"four Crazy Friends"

b. This paralytic knew he was loved. His friends had literally gone the “extra mile” to bring him to Jesus! Christian, are you willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel? Are you willing to do more than your “duty” are you willing to demonstrate love? Even then, may not always be received well. Illust: When I was in seminary there was an M.Div student, Bart Chlan. Bart was 29 yrs old. Left a job in Federal Govt. to become a missionary to Italy. Manager a car parts store in Columbia while putting self through seminary. There met a homeless man. Offered the man to stay with him until got on his feet. One night the man, who had been doing well, got high and stabbed Bart to death while he was asleep. A friend of Carol’s, Ted Stump, found the body. He and Bart had planned to go out witnessing that afternoon.

2. Are you and I taking any Extra Effort to Lead Another Person to Christ?

a. This can be costly. It certainly was for the four friends of the paralytic. Cost time. Jobs? Family? Physical exertion? Reputation? Embarrassed? Think of what it cost Bart Chlan?

b. Being willing to go “the extra mile” carrying your enemy’s pack while being potentially subject to his (her) insults and threats takes an extraordinary amount of grace, patience, forgiveness, and generosity. Only someone whose heart is fully set on the Kingdom of God can do that. Probably very few of us would volunteer to do that. Let me ask you friend, is there a person like that whom God has appointed to be in your or my life and we need make Christ a reality in theirs?

C. Applic: Christian, is there someone you are intentionally making an effort with to lead to Christ? Is God asking you to go an extra mile in seeing that man or woman come to Christ?

III. Xstians Attempt to Remove Hindrances that Keep Their Friends from Meeting Jesus. (vv. 3-4)

A. Consider the Hindrances that Had to Be Overcome for these 4 Men to Bring their friend to Christ.

1. What were the hindrances?

a. Think about the passage: There was the immobility of the man. He was a paralytic. Paralysis. Paralyzed to some degree. Couldn’t walk. Had to be carried. We do not know the distance, but even four men carrying a stretcher is hard work, especially in a hot climate with hilly terrain. Getting to the house where Jesus was teaching there was a huge crowd. The crowd was pushing in on the Savior so much that the men couldn’t even get their friend through the crowd. Illus: I realize we are Iowans. Iowa isn’t known for crowds. But have you ever been in a massive crowd? Maybe a major city? The L in Chicago? Sporting event? In line for a concert? Can feel like all movement is constricted.

b. Illust: Let me just encourage you, Christian. You are presently witnessing to a friend. You need to expect hindrances. You need to expect lunch appointments that get cancelled, or cars that get flat tires or children that get sick, or… you name it. Why? Satan doesn’t want your friend to come to Christ. In this instance, the very crowd that had come to see Christ were an impediment for the paralytic to meet Christ! Maybe they ask you a question don’t know answer to. Ok. Don’t panic. Maybe need to learn some apologetics. Maybe need to grow more. Ok. Be persistent. Their soul matters.