Which is easier?
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Introduction:
Introduction:
This is a wonderful story in the bible that speaks of Faith - Unity - Forgiveness - Healing - Power of God. In the middle of the story Jesus presents a question in V.8 Which is easier? 1. Your sins are forgive 2. Take up your bed and walk. One focuses on the external - The body that needs healing, the other focuses on the eternal - The soul that needs healing.
Man’s focus has always been primarily the External Man
a) we care for looks many times at any cost
b) we pay money to help us look good
c) we buy cosmetics and perfumes
I. Samuel 16:6-7 God looks at the heart Internal
2. God’s focus has been the Eternal Man
a) Only God can heal your soul (emotions)
b) Only God can forgive sins
c) Only God can give you Peace - Joy - Strength
Jesus heals the inside first
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks—when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.