Follow Jesus Series 11

Who Has Authority To Forgive Sin?

Text: Mark 2:11-12

Introduction

Have you ever watched a movie and they leave you with a cliff hanger? What are usually the last three words you read on the screen? Ans — to be continued… Well, this miracle is truly a continuation of the kind of forgiveness we have witness already from Jesus’ ministry; particularly through his miracles.

Have you ever heard the saying, “If there is a will, then there is a way?” Well, that is also true spiritually. Jesus has provided Himself as the way, but each and every lost sinner has to surrender their prideful will.

The story before us today teaches us about the one who has Heaven’s authority to forgive and will only grant it to those who surrender their will.

1) PEOPLE HEARD JESUS WAS IN THE HOUSE

It is an amazing thing for people to hear where they can find Jesus!

Do you know how this miraculous story of the Paralytic man began? ANS — It began by someone telling others where Jesus could be found.

How many of you are actively mindful of telling others where they can find Jesus?

How many of you believers know where the lost should see Jesus? If what you just told me is true, why does your actions speak of very little time spent with Him.

How more hypocritical can a Christian be than telling a lost soul where Jesus can be found and yet display a life that looks very similar to his/hers?

I truly believe that the local church has become bored with God. Why else would a believer be disconnecting from worship, the sermon, soul winning, personal time with God, etc?

Those whom spread the word about where Jesus could be found must have done it with vibrant enthusiasm. So much so, the next part of this story is written in holy scripture.

So many people came that you couldn’t go past the door.

2) JESUS WAS THE ANSWER

What brought about such a strong faith in this paralytic man’s friends?

ANS - It was hearing what Jesus had to say.

What came after giving their full attention to what Jesus had to say, they committed themselves to action.

Your actions speaks directly to what you believe and how deeply you believe it.

This is again why I have come to the conclusion that many within the church has grown bored with God. If boredom is not the reality, then a lack of activity of following Jesus fully should not be a reality also.

If you can’t at the lease be faithful in the gathering of the church to worship, you my friend have grown bored with Jesus.

If you can’t gather together to hear the preached words of Jesus, you have grown bored with Jesus.

If coming together and praying together is not a high priority to you, you have grown bored with Jesus.

These friends not only wanted to be where Jesus was, they wanted their friend to be there also.

Notice the measures they took to get close to Jesus! (Verse 4-5)

They were willing to find a way to experience and witness the power of God.

They went to extreme measures. No was not an option. “Maybe next time” was never a thought in their mind. Their philosophy was, no matter the cost, we are going to Jesus.

They only reason why that would cause one or many persons to act in such a way can be said in one word: FAITH!

They believed what we learn in the book of Colossians that Jesus is the only one who can bring completion to a person.

They believed that only God had power to forgive sin and give peace with God.

They understood that the only way their friend could come to Jesus was in the condition he was in: legs were paralyzed because of his sins.

There is simply no other way a sinner can come to Jesus, but in their current condition.

The Bible says love covers a multitude of sin! YOUR SINS!

There must be a sacrifice between you and God. His name is JESUS!

3) JESUS REWARDED THEIR FAITH

“When Jesus saw their faith”

It was not only the faith of his friends, it was his faith also. You don’t read of a man who was brought there against his will.

One thing this group of friends had in common was they had surrendered their will to trust Jesus alone for healing.

Jesus never overlooks your faith!

This man was definitely thankful for his past lameness for the rest of his life!

No doubt his palsy was the initial step of leading him to come to Jesus and receive those word, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Let us never become bitter toward God for the things he permits that softens our heart to where we will humble receive Him.

Psalm 119:71 “71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I might learn thy statutes.”

Illustration: Someone asked an elderly Christian lady, “Does the devil ever trouble you about your past sins?” She answered, “Yes.” When the inquirer asked what she did then, she replied, “Oh, I just tell him to go east.”

“What do you do if he comes back?”

“I tell him to go west.”

“And when he comes back from the west, what do you do then?”

She said, “I just keep him going from the east to the west.”

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

4) JESUS RESPONDS TO THE CRITICS

Some of the religious leaders had gotten there early and was ready to pick Jesus apart. Catch Him in some word or action they could twist to make him out to be a blasphemer.

In the midst of those who are excited about worshiping and following Jesus are those who are excited to quickly judge and criticize Jesus.

This kind of mixed crowd is seen in the church today.

There will be those who keep the main thing the main thing and then others want to criticize, cry, fuss and fight over trivial and petty things.

I have met people who’s contribution to the church is mainly that of criticizing the pastor and those who are their brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have also met people who enjoy watching other churches live feed and finding something to gossip about.

Can you imagine the impact Jesus would have had on these religious critics if they had set aside their religion and came with an open heart?

Can you imagine how much more Jesus would impact your life if you set aside some biased preferences and just focused on Jesus?

Don’t overlook the message Jesus is declaring to the paralytic and the crowd. (Verse 10)

Jesus speaks to the root problem of this man’s physical element; SIN.

Now, sin isn’t always the reason why physical issues arise, but in this case it is. THIS MAN KNEW IT!

Even before He healed the man’s body, Jesus spoke peace to the man’s heart and announced that his sins were forgiven! Forgiveness is the greatest miracle that Jesus ever performs. It meets the greatest need; it costs the greatest price; and it brings the greatest blessing and the most lasting results. — Warren Wiersbe

Jesus looked WITHIN!!!

Jesus proved Himself by telling them what they were thinking.

You may be able to keep your thoughts to yourself in relationship to people, but it is impossible to do that in relation to God.

Of course, it would have been much easier for Jesus to say “Your sins be forgiven,” for nobody could prove whether or not the man’s sins were indeed forgiven. So, Jesus backed up His word of forgiveness with a word of healing, and the man went home whole. The scribes knew that Jesus was claiming to be God, and this was the beginning of their opposition to His message and ministry, opposition that led finally to Christ’s arrest and crucifixion. — Warren Wiersbe

The healing of the man’s body was but an illustration and demonstration of the healing of his soul (Ps. 103:3). The scribes and Pharisees, of course, could neither heal the man nor forgive his sins; so they were caught in their own trap and condemned by their own thoughts. — Warren Wiersbe

Conclusion

I pray you won’t follow Capernaum’s example — Mark 11:23-24 “23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Are you excited or bored with Jesus? Do you find yourself going to where He has promised to be; His Word, prayer, local church…

Are you telling others where they can find Jesus? Are you bringing others to Jesus?

Are you more of a critic or a serving worshiper?

Will you leave here today denying the truth that Jesus will forgive your sin and give you a new life in Him.

Each one of you need to turn to Jesus TODAY!