Mark 2:14-17
14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. 15 And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Big Idea: This passage culminates in Jesus telling us why He came, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but the sinner.” (Mark 2:17) So what does this mean in the context of the passage? First, let’s breakdown the different characters we see in this story: we see three distinct groups. We have the righteous (Jesus), the self-righteous (Scribes and Pharisees) and the un-righteous (Sinners and tax collectors.) However, if we contrast this with what Jesus said, we should only have two different groups: the healthy (righteous) and the sick (sinner.) So where is the disconnect? Why do we see the story differ from Jesus’ teaching? The answer is worldview, and how they are different among the groups. The scribes and Pharisee’s were righteous…to the letter of the law and to the “traditions of the elders” (Man-made religious ordinances observed as The Law). They were only righteous by their own standards, standards that they had put in place. A self-fulfilling prophesy if you will. A ruse… a con… as 1 John 1:8 says “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Or take Paul’s words in Romans 3:10 “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one.”” This paints a bleak picture. Enter Jesus onto the scene, "The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them," (Isaiah 9:2); "if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2); “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Let us not deceive ourselves….we ALL are in need of a savior whether we believe so or not. 1. How does the Mark passage teach us about a biblical worldview? Can you find contrasting worldview's in the passage? 2. Do your behaviors and values align with your beliefs? What are ways that your life might not align with a Christian worldview? Pray for each other and hold each other accountable for these areas. (What does your social media look like? Are you chasing the "American Dream?") 3. Discuss the establishments (culture, Progressive christianity, "mainstream" churches) that the church is battling against today? What are the issues that we need to stand firm against? (Hint: whatever is antithetical to the Bible) 4. Do you feel infected by the lifestyle influencer culture? What compromises do we make (or the church) trying to influence the culture without the power of Jesus and His message to the world?
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Text: Mark 2:1-12 When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3 And some people came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. 4 And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Big Idea: When Jesus was through healing and forgiving the sins of the paralyzed man, the people who had witnessed the "event" proclaimed, "We have never seen anything like this!" What Jesus did was a significant break from the mundane. It was supernatural. It was non-traditional. It even challenged the theology of the Jews. What does the present church need to experience? We need to experience God (both His person and acts) in such a way that it causes the people of our time to proclaim: "We have never seen anything like this!" Read verse 1-3: When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3 And some people came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. 1. The door was blocked by the crowds of people which made it hard for these men and others to enter. How can we make it easier for people to access Christ and remove the hurdles? Read verse 4: 4 And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. 1. These men ripped a hole in the roof of a house that was not theirs in order to get to Christ. What are some other extraordinary examples in scripture that people went to in order to receive a touch from Christ? 2. Have you ever met someone (maybe even yourself) that went to extraordinary lengths to receive a touch from Christ? How did that strengthen your faith? Read verse 5: 5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 1. Why do you think Jesus brought up forgiveness at this particular point? 2. Was this man there for forgiveness, healing or both? Read verses 6-7: 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” 1. These Pharisees began "reasoning" in their hearts when they heard Jesus declare this man being forgiven. Have you ever read something in scripture or heard something preached that led you to start reasoning or arguing in your mind? 2. What is the difference between reasoning in our hearts and questioning/pondering in our hearts? Read Verses 8 & 9: 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? 1. Healing the man wouldn't have been a huge issue for the Pharisees; but Jesus speaking of forgiving the man's sin was problematic. Why does Jesus equate the two together; healing and forgiveness? Read Verses 10 & 11: 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” 1. What are the things that Jesus demonstrated He had authority over while He was on earth? 2. What authority do believers have today? Read Verse 12: 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” 1. Have you ever experienced something supernatural in your life? 2. What are some of the signs that Jesus is working or moving in our midst? 3. What are some events in your life that led you to the place of saying "I've never seen anything like that!"? Text: Mark 1:35-39 35 And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. 36 Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him; 37 and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 He said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also preach there; for this is why I came.” 39 And He went into their synagogues preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons.
Big Idea: Jesus, the Son of Man, was a man of prayer. If Jesus, who was God in the flesh, needed to pray, how much more is prayer a necessity for the saints? Prayer is an expression of our dependence on God, and so we pray, on all occasions, about all our concerns, without ceasing. Read verse 35: And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. 1. Why do you think Jesus got up early to pray? What is it about getting up early and be secluded that benefits our prayer life? 2. When you do you like to spend time with God in prayer? Read verses 36 & 37: Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him; 37 and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 1. Why didn't Jesus stop praying and address these crowds? 2. Why were these people searching for Jesus? Was it because they loved Him, wanted something from Him or both? 3. What is the difference between "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and looking for Jesus? Read verse 38: He said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also preach there; for this is why I came.” 1. Why do you think Jesus left the crowds of people that flocked to Him? 2. Jesus says: "..so that I may preach there; for this is why I came." In your opinion, how important is the preaching of the gospel? Read verse 39: And He went into their synagogues preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons. 1. Does casting out of demons and the preaching of the gospel go hand in hand? Why or why not? 2. How do you think the devil and demons work today in and through people? |
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