Getting Unstuck

Introduction

There are a number of people in our country that are living with some sort of paralysis. Statistics say that 1 in 50 people in America today are paralyzed. When we think of paralysis or spinal cord injuries there are a number of secondary conditions that are often debilitating and life threatening. Some of these include blood clots, pressure sores, muscle stiffness and uncontrollable movements. Many people experience respiratory issues and even sepsis because of spinal cord injuries. I’m not certain of the level of disability that the paralyzed man in Mark chapter 2 in experienced but we are introduced to a paralytic man who had come to this house in Capernaum to see Jesus.

There are a number of us that are living normal lives and moving at our discretion is subconsciously done to a place where we do not even think about things such as putting one foot in front of the other. Nonetheless let us think about this narrative spiritually. There are a number of us here that have been paralyzed by life or paralyzed by our mistakes, paralyzed by the traumas of live. We might be present but the spiritual paralysis of life has put us in a position where we are truly unable to come to Jesus like we desire. Sometimes it’s going to take some faithful people around us to walk with us to get to Jesus.

Understand 3 things this morning

He couldn’t move forward on his own.

He was in need of help.

Faith is required to move forward

I Can’t Move Forward on My Own

Listen, many of us are independent people we try to do whatever we can by ourselves. Understand something there will be some things in life that you will not be able to put yourself out of and you are going to need some help. Understand that this man couldn’t even get to hear Jesus without the help of others.

Mark 2:3 “Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.”

When life puts you in a position where you can’t move forward evaluate your circle, understand that somethings that happen in life will require that you have some people that can carry you to the door. I’m not talking about a problem that you can overcome on your own, I’m talking about a problem that is keeping you in the house, a problem that has debilitated your entire life.

The bible says they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was.

When I can’t move forward on my own, I need some people around me that will make a way. Check your circle, surround yourself with the people that love and care about you the most and won’t let a crowd keep them from helping you get to your blessing. True friends understand faith and forgiveness, some issues in life inhibit us from moving forward.

“So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying”.

Understand something these aren’t just issues we can hide or conceal. This man’s issue was noticeable to all.

Mark 2:9–12 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!””

Thank God for a Jesus that sees past my condition, see past my sins, and forgive me so that I can move forward! When Jesus saw their faith, their sins were forgiven.

Ask yourself the question, are people holding you back because your condition? Are people able to see the whole you through the potential of forgiveness?

We All Need Someone’s Help

You might not be paralyzed like this man, but there’s something going on in your life that has you unable to move forward. Whether it’s a current condition or a past mistake. Understand that sometimes hearing the word make take the encouragement of some special people in your life.

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

They loved this man to bring him to the house where Jesus was, they loved him enough to face the adversity of breaking through a roof just for a chance to be healed by Jesus. I got love for my friends but in life sometimes I need some friends that are willing to tear some stuff up to get me to my full potential. The space might be a wreck but my life is being made whole.

It doesn’t matter who you are, everybody needs somebody. No shade to the married folks in the room or the people in serious relationships, understand that as much as your wife or husband is to you, you are going to need some friends you can lean on in life.

Everyone is Not Going to Be Happy About the Help You Are Receiving

When you get to a place of healing, when you overcome that challenging decision, when you bounce back from the struggle you’ve been in, everyone is not going to be happy. Even when there are people in the room that aren’t happy, I’m thankful for the four that removed a roof for my healing.

Mark 2:6–12“And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!””

They weren’t just conversing about this miracle, they began to reason, the definition of reason is to think or reason with thoroughness and completeness. Miracles were never done to be investigated, they were done to be appreciated. Be careful with foolish reasoning, Romans 1:21 “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Faith is Required to Move Forward

Healing was not just physical, Jesus asks why do they reason about this? The healing was a great miracle and Jesus has the power to heal us of the physical woes of life, but even the healing physically doesn’t last forever! The forgiveness of Jesus is the greatest miracle in this story, forgiveness has eternal implications attached to it. It last forever! Eternity rest in the balances of salvation and forgiveness!

Jesus not only has the power to forgive but he paid the price in order to forgive us of our sins. Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),”

Understand you can know that Jesus died for your sins, but you have to have the faith that no matter what the crowd says or does to get in your way, listen to the words of Jesus! “Your sins are forgiven, I say to you, arise, take up your bed and go to your house”.

Do not be paralyzed by your past, or by your sin! Take up your bed and WALK! There is no more condemnation.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Forgiveness, Results Of

We all have seen and used those little electronic calculators. What happens if you get your information confused or make an error? You press the “clear” button and automatically all of the information is eliminated from the calculator. Then you begin again, without trying to sort out the previous mistake. In fact, there is no record of your mistake! It is lost forever!

That’s what happens to our sins when God forgives us. The consequences may remain, but the guilt—the legal condemnation for the offense—is gone.