Get to the Feet

Sometimes You’ve Gotta Carry Others

Luke 15:1–6 The Message

1 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. 2 The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” 3 Their grumbling triggered this story. 4 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? 5 When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, 6 and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’

Some important things we can draw from this Parable:

We’ve got to be personally strong enough to go on the walk

If we are not, that 1 sheep’s life is almost certainly going to be lost

We’ve got to be strong enough to carry another

If we aren’t even strong enough for ourself, we cannot help others

We must be able to make it ALL THE WAY back when we do help others

Our physical, emotional, and spiritual fitness must be more than enough for ourself

We make the most gains by

Working on our weaknesses

Consuming the right things consistently

Consistently push the envelope of what is possible - Comfort and Growth are mutually exclusive

Mark 2:1–5 NKJV

1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 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. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 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. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Sin = Missing the Mark

The Mark = God’s Standard of Perfection

Sin paralyzes us

Sin separates us from Jesus

Mark 2:10–12 NKJV

10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 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!”

Jesus heals and forgives our sins

Christian - Is your personal sin keeping you away from your miracle at Jesus’ feet?

Maybe when we miss the mark, we should RUN TO Jesus instead of Running FROM Jesus.

Christian - Is your personal sin keeping you away from your miracle at Jesus’ feet?

When someone cannot make their way to Jesus, we should be willing to do whatever it takes to get them to His feet so they can find healing.

Remember that the Good Shepherd finds the lost sheep, put it on His shoulders and brings it back home to the sheep fold.

These 4 men were willing to vandalize someone else’s house in order to get this invalid man to the feet of Jesus

They must have thoroughly believed that Jesus could do something about this man’s condition

Jesus’ Divine ability was activated when the 4-friends’ faith was displayed through action.

Do you believe that Jesus really can heal & forgive completely?

If not, we need to have a personal encounter with a loving, healing Jesus Christ and not a system of servitude to a religious system or leader

When we truly know that Jesus is the answer, we will have no problem shouting that answer aloud.

Religion will always bring bondage, but Jesus will always bring liberty.

Don’t just bring people to church, bring them to Jesus!

Just One Thing:

Who can you BRING to Jesus? - He is everything they need.

Discussion Questions:

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve broken? - Come on…details…we want details...

Sin is “missing the mark” of God’s standard of perfection - What practical things can you do to “improve your aim & accuracy” and get consistently closer to “The Mark?”

Read and and share what these verses tell you about sin and it’s ability to dominate you & your ability to come to Jesus. Explain how you can apply this practically in your every day life.

Have you ever had something keep you away from Jesus & His love and forgiveness but then overcame it & came to Jesus? How did you overcome that obstacle? If you have never had anything stop you from coming to Jesus, share what gives you such boldness and ability to come to Jesus no matter what.