All That Work for Just One?
Mark 2:1-12
Intro: Never underestimate the value of one soul.
ILLUSTRATION: A man and his son were walking along the shore one day and notice the tide had washed dozens of starfish up on the shore. The little boy reached down and threw one back into the ocean. His daddy said, "Son, that's not going to make much difference." To which the boy replied, "It did to that one!"
Jesus preached to the multitudes on many occasions. But we many Scriptures where Jesus dealt with people one on one.
· He must needs go through Samaria to talk to one woman at the well in John 4.
· He walked through a press to approach one man in a sycamore tree in Luke 19.
· God sent Philip to the desert to talk to one Ethiopian eunuch.
I. A Compassionate Work
A. Christ's Compassion
· Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
B. Christian's Compassion
· Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Are you moved at the plight of the unsaved?
Paul was in Athens and when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry, his spirit was stirred within him. (Acts 17:16)
II. A Critical Work
A. It might be the last chance he had to get healed before he died
B. It might be the last time his friends would be willing to help him.
C. It might be the last time Jesus would be around to heal him
The fields are white ALREADY unto harvest!
III. A Combined Work
A. It required combined going - (one couldn't do it)
· Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
That’s why we need missionaries!
We cannot fulfil the Great Commission on our own.
B. It required combined giving – (they all gave their best)
Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
More than one person had to contribute.
It was a group effort with each one giving all they had.
IV. A Committed Work
A. They did not lose heart at the problem – (it was serious)
B. They didn't lose heart at the people – (there were many in the way)
C. They didn’t lose heart at the prospect – (getting inside)
D. They didn't lose heart at the price – (they did whatever it took)
V. A Creative Work
A. They weren't limited to normal procedures
B. They weren't limited to normal places (on the roof??)
VI. A Continuing Work
· Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
A. The man was a living testimony of God's goodness
B. The Lord was glorified by everyone
C. The 4 men lived the rest of their life knowing they'd helped someone
D. The other people there saw a life changed before their eyes
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