Christ in the Home
Mark 2:2
Introduction:
All of us take special care when a guest is coming over to our house.
In the book of mark there is a sense of promptness.
When Christ is in your home things will change.
In his book, Reaching the Invisible God, author Philip Yancey tells the story about his wife, Janet, who leads a weekly “Christian Circle” at a local nursing home. An Alzheimer’s patient named Betsy faithfully attends, led there by a staff worker, and sits through the hour. Every week Janet introduces herself, and every week Betsy responds as if she’s never seen her before. After a few weeks, Janet learned that Betsy has retained the ability to read. She has no comprehension of what she is reading and will repeat the same line over and over, like a stuck record, until someone prompts her to move on. But on a good day she can read a passage straight through in a clear, strong voice. Janet began calling on her each week to read a hymn. One Friday the senior citizens, who prefer to sing the older hymns they remember from childhood, selected “The Old Rugged Cross” for Betsy to read. “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff’ring and shame,” she began, and stopped. She suddenly got agitated. “I can’t go on It’s too sad Too sad” she said. Some of the seniors gasped. Others stared at her, dumbfounded. In years of living at the nursing home, not once had Betsy shown the ability to put words together meaningfully. Now, obviously, she did understand. Janet calmed her: “That’s fine, Betsy. You don’t have to keep reading if you don’t want to.” After a pause, though, she started reading again, and stopped at the same place. A tear made a trail down each cheek. “I can’t go on It’s so sad” she said, unaware she had said the same thing two minutes ago. She tried again, and again reacted with a sudden shock of recognition, grief, and the exact same words. Finally, when Betsy seemed tranquil, Janet led her to the elevator to return her to her room. To her amazement Betsy began singing the hymn from memory. The words came in breathy, chopped phrases, and she could barely carry the tune, but anyone could recognize the hymn: On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross The emblem of suff’ring and shame. New tears fell, but his time Betsy kept going, still from memory, gaining strength as she sang: And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown. Somewhere in that tattered mind, damaged neurons had tapped into a network of old connections to resurrect a pattern of meaning for Betsy. In her confusion, two things only stood out: suffering and shame. Those two words summarize the human condition, the condition she lives in every day of her sad life. Who knows more suffering and shame than Betsy? For her, the hymn answered that question: Jesus does.
I. The Exhibition of Fellowship Mark 1:30; 2:2; Luke 10:38; 19:7-9
A. An anticipation of his approaching Mark 2:1-2a
1. Peter’s mother in law receives Jesus into her house (Mark 1:30).
Mar 1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. 38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
2. Martha receives Jesus into her house (Luke 10:38).
Luk 10:38-42
(38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
(39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
(40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
(41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
(42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
3. Zacchaeus receives Jesus into his house (Luke 19:7-9)
Luk 19:7-9
(7) And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
(8) And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
(9) And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
B. An animation at his appearance Mark 2:2
1. “straightway”
2. “gathered together”
3. “He preached the word unto them”
C. An approach to his ability Mark 2:3
1. “they come unto him”
2. “bringing one”
3. “borne”
II. The Exercise of Faith Mark 2:5
A. The faith of the friends Mark 2:4
1. “the press”
2. “broken it up”
3. “they let down the bed”
B. The faith of the Frail Mark 2:5
1. “Jesus saw their faith”
2. “He said unto the sick”
3. “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
C. The scoff of the Scribes Mark 2:6
1. “But there were certain”
2. “reasoning”
3. “their hearts”
III. The Experience of Forgiveness Mark 2:5; Acts 10:43-44
A. Jesus Saw
1. His Faith
2. His Pain
3. His Need
B. Jesus Sympathized
1. Jesus if full of compassion
2. Jesus is full of mercy
3. Jesus is full of forgiveness
C. Jesus Saves
IV. The Exposure of Fault – Finding Mark 2:8-11; 9:33-34; Luke 10:41
A. The Perception of Jesus
1. He knew their spirit
2. He knew their thoughts
3. He knew their hearts
Mar 9:33-34
(33) And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
(34) But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Luk 10:41
(41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
B. The Petulance of the Scribes
1. He knew their accusation
2. He disproved their accusation
3. He glorified God.
C. The Power of forgiveness
1. Arise
2. Take
3. Go
V. The Enjoyment of Fullness Mark 2:12
A. The Propinquity of His Power
1. The miracle was immediate
2. The forgiveness was immediate
3. The response was immediate
B. The Perplexity of His Power
1. “they were all amazed”
C. The Praise of His Power
1. “glorified God”
2. “We never saw it on this fasion”
3. The Power of Jesus is like no other power!
Conclusion:
What if Jesus came to your home?
Is Jesus in your home now?
Contractor There was once a contractor who built homes in a small town somewhere in Europe. He built most of the homes for the people who lived in the village and was a gifted carpenter. Unfortunately, he was never able to afford a home of his own. One day, the wealthiest man in town came to the contractor and asked him to build a house. He said, “I want you to build the finest house you are capable of, and I want you to spare no expense. I am going on a journey and when I return I hope that the house will be completed.” The contractor agreed to the job and was about to begin when a thought struck him: “This wealthy man already has a few houses. I do not have my own. I will use inferior material, cut a few corners and do a quick job on the house, make it look real nice, and charge him the full amount. That way I can pocket the leftover money and finally afford to buy my own house.” So that’s what he did. When the rich man returned he went to view the house and was impressed. It looked beautiful from a distance. The wealthy man turned to the crooked contractor and said, “The house looks wonderful I am so glad that you spared no expense, for I intend to give this home to a dear friend who deserves a house like this one.” With that, he handed the keys over to the contractor and said, “Here is your new home, my friend.” The contractor graciously received the keys to his new home, but his heart sank as he realized what he had done. What kind of effort and quality of workmanship and materials would the man have put into the home if he had known it would be the place where he and his family would be living?
