peter and
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Andrew for him to remain there until he departed.
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I think that is very encouraging for these brothers, and I think
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it's something instructive for us.
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The Lord, obviously is steam some kind of Honor in this house
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for his piece to remain there. And say I will stay here, I will
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sleep here, I will eat here, I will rest here, I will allow my
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presence to remain in this Abode and when we think about why that
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is the case, what was it that he found so worthy about them.
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All you have to do is just remember the last thing that we
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saw about Jesus in this house and it was this Peters
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mother-in-law, served him. And honored him and blessed him
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and Jesus being honored and Peter's home.
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New knew that this was the place to remain so that he would be
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honored with his presence and that honor towards Peter was
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known, obviously, with the miracle that fever being
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expelled and it only Continuum progress when the multitudes
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would come to this very residents to receive a healing
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touch from Jesus. Jesus is at Peter's home.
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Let's go meet Jesus and the presence of Jesus Christ in
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their residence is something that you and I can do for
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ourselves. Listen, I want you to understand
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that there is a reality of blessing in any home that
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chooses to host the Lord Jesus Christ.
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I mean, this is so, so practical, and so real, that
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Paul had certain words for those who are married to
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non-christians after they've been converted within their
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marriage to inspire, And that how their presence because of
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Christ's presence and them can be a blessing to the other
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members of the household who do not have a direct relationship
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with him. I want you to see this because I
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want you to realize how awesome it is to know that we are the
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Temple of the Holy Spirit and how those Grace's don't just
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remain here, but can spill out to those who choose to tolerate
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us. 1st Corinthians chapter 7. Look at these words.
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Just to get an Insight of the hope of glory that is in us.
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And what is possible? When we step and live?
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Even in darkness First Corinthians chapter 7 verse 13.
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Look at these instructions and how insightful they are.
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If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he consents
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to live with her, she should not divorce him.
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Now, sorry to break your dreams and smash them.
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This is not giving you the instruction that you can marry
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an unbeliever. What this is saying is if you
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were converted while in that place of being married to
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someone who's not say than you yourself, were not saved.
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But you've come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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If that spouse is willing to remain with you, if you can
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sense and is willing to tolerate your conversion, don't divorce
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them. Why, what's his reasoning?
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Will verse 14 for the unbelieving, husband?
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Is made holy because of his wife.
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And the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband,
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otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they
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are holy. Mind blowing consider this.
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This is not saying that because you are saving, you're married
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to an unsaved person and that you had children with this on,
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say person that they're automatically redeemed.
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That is not the case at all. I think a better understanding
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is instead of saying they are made, holy, they are sanctified
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They are set apart. In other words.
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What this means is here that the presence of a Believer and a
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home, brings about a blessing to its members, which includes a
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greater opportunity for them to come to Christ for themselves.
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As a result of being in daily contact, with a person who is
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truly living for Christ. A person who's truly living in
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his presence, a person who is truly living by his word that
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has a sanctifying power even in the midst of a household.
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There's not Crown Jesus as Lord. And so, Paul's even encouraging
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somebody to endure remaining in that Covenant with somebody who
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is unequally yoked for the sake of the potential impact that can
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be made, because of the presence of the one who hosts the
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presence of Jesus in their hearts.
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And I look at that I cannot help but think about how that is a
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principle true just not not just in a home but in all situations
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how God was even willing to be merciful to Sodom and Gomorrah
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because of the presence of the righteous or how God was willing
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to turn the faith of criminals on his ship because on that,
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very same ship was one of his servants.
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Namely Paul. It's amazing.
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What blessings can come with the presence of Christ in us and
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through us. And if this is true for even one
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household member to radiate such Grace than what kind of blessing
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awaits those when husband and wife and children, say Christ is
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Lord of this home. What kind of Joy?
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What kind of piece? What kind of provision?
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What kind of protection can be experienced?
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When a household is willing to say, Jesus Christ.
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Owns the deed of Place and he will rule and Reign Over All of
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Us. Peter and Andrew knew that
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blessing. They saw they saw a great
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testimonies. Great Joys, great interventions
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as Christ's presence remained with them.
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But we move on and we realized, oh, there can be much more said
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about this crowd, that surrounded, the house we
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transition with Mark, as he had of all of this crowd, chooses to
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focus on five individuals? Four of them, able men who are
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clearly carrying a friend who could not walk on his own.
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And Mark as he turns our attention, by the spirit to this
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man, and his friends want to show us clearly that this Band
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of Brothers really believed and desired for Jesus to make their
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comrade whole, they believe in Christ power, they really desire
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for something to take place. And this is exactly why this
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miracle is so unique because we read, then we not in verse 5.
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And when Jesus saw their faith, It was they're contributing
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faith. That played a significant role
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in this debilitated, friend to encounter Jesus Christ.
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And I want you to understand this because there is an
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instruction here for anybody of believer. when it comes to what
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it takes to bring people to Jesus, If you look at these
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friends in you, you understand the story, many of us who grew
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up in church, a very familiar, you can almost say it by heart,
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even with the details, I noticed two things and this is important
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for us as a church. If we are gospel, centered, in
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gospel, focused number one. Consider the collaboration of
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these friends and Luke 518. We are told more and more.
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Detailed that these friends carried this man on a bed, They
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Carried him on a bed. We are not told how they carry
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them but I like to imagine that. Each one had a corner of that
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bed and each one was willing to lift a load.
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And they all obviously walked in the same direction because they
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had the same goal in mind and I cannot help but think but but
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what would happen if one of them, just one of them chose to
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go in a separate Direction. What if one of them had a
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different path in mind when the other three had a journey set
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already? Or what would have been like
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what would the experience of been like if one was not willing
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to carry the load, but maybe cross their arms and criticize
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how everybody else is doing it. I think, I think when you just
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meditate on the Simplicity of that, we see a great example of
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the necessity of equal collaboration, among one
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another, if we really want to see, people brought to the feet
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of Jesus, what it's going to take is one mind.
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What this church needs to be? Made up of people who say our
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goal is, yes to glorify Christ honor Christ but to fulfill the
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Great Commission and all it takes is one person in a church,
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trust me. I've seen it all it takes is one
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person in that church, who wants to make Ministry and the church
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and people and service about them for to make that ultimate
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goal that much more difficult than what it needs to be.
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And more than that, it's carrying the load equally
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sharing. Say, we want to make this burden
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lighter. We want to make this burden
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lighter. So every person will say,
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whatever load, I need to care. Whatever part of this, I need to
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put my hands to. I will do it for the sake of
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ultimately, seeing people encounter the Lord Jesus Christ
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through the gospel and when you have this idea when you have
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this, this plan set and you have people who share those values
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and that attitude, great things can be done, wonderful things
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can be accomplished And so remember that in your mind,
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remember that it took four of these men clearly to lift this
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man. Every single one of us in this
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place has a role to play a burden to carry and it can, it
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can accomplish much if we just have that continually ever
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before us, but not just the collaboration, think about the
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determination of these men. It's already a challenge enough
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to carry a full grown man with dead weight at any distance.
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Without any need for external challenges to make it difficult.
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But when you have things like this, a crowd before you
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blocking the entrance, you can feel the weight even more.
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You can feel the pressure to a greater degree.
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I want to tell you something bringing people to Jesus is not
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an easy task. It is challenging.
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It is difficult. It is difficult.
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Just dealing with people. But then, when all these
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external things come, which they often do anybody who has
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endeavored to set themselves to such an assignment can testify
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of the difficulties that come? When you say, I want to be a
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soul winner. The distractions of just
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Temptation and life, the discouragements of your own mind
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and of other people, the Demonic opposition, the demand on your
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schedule and your time, these are just a few reasons why
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people feel the Temptation is say I quit man.
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I don't think I can do this. Not quit on Christ, but quit on
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bringing people to Christ. And that's often the case in so
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many people's lives, and so many Ministries and they come up with
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excuses and regards to the sovereignty of God.
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And we don't need to participate and we try to get ourselves out
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of the F4. That is needed for people to be
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brought to the gospel or to receive the Gospel.
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But I look at this example, as an inspiration, you have these
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these men who are probably burning in their thighs,
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carrying their friend and we're probably cramping in there are
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forums as they're lifting him on that bed and they come and they
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see this crowd of people and nobody's budging.
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Nobody has any courtesy, to let this man through easily.
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They could have hung their heads and went back home and say,
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maybe another day. But instead, they strategize
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instead, they were quick thinking, and they saw perhaps a
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staircase on the side of the house and they climbed that
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house and they break through the tiles and, and they dig, and
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they pull and they they continue to encourage each other.
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They encourage their friend, we're not letting you go in
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order to See this accomplished, it takes determination, it takes
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persistence to see people saved, see people come to know Christ
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and we always want things. Easy.
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And I can tell you. This ministry is not easy.
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So, winning is not easy. You have to be able to push
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through. True.
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Faith is able to push back when you get pushed back.
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And not to hang your efforts and leave it to somebody else to do
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it, those who shrink back so easily.
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When there is no immediate fruit, when there is delay in
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prayer, when there is persecution, when there is
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internal strife, will never know, the joys will rarely see
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what the gospel is capable of doing in someone's life, because
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it requires hands on the plow, white-knuckled, dedication, to
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the case of Christ, and the cause of the Gospel, That can
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even be said for the owner of the house, right?
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Well, there is Peter, is somebody else think about the
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price he had to pay the hose Jesus.
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I got to get a new roof now. We never think about that, do
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we? We think this is like some
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Disney story and house, you know, be real.
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Be the owner of the house for a moment.
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They just broke through my roof. I had to fix the ceiling now.
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But any temporal loss in this life is worth the Eternal
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reward. And so whether you host whether
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you go out into the streets, whether you serve in the local
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church, you will pay a price for the price is worth it.
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Before meant moving on. It's worth mentioning another
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element of the true faith that these men show.
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Notice again, as we read verse 5 and when Jesus saw their faith,
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he said to the paralytic son, your sins are forgiven.
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Jesus saw their faith. He didn't hear their faith.
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He didn't evaluate their Creed or their confession, he saw it.
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True. Faith speaks through actions.
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True faith will will be determined by your behavior and
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your deeds will speak unto the doctrine that you adhere to.
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That is true. It's tangible, it's measurable,
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it's observable, it can be seen, it can be studied.
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It makes you stand out, like, these group of men, stood out
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from this crowd and these men show that faith is something
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that Christ wants to see in us. And not just hear from us.
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And what's amazing is you even see this kind of Faith with the
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man after he was healed, scroll down to verse 12.
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And what do you see? And he rose and immediately
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picked up his bed and Out before them all.
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Marcus being very specific before them all.
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Jesus gave a very detailed command and he obeyed unlike the
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leper. Who was healed.
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He does exactly what Jesus said, but he did it in the presence of
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all. What I love about that truth is
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that In This Crowd, you have a mixed people.
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You have spectators, you have many people who really believe
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who Jesus is. We are going to read in a moment
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that you had scribes religious Pharisees, who criticize
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everything. And in the midst of all this
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kind of people, this man was not ashamed or hesitant to declare
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his submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
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I got to be honest, there might be some people in here who know
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how to immediately obey Jesus, or to display their submission
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to him before some, not all before.
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Some that is not true. Faith, that is not the faith
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that Jesus is looking for what Jesus is looking for.
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Is that in any circumstance or setting?
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People know this man does not own his life.
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This woman does not operate by our own wisdom.
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She he is in submission to the word of God, to the person of
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Jesus Christ before them all he obeyed, or when we have that
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same faith. Would we have that same faith?
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And so we see that these brothers here are displaying a
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faith. That Christ praised And I pray
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that not one person in this place who represents Maranatha
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Bible Church. And more importantly, the
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kingdom of God would be experts at displaying their submission
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to Christ before some and not all And so, we realize, as we
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read on that, after these men break through this roof, the
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stunned crowd sees as the debris is falling.
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And unusual, light is shining in that place where Jesus is
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teaching from absolutely astounded at the interruption
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and Jesus is preaching, but he chooses to pause You can imagine
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the anticipation of the people as this man, seems to be
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floating by just a few threads and the careful love of four
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friends who are doing whatever it takes to bring their friend
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to the Lord. May I also add this There's
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something about these friends that testify about the man.
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The man himself, who was paralyzed.
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Who do you have in your circle that will bring you to Christ
25:49
when you can't bring yourself? Who do you have in your life?
25:54
That will know how to pray for you?
25:56
How to counsel you? How to console you, how to
25:59
remind you how to rebuke you? When you are weak.
26:05
Not in my notes. But something to consider.
26:10
Here's this crowd wondering what is about to take place in here.
26:13
Is this anticipation being built up?
26:16
Is Jesus going to heal, we've seen him heal before we heard
26:19
that he is healed and you could just imagine the suspense as
26:22
Christ. Now looks down at this man laid
26:24
before him and his sermon was interrupted and whatever.
26:29
Astonishment was there would only be Amplified by their
26:32
immediate response of Jesus. As we see in verse 5, son, your
26:36
sins are forgiven What did the crowd think?
26:42
I wonder, I know what the Pharisees thought?
26:46
What did the friends who went through?
26:47
So much to see their friend healed.
26:50
Think, regardless Jesus perceived, what this paralytic
26:55
truly needed. He saw that.
26:58
There is something so much more important than his legs being
27:02
revived. And he offers it first.
27:07
Forgiveness of sin. That tells me what Jesus saw in
27:12
this man was a disabled spirit before he saw any disability in
27:15
his body. What he saw in this man was
27:19
somebody was unable to walk in the ways of God.
27:23
Somebody who is not in step with the spirit, someone who was weak
27:27
because of an ancient fall, through our federal head, who is
27:31
Adam and Jesus pronouncing forgiveness means that he saw in
27:36
these four men. And in this particular person of
27:40
faith that was beyond just just being able to be restored
27:43
physically these men and this person clearly believe that
27:46
Jesus was the one who can offer salvation.
27:49
They heard that message of repentance they heard about the
27:52
kingdom of God. and they had this trust that this Jesus was
27:55
more than just a faith healer, he was the Savior and in Christ,
28:00
estimation spiritual disability, Was more important to restore
28:06
than one's ability to physically walk.
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And we should have the same estimation.
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Forgiveness is the greatest miracle.
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Reconciliation with God, is more important than even the health
28:19
of your body. And if you have any doubt about
28:22
that, realize how Jesus says it in Matthew chapter 9, turn your
28:26
Bibles to Matthew, which is the first gospel account in the New
28:30
Testament. And look at verse 2 of chapter
28:32
9, notice an added detail that Matthew has Matthew 9 verse 2
28:41
and behold some people were brought some people brought to
28:43
him a paralytic lying on a bed and when Jesus saw their faith,
28:48
he said to the paralytic, take heart.
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Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven in the King James.
28:57
I like how the phrases is red. Be of good cheer.
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You have the new King James, I will say the same be of good
29:04
cheer, my son. Your sins are forgiven.
29:08
Now, think about the significance of that, as you
29:11
look at the sequence of the events, Jesus tells them to be
29:14
of good cheer on the basis of being forgiven before, he even
29:19
received the miracle before, the miracle came Jesus could tell
29:24
this man genuinely your heart can actually swell with joy.
29:29
You can actually know a happiness and contentment even
29:32
though at this point you are unable to walk, you can no
29:36
genuine cheerfulness of the Soul.
29:39
Now what that tells you and I is that this is a principle of
29:41
truth that sustaining joy as possible, regardless of the
29:45
afflictions that we endure in life, regardless of them, even
29:49
if it's a severe, as burdensome as not being able to walk up a
29:52
flight of stairs you and I can tap into a certain happiness, on
29:57
the revelation of what Christ has done with our record of sin.
30:03
And here's how you can live in that Joy, it's by taking all of
30:07
these things, all of these, crushing circumstances, these
30:11
life-altering events, and to, and to contrast them in light of
30:15
Eternity. Listen, this man could be of
30:18
good cheer because he died 2,000 years ago.
30:24
He died two thousand years ago. But he is enjoying what Christ
30:28
offered for all of eternity and that is his forgiveness.
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And that is how we have to understand it.
30:35
We have to view all things in light of everlasting life, and
30:38
The Temper temporal things of this world that will wash away
30:42
when Christ calls us home. You and I have to see that I
30:45
want to call you to be of good cheer this afternoon if you're
30:48
truly forgiven realize. Now I know you won't realize it
30:51
now because you talk to Christians and and it's just
30:54
they paired it, they understand it.
30:56
Jesus forgave me. Jesus, forgive me.
30:57
Trust me. I know it's difficult for you to
30:58
get joyful. Now, I know it's something
31:00
that's old news to you, but you're going to really, really
31:02
appreciate it. When you Before God, you really
31:05
going to appreciate it. And I can't wait to see the
31:10
Frozen chosen, erupt and praise when they realize the
31:13
significance of the Redemption as they stand before.
31:17
God, I'm waiting and I pray that God would keep us in praise and
31:21
adoration until then. That's why Jesus can say
31:25
something as shocking as it's better to enter into life
31:28
crippled or lame. Then to have both your hands and
31:33
both your feet and be thrown into Everlasting fire.
31:37
Be of good cheer. The essence of our faith is not
31:42
physical restoration. Or material Prosperity, but a
31:47
heart that has been reconnected to God.
31:50
Because of what Christ has done on our behalf.
31:55
And that is the point of this miracle.
31:56
The point of the miracle is this forgiveness is the greatest
31:59
Miracle. Reconciliation is the greatest
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Miracle of them all in Warren, Weir's be said, quote,
32:06
forgiveness is the greatest miracle that Jesus ever performs
32:09
it meets the greatest need, it costs the greatest Price, and it
32:13
brings the greatest blessing in the most lasting results, and
32:16
quote, and to that, I say, Amen. son, your sins are forgiven,
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unfortunately, the greatness of that statement was Was esteemed
32:27
as the complete opposite by a few scribes who were in
32:30
attendance that day. Mark tells us here in verse 6,
32:34
that there were some who were sitting there, who are
32:36
questioning in their hearts as they received the shock wave of
32:40
disgust for a mere man to be able to pronounce that someone
32:44
is actually in right standing with God, it was utter blasphemy
32:49
to them and they meditated on that thought.
32:51
But before they can even think another one, we are told very
32:55
clearly. Jesus in verse 8, immediately
33:00
perceiving in his spirit. That scares me.
33:05
Because what is hidden from man. What is coated with skin?
33:10
And a skull is plane to Jesus Christ.
33:15
It's so clear. It's as though I'm speaking on a
33:17
microphone. Every thought that runs through
33:18
my mind, he sees it and he considers it.
33:24
What? A great motivation to cultivate.
33:26
A holy thought life. I've said it before and I'll say
33:29
it again. True holiness.
33:32
Is putting your effort into the cleanliness of the inside of the
33:35
cup and not the outside of the cup.
33:38
Legalism is concerned about the outside of the cup and has no
33:41
concern about the health of the Soul. what may be hidden before
33:46
Jesus is obviously naked and clear to him and that's why I
33:51
continually seek his cleansing from within What does the Lord
33:56
doing in this moment? What is he about to do?
34:01
These men are accusing him of blasphemy and we see in verse 8,
34:05
immediately, Jesus perceiving in a spirit that they thus question
34:08
within themselves said to them. Why do you question these things
34:11
in your hearts? You can imagine the chill down
34:12
their spines, he just read their minds.
34:17
I mean, imagine stopping in the middle of a sermon or an event
34:19
and turning and somebody just reading your thoughts, I know
34:22
what you want for lunch after the service.
34:27
What Jesus is doing with this response is making his claim of
34:33
divinity, all the more undeniable first because he
34:36
exposes what these men are thinking.
34:39
Think about that, these men, these scribes and Pharisees were
34:43
experts in the law. And if they were truly students
34:45
of the word, they would know that the scriptures are so clear
34:49
and giving the prerogative of Minds being read and hearts
34:53
being known to God and God Alone.
34:56
You don't have to turn there but listen to it.
34:57
When Solomon prayed, listen to what he said about this truth.
35:00
And First Kings 8:39, then here in heaven, he praised your
35:04
dwelling place and forgiving act and render to each one whose
35:07
heart, you know, according to all his ways for you.
35:11
You only know the hearts of all the children of mankind.
35:16
You. And you only, you're the only
35:18
one who occupies that category of mind reading.
35:22
And here's this Jew from Nazareth, who is now.
35:25
Eating and exposing the thoughts of these Pharisees.
35:28
Giving us the clear conclusion that he is, in fact, Yahweh in
35:32
the flesh. Furthermore, within the
35:35
criticism of these men, there is a truth.
35:39
We see it at the end of verse 6, who can forgive sins, but God
35:42
Alone. Yeah, you're right.
35:44
No one. And that is the accusation that
35:48
had this man is claiming to be God, but what's so interesting
35:51
is that when Jesus responds he does not attempt to deflect that
35:55
he's not attempt to correct them.
35:58
If anything, he is putting them in a corner.
36:02
And it's it's the same Truth for people today.
36:05
Concerning the person of Jesus you only have two conclusions
36:09
with the acts of Jesus and the statements of Jesus and it is
36:12
this he is either a blasphemer. Or he is God in the flesh.
36:18
Now if he is a blasphemer like these men are accusing him to
36:21
be. Then you have every right to
36:24
disregard every claim of the word of God, you can walk away
36:28
and do you, man, just go because this man is a blasphemer.
36:32
He's a sinner. He's a, he's a lunatic. but if
36:37
he's God In the Flesh which is the only other option based on
36:41
the claims and the acts of Jesus, then what you do with
36:45
Jesus will have consequences Those are the only two options.
36:49
There's no third. There's no neutrality.
36:51
Jesus made that clear. They either for us or against
36:53
us, right? They either scatter or they
36:56
gather I'm either a blasphemer or I am God.
37:02
If I'm a blasphemer, go ahead. If I'm God, bow, your knee.
37:08
That's exactly what is happening in this moment.
37:11
Jesus questioning their claims and he does this in many places.
37:16
And it's a blessing to know that through the condemning criticism
37:19
of these men. We find a nugget of Truth.
37:21
One of the strongest evidence has that Jesus Christ is in fact
37:24
God. But not only does he expose
37:26
their thoughts? He's preparing to silence them
37:28
for the time being because he presents a question.
37:30
Jesus was a master at asking questions.
37:33
And he does. So here verse nine, which is
37:36
easier to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven or to say
37:40
rise, take up your bed and walk What, an awesome evangelist.
37:48
What a wonderful apologist which is easier answer me to say your
37:52
sins are forgiven or to say to the paralytic rise up and walk.
37:57
Do you know the answer to that? I'll give you what I believe.
38:01
It's easier to say your sins are forgiven.
38:04
Why? Because to claim Authority, that
38:08
somebody's sins are forgiven. Does it have tangible evidence?
38:13
I can go up to anybody. Like your sins are forgiven.
38:14
Okay? Well, where's the proof of that?
38:16
And you and I we believe that Christ.
38:18
Forgives us though, there is no writing on a wall or tablet that
38:22
falls from heaven. That gives you a certificate we
38:24
by faith believe that he has forgiven us.
38:28
And so it's it's very difficult to challenge some of these
38:30
Authority based on something that's invisible.
38:34
But the say rise up and walk the claim you have authority to
38:38
raise up the sick based on what happens will determine whether
38:43
you're a fraud or your genuine. It's a simple as that.
38:46
So which is easier well obviously both are impossible
38:50
for man to accomplish but in the sense of evidence, Your sins are
38:55
forgiven. And that's exactly what Jesus is
38:59
doing. He's he has a strategy in mind,
39:01
he's making a case and he's setting them up.
39:05
The Lord purposely waits to heal this mint, after his claim of
39:10
divine authority to make somebody right in there standing
39:13
with God. So that when he does, he'll this
39:16
man it would back up the initial claim of his authority.
39:20
So he sets it up in such a way where he says, which is easier
39:25
And if they say, well, your sins are forgiven because you have to
39:28
prove the latter. Now he's about to say, okay, I'm
39:31
going to confront you with that, the timing of this healing would
39:35
leave the scribes much to think about, as Jesus would say rise
39:38
up and walk, they would lead leaving scratching their heads
39:42
wondering. Well, if he was able to raise up
39:44
this man to walk, then maybe he has the ability to forgive sins.
39:47
That's exactly what he's doing. And it is brilliant.
39:51
There's a principle there to tucked in that helps.
39:54
Many of us, I hope. Whenever Jesus delays in
39:58
anything that we're asking for, believing God for, it's always
40:01
so that he can maximize his glory.
40:05
He could have healed this men immediately and it would have
40:07
glorified him. He could have brought about
40:10
restoration right there and then and he could have received
40:12
praise, but how much more now when he had waited just a little
40:16
bit longer to bring about that. So that a greater thing could be
40:20
accomplished. I believe the Lord for that.
40:25
So they are stunned by this because we read here in verse
40:28
11, I say to you arise pick up your bed and go home.
40:33
And look at this. In verse 12, he rose and
40:34
immediately picked up his bed and went out before the mall,
40:38
just like the woman that was healed by the fever immediately.
40:41
There is there is this jolt of joy that we know in our
40:45
experience of Christ that brings about immediate change immediate
40:50
obedience. It may not be perfect obedience
40:54
but there is a Closet of a desire to says, I want to live
40:57
for him. I want to honor him.
40:58
I want to walk as he calls me to walk and he rose and immediately
41:03
picked up his bed and went out before them all.
41:05
So they were all amazed and glorified God saying, we never
41:08
saw anything like this. We never saw anything like this.
41:16
I look at this and there's many things that can be said, but one
41:19
thing stands out to me, I remember when I first read this
41:21
story being saved, And something stood out to me and it still
41:25
stands out to me today. Maybe you noticed it as well.
41:29
Jesus said, I say to you arise pick up your bed.
41:35
And go home. Why take the bed?
41:43
I think it's more important than just being courteous to the
41:45
owner of the house, pick up your bed and we're told here that
41:50
this meant picked up his bed, rolled it up and went first to
41:54
his home. And when the thought came to me
41:58
reading this initially many years ago It's still a thought
42:02
that resonates with me today and it is this, that bed was his
42:07
testimony. That bed was his story.
42:13
That bed was the evidence of where he was before he met
42:16
Christ and where he is today because of Christ.
42:21
And what I love about this is that the testimony of
42:24
encountering Christ in Christ. Mine was not to stay there but
42:29
was to go out. For others to be able to see for
42:33
themselves. What Jesus had done.
42:37
And each of us has something to point back to, to say this is,
42:43
this is where I was before, Jesus, but look at me now.
42:47
See me now. And it's amazing that the first
42:53
place where God wanted him to go to testify was the home.
42:57
We're making a full circle, here was to go home and to show.
43:01
If you had a wife, his wife, he had kids his kids.
43:03
What Jesus had done. That is the first place where
43:06
people should see the marks of a man who has been touched by
43:09
Jesus. And you wonder what happened
43:16
after this. We are not sure but all we know
43:19
is that this man did the opposite of what the leopard
43:21
did. And as I Look to this story, I
43:27
think like the leper that this is significant in a spiritual
43:31
sense. This man could not walk.
43:35
And his friends can only do so much for him.
43:39
And Romans tells us that before Christ came, we were weak in the
43:41
flesh, we were weak and that is when he came to save us.
43:46
I want to close with this thought and this is, I know,
43:48
it's not in has points and titles for each point, but I'm
43:52
just going to speak from the heart.
43:56
For those who have that desire for, for someone that you love
43:59
to come to Christ. Realize that though these
44:01
friends did so much, there is only so much that they can do.
44:04
All they can do was bring the person to Jesus.
44:09
And that is where it all ends for you and I in our work for
44:13
Christ that we bring them to the Lord.
44:15
And in that moment it's between their faith and the Christ and
44:20
how it moves forward from there. But we don't get their names, we
44:26
don't get their response. Well, you can imagine the great
44:29
joy that these men felt and the efforts that they put into this
44:33
moment being known. And there are some people who
44:37
may not be physically, crippled but are in so many different
44:39
ways. And if we want to experience
44:42
testimonies in the next few years as God preserves us to
44:46
say, we never saw anything like this, we never thought anything
44:48
like this could happen, it will required a collective effort to
44:52
be able to lift people who might be emotionally disabled.
44:59
Who might be definitely spiritually?
45:01
Broken. Say, let me bring you to Jesus.
45:06
And that contribution was enough for Christ to change this man.
45:10
Don't underestimate your efforts for the kingdom of God.
45:14
The many things I can say, if you haven't noticed, it's
45:18
outside of my comfort zone to deal with a larger text, I'm
45:20
much more comfortable dealing with two verses and getting as
45:23
much out of it, but I trust that the Lord has spoken to our
45:25
hearts. Why don't we pray together?
45:51
Lord, we see this story and we realize that we should glory in
45:58
our Redemption. Above all else.
46:02
If nothing else works for us. We can be of good cheer.
46:09
Many people are familiar with that truth.
46:13
But are numb to the feeling that it should cause.
46:17
Lord, just renew the joy of your salvation in our hearts.
46:22
As a church, Lord, help us be of one mind of one heart to share
46:26
the effort in the burdens of the ministry.
46:31
For the sake of souls, coming in contact with you.
46:35
Lord, we pray for those who might have entered today who
46:39
have likes to walk, but their hearts are paralyzed.
46:44
And they are dead in terms of their relationship with you.
46:48
They have no life, they have no power to walk in your ways.
46:53
But Lord, as we are here, maybe they've been invited by a
46:56
friend. Maybe they were convinced to
46:59
come just for this day. Lord, would you would you let
47:02
him know that you're willing to heal them and save them?
47:07
And that they can leave here with a testimony.
47:10
They can walk out of here. With their past and their sin,
47:15
and their evil and their habits that Dishonored you in a
47:18
destroyed. So many other things that they
47:20
can walk out of here restored with a story.
47:25
What Christ has done in my life? Lord, we just give you all the
47:31
glory for your word today and we pray that as we sing even now
47:35
you would shower us with a reminder of the Eternal blessing
47:39
in the gospel and how this life is, but a missed.
47:43
It will mean more than anything else.
47:44
On our deathbed is not her bank account or what experiences we
47:48
had or what places were places we travel to.
47:50
But one thing am I saved, am I redeemed in my his child?
47:57
And Lord. We just thank you that we can
47:58
know that now. And we rejoice in it today and
48:01
your name, we pray. Amen, let's stand and worship.