Wrecked Roofs And Changed Lives

“Wrecked Roofs and Changed Lives”

June 10, 2007

Me: Illness when I was a junior in high school. Scared, confused, frustrated. Ended up in St. Jude. Glad no one was too tired, or busy to care.

We: What are the times in your life when you needed others to care and were glad they took the time to meet your need?

God: Scripture has some great stories of Jesus changing lives. Today we want to examine one and see how it practically applies into our lives.

“When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-12 (NLT)

Desperate circumstances lead to determined action.

Faith requires risk.

“But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Mark 2:6-12

Movements of God make humans uncomfortable.

You: How uncomfortable are you willing to be so that others may be healed by Jesus?

Are you willing to eliminate any barriers that stand between others and God?

Common “Roof” Tiles:

Fear

Comfort

Blindness

We: How do we begin “wrecking the roof?”

Love with no strings attached.

Serve selflessly.

Meet the practical need.

Application: Students passing out water at beach. Care packages for soldiers. ARK Almighty Low Risk, High Grace