CENTRAL ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
SUNDAY April 21, 2013
Series - The Presence of God
“When Jesus Shows Up”
Mark Ch. 2: 1-12
SALUTATION
INTRODUCTION - SET THE TONE – Talk about last sermon
Say: It’s a tragedy to get up out of your bed and come to a place of worship every Sunday and never experience the presence the power and the presence of God – that’s a real tragedy.
But if the truth be told, I believe that that is a trend that is fast becoming the order of the day in many of our so called churches today.
Church is not what it used to be – one time ago our grand-parents and those who went before us, even though they didn’t have cushion pews, air conditions and all the sophistication of music, sound system, and other technological aids, one thing I do remember is that they had a genuine love and sincerity for the things of God and for the worship of God, but we losing that by the day and what has replaced it for the most part is a form of godliness and a performance based worship where folks are seeking first and foremost to please and satisfy themselves while failing to remember that worship is about God and God alone.
And so my brothers and sister, we who are here must do all that we can to avoid that kind of spirit, especially in this day and age when everything around us is falling apart and nothing much seems to make sense anymore.
The Church of the living God cannot become a playground where people come to hang out on Sunday for two hours or so then go back home to eat peas and rice….. If ever a time we need the power and the presence of God is now.
Yes we are doing a lot of things right but if those things are void of the power of the Holy Spirit then we are no better off than the rotary or Toastmasters clubs that meet weekly just the way we do.
I don’t know about you, but at this stage of my Christian journey, I can’t settle for a just “casual – like everyone else” kind of Christianity – a mediocre kind of praise and a getting by kind of worship – No B&S, I don’t know about you but God has been good to be, he has done great things in my life and I haven’t come this far to settle for just business as usual, I want to experience the power of God every time I enter into these door – and I want some folks to come alongside me (DIHAW) in the house?
But I have come to today to remind us that we have something that no other group has and that is the ever abiding presence and power of the Holy Spirit and when He is among us things happen.
That’s why I want to speak to you today on the subject
“When Jesus Shows Up?” – Mark Ch.2:1-12. –
Background.
Jesus Launches His Public Ministry.
Evidenced by his Baptism by John - the calling of his twelve disciples – constant preaching and healing of those who were a part of his everyday ministry –
In our text it begins by telling us that Jesus again entered Capernaum – meaning that this was a place that he had been before – and if we look in Ch 1:21 it tells us that.
But in ch. 2:1 – the Bible tells us that He came to Capernaum, but this time he does not go in the synagogue (maybe not the Sabbath day) but instead went into a house).
And before you could blink your eyes the house was overflowing with people. People came from everywhere because the news about Jesus went out like wild fire even though Jesus ask them to keep it a secret
That’s the first thing I want to bring to our attention today is that when Jesus shows up, remember..
1. DON’T KEEP IT A SECRET.
We have to spread the word.
Read ch. 1:v-43-45 – Read v- 1-2a –
When we experience God in an extraordinary way – how in the world could we keep that a secret.
People of God hear me today, if we are going to see this house filled up so that there is standing room only, we can no longer be contented with keeping it a secret that Jesus is in the house; We have to say something.
The house got filled up as quickly as it did because there were folks whom God had touched – look at Mark ch. 1:41 - were willing to tell others and testifying daily about what God had been doing in their midst. You know what, that tells me ..
If He Touches you – then you have to Talk it.
If He Heals you – someone should Hear about it
If He Saves you – then you ought to Share it
If He Delivers you – you have to Declare it –
Look in ch. 1:45 – Read.
B&S, when Jesus comes through for you – you can’t keep that a secret.
Imagine this..
You have been praying for a job and God came through for you – how dare you keep that a secret -
God saved you – how could you not tell the Good News – I have heard the joyful sound - Jesus Saves – Jesus Saves –
When Jesus shows us, we can’t keep that a secret, instead we must be eager to tell others of what he has done for us.
The fact that the house got filled up so quickly is because there was no secret –
This church will not grow as fast as it should if we the people of God continue to keep Jesus a secret -
Beginning today, we have to start talking about Jesus and I guarantee you, if 10 of us – 20 of us begin to speak positively about what God is doing in our midst – watch how this house would get filled up and how we would see even more of the manifestation of the presence and power of God.
You want to see the house filled up, then we can’t keep Jesus a secret.
• DON’T keep it a Secret.
Secondly, When Jesus Shows up
2. God Speaks. Look at v-2.
When Jesus shows up, there is always a word in that House.
Say: I am convinced that every time the people of God gather for corporate worship, and they are serious about hearing from God, God speaks and He speaks clearly.
Look at our text – the bible says that He (Jesus) preached the word of God to them). Preaching was his mission – 1:35-38 -
I have no doubts that some in that house had come out of curiosity – some had come to see him in action or to have some other physical need met, but notice what Jesus did before he attempted to do anything else – he preached the Word of God to them for he knows that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. He knows that having your physical needs met is important, but it only lasts for a short while – but when we hear the Word of God and are changed and transformed by the Word of God – that is for eternity.
So Jesus preached the kingdom of God to them first and foremost. Preaching is important.
While God may speak in other ways, one of the most objective and unmistakable ways that He speaks to us is through His word.
And so when Jesus comes to the house, we have come with an expectation that God will speak and that He will speak to us.
Now this text does not tell us what Jesus spoke about, only that he spoke but it must have been something life changing for the house was filled to capacity.
Having a God who speaks to us is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of our God for no other God is able to speak for they are all dead Gods, but our God is alive and has been speaking from the beginning of creation when He said – let there be and it was –
Buddha can’t speak – stay away from Him
Halie Selasi can’t speak – stay away from Him
Mohammad can’t speak stay away from him
The gods of the New Age movement can’t speak – stay away from them –
But our God, He is awesome and the Bible says in Hebrew ch. 1 that in times past he spoke to our forefathers through the prophets, but today, He speaks to us through His son Jesus Christ, who He has made ruler over all things – hear me – when Jesus shows up – God speaks.
Think about it – it doesn’t matter where you are – when God shows up – there is a word..
Abraham, going about his normal business in Mesopotamia – God shows up and spoke words to him that would alter the course of biblical history forever.
Moses in the wilderness – in the midst of a burning bush – God spoke and gives him his mandate, mission and his job description.
Isaiah in the temple said that I heard the voice of God say, whom shall I sent and who shall go for me and I say here I am send me – God showed up and he spoke.
Jeremiah in the dungeon – down and depressed and God shows up and spoke to him – he said to Jeremiah – call on me ….
Paul on the road to Damascus – about to do mischief – Jesus shows up and speaks to him – Saul, Saul – why persecute me… B&S, that encounter changed this murderer and church hater for life.
It doesn’t matter your circumstances, when Jesus shows up – God speaks into your life and changes you forever.
Look at the text – he speaks to the guy himself – not to those who brought him – “Sons your sins are forgiven”- v-5
When you come to Christ, he speaks life into your situation..
v-11 – He speaks to the guy again – get up – take up – go up.. He speaks life into this man’s situation
I believe that Jesus is here right now for the Bible says that where two or three are gathered touching anything in His name – he is right there – all morning we have been touching things in His name so He is here and if He is Here them God is speaking.
What is he saying to you?
If you are not saved – could He be saying what he said to the apostle Paul – why persecutest thou me. Could he be saying, Come lets reason together says the Lord…
If you are feeling down and out and depressed and in the dungeon of life – like Jeremiah - could he be saying – call on me and I will answer you.. and I will show you..
If you are struggling with your call to ministry – like Isaiah, could He be saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for me, and He is waiting for you to say – Here am I, send me.
Whatever it is – you need to know that when Jesus shows up – God speaks.
“When God speaks, oftentimes His voice will call for an act of courage on our part - Charles Stanley
Because you didn’t hear God, don’t assume that he didn’t speak – we can’t hear Him if we are distracted when he is speaking or we are busy writing grocery list, texting, sending email or answering cell phones in the middle of the preacher’s sermon - There has to be an awareness and a sensitivity to the power and the presence of God.
I told you so far….
When Jesus Shows up
• We can’t keep it a Secret.
• God Speaks.
But there is a third thing we experience when Jesus shows up…
3. Folks Get Saved – v-5
I told you so, when Jesus comes to the house, folks get saved.
People can get saved anytime and anyplace where the word of God is being preached, but you know and I know, it’s in corporate worship where we have a greater chance of hearing the word of God expounded on a consistent basis and in a methodical, God honoring way. That’s a fact -
Watch what happened here, a sick man is brought to Jesus for physical healing, but Jesus ignores the physical for a moment and focused on the man’s spiritual condition – for He knows that physical healing without spiritual transformation is a work that is not complete – so he delivers the man first and foremost from his sins.
May I remind you – when Jesus shows up – people get saved.
The Bible is so true – it says that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God – Jesus preached the kingdom of God, the folks heard the word and watch how Jesus responded when the man appeared at His feet having been lowered through the roof – “V-5 – when Jesus saw their faith – all five of them – He said to the paralytic - Son, your sins are forgiven –
Son you are saved –
Son you are now a child of God –
He calls him Son because the Bible says in John 1:12, for as many as received him, to them gave ye power to become the Sons of God –
When Jesus shows up – He comes to save those who are lost - is that you today or what?
If it is you – don’t be embarrassed – come to this alter right now and I will pause this sermon and pray God’s transforming power over you right at this moment –
Jesus is here and he has come to seek and to save those that are lost
Notice something in the text that is a side bar to the main idea I am dealing with today.
This guy didn’t come to Jesus on his own, others brought Him to Jesus – sometimes in order for others to come into a saving relationship with Jesus, we have to bring them to Jesus.
Everyone will not come on his or her own, some people need help – some need encouragement – some need persuasion – It will not always be easy.
In fact, there are times where you alone may not be able to get them to Jesus, and you have to involve the help of others – it took four to get this one to Jesus.
Our theme says that we are to go into the highways and byways and compel them to come so than my house may be full.
If we are going to fill the house then, we have to get in the habit of bringing folks where Jesus is for where Jesus is, there is salvation and folks get saved.
But you yourselves must first believe that Jesus has the power to save and deliver –
He does not say please God forgive this man – or God have mercy on him – no He proclaims forgiveness over the guy himself – if you still have problems believing that Jesus is God, then I don’t what to say – but I know one thing, when Jesus shows up – folks get saved.
So I told you already,
• We can’t keep it a Secret.
• God Speaks.
• Folks Get Saved
But lastly, when Jesus shows up,
4. People Leave Satisfied - Read v- 10-12
Look at this text – one thing is clear, when Jesus shows up –
We get to see firsthand the power of God in action – v-12.
The man came Paralyzed, but he left Praising.
He was Lying down when he came in, but he was Standing up when he left.
He came in secretly through the roof, but he left openly through the door
He was a paralyzed Sinner when he entered, but he was a powerful Saint when he made his exit
He came stretched out but when he left I believe he left singing the song,
“No more shackles – No more chains – no more bondage I am free – then I believe I heard him say -
Verse 3:
I wanna lift my hands higher than before
I wanna love you more than before
I wanna worship deeper than before
I've gotta scream louder...
No more shackles – No more chains – no more bondage I am free – fully satisfied
I know he was satisfied because..
The thing that once carried him, he now carries that thing
I am talking about his bed –
He didn’t need a bed any longer because he received his breakthrough
He didn’t need any Help on the way out for he had received his Healing on the way in.
When Jesus shows up, things are different.
Burdens are removed -
Deliverance takes place
Healing happens
Sins are forgiven
People come to church more often
People show more concern for each other
There is more love in the house
I close by saying to you one more time..
When Jesus shows up - Things are no longer the same
• We can’t keep it a Secret.
• God Speaks.
• Folks Get Saved
• People Leave Satisfied
Bring in the gospel and close with offer for salvation.
