WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE MEET JESUS

WHEN PEOPLE MEET JESUS
– The Paralytic Man


What’s keeping you from Jesus?

The Crowd

Your Condition
The Critics

One day as Jesus was teaching…Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, “Friend, I forgive your sins.”

That set the religion scholars and Pharisees buzzing. “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemous talk! God and only God can forgive sins.”

Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and said, “Why all this gossipy whispering? Which is simpler: to say ‘I forgive your sins,’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both…” He now spoke directly to the paraplegic: “Get up. Take your bedroll and go home.” Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way. The people rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then also gave glory to God. Awestruck, they said, “We’ve never seen anything like that!” (Luke 5:17-26).



Making it personal…

1. Identify your ROADBLOCKS
They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd…

2. Get rid of your EXCUSES
…they went up on the roof, removed some tiles…

3. Don’t hide your PAIN
…let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus.

4. Express faith and experience the miracle of FORGIVENESS
Impressed by their bold belief, he said, “Friend, I forgive your sins.”

5. Live in a way that represents a CHANGED LIFE
Without a moment’s hesitation, he did it—got up, took his blanket, and left for home, giving glory to God all the way.


Who do you identify with?
· The skeptics
· One of the friends
· The paralytic
· The crowd