What's the point of church?

Big Idea:

Jesus is bringing God’s Kingdom of restoration.

Intro:

Good morning! Welcome to Church Online.

We live in a busy world. And it keeps getting busier. I don’t know about you, but I’m always running out of time. Which forces me to be picky about what I choose to do (if I want to keep my sanity). As I decide, I think about:

What do I believe is important?

What adds value to my life?

What do I enjoy?

And as I think about this… I think of all of you. Each week, you decide whether to join us for worship - either online or in-person - on Sunday. Sometimes you choose, “Yes.” And sometimes, “No.”

I’m sure there are many reasons that influence this weekly decision... But it got me thinking…

Why do I choose to be a part of this every week?

Why do I expect others to be a part of this each week?

Why should people choose church, Life Group, or D-Groups over other things in our busy lives?

What’s the point of all this church and Jesus stuff?

And in Mark 2, I think we find an answer. Let’s read the story together...

Mark 2:1–12 ESV

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 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. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 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. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 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? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 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!”

As Jesus began His ministry, there was a huge crowd following Him. I mean, it only makes sense. When He spoke, you never “swiped” to the next video. Even demons listened - and OBEYED - what He said. He also did impossible things. Miracles - like healing leprosy! He was the greatest show on Earth! Verse 12 says...

Mark 2:12 ESV

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!”

… which literally means, “People were losing their mind!” They experienced Jesus and thought, “Is this for real? Am I dreaming? Is this really happening?”

And the more people saw the “Jesus-show,” the more people wanted to see it! He was selling out tickets everywhere. The Capernaum show sold out in the first hour. Verse 2 says it was standing room only. And, there was a line out the door to get in.

Is that still true today?

Do we follow Jesus or come to church because [we’re attending…]

Is it to attend an entertaining event?

Again, the crowds in Israel were certainly entertained! Is that why we make time for church each week?

Do we come because we like the inspirational message? Is it because the music is really good? Is it because the refreshments are yummy? [Is it because it’s the only time mom lets us play with slime?] Do we watch Church Online because there’s nothing better to do Sunday’s at 10am?

I don’t know. Maybe!

But one thing I do know is entertainment changes. What used to be popular gets old. What used to be funny isn’t anymore. What used to sound good becomes overplayed and boring. Entertainment has a shelf life. And if we’re coming to church to be entertained, it’s gonna get old. And in a world of endless choices, pretty soon, we won’t make time for the Jesus show.

So… maybe it’s another reason. How about this? Do we follow Jesus or go to church…[to get a better life]?

Is it to have a better life?

In this story, we’re introduced to a paralyzed man. His life was hard (more on that in a bit). And the paralyzed man’s friends heard Jesus could miraculously heal people. Maybe one of them had seen the Jesus-show before. So, they told their friend, “We got to go!” Unfortunately, a lot of people in Israel with difficult lives had the same idea. By the time they got there, the show was sold out...

Ya’ll ever go to McDonalds or Starbucks and see the drive-thru is like 12 cars deep (not Chick-Fil-A - we know that line always moves fast). But you see the line and are like, “Nope! I’m good. Not waiting. Not worth it.” I’m like that.

But my wife, Janelle, she’s different. The other day, we were on a lunch date and afterwards, she wanted Starbucks. As we drove down Hebron Ave I could see the drive-thru line was DEEP!!! I’m like, “Heck no! We are NOT waiting in that line.” But Janelle is like, “Oh WE ARE. I NEED my Starbucks.” She was desperate for a Starbucks-hit. She was ready to do whatever it takes!

So were these four friends. They are like, “We gettin into the show! No matter what! We are desperate!” I mean… they had to be! Are we going to pretend getting a paralyzed man onto a roof (without an elevator) isn’t difficult? That’s determination! They desperately wanted their friend healed! Why? Because back then, being disabled was a terrible life. Especially since the religious thinking of the day connected sickness with sin. If you were sick, it was because you sinned. God was mad at you. People looked at you and thought, “That sinner got what they deserved!”

… But if these men could get their friend into the Jesus-show, maybe Jesus would heal him and make his life better!

Maybe some of us come to church for that reason. We’ve heard Jesus fixes lives. There’s truth to that. Life is better with Jesus. However, you’ve been coming to church pretty faithfully and nothing’s improved. Maybe it’s gotten worse. And then the pastor says confusing verses like this...

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

And you think, “Wait, why am I coming if my life isn’t getting better? Why am I giving up my Sunday morning for this? What’s the point?” So maybe church isn’t about having better life circumstances.

So… maybe we come because we want to...

Is it to add something religious or spiritual to our lives?

Sometimes we follow Jesus because we think He’s a nice addition to our lives.

The religious leaders were very curious about the Jesus-show.

He seems to do things only God could do.

He teaches the Scriptures powerfully.

He’d be a great addition to our team!

They were scouting Him like Tampa Bay on Tom Brady after the 2019 football season, which we all know paid off. Sorry Patriots fans...

But as they watched Jesus, they began to notice He didn’t fit nicely into their religious system. Jesus doesn’t follow the traditions or rules. He makes them uncomfortable - even angry! He - as my son George likes to say - has the “audacity” to challenge the way we live!

We will feel the same way if we think Jesus is simply a spiritual or religious addition to our lives.

Jesus is more than a box to mark on your weekly to-do list.

Jesus is more than a positive message to help your self-esteem.

Jesus is more than a family or cultural tradition.

Jesus doesn’t fit nicely into busy lives.

He’s coming to be Lord of your life.

The religious leaders were not cool with that. And if we aren’t not either, we’ll soon be asking ourselves, “Why am I giving up MY Sunday for THIS?”

So, in this busy life, why make time for Jesus? What’s the point?

I think this is an important question as we begin 2021. As we prepare for Vision Sunday next week, discussing where God is leading us.

Let’s break down the passage together to see what Mark has to say...

Exegesis:

As Jesus went viral with the crowds, Mark highlights the purpose of the show, “[Jesus] was preaching the word to them.” The crowds gathered for various reasons:

Some came for a miraculous show.

Some sought healing.

Some were religiously curious.

But Jesus had a single purpose: To preach a message. What was that message? We find it described in...

Mark 1:15 ESV

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

As people came to see Jesus, He made sure they knew “the Kingdom of God was coming.” Regardless of the motivation behind their attendance, Jesus took the opportunity to invite them into a new life. That was His priority!

This is further seen in Jesus’s response to the paralytic. As the man was lowered right into the room, Jesus shocks everyone by saying...

Mark 2:5 ESV

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Your sins are forgiven? What does that have to do with anything? Well, it has to do with everything! The man was motivated to be physically healed. Jesus purposefully invited him into the Kingdom of God.

Now, let me say… while it would be bad theology to say every sickness is directly connected to personal sin, I do believe there is a case for it here. It is very likely this man’s sickness IS connected to his personal sin.

When Jesus tells this man, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” we interpret it as , “Jesus is addressing the disease over the symptoms. He’s looking at the eternal problem - the heart. Not just the temporary problem - the disability.” And we would be completely accurate in our interpretation. But I think we’d be missing the mercy of God. Jesus isn’t simply correcting perspective (seeing sin as a greater problem than sickness), He’s personally inviting this man into the Kingdom of God.

Let me explain: The Greek word used for “son” is the word for a beloved chid. Why does Jesus use this word? He could have chosen another. I believe it’s because up to this point, this man had destroyed his life. One bad decision after another. Sin upon sin. And sin always has consequences. For this man, the result was paralyzation.

You reap what you sow. And this man got exactly what he deserved. And everyone knew it. Bad theology or not - for this man - sin lead to his sickness. And because the consequences of his sinful lifestyle was visible for all to see, he was likely treated accordingly by the community… as an outcast. With maybe the exception of his four friends, he was viewed as a disgusting man. And there was absolutely nothing he could do to change it. He could never fix his situation. He was permanently stuck in his miserable life.

…until this moment. When this man Jesus speaks to him with compassion. He heard, “My beloved son...”

How long had it been since someone looked upon him with value?

With kindness?

With love and not condemnation?

And then… something amazing happens… Jesus miraculously heals his physical body too! All of a sudden, in the presence of Jesus, this man’s life was completely restored - from the inside, out. He had NEW LIFE! In one moment, the consequences of his sin were washed away. When this man came to Jesus, He entered into a new Kingdom.

Here’s the thing: In one way or another, I believe we’re all this paralyzed man.

We may not be physically paralyzed, but fear and anxiety paralyzes us every day.

We too have made bad decision after bad decision and now live with those consequences.

Some of those decisions were made publicly and everyone saw it. And now, wherever we go, we feel judgment, shame, and condemnation.

Sin destroyed our lives.

But then, we hear about Jesus. This Man who does amazing things. Who says things that nobody else says. Who accepts people no one else accepts. Who invites people into new life. A new Kingdom. To be completely restored.

… And this Man doesn’t just speak words, He has the power to back it up! When Jesus said this to the paralytic man, the religious leaders criticized Him for many reasons. They asked, “Who is this Man that He thinks He has authority to forgive sin? That He can determine who gets invited to the Kingdom of God?” And Jesus replies...

Mark 2:9–11 ESV

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Jesus proves He has the authority to restore people’s lives and invite them into the Kingdom of God. He has the right to give anyone HOPE! He has the power to defeat sin and make people whole. And He’s still inviting people into the Kingdom today.

Why do I follow Jesus? Why do I come to church?

It’s because I’ve met Jesus. I remember my life. I ruined it. My sin had me on a path towards destruction. But in my darkness, I heard, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” And He completely restored my life, from the inside out.

You have no idea the sin I came from. I look at my wife, my children, my life. I look at you and this church - and know I have no right being your pastor. I don’t deserve any of it. I don’t deserve forgiveness and eternal life. But Jesus changed my life. Where I am now is a long way from where I came from. Jesus had the authority to invite me into His Kingdom and He had the power to restore my life.

And now… I follow Jesus. Not for entertainment. Not for an easier life. Not to be religious. But because I love Him who loved me first. And I’ve accepted His invitation and walked into a new Kingdom. And I come to church because this is His house, and I want to be where He is. This is where life happens.

Response:

Why should we make time for Jesus in our busy lives? Because the Kingdom of God is coming! It’s a place where we can find new life. Where we can be fully restored! Where we can be made whole! Why wouldn’t we make time for this?

Every Sunday (every day), we’re invited to enter God’s Kingdom. And here’s what’s amazing… God wants us to invite others. We’re allowed to bring friends in need of restoration too. The paralyzed man doesn’t get to Jesus without his friends. It was their faith Jesus saw first!

Who can you bring to Jesus this year? Think of at least one person and begin praying for them. In fact, take a moment to text a prayer request for that friend to 860.935.8410. That’s our Prayer request line. Get our team praying with you!

Then, wait for the opportunity. God will give it to you. He wants them in the Kingdom more than you do! He sent His Son Jesus to die so they could come in! Also, be ready to do whatever you need to do to get them to Jesus. You might have to carry your friend to Jesus by faith. But when you do, Jesus will take over from there.

Finally, maybe today you are the paralyzed man. Sin has broken your life. And you need Jesus to restore you. Take heart, Jesus sees you and is inviting you into His Kingdom. All you need is faith. Leave behind your old life of sin and put your trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. He will forgive your sin, make you whole, and give you new life.

If you’ve decided to follow Jesus this morning. Would you do us a favor? Would you pull out your phone and text TRCconnect to 94000? Fill out that connect card and tell us you’ve decided to follow Jesus. We want to celebrate with you! Someone from our Church Online team will reach out to you. We want to support and encourage you in your new life!

With that… Let’s pray

Father, thank you for your word. Please let the words spoken today transform our lives. Help us to understand the point of this all. Help us to see the eternal value of the Kingdom of God. To see we have an opportunity to be restored unto new life in Jesus. God, help us to prioritized this. It’s the most important thing we can be a part of. In Jesus name, amen.

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