The Hurting Need A Healer

The Hurting Need a Healer (Mark 2:1-12) *All verses in NKJV”

Mark 2:1-12, And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power (and authority) on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

– The story in Mark right before this one is of a leper that Jesus healed in the temple. That man went out and told everyone about his miracle, now Jesus draws a crowd everywhere he goes…

– 4 men lowered a paralytic man down through the roof. This took effort and planning. They must of brought tools, rope, etc… dug a huge hole, lots of work…

– When Jesus healed the man, it caused everyone to give GOD glory, and surely it caused many to want to bring their friends and family to meet Jesus, too!

1. Jesus came to save us from our sin.

– Jesus has the power to heal your body and your mind, but that isn’t why he came to earth. 

– Jesus used his miracles to show he was the Son of God. He came to save sinners. He used his power to heal to prove his authority to forgive sins. (They all knew EXACTLY what Jesus meant!)

– Verse 10, “So that you will know I have the power (and authority) to forgive sins…”  (Be healed!)

– Jesus can heal our physical bodies and heal our minds. He wants us to be whole!

– The biggest concern is our heart condition. We have a sin problem that needs to be dealt with.

– Matthew 16:26, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

– What good would physical healing be if the soul is in dis-repair?

– Ephesians 1:7, In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

– 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

– This invitation is open to everybody, at any time. You have not yet missed your chance…

– We must take responsibility for our sins, and repent. The Lord is faithful to forgive us.

– Paul sets the example in his letter to Timothy…

1 Timothy 1:15, This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 

– This isn’t about self-deprecation. Paul is humbling himself and taking responsibility for his past actions. No one else is to blame.

– Jesus is the only one who can save us! This is why he came.

– Physical healing will last until the end of this life; spiritual healing will last unto eternity!

2. The difference between fault and responsibility. 

– Even if you don’t realize it or believe it, YOU are responsible for your own problems and struggles.

– Responsibility and fault are not the same thing. People don’t want to take RESPONSIBILITY for their circumstances because they think that would mean that they are also at FAULT for them.

– Your circumstance may, or may not, be your fault, but you still have to deal with the outcome of it. You are responsible for how you respond to it, and where you go from here.

– Example: My Grandpa Bill used to pull out into traffic, claiming he had the right-of-way, and the accident would not be his fault. We would tell him he would still have to deal with death or injury!

– “Fault” is in the past. “Responsibility” is right now. Faults result from choices that have already been made. Responsibility results from the choices you are currently making today, and every day. 

– There is a difference between blaming someone at fault for your situation and that person actually being responsible for your situation. No one else is ever responsible for your situation but you. 

– Example: Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for casting out an evil spirit from a child. They responded by singing hymns and praising God, and even their oppressor got saved!

– If you are offended right now, take a breath. I’m helping you get “un-stuck”.

– The paralyzed man was probably not at fault for how he got that way… but there he was anyway.

– But he didn’t have to deal with it alone, and YOU don’t have to deal with it alone either! 

– Mark 2:3-4, Then they came to Jesus, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

– These 4 men took responsibility for the man on the mat! It wasn’t their fault, and they didn’t have to, but they did it anyway. 

– Example: ORH Mexico w veterans, or Men’s Advance… Men bringing other men to find the hope and healing that they had found themselves…

– They didn’t seem to care about their own needs. They actually put themselves in a worse position for the benefit of one with the greater need… because now all 4 are also stuck up on the roof!

– 1 Cor 12:26, And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

– This is a picture of bringing our hurting brothers and sisters to Jesus, for physical and spiritual healing. Through great sacrifice and discomfort, with great effort, they shared responsibility.

– The scripture doesn’t even say that these guys were his friends. Maybe they were just 4 men who saw someone in need and decided to do something about it. (They knew where to take him!)

– Acts 20:35, I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 

– Many are generous out of their abundance, but few out of their want.

**I noticed this: The man was carried on his mat to the healer, but once healed and set free, the mat began to carry his own mat. … he is now equipped to help someone else carry theirs.

– God has given you the strength to overcome anything this world brings, through the Holy Spirit inside you!

– 2 Peter 1:3, His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us, by his own glory and virtue,

– You are NOT alone! You have your church beside you! You have the Holy Spirit inside you!

3. A changed life, changes lives.

– Mark 2:12, Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

– Because of the testimony of a healed leper in the previous verses, the house was filled with people who had heard about Jesus. Some for the show, and some for what he could give them.

– They came looking for the Healer and found the Savior. A changed life changes lives! 

– Because Men of Faith chose to become uncomfortable for the paralytic, to sacrifice their own wants and needs, the man was healed AND saved, and became a testimony to everyone watching.

– Phil. 2:3-4, Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

– Invite people to church this week so more people can meet the Savior and be changed!!

– Matt 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

– Gal. 6:9-10, And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

– Application: As we come to Jesus and find forgiveness and healing, we bring others (or they see our life changed) and then they bring others, etc… that’s why FVC is growing.

– That’s why it is important that we share our story, walk out our faith, and bring others along….

– Mark 2:17, When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, [d]to repentance.”

– Bring the hurting to the Healer!

– prayer –