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.)
C. Notice where these men (in our text) went: They went to Jesus! Whenever we are moved by despair, or we are attempting to escape defeat or frustration...we must remember to go to Jesus!
D. I think it is crucial to see how desperate these men were for their paralyzed friend. When they couldn’t get in the house, they used extreme measures to get to Jesus! They climbed on top of the roof of the house, and began uncovering the roof! “The roof which covered the house was flat (most roofs today are slanting). The roof was often made as follows: first beams were laid from wall to wall. Then a mat of reeds or thorn bushes was placed over the beams. Then a layer of earth or clay was put down. Finally sand and/or pebbles were scattered on top of the earth or clay. In the Bible a roof is usually called a "HOUSETOP."” - http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/biblecus/biblec11.htm
E.
QUESTIONS: What are you willing to do in your desperation? Will you allow the obstacles or the hindrances stop you from getting to Jesus?
A. These men didn’t, because they had faith (they placed their hope and confidence) in Jesus Christ.
B. The Bible tells us that Jesus rewarded their Faith. If you do not hear anything else in this message, please hear this! God rewards Faith! Hebrews 11:1, “1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV) Next, we see:
II. SEVERAL CONFUSED LEADERS (V6-11).
A. v6-10, “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.” (NKJV)
B. In the days of Jesus, many people believed that if you were crippled, then you were a major sinner.
C. I think it is interesting when you look at the Harmony of the Gospels (that is, when you look at the same story in a different account). For instance, the Gospel According to Mark says, “Why does He speak blasphemies?” The Gospel According to Luke says, “Who is this?...” In other words...who does this Man think He is?
D. Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves said, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?”
E. These Religious Leaders were always perplexed at the teachings of Jesus. The problem was that they were so caught up in their Religion...that they missed JESUS!
F. Jesus, confronted them with a question: LOOK AT VERSE 9!
G. Now, Jesus not only asked them a question, but He showed them that He was God by forgiving this man’s sins, and healing his physical body of his infirmity! WOW!!!!
H. Verse 11, reminds me of the Demoniac from the Gadarenes. Jesus told this man in Mark 5:18-19, “And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to they friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” (KJV)
III. A TRANSFORMED LIFE (V12).
A. v12, 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!” (NKJV)
B. When you get in the house with Jesus you will see, and experience some amazing things!
C. This Paralytic had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and because of his faith, the Lord healed him, physically and spiritually!
D. Many people will tell you that you have to be baptized, confirmed, commissioned, and exercise works to be saved! Not this man! Verse 5 says, “When Jesus saw their faith. He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’”
E. Have you exercised faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Has there been a time in your life when you came to Jesus? If not, why not today?
F. You must realize that Jesus can heal you SPIRITUALLY! What does it take to have your sins forgiven? According to verse 5, it takes your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith exercises your belief in the Savior to take away your sins. This is where Repentance comes in! Repentance is the feeling of godly sorrow which leads to a Transformed Life!
What will you do with Jesus today? He is in the House!
