Who's In The House? Series

Jason Sheffstall

StoneBridge Baptist Church

Morgantown, West Virginia

April 22, 2007

Series: BE A FRIEND MONTH

Subject: WHO’S IN THE HOUSE?

Text: Mark 2:1-12, “1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘‘Your sins are forgiven you,’’ or to say, ‘‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”——He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

INTRODUCTION

I begin this message today by saying, “Jesus spent 30 years preparing for a 3-year ministry.” It always amazes me to think of the impact Christ (and His disciples) had on their generation. Think about it! Jesus spent three years training, healing, raising, teaching, rebuking, saving, and glorifying the Father. When He left this Earth after His resurrection...there were approximately 132 people trained, discipled, and sent forth to fulfill the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. The church went from 132 on the Day of Pentecost to 3,132. This was an amazing event in the history of the Lord’s church.

Today, we take this time to thank you for attending the worship gathering of StoneBridge Baptist Church!

If you are here for the first time, stand up...SHOUT...then, sit back down! JUST KIDDING! We want you to relax! Grab a cup of JOE...and allow God to speak to you today! :)

The theme for Today’s Message is centered around Friendship! In this passage of Scripture, the Lord gives us a Bird’s Eye view of a Day in the life of Jesus Christ. The First Occurrence is an Over-Crowded Living Room!

I. AN OVER-CROWDED LIVING ROOM (V1-2).

A. v1-2, “1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.” (NKJV)

B. Somehow, word got out that Jesus was in the House! After Jesus had entered Capernaum several people had gathered to hear His message. As a matter of fact, the house was so full, that there was no longer any room for anyone else to enter. What a great problem to have?

C. The King James Version says, “It was noised (reported) that he was in the house.” I like that!

D. Many times Jesus taught from house to house. In this instance, the crowd had gathered and Jesus preached the word to them (v2).

E. There was a BUZZ in the City because of Jesus!

F. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a BUZZ in Morgantown? Think about it, people desiring to hear a word from Jesus! Trying desperately to get in the house!

G. When God’s people do the works of God, there will be crowds, there will be desperation, there will be confusion, there will be transformed lives! I.E., there will be over-crowded Living Rooms!

II. FIVE DESPERATE MEN (V3-5).

A. v3-5, “3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” (NKJV)

B. The word “desperate” means, A. “Moved by despair.” B. “Involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration.” (PLEASE PUT ON THE SCREEN.)