Healing on the Sabbath. Angry Pharisees. Desperate man, needing the help only Jesus can provide. Righteous anger, coupled with grief. An “unholy” alliance. All these things are discussed in today’s lesson in the Miracles in Mark study.

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Mark’s gospel records a touching story of the healing of a paralytic man early in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had just returned home to Capernaum, Mark 2.1-2 and was preaching to people who had come to his house. The crowd was so large that it completely filled up the room – no one could come in or out. Jesus’ fame had spread across all of Israel. News of his ability to heal people of their sickness and infirmities had gone far and wide. Four men brought a paralyzed man to be healed by Jesus. When they reached his house and found that they could not enter, they became very resourceful in getting their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Carrying the man onto the roof of the house, the four men cut a hole large enough to lower their friend down to Jesus. Jesus was impressed by their faith and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” 2.5. A few verses later, we read that Jesus told this man to get up, pick up his bed, and go home, 2.11. The faith of the individuals in this story is impressive and presents a wonderful collection of information to help us in our spiritual lives today.

The four men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus acted with boldness. They were willing to go to great lengths to accomplish their objective – so far that most people would and may have questioned them about it. That day, these four men trusted that people were more important to Jesus than the roof they were about to tear apart. Would we have done the same? To what lengths are we willing to go? Is there anything bold about our faith?

The four men really cared. They didn’t just say they cared, their actions demonstrated it. It is not about what we profess, it is about what we do. James spoke of this: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”, James 2.14-16. We must be a people who care. Paul wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep,” Romans 12.15. Caring about others only has meaning when we do something.

The four men persevered refusing to give up. There was not enough room to get their paralyzed friend through the door. Their faith refused to die, even in the face of obstacles.  They were going to get their friend to Jesus – no matter the cost. Perseverance is a necessary quality of spiritual life. Paul urged New Testament Christians to “keep alert with all perseverance,” Ephesians 6.18. This kind of faith is what keeps the Christian going. Too often, our failures result, not from obstacles or problems themselves, but from a lack of faith in dealing with these problems. We’ve already decided what is not going to work, or what can’t be done. If we go forward with this attitude, defeat is certain!

So much can be accomplished when we realize the power of God and move forward in faith. Don’t let obstacles stop you. Don’t let a problem thwart your spiritual progress. The Christians at Kettering Church of Christ can help you in beginning your walk with Christ or in sharpening your spiritual priorities. Our mission is to share Christ by serving others.

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1 Tim. 3:10 requires the congregation to examine a candidates fitness for office. No one may serve as deacon until first tested & approved. The process of confirmation requires time & effort. While we are busy around here – we must not be too busy to thoroughly examine the men who wish to serve. Unfit deacons can cause problems in the church & hurt innocent people. Deacons are the key to church work and growth.

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In Mark 2.1-12, we read of the boldness and determination of four men who cut a hole in the roof in order to get a paralyzed man in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus was moved with compassion and forgave the man of his sin and healed him physically. What are some important lessons we can learn from this story?

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Introduction:

In 1 Timothy 3.11, does Paul introduce a new class of people closely associated with deacons? Is Paul referring to women in general or wives of deacons? The context determines the answer. Some have taken 3:11 to mean that: 1) Paul addressing women who are deacons. (women officers in the church) 2) Women who assist deacons. 3) Wives who assist their deacon husbands. Who is in question in 3:11?

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Introduction

Godly leadership makes the true, spiritual difference w/in the church. It is not accidental that almost all instruction on deacons relates to their qualifications. Not just anyone who wants to be a deacon can be a deacon. Placing unqualified men into church leadership is a key tool of Satan for thwarting church growth & killing a church. A properly ordered church must have morally & spiritually qualified overseers & deacons. (1 Timothy 3.1-13.)

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Here are the links to the lessons I preached on Thursday/Friday evening at the Rose St. Congregation in Anchorage, AK.

Thursday: The Forgiveness of God

Friday: God’s Vision For Us

Paul instructed Christians to “put off your old self, …and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self,” Ephesians 4.22-23. How can we become more successful in conquering the flesh and our selfish wants and desires?

We must cease to make excuses. The moment that some defense mechanism comes into play, recognize it, and ask yourself: Why am I letting this upset me?

We must engage in self-examination. Reflect a moment on how self enters into everything you do. It concerns and controls our actions, work, conduct, dress, appearance,..everything! We often need to increase our personal discipline and moments of self-examination. In writing about himself, Paul said, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified,” 1 Corinthians 9.27.

We must realize how much misery is traced back to love of self. Recall your moments of unhappiness and irritability. Self is the main cause of unhappiness in this life!

Measure yourself against Christ’s standard. Philippians 2.5-7 teaches that Jesus “emptied” Himself. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” How did Jesus “make himself nothing?” During his life on earth John’s gospel tells us that Jesus’ words were not His, 12.49, and that Jesus’ works were not His, 14:10. During His ministry, Jesus told those who follow Him, “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me”, John 5.30. He was totally concerned with serving His Father! He is the perfect example to follow in subjecting our own interests to that of the will of the Father!

Perhaps no greater example of Jesus’ commitment to the interests of others over that of himself is seen while He was on the cross. While suspended in air—spikes driven through His hands and feet—he prayed “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23.34). We must follow Peter’s admonition. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.  He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness,” 1 Peter 2.21-24.

Jesus set the standard that we are to follow. How are you doing? Make the commitment to decrease self and increase Christ. Have you put the wishes of the Savior above your own?

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Here is the link to the lesson I preached on Wednesday at the Rose St. Congregation in Anchorage, AK.

Wednesday: Continual Cleansing

Here are the links to the lessons I have been preaching at the Rose St. Congregation in Anchorage, AK.

Monday: Understanding Justification.

Tuesday: Understanding Propitiation.