March 17, 2024
BEYOND BELIEF: THROUGH THE ROOF
March 17, 2024
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
There are instances in our phraseology when we describe something by saying “It was ‘through the roof’” or our emotions for the day were “through the roof”! In today’s sermon, we look at a miracle by Jesus that was two-fold: He addressed the thoughts of some scribes who had come into a house to observe, and no doubt criticize, Him, and He also healed a man who was paralyzed. The Bible does not say the victim had faith himself, but he was brought to the house, where he was let down through the roof in front of Jesus, by four friends who had faith that Jesus could heal him. Is our faith in Jesus so strong that we will do anything to get our friends to come to Him? If even one friend would accept Jesus, our joy will be “through the roof”!
Focal Passage: Mark 2:1-12.
Four faithful friends would stop at nothing for a miracle for their friend:
- Read Mark 2:1-2. As we open this chapter of Mark, where had Jesus and His disciples gone? What was the rumor that immediately went throughout the area? Why did it matter that He had come? What did the people do? How many were there? What did Jesus do? What did He preach?
- Read vv. 3-4. In verse 3, there seems to be two different groups of people with the paralytic; who were they? Why were they not able to approach the house? In their despair at not being able to get into the house, what did they do? How desperate to get their friend to Jesus would they have been, in order to tear up someone’s roof? Does anyone recall the description of how the roofs were made at that time, and if so, could you describe what they did?
- Can you imagine their actions, as they managed to get the litter up onto the roof? Do you think they had thought to bring four long ropes beforehand? Would this have caused a delay? What finally happened?
They got more than they hoped:
- Read verse 5. If you had been the four friends and those who came with them, how do you suppose they visualized what would happen when they got their friend in front of Jesus? They obviously had to go to “Plan B” when they had to resort to the roof, yet somehow we know they were with him when he was let down. How do we know this?
- What did Jesus say to the paralytic? If you needed healing and Jesus tells you your sins are forgiven, would you feel healed? Was this possibly his greater need? Is it our greatest need?
Doubt persists:
- Read vv. 6-7. What were the scribes doing there (besides taking up space)? What was going through their minds and hearts?
- Read Matt. 22:16. What do you notice about the statement of the Pharisees? What do they say they know? Compare that to John 14:6. How close were they, yet missing it all?
Jesus gives mercy, grace, and more!
- Read vv. 8-12. Did Jesus speak directly to them, addressing their thoughts? How would you have felt if He had addressed the thoughts in your mind?
- They were direct witnesses to Jesus’ power. Did they understand any of it? Why not?
- In verse 10, how is Jesus plainly telling them that He is God? What was the reaction of the crowd to the healing of the paralytic? What did they say?
- What are you doing to further the kingdom of God to see that souls are saved?
APPLICATIONS:
1. The miraculous often happens when someone takes the first step.
2.Trusting Him for the small things often results in far bigger things.
3. In order to experience God’s greatest gifts, we must overcome our doubts.
4. In many ways, the hindrance to the miracle is us, not Him.
Close:
Each of the miracles of Jesus that we have studied have served at least three purposes: firstly, we have been given eye-witness accounts of both Matthew and John, who were disciples of Jesus throughout His ministry, and inspired accounts of Mark and Luke, of the things Jesus said and did during those three years. Secondly, we can read from these accounts how this man, who was 100% man and 100% God, fulfilled an impossible number of prophecies from the Old Testament, bearing truth He was the Messiah. In reality, it would be impossible for any man to fulfill more than fifteen random prophecies in the OT. There is a great debate over the actual number of prophecies in the OT, with some theologians saying at least three hundred, others think perhaps 456, and still others say nearly 600, though in that number some are duplicated. Jesus fulfilled over three hundred—an impossible number! There is no doubt He is the Messiah foretold by the prophets. Thirdly, there are lessons for us in all of them, to apply to our lives.
Why does this matter? Because it identifies Jesus as “Immanuel,” God with us, as announced by the angel. He is the Messiah, who is King over all the world. He is God, come in the flesh. He is the great I AM, the Strength of Israel, the One who will rule all nations. To Him, every knee will one day bow, of those on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that He is God. Heaven is a place that Jesus has prepared for those who love Him. As is often said, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” Are you prepared? If not, do so. The time is definitely getting shorter with each passing day. God is a God of miracles. Let Him change your life from one possibly headed for hell, to one saved by His blood and prepared for eternal life.+
By Sandy Day
March 17, 2024