Jesus Saw Their Faith

Introduction:

Faith is never something just to be talked about. It is demonstrated in the way we live. Paul Harvey: If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it. (James 2:18) Today, we will spend our time in Mark 2:1-12. In our lesson this morning, we will discuss the historical setting surrounding this story. We will also take a look at some cultural aspects regarding Jewish housing & the boldness of the four men who carry a paralytic to see Jesus. Finally, we will discuss three qualities of faith that we can implement in our life.

I. The Historical Context

A.     2:1 – Jesus in Capernaum.  Jesus had at home.

1.     After Jesus’ baptism & temptation in the wilderness, Luke 4 tells us Jesus went back to Nazareth, 4:16.

B.     Luke 4:31 – leaves & goes to Capernaum.  Was the “home” mentioned in Mark 2:1 His home?

C.     2:2 – when people found Jesus “at home,” they gathered around it.

1.     Early in ministry, but Jesus already attracting large numbers of people.

D.     2:3-12 – interesting observations.

1.     2:5 – Jesus saw their faith.

2.     2:3 - Crowd struggles to get to Jesus – 4 men bring a paralyzed man on a stretcher.

3.     2:4 – carry paralyzed man to roof. 

4.     2:4b – paralyzed man lowered to Jesus. Upon seeing their faith, he healed the paralytic & forgave him of his sins.

E.     Lengths these 4 men went to in order to help paralytic see Jesus are significant.

F.     How had they come to believe?

1.     Jesus was the Great Physician who came to help the sick & hurting.

G.     Is there anything bold about our faith?

1.     To what lengths are we willing to go?  Hebrews 4:16

II. Three Qualities of Faith We should Implement in Our Life

A.     Jesus saw 4 men who really cared.

1.     We must always be a people who care – Romans 12:15

                                              a.     Must do more than just express concern. Must actually help w/problems.

                                              b.     James 2:14-16

B.     We see 4 men who wanted to share Christ

1.     Shared Jesus with the paralytic.  Made the difference in his life.

C.     Jesus saw 4 men who would not give up.

1.     4 men had such a strong faith – it refused to die – even in the face of obstacles.

2.     That’s what it took – a cost.

                                              a.     TIME to carry him to house.

                                              b.     EFFORT to carry home onto roof.

                                              c.     TROUBLE to tear a hole in roof to let him down into room w/Jesus.

                                              d.     FAVOR of the people – on whose heads the rubble was dropping as they ripped up the roof.

                                              e.     MONEY to repair the roof.

Conclusion:

A.     Our failures often result, not from obstacles or problems themselves, but from a lack of faith.

B.     Many who are anxious to cry it can’t be done. It won’t be done until we put out the effort!

1.     So much can be accomplished when we recognize the power of God.

2.     Philippians 4:13

C.     What does Jesus see in you?