|
Scripture:
Mark 2:1-12
Intro: The
story presents an excellent picture of a united
effort to help a man get the help he needed
desperately.
1. The Healer: None beyond His ability. (Jer.
32:27; Jas. 1:17; Jn. 1:12)
2. The Hearers: None beyond His activity. (Mt.
11:28; Lk. 11:28)
3. The Heeders: None beyond His affection. (Jn.
14:21; Jas. 1:23-27)
I. The Helpless Cripple (Mk. 2:3)
A. His condition: Two problems. (I Cor. 7:1) (Flesh
& Spirit) outward & inner
1. Physical disability: Bedfast (outward)
a. Palsy: paralutikas. Loosing or relaxing of nerve
centers (structure) in one side of body. Paralize.
b. Poor: pitifully. Poverty stricken. No income.
(Eccl 7:29; Isa. 1:5-6)
2. Spiritual disadvantages: Sinful (Mk. 2:5; Ro.
3:10-12) (inward)
B. His conversion: Two provisions. (Heb. 7:24-25)
1. Difference physically: Appearance testified to a
miracle. (Mk. 2:11-12)
2. Difference spiritually: Attitude testified to a
miracle. (II Cor. 5:17; Mt. 10:32-33) Two choices –
Could have remained on his bed: Lie. Could
obey and assume a new posture: Stand. Picture
yourself as this man.
II. The Hindering Critics (Mk. 2:6-8)
A. The crowded condition: Two peoples. (Lk.
5:17-26)
1. The Pharisees: Standard boys: Holier than thou.
(Isa. 65:5; Jn. 9:24; Lk. 18:11) Tradition ruled.
2. The Scribes: Scripture boys: Know more than
thou. (Mk 2:6; Col. 2:8) Truth reasoned. (Mk.
2:6-8). Blasphemies – saw only a man, not a need.
a. Reasonings about the way to do it: If they knew
why was the palsy still bedfast? (Ps. 142:4;
126:5-6; Eccl. 5:1-2)
b. Ruled by tradition: if there is a better way to
do it why didn’t they bring the palsy their way.
(Mk. 2:4)
“Those who talk religion by the yard and live it by
the inch should be kicked by the foot”
B. The crucial conflict. (Mk. 2:10)
1. Their criticism prolonged misery of a man:
Palsy. (I Thes. 1:3-4; Ro. 1:16-17)
2. Their criticism proved powerless to help a man.
(Mt. 22:29; I Cor. 1:18)
Illustration: What if the person criticism drove
from God was your wife, husband or child, how would
you feel? It’s someone’s loved one.
III. The Helping Crew (Mk. 2:3-4)
A.
The cooperation demanded: Four needed. (Eccl.
9:10; 4:9-12)
1.
Common purpose united them: Needy man. (Mk.
2:3)
2.
Common priority utilized them: Mighty man.
(Mk. 2:10; Lk. 5:17)
B.
The coordination demanded: Faith needed. (Mk.
2:5; Jas. 5:16)
1.
They saw the Saviour meet a need. (Mt. 11:28;
Rev. 22:17)
2.
They saw a sinner’s need met. (Mk. 2:12)
Illustration: What if the cripple were you, would
you want the help of four people with no united
effort?
|
