Authority to Forgive Sins
Notes
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And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
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!”
Introduction
Explain certificate
Give background to Mark 2:1-12
Jesus is showing the people what it means to be a disciple
Respond in repentance and faith to the Gospel ()
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
)
Follow Jesus, i.e. do what he does
Have compassion
Preach the Gospel
Jesus is demonstrating that he has authority
Authority to teach ()
Authority to cast out evil spirits ()
Authority to heal sicknesses/physical maladies ()
People are amazed
TR: In our passage this morning, Jesus is going to demonstrate another area in which he has authority, and this is critically important. If Jesus doesn’t have authority over what we are about to see, then the other things don’t matter as much, if at all, and we are in serious trouble.
Let’s begin to work through this passage.
And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
Explain the house situation. Flat roof. Exterior steps. Used for entertaining. Large beams, smaller branches, mud and lime to seal it off.
Explain the house situation. Flat roof. Exterior steps. Used for entertaining. Large beams, smaller branches, mud and lime to seal it off. Dig through the roof to lower man down
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
Three key words in this one verse (verse 5)
II. Three key words in this one verse (verse 5)
a. Faith
i. What is faith? It seems more and more that there is a more nebulous understanding of what faith, trust of belief is. People aren’t able to pin down what it means or express what it is.
ii. The concept of faith doesn’t have to be difficult. Reliance. Confidence.
1. Airplane. Pilot, engineer, technicians, air control, etc.
2. Motor vehicles.
b. Their
i. Notice whose faith it is that Jesus notes. Their faith. Jesus isn’t just responding to this paralytic man, but to his friends.
ii. When I view this from the lens of a church planter, I see something very significant here. When I bring people to Jesus, I must have faith that Jesus is who he says He is.
iii. It’s when I fail to have faith, that produces a level of fear and apprehension. I will be hesitant to speak.
1. Since I’m a bi-vocational church planter, I work around some unchurched individuals as I do electrical work. I spoke with one of my co-workers about the Gospel and he seemed so interested for some time that I began to think this guy is so close, he’s going to embrace the gospel. And he hasn’t. At one point he seemed so close, but now seems just as far away as ever. I confess that I am constantly tempted to give up on him. In that temptation I am facing a lack of faith. I am tempted to stop believing that God can save this man, that it’s hopeless. That thought makes it so much harder to open my mouth and challenge him.
iv. The same applies to all of us, church planters or not. When you share the Gospel with someone, do you actually believe that God can save them? And not only that He can, but He will if they exercise faith as well?
v. If you aren’t sharing your faith with anyone, I would challenge you to consider if it because of a lack of faith.
c. Forgiven.
i. This man was granted forgiveness for his sins. Now the scene that follows is crucial. The religious leaders of day take offense to these circumstances and Jesus provides an answer.
III. The offense. Vs. 6-7
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?”
a. The scribes:
i. Well respected religious leaders
ii. Study, transcribe, copy, commentate on the Law. They were legal experts and often provided interpretations on the Law were needed.
iii. And the bad end of a comparison in . That’s going to sting.
b. Jesus’ words invoke the charge of blasphemy
i. What’s the answer? Who can forgive sins but God? No one!
ii. A mere human can say it, but doesn’t make it true.
iii. Scribes are right. This would be a blasphemous statement. Unless….
iv. Jesus knew their thoughts because *spoiler alert* He’s God!
IV. The response. vs 8-12
Mark 2:8-9
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’?
a. The Question
i. Which is easier to say? Sins forgiven or stand up and walk?
ii. Sins forgiven. They may never know if you’re being truthful until they die.
iii. Harder to say walk because if they don’t you will look like a fool.
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!”
Mark 2:10-12
b. The Action
i. Talk about a drop the mic moment right there.
ii. He does not stop at the easier saying
iii. Jesus tells the man to walk and he does!
iv. The people are amazed, and rightfully so.
v. But as amazing as this healing is, it isn’t the main point. Jesus has already demonstrated his power over physical maladies. He made Peter’s mother-in-law well, healed a leper, cast our demons, and so many other things. So if we miss what Jesus said right here, we miss the point of this entire section.
vi. The main point is found in the words “so that you may know that the Son of Man” That’s Jesus “has power/authority on earth to forgive sins” That’s the main point.
vii. The healing was intended to be proof that Jesus wasn’t blaspheming.
viii. Proof that Jesus is God in human flesh with real, genuine authority and power to forgive sins.
V. Our response
a. Now let’s think on the significance of what was just said.
i. Religious leaders sought to earn favor with God through the Law.
ii. Jesus just offered immediate forgiveness.
iii. What is such common terminology in our churches today was a radical concept.
iv. We are so used to this idea of forgiveness that I think it loses some of it’s wonder for us today.
b. Our sins make us worthy of hell
i. No matter how small we think they are.
ii. I don’t know about you, but I’m a terrible sinner. Certificate.
1. I think evil thoughts, I do evil things, I say evil words.
iii. Even if I was the best, whoever keeps the whole law but offends at just one point, it’s as good as breaking the whole law! Still a law-breaker!
iv. But Jesus Christ has authority to forgive sins
v. says that our sins stand as a certificate of debt that is against us and hostile and opposed to us. This certificate of debt lists all our sins and cries out “Guilty, guilty, guilty” But Jesus Christ has the authority on earth to forgive sins!
vi. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
vii. the wages, or the payment or penalty of my sin is death!
viii. But Jesus Christ has authority on earth to forgive sins
ix. says “But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
x. But Jesus Christ has authority on earth to forgive sins!
xi. Though I deserve hellfire for my sins, and I have this certificate of debt that cries out against me, it opposes me, it is hostile to me, Jesus Christ has the authority to forgive my sins! He takes this certificate of debt and nails it to the cross. Paid in Full.
TEAR PAPER
xii. This is so important! The fact that Jesus has authority to forgive sins is such a big deal because everyone that has ever been born, with the exception of Jesus Christ, everyone has been born with sin their heart. And Jesus is the only remedy to that.
xiii. Are you encouraged by this truth? For the Christian this should cause us to shout and sing with the Psalmist when he says “Rejoice and be glad in the God of your salvation!”
c. What a message we have.
i. As a church planter I look at this this and am amazed! My sins are forgiven and others can be as well! That’s a message I can carry forth!
ii. As a follower of Christ, I am encouraged and thankful! I don’t have to pay the penalty for my own sins!
d. Processing. How are you processing this today?
i. You might think “I don’t need my sins forgiven. I will take care of it myself.” We have already looked at passages today that contradict that claim. Sins cannot be removed apart from Jesus Christ.
ii. Maybe you think “My sins are too great to be forgiven” The man in was a paralytic. He couldn’t have had many sins. But mine are far greater. Well, the very next passage has Jesus offering the call of discipleship to a tax collector, a man who would have the reputation of cheating, exploiting his own countrymen, and just an all around sleaze bag.
iii. However you find yourself, I exhort you, run to the Savior! Today is the day of salvation! Repent of your sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation!
iv. If you are here and you are already a Christian, I hope you are encouraged by this reality. I hope you can see yourself in truth and what the great grace of our God has brought about by saving you.
v. And I also hope that you are encouraged and emboldened to share this news with others. There is no greater message! Let’s believe it, Thank God for it, and proclaim it. Let’s Pray