Breaking Culture 3

So for the last few weeks, we have been going through the Gospel of Mark for the sole purpose of knowing Jesus better. This series is titled “Breaking Culture,” because there’s no way we can encounter the most controversial person the world has ever known and not be changed by Him.

When we encounter Jesus we learn new things about ourselves, others, and the world He created.

We also learn that Jesus is redeeming all things unto Himself. If you have been in Cornerstone Cafe lately, you’ll know that the chalk board has Colossians 1:15-16 written on it, thanks to Maddy Smith.

Colossians 1:15-16 says...

Colossians 1:15–16 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

That verse shows us that all things were created through Jesus and for Jesus and also that He IS the image of God and He is above, in, and through all things.

Last week we learned that...

Jesus’ Authority is redemptive and compassionate to call.

Jesus’ Authority is redemptive and compassionate to cleanse.

Jesus’ Authority is redemptive and compassionate to command.

And then we broke up into tables and talked about culture, random things we do, and we asked the question whether or not Jesus was really breaking culture....OR…if he was redeeming it…y’all remember?

Well tonight, we are in Mark 2:1-12 and what we are doing is called exegesis. That’s a fancy word for reading the Bible…and then restating what it said.

So, before we hit Mark 2:1-12 tonight…let’s watch a video...

OBD Film

Open your Bibles to...

Mark 2:1–12 ESV

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

In this passage…there are a lot of facts that stand out. What this passage is revealing to us, about the most controversial person the world has ever known is....Jesus…has the Greatest Authority of All Time.

Jesus: has the GaOAT

HAHA!

Breaking Culture by Great Authority & Great Faith.

Begin manuscript/discussion.

In today’s passage we learn of great authority and great faith. During this time of the world, and still today, Jesus was causing a stir. At the word of his mouth, a man’s sins were forgiven, and his lame legs began to work. This is unlike anything that has ever been done and we would be foolish to not look into the life of these verses to understand the great authority of Jesus and the great faith it produces.

Jesus had been doing ministry in Capernaum, left, and came back. At the mention of his return, a crowd gathered and was listening in so intently that it was impossible to get near to him. Due to the crowd, a group of men, with a paralytic friend, could not get close enough to bring their friend to Jesus. They obviously needed the physical presence of Jesus to alter the paralytic condition of their friend.

A couple things out of this part to sincerely make mention of.

The authority and ministry of Jesus is great enough to trigger faith in individuals near and far.

These men had been changed on the inside, by word of mouth, to do whatever it took to get to Jesus.

Mark 1:37 says that “everyone was looking for Jesus,” within that area, Mark 1:45 says “But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.” Mark 2:2 says that “many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door.”

Obviously, what Jesus had been doing, was becoming the talk of the town, and this testimony was enough to trigger belief in these men from a far.

This kind of faith is the “walking by faith, not by sight.” This is the faith, the Bible defines as “blessed,” and the kind of faith that is rewarded. We specifically see that from just this passage.

Pay attention to Jesus’ response to the actions of these men doing all it took to get their friend to him..

First, he called the man, son, secondly, he told him his sins were forgiven. Everything that separated him from God had now been fixed. This little scene is the bigger picture that all of the Bible reveals and points to. Over and over and over and over and over again. This dramatic scene that leads to an epic statement – “your sins are forgiven,” is the most precious, highly favored, sought after statement all of humanity yearns to hear.

*Your sins are forgiven image here.*

“Your sins are forgiven” means a few things and I’d like to unveil the light that is shining off these pages.

Your sins are forgiven means that you, are no longer bound, by disobedience. Your sins are forgiven means that you, have received grace based on the justification of someone/something higher than you. Your sins are forgiven means that “the good news” has reached your ears, but more importantly your heart. Your sins are forgiven means that you, are no longer a child of wrath walking in the way of your fathers before you. Your sins are forgiven means that you are now included into the remnant of God’s chosen, adopted, and forever family. Your sins are forgiven means that the Son of God, Himself, suffered, bled, gasped for air, and gave up his last breath, for you. Your sins are forgiven means that you….are now clean…..and no longer ensnared to your own devices and deceived by the emptiness of the world. Your sins are forgiven means that you now are committed to the Word of God and you stand in His truth at all costs. Your sins are forgiven means that you…..will do whatever it takes….to make this news known to anyone and everyone who will listen, because you know what it means to hear and believe that your sins, your disobedience, your failure, your lack of commitment, has been forgiven because of this man whose name alone means God with us, but even more so, God in us. Your sins are forgiven means that you welcome the shower of forgiveness that so freely falls on a broken soul. Your sins are forgiven means that you have been brought near, to the throne of God, and have had the truth made known. Your sins are forgiven means that you must give a response and it’s either believe it or reject it. Your sins are forgiven means that it is available and what you do with it doesn’t alter the truth of it. Your sins are forgiven is the ultimate need that all of humanity is dependent upon. Lastly, your sins are forgiven is exactly what God has done in Jesus. Do you now know what this means and is forgiveness enough?

The authority and ministry of Jesus is made sure by signs and wonders.

We all know in this room and on this side of the Bible, that Jesus will continue healing people, performing great miracles, and even raising people (including Himself) from the dead. During His time, He wasn’t just healing at random instances, but was doing exactly what was foretold of Him throughout the Old Testament. In John 9 there’s a blind dude, and the disciples ask Jesus –

“who sinned and caused this man to be blind?” Meaning, “who did something bad and now this guy has to suffer the consequences?” Jesus’ response to them was in and of itself similar to our situation today. Jesus told the disciples – “It was not that his man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

What Jesus did to the paralytic and what he said in John 9 is Jesus fulfilling all that was declared and recorded of Him. Remember, God tore the sky open and said – “He’s my son and I’m well pleased with Him.” This ministry of healing, preaching, and resurrecting is all a part of the redemptive business Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father are all contributing too. If Jesus didn’t perform miracles, signs, or wonders….he’d be a fake and Scripture would not be true to its words.

What are you doing to bring people to Jesus? What are you doing to make Him known?

There’s an opportunity for you to serve in our Children’s ministry.

There’s opportunity for you to invite your friends/family here.

There’s opportunity for you in your GROW Groups.

The opportunities are everywhere.

You gonna let a silly obstacle stop you from telling someone great news?

Let’s be about the authority of Jesus and make Him known.

If you believe in the authority of Jesus’ words, you will be determined to help brothers & sisters learn of the forgiveness of sins found in Christ.

Reference what Paul did this morning from Sunday School. Reverence for God & Neighbor/Relevance for God & Neighbor.

Dismiss.