Breaking Through In Faith

BREAKING THROUGH IN FAITH

TEXT: MARK 2:1-12 AND LUKE 5:17-26

INTRO:

I. FAITH AFFECTS OTHERS (v. 18)

• What you believe can affect those you know

• But this kind of faith is active and not dead faith (Jas.2:14-20)

• We are the light and salt of the earth (Mt. 5:13-16)

• Both of these affects those around them

• We are the living epistles or testimony of Christ in this world

• If you are a true believer of Christ, there is no way it will

not come out of your life and be seen by others

• See the Hall of Faith (Heb. 11 esp. vv. 30-38)

• These people affected their generation because of their faith

• Does your faith affect others?

• Does it bring realization from others of who God is?

• The faith of these men affected the paralyzed man. And he was

healed!!!

II. FAITH ALLOWS NO BOUNDARIES (v. 19)

• Believing can take opposite forms. It can be faith or it can be

doubt.

• When you believe that God exists and that He loves you and wants

to meet your needs, and then your believing creates faith in

your heart.

• On the other hand, doubt is just as real.

• The reverse of faith, doubt tells you that God does not exist or

that he is unloving and uncaring about your needs.

• Doubt gives rise to fear, which brings torment not peace

(1 Jn. 4:18)

• Fear actually keeps you from receiving the good things God

desires to send your way.

• Doubt and do without; with faith believe and receive.

EXPECT A MIRACLE!

• These men took the opportunity when Jesus returned to Capernaum

(Mt. 8:14-17)

• They will not let this time passed without getting the healing

they sought.

• Take note that there will be hindrances to discourage you from

believing and receiving (Mk. 2:4; Lk. 5:19)

• The blessing is always on the other side of the wall. JUST

BELIEVE AND YOU WILL RECEIVE!

• Their faith moved them into action! There was no way to get in through the door, they made their way through the roof!!

• Houses were made of clay and straw therefore its easy to make a hole. (I wonder how Peter reacted?)

• Look at their effort: they brought the man, they climbed the roof, the uncovered the tiles and they let down the man

• Compare them to the religious leaders who failed to experience the power of God because of their unbelief.

• Lack of faith will make you see the impossibilities. Faith knows no boundaries. It believes that all things are possible with God.

• The people of Nazareth failed to receive for their lack of faith (Mt. 13:53-58)

• The ten fearful spies and the two believing spies (Num. 13 & 14)

III. FAITH MOVES GOD TO ACT (v. 20)

• Faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6)

• It is our faith that moves the hand of God to do miracles and not our emotion.

• Canaanite woman (Mt. 15:21-28)

• Martha (John 11:40)

• Bartimaeus (Mk. 10:46-52)

• Why did Jesus forgave and healed the man? Because of the faith of his friends! (v. 26)

• Through faith, God can touch even our deepest needs (v. 20)

• God can see beyond our natural eyes can see.

• Jesus forgave first and then he healed the man.

• The Pharisees were correct in saying that only God can forgive sin. In order to prove that He has the authority to forgive sins, Jesus healed the man (vv. 21-24)

• The man was brought to Jesus on a mat. He went home carrying his mat. For everyone to see (v. 24)

CHALLENGE:

MARK 11:22-24 HAVE FAITH IN GOD!

What is your need? Is there a hindrance to make you doubt and be discouraged? Faith in God is the key for the release of God’s blessings in your life!