Faith Factor

FAITH FACTORS

Mark 2:1-12

“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. [2] So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. [3] Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. [4] Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. [5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." [6] Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, [7] "Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [8] 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? [9] Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ’Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ’Get up, take your mat and walk’? [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralytic, [11] "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." [12] 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!”

INTRODUCTION:

“What is God doing in our church? What do we anticipate God to do in our church in the future?" Well today, I want to take a look into our very near future. I can tell you that we have a clearly defined vision of what we believe God desires for our fellowship. I can tell you that we will be a prototype for what the church will look like In the 21st Century. I can also tell you that as bright as our future is before us that it will only be accomplished by faith. This will be the type of Faith that every member of the FIRST FAMILY will be called upon to exercise. Faith is what the church will be absolutely necessary if we are to move forward with the PROMISES OF GOD! We simply must be people that GOSSIP JESUS and exercise our FAITH IN HIM ALONE. There are certain facts of faith that accompany the people who live to pursue to live in the presence of Jesus. Where Christ finds a place that is willing to receive Him by faith and honor and obey Him by faith then we will see revival. When the presence of Jesus is a reality then word begins to spread throughout the city. I want you to join me by faith in this hour and put these faith factors in your bible and then join me as our future unfolds we will see Christ glorified through this ministry.

I. FAITH FACTOR ONE: A CHURCH FULL OF PEOPLE (v.1-2)

“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. [2] So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.”

There were so many people in that place that it was literally almost impossible to fit one more in. I believe in crowds! I believe in numbers. I don’t believe God would have led the people of First Baptist to build this magnificent worship center on this strategic location in this great city if He had not intended on filling and refilling this building.

Crowds represent people! If there are no crowds there will be none there who need Christ or need the power of Christ in their life! If there are no crowds it is an indication that God’s People are not walking be enough faith to believe that our family, friends and neighbors desperately need Christ. You need to understand the principle of success in the marketplace. CROWDS DRAW CROWDS! People don’t support needy causes they support successful causes. Where people walk by faith and trust Jesus they will see the power of His life and enjoy His blessings.

Illustration: We just returned from our vacation and stopped in a community that we knew nothing about and wanted to get lunch and there were two restaurants and one is packed with cars and people and the other has two cars, that of the waitress and the cook...where are you going to stop? People want to be a part of something that is exciting, successful, where lives are being changed and where Jesus is exalted! When word begins to spread about what God is doing then the crowds will come. It begins first with US, the FIRST FAMILY WALKING BY FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE! The People of God. Anticipating what God is going to do and not being willing to miss a single opportunity! Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm!