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!"?
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