2.25.2024 Guest Speaker- James Kruse

Mark 2:1

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

2:3-12pp — Mt 9:2-8; Lk 5:18-26

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

4 Things to highlight:

◦ 1. Paralyzed Man- He had a problem. So difficult for folks to admit they have a problem.

◦ But in Jesus we have a problem solver.

◦ It’s not a problem but an opportunity!

◦ God will put you in the problem so you trust Him more and more.

◦ Doesn’t matter if it’s your fault or not…God doesn’t look at the reason FOR the problem but only the answer

◦ 2. HOW DO I GET TO JESUS?

He understands that Jesus is the answer but the question is How does he get there…he’s paralyzed. He had 4 friends!

◦ Church is not about you but he wants to work through you…people need Jesus and it’s people like you to share that message and say LETS GO!

◦ It’s YOU!

◦ In vs 5 He said He looked at Their Faith! You need friends.

✓ No such thing as a self made man in church!!!!

◦ The only reason he found Jesus was because of those 4 guys…And there NAMELESS! It’s not about them it’s about people getting healed!

◦ They loved people one at a time

◦ 3. You Make a decision…then the fight of faith! There’s a crowd and then Monday comes…you get hit with reality!

◦ The second you take a stand…all of Hell attacks.

◦ It’s bigger than you! You’re fighting for your children and grandchildren…it’s about Legacy! I WANT BETTER FOR THEM!

◦ God works through people..you don’t know what people are going through. Take the stand for Him anyway.

◦ 4. RIGHT NOW! Man was lowered right in front of Him. He wasn’t there for a message He was there for Jesus!

◦ RIGHT NOW-He needed Jesus. The door is always opened.

◦ Jesus said to him…Your sins are forgiven. He was there for a physical healing, but Jesus wants his heart!

◦ We all have a list for Jesus, but He wants your heart!

◦ David was a terrible person but he had a heart for Jesus. Take my heart!

◦ God wants your heart! If He can have your heart then He can get to your problems.

◦ So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

◦ That mat is part of your story! You were hurting and now you’re healed!

◦ We all carry a story but we need to be open to meet Him.

◦ You might still be on the mat..God wants to meet you today! He wants your heart!

✓ Once you do…share it with the world! He wants to use you to reach others!