MVMNT | Friends Bring Friends to Jesus

The wisdom of Ecclesiastes, one of the letters in the Old Testament, says, Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

The tighter our bonds of relationship become with God and with one another, then the stronger we stand to overcome the evil one.

In 2014, Palmetto High School alum, Dr. Vivek Murthy, became the 19th surgeon general of the United States.

Within weeks of his new role, he organized a multi-city listening tour to understand the health concerns facing our nation. After speaking to citizens of every racial and socio-economic demographic, he diagnosed in that Americans faced an epidemic of loneliness.

Now heightened after Covid isolation.

Dr. Murthy said, “When I began my time as surgeon general, I started to recognize that many of the stories that I was hearing from people in small towns and big cities all across America were stories about addiction, about violence, about depression and anxiety. But behind those stories were threads of loneliness.”

Which God said is “Not good.”

In Genesis chapters 1 and 2, God called every part of his creation good in the Garden of Delight! That is, until God looked upon Adam and said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

To give Adam the same joy and fulfillment that God finds within himself as the Triune God, one God in three persons, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As one God in three persons, God enjoys perfect completion or wholeness within Godself.

This is truly a profound mystery, but one that God invites us to experience with Him nonetheless through the final brush stroke of creation:

shared love and friendship.

In Genesis 1 and 2, many commentators call humanity the crown jewel of creation because God made humanity in His image and breathed life in us.

God made humanity unlike any other part of his creation.

As his image bearers, God saw loneliness as a direct threat against God’s purpose for man, so by creating a woman, God sought to invite both man and woman to experience the true desire of his heart:

shared love and friendship.

This leads me to think that the crown jewel of creation isn’t us, but what God invites us to experience with him in shared love and friendship.

In fact, the result of sin in the garden and the shame that Adam and Eve felt for their disobedience, tarnished the crown jewel of shared love and friendship and, instead, ushered in the sin consequences of division, despair, and deception that seek to war against the true forming center of the garden.

In the Revelation, the final vision of the Holy City represents the restoration of life back to that forming center: shared love and friendship with God and one another.

And the difference maker between what sin destroyed and life together forever is Jesus, king and servant messiah, who moved to the people, for the people, to remove the barriers and reconcile us back to God’s original desire, for which he prays so clearly before going to the cross:

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. John 17:21

The unity that we experience as a church in fellowship and friendship and that we also experience in our families bears witness to God’s heart desire for shared love and friendship among all men and women created in his own image… and testifies to the truth that God sent his son into the world to save the world because he loves the world and desires that no one perishes.

So here’s a question for you to consider:

What if you saw your friendships and the shared love of your family as your life’s mission field?

Because friendships can make an eternal difference.

They certainly did for one paralyzed man.

In our current series, Movement, we are studying select passages from the Gospel of Mark.

Last week, we studied the entire first chapter of Mark. Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into just 12 verses that show how 4 friends made an eternal impact on one man’s life.

Beginning in verse 1:

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Mark 2:1-2

News about Jesus went viral across the land. Thousands of people made their way to Jesus, hoping for something, anything from this man. Some were curious about him, others wanted to condemn him, while others others felt content to stay at a comfortable viewing distance away from him.

Same as today.

Mark continues, Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. Mark 2:3–4.

Imagine yourself sitting a few rows back from Jesus when all of a sudden, you hear a chipping noise, and see dust falling from the ceiling. Then, a few seconds later, a chunk of the roof tears open with all kinds of mud and rock falling on people’s heads. A sunbeam pierces the room, highlighting men and women underneath the hole, who begin to panic and climb over others for fear that something might fall on them.

As you turn your eyes to Jesus, he looks puzzled, but he’s not afraid. Instead, he seems curious, maybe even enjoying the moment.

Then, You hear male voices on the roof and the gasps of the crowd when they see a mat fit through the thatched hole, carrying a paralyzed man.

What a scene!

Let me encourage you to read scripture slow enough to use your imagination and ask questions of the text that help you understand what God wants you to know.

In these short 4 verses, Mark captures the transformational power of friendship on the move.

First through determination.

These 4 friends literally did not let any obstacle stop them from bringing their friend to the feet of Jesus.

They didn’t know what Jesus might or might not do, but, these guys weren’t going to give up until they brought their friend in range of Jesus.

They showed grit and risked great consequence to help their friend.

NEW SLIDE: What would you be willing to risk to help bring your friends to the feet of Jesus?

Second these men showed their friendship through care.

They quite literally placed everything on the line, their reputation and finances, to risk doing the absurd, but according to how Mark describes the scene, these men didn’t seem to think twice about it.

Nothing deterred these guys. Their actions demonstrated a single minded focus to care for their friend by overcoming every obstacle to help him become healed and whole.

How might the Lord be calling you to overcome obstacles to help your friends find healing in Jesus’ name? How might the Lord be leading you to risk the absurd and dare greatly in your faith?

Third through simple faith.

These men didn’t know what you and I know about Jesus today. At the most, they probably heard about Jesus through word of mouth, knew something about his ability to heal and teach with authority, and maybe caught wind about Jesus as the Son of God, but nothing more.

They knew only a couple of key facts about Jesus, and that was enough for them to take a bold risk.

We know a lot more about Jesus and, ultimately, what he accomplished for us, than these guys did, so What bold risk might the Lord be calling you to take on behalf of your friends and family?

Is it really that much of a risk to call up or text a friend and say something like: when I left church today, you came to my mind, and I thought about how much Jesus means to me, and I am curious what he means to you?

If someone asks a question that you can’t answer, then it’s ok to say something like: that’s a great question. I’ve wondered about that myself, and I’m not sure how to answer it. Would you be open to learning with me?

Share your 15 second story. Mine goes like this: There was a time in my life when I felt alone and lost, but then I learned about Jesus and invited him to take the lead of my life. Now, I am fulfilled and have a purpose. Do you have a story like that?

These are not bold risks.

I believe these are small steps that we can take with others as we seek to live each day in the movement of Jesus.

And as we do, Jesus might begin to nudge us to take some bolder steps and live a daring faith that calls us to adventure.

Fourth these men showed their friendship through love.

For any person, but especially a man, to live paralyzed in the first century meant doom. He probably wouldn’t have been able to work to provide for himself and his family, and since so many in the first century already lived from hand to mouth without the ability to provide a little extra for those in need, unless a paralyzed person received support from a wealthy family, then most likely they were left alone and isolated to beg for their sustenance in the most highly visible, vulnerable, and victimized locations in the city.

But what I love about these 4 guys is that they said no, not to this guy. They loved their friend enough to sacrifice everything to help him find a way out of doom and death. Love finds a way to new life.

SLIDE EDIT: Who might the Lord be calling you to help find their way to new life?

And fifth, I believe this moment of friendship expresses brotherhood.

Since 4 men brought this man to Jesus and not his family members, I wonder, perhaps, if this man became paralyzed later in life. Mark doesn’t specify, but if we use our imaginations, what would motivate 4 men to tear open someone’s roof and lower a man down to the feet of Jesus unless they knew him?

Perhaps they all lived in the same village together, raising their families as neighbors and friends? Perhaps they shared the Shabbat meal together, walked to synagogue together, and coached youth soccer together?

Perhaps these guys worked together as carpenters and on one fateful day, one of them fell off a roof and broke his back, so they did what all good friends do, they rallied together to care for him, his wife, and his kids.

They mobilized on his behalf. Their wives helped with his children and the chores.

The men worked longer hours to raise some extra money for their paralyzed friend’s family.

Together, they committed to make sure that he didn’t end up alone and isolated, begging for scraps by the city gates, while his wife and kids became destitute.

These 4 men made their paralyzed friend’s problem their opportunity to show their true loyalty and brotherhood, so when they heard about Jesus, the Son of God who heals the sick and brokenhearted, I think these guys hurried home as fast they could to and said, “Come what may, we’re bringing our friend, our brother, to the feet of this man.”

Truly, what other motivating factor would compel these men to risk their lives for the sake of the one?

Brotherhood.

Brotherhood made a way for these guys to get their friend in range of Jesus.

As I wrote this message, my eyes welled up with tears when I imagined this scene because it brought back to memory moments in my life when my friends came by my side, scooped me up, and made the commitment not to leave me alone to deal with my problems by himself. Instead, my band of brothers made my problem their opportunity.

Then, I thought about moments when I scooped up others and committed to bring them to the feet of Jesus, and made their problem my opportunity.

Now, if you’re thinking to yourself, good for you, Pastor Ryan, but I don’t have anyone like that in my life, then please hear me say this to you with all love and gentleness: Yes, you do. Yes, you do.

Look around this room. This is your church, the Body of Christ alive and active, so before anyone makes such a claim, ask yourself this question:

What steps have I taken to make a new friend and be a good friend to someone else?

Have you joined a group?

Do you hangout after the worship experience?

If you have the ability to do so, do you attend in person?

Or do you walk in late and leave early?

Friendship and community doesn’t just magically appear. It’s like fresh bread that takes time to rise and bake.

How might the Lord be calling you to make a friend and be a friend to move on mission with Jesus?

Let’s own our thoughts and actions and make them obedient to Jesus. You’re not a victim. You are redeemed, and have been reconciled to God. In Christ Jesus, you are a new creation, full of life, full of hope, full of wonder, and have been given one of the greatest gifts that we can experience in this life: shared friendship.

Friends bring friends to Jesus.

No excuses.

With every tear these guys made into that roof… Dust falling… Chunks collapsing… A hole opening… A man lowering… Jesus squinting through the dust, wiping it from his brow… 4 men showed their love and brotherhood for their friend in need.

Love in action. Friends bring friends to Jesus.

In fact, may we say this together? Repeat after me: friends bring friends to Jesus.

Amen.

After the men lowered their friend down, Mark writes:

SLIDE CHANGE: When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5

Notice that Mark wrote, When Jesus saw their faith. Plural. The faith of the 4 resulted in Jesus healing the one.

Friends, we can’t make someone believe in Jesus, but whenever we tell our unbelieving friend that God loves them, even if they feels unlovable or don’t believe in God, then we speak a truth over them that we pray and hope won’t return void, but instead, move them closer to belief in her Savior.

Mark continues in verse 6:

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? Mark 2:6–7.

And they’re exactly right. Only God is able to forgive sins. The book of Leviticus chapters 4, 5, 16, and 17 clearly outlines the process for repentance, restitution, and sacrifice, according to the law, and the paralyzed man did not follow that process, so based on Mark’s description, Jesus surprised everybody with his response.

The 5 men were surprised because they were seeking some kind of tangible healing, not forgiveness.

And the teachers of the law were surprised because they just witnessed Jesus say something that only God has the authority to do.

In 5 words, Jesus surprised everyone, and raised the million dollar question for every single person in that room:

Is Jesus God, the true King and Servant Messiah,that we’ve been waiting for?

Mark writes, Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? Mark 2:8-9

Which is easier to do, Jesus asks: make a theological statement or give a man his legs back?

Jesus said, So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Mark 1:10-12

Jesus did what he said he could do, and the healed man proved Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, not by any good deed done, but through the free gift of God’s salvation.

Mark opened the first chapter by showing the heart and character of Jesus’ movement, and then his second chapter shows the movement of those who believe it.

If you believe in Jesus, then move with him, and live like never before!

Why do friends bring friends to Jesus? Because…

People are dying. Lives are in the balance. Families are on the brink. Eternity is at stake.

My aim in this message is for you to feel urgency about people in your life far from God and then move with intentionality to bring them to his feet.

—

You may remember this viral video from a few years ago about two brothers who competed in an elite ironman competition together. What happened near the finished line stunned the world. Take a look:

[[[show video]]]

One brother lost the championship to help the other brother because love weighs more than championships.

In fact, love is the only thing that’ll last at the end.

Did you hear the female commentator say, ‘this may be against the rules, they need to consult the rule book?’

I think tearing open a hole in a stranger’s roof is also against the rules, but that’s what love does to bring friends to the feet of Jesus.

Love risks the absurd

Love overcomes every obstacle…

Friendships can make an eternal impact.

***ADD LINE!!! - Friends bring friends to Jesus.

These men didn’t save their friend. Jesus did, but they got him to the finish line, the feet of Jesus.

[[[take out top 7 card]]]

Let’s witness that movement happen here, starting with us, as we take steps toward helping these 7 cross the finish line to the feet of Jesus.

No more delay, it’s worth the risk. Let’s move!

Lord Jesus, we need you…