Quest 23
1. That’s an important question, and an equally important question is:
Do you believe you need to be forgiven
Let’s put this in context – sin will send us to hell.
Jesus said (Mark 9:43) - And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
Jesus’ step-brother wrote (Jude 7) that we condone in our society is not condoned by God- Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
The Apostle Paul wrote (Romans 2:6-8) that self-seeking selfishness will extract eternal punishment from God - He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
The Prophet Ezekiel (580 BC) wrote (Ezekiel 18:20) - The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
The Apostle John, “the Apostle of Love,” wrote (1 John 1:8) - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
And Jesus issued this warning (Luke 12:5) - But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
So this a big deal – the biggest.
2. What is more important, the physical or the spiritual, physical healing or spiritual healing?
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!”
3. Keep your eyes open – you might be surprised.
After this healing, Mark tells the story of the calling of Matthew, also known as Levi the son of Alphaeus - He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Tax collectors were considered traitors; they collected money for Rome. Plus, Matthew seemed to have it all – money, big house, comfortable life, etc. Yet he was empty inside, a hollow man.
You might be walking right past people who would love to meet Jesus.
4. Be the one who brings a friend to Christ.
The paralyzed man had four friends who didn’t give up.
Be the friend who doesn’t give up.
You know someone who needs spiritual healing – who needs forgiveness.
