DATE: SAT, 30TH MAY 2015.
THEME: GOD RESPONDS TO GENUINE FAITH - 2
TEXT: Mark 2:1-5
1 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.
MEMORY VERSE:
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. Mark 11:22
MESSAGE:
Yesterday, we saw the helpless condition of the man sick of the palsy who was conveyed to the place Jesus was ministering on an object that was carried by four men. This suggest that in this life, we need the help of others at critical times. We too could be a help to others in such situation. As believers we must maintain good relationship with our neighbours as the Bible advised in Rom. 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." It is also possible that those who carried the sick man to Jesus were members of his religious group.
What is important in this narrative is the faith of the people. First, they heard that Jesus was in town and they believed He could heal their brother. They quickly rallied round and carried him in the local 'ambulance' to see Jesus. When they reached the place, they observed that there was no space left, even the doors were blocked by people. That suggest that even in the exercise of our faith, we could encounter road blocks.
They did not begin to quarrel with any body. They did not force their way into the hell. Look at the process that led to their achieving the result they had wanted. "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." They could not come near Jesus because of crowd, so they devised a means: they climbed onto the roof, dismantled the roof, tied the 'bed' of the sick man with rope and lowered him right down in front of Jesus.
Who owned the house? Who raised the idea of climbing the roof top? Did they get the approval of the owner of the house before damaging the roof? Where did they get the ladder? Why was there no voice of protest both from outside and from inside? Was it lawful to have damaged a personal property to gain access to Jesus, without consulting the owner of the house?
The Bible said, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Note: Jesus SAW their faith. It was not the emergency actions they took that Jesus saw, He saw their faith. Jesus must SEE your faith before He can act. That means, your motive in what you do matters. The people were consistent from the time they heard about Jesus' entry to the time they took the action. It was their faith that Jesus saw; let Him see your faith in all you do. I assure you, He will give answer to your prayers.
PRAYER POINTS:
* Ask God for forgiveness in any way you may have demonstrated faith that was not real or concrete enough.
* Now, look at those challenges that confront you, mention them by name, and by faith, hand them over to Jesus
* Begin to offer praises and thanksgiving for answered prayers.
AMEND YOUR WAYS:
If you are not born again you must do something as a matter of urgency. He that commits sin is of the devil (1 John 3:8).
If you are into lying, cheating, bitterness, keeping malice, pride, manifesting anger, quarreling, unforgiveness, hatred, envy, contention, strife, gossiping, taking or giving bribe, selfishness,
kidnapping. If you are into masturbation, fornication, adultery, prostitution, abortion, lesbianism, homosexuality, you need to repent.
Are you into idolatry, do you make or use charms, rituals, bow down to images, Are you into occultism?
Do you smoke cigarette, cocaine, heroine? Are you lusting, covetous, alcohol drinking, divorcee or into worldliness?, you must stop bleaching your body, or painting your lips, eyes, fixing attachments, weave-on, earrings (Gen 35:2-4)
Are you one of those that put on nude dresses, short skirts, transparent dresses to seduce
(A seducer is not a Christian) do you wear trouser as a woman?
Repent and give your life to Jesus Christ.
LET'S PRAY:
If you want to give your life to JESUS pray this short prayer with me:
Almighty God, I come unto you in the name of Jesus. Father I confess that I am a sinner. All my sins I confess to you. I am very sorry for all my sins.
Lord I promise you that from today I will never continue in them anymore.
I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again on the third day for my justification. Almighty God, use the blood of Jesus to wash my sins away. Lord Jesus, come into my heart, be my Lord and Personal Savior.
I surrender my life to you.
Cancel my name from the book of death and give me grace to make Heaven. AMEN!
AUTHOR: PST LAZARUS MUOKA.
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