Mark 2:1-12
1 And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so
much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and
when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto
them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up
thy bed, and walk?
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the
palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all
amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
“BORNE OF FOUR”
(((((……
INTRODUCTION
The effort of the four friends in bringing this sick man to Christ is a picture of what the New Testament
Church should do in bringing men to the knowledge of Christ. The four friends were not the ones that
saved the sick man. He was already in his dying stage. It was the Lord who did. The four friends were not
the ones who forgave him of his sins. The Lord did. The four friends were not the ones who made him to
stand to his feed and walk. Jesus did. It was Christ Who healed, Who forgave, Who gave strength. It was
Christ who wrought it all so that they glorified God the more…….))))
Let us first appreciate the kind of people that bore the sick man, who overcame all obstacles so they could
bring their friend to Christ:
Each one of the four had something that represents what every Christian must have:
A) Vision
Vision will keep you strong and up. Vision gives you energy.
Vision is full of faith and he says, "I believe it can be done."
Vision without faith is nothing.
It all started with their concern for others…and then VISION came.
Then they had their priorities straightened.
(((- They were unselfish
- They were willing to be inconvenienced
- They had the willingness to be involved without the influence of a price tag))))
DEFINITION: VI·SION
1. a. The faculty of sight; eyesight: poor vision. b. Something that is or has been seen.
2. Unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight: a leader of vision.
3. The manner in which one sees or conceives of something.
4. A mental image produced by the imagination.
Prov 29:18
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Hos 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject
thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy
children.
Rom 10:13-15
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of
whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that
preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
B) Faith
"I believe Your Word. Let your Word be true THROUGH ME."
Commitment to OBEY the Word of God.
Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that
he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:32-34
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and
of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of
lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed
valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Heb 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Faith in God can move a mighty mountain
Faith in God can calm the sea
Faith can make a desert like a fountain
Faith can make a victory.
Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
“Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing”
“I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do”
C) Determination
"I will work at it, I will not quit."
Work. Work to build a church. Work at it.
Determination make you work.
Education or talent will not do it if you will not work.
Unless God takes you, do not quit.
DEFINITION: DE·TER·MI·NA·TION
1. a. The act of making or arriving at a decision. Firmness of purpose;
((((See synonyms at decision. b. The decision reached.
2. a. Firmness of purpose; resolve: approached the task with determination and energy. b. A fixed intention or
resolution: returned to school with a determination to finish.))))
2 Chr 2:1
1 And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
IKing 5:5
5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto
David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto
my name.
Eccl 9:10
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do , do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge,
nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
((((2 Tim 2:2-5
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men,
who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen
him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully…..))))
D) Commitment and Cooperation
"Christlikeness is the substance of spiritual dedication."
- John MacArthur
"Your commitments can develop you or destroy you, but either way, they will define you."
- Rick Warren
"If you do not plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in
obedience to Him, then don't begin, for this is what Christianity is all about. It is a change of citizenship, a
change of governments, a change of allegiance. If you have no intention of letting Christ rule your life, then
forget Christianity; it is not for you."
- Kay Arthur
The Four Friends had the spirit of cooperation
((((- It took all 4 of them to bring their friend to Jesus. Each man realized the importance of the other. They
knew that success would only be achived if every man continued to hold up his part
- It would be profitable for each one of us to realize that we need each other. Coming together is a beginning.
Working together is victory.))))
How did the Four Friends do this?
1) They are COMMITTED to attempt the impossible
(((Who would have thought that anybody can bring the sick man before Christ when the house was so full,
there was no point of entry for them.)))
2) They are COMMITTED to overcome obstacles.
3) They are COMMITTED to act in extreme manner.
4) They are COMMITTED to work as a team.
5) They are COMMITTED to the LORD JESUS!
They had a firm belief that the only answer is Jesus!