Christ Rules! (Part 5) So What Keeps You From Forgiveness!?

Mark 2:1-12

A Sermon By Jim Hammond

Focus: Many obstacles were in the way of the paralytic who wanted to come to Jesus. He came anyway and found in Jesus more than he expected--forgiveness and wholeness.

I. What kind of faith does Jesus see in You? (2:5)

A. Barrier Breaking Faith

1. The Crowd

2. The Roof

3. The Skeptics

4. Your Problem

5 Your Own Hesitancy

II. Where do you get this kind of faith?

A. When you are crippled, paralyzed, or stuck get help from others

III. When Jesus sees your faith, He Surprises You With Forgiveness and Commissions You with Wholeness

A. Be a stretcher bearer for someone else

One Man’s Observation about Forgiveness

My six-year-old son used one of those super adhesive glues on an airplane he was building. In less than three minutes, his right index finger was bonded to a shiny blue wing of his DC-10. He tried to free it. He tugged it, pulled it, waved it frantically; but he couldn't budge his finger free. Soon, we located a solvent that did the job and ended our little crisis.

Last night I remembered that scene when I visited a new family in our neighborhood. The father of the family introduced his children:

"This is Pete. He's the clumsy one of the lot."

"That's Kathy coming in with mud on her shoes. She's the sloppy one."

"As always, Mike's last. He'll be late for his own funeral, I promise you."

The dad did a thorough job of gluing his children to their faults and mistakes.

People do it to us and to those we love all the time. They remind us of our failures, our errors, our sins, and they won't let us live them down. Like my son trying frantically to free his finger from the plane, there are people who try, sometimes desperately, to free themselves from their past. They would love a chance to begin again. When we don't let people forget their past, when we don't forgive, we glue them to their mistakes and refuse to see them as more than something they have done. However, when we forgive, we gently pry the doer of the hurtful deed from the deed itself, and we say that the past is just that--past--over and done with.

God does what we are unable to do or what those around us don't want to do or are unable to do for us. When we accept his forgiveness, he separates us from our sins. "As far as the east is from the west," the psalmist says, which means as far as you can imagine, that offense will be wiped away, blotted out.

The good news--the very good news--of the gospel is that we don't have to remain in bondage, glued to our sins. The healing power of God is ours for the asking, promising freedom and the loving embrace of a Father who forgets our past and clothes us for a new life. [1]

Here’s An Example of how this works:

A man came back to work in a place from which he had been fired several months previously. His work was superior. A fellow worker remembered how inconsistent he had been in the past and asked, "What happened to make such a difference in you?" The man told this story: When I was in college I was part of a fraternity initiation committee. We placed the new members in the middle of a long stretch of a country road. I was to drive my car at as great a speed as possible straight at them. The challenge was for them to stand firm until a signal was given to jump out of the way. It was a dark night. I had reached one hundred miles an hour and saw their looks of terror in the headlights. The signal was given and everyone jumped clear--except one boy. I left college after that. I later married and have two children. The look on that boy's face as I passed over him at a hundred miles an hour stayed in my mind all the time. I became hopelessly inconsistent, moody, and finally became a problem drinker. My wife had to work to bring in the only income we had. I was drinking at home one morning when someone rang the doorbell. I opened to find myself facing a woman who seemed strangely familiar. She sat down in our living room and told me she was the mother of the boy I had killed years before. She said that she had hated me and spent agonizing nights rehearsing ways to get revenge. I then listened as she told me of the love and forgiveness that had come when she gave her heart to Christ. She said, "I have come to let you know that I forgive you and I want you to forgive me." I looked into her eyes that morning and I saw deep in her eyes the permission to be the kind of man I might have been had I never killed that boy. That forgiveness changed my whole life. [2]

Focus: Many obstacles were in the way of the paralytic who wanted to come to Jesus. He came anyway and found in Jesus more than he expected--forgiveness and wholeness.

(Mark 2:5 NIV) "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven.""

What was it Jesus saw? Let’s hear the story again:

(Mark 2:1-12 NIV) "A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.

Returning to Capernaum, they hardly had a chance to light the oil lamps before the word was out. He was there. The great Rabbi with words of hope.

{2} So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.

Everyone wanted to see him. Would he do another marvel? It came as no surprise to his friends when the crowds started to fill the house, after all they had seen the amazing things He had done. His friends were a little puzzled by some who showed up. There were many who were genuinely interested in this man's words. He seemed to draw them up in their search for truth. There were also those "rubbernecks" burning with curiosity to fill their minds with exciting tidbits for chatter in the days ahead, whether it be with the controversy of his words, or better yet with another amazing miracle they hoped they could witness. When the religious leaders showed up, they didn't look like they were enjoying the crowd. Their faces were hard. Their greeting smiles seemed forced. Though the thought seemed disrespectful one disciple couldn't help thinking their faces reflected a little jealous discontentment because the focus of all this fuss was completely removed from them. Before all the available space was taken the disciples stepped in and found a place to lean against the wall to listen. People continued to fill the doorway since there was no more room available inside. The irritating smell of some of the poor and common people crowded so close, the smoke of the lamps, and the stale stuffy warmth you had to breath was soon forgotten when Jesus began to speak. Every eye was on the teacher.

{3} Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them.

Outside five young men came to the house. Four were carrying their paralyzed friend on his bed mat. When they came up their lungs were heaving. This was the place. Were they too late? When they saw that there was no way in, their breathing elongated into sighs of disappointment. They could barely hear the teacher. They could not see him. Yet, they had to see him. One of the men mumbled something to his friends. Their shoulders which had sagged with their burden and disappointment came back up at the thought.

{4} Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.

They went out back and struggled to get all five upon the flat rooftop. When they had decided on the spot they began digging up the dried clay and straw roof top. As soon as they got through the layer of clay they carefully made a hole in the brushwood between the supporting beams. The warmth of the room came up through the hole and hit their faces. When they looked down only a couple people had noticed them. They used their waist belts to lower their friend on his mat through the hole. Jesus' words stopped. All eyes came off the teacher and trailed his gaze. Most of the people missed the pleased expression on Jesus face because they were looking at the paralytic lowering to the floor. There was an awkward silence. The paralytic didn't say anything; neither did his friends who were looking through the hole in the ceiling. The tension was relieved for the five nervous young men when Jesus spoke. Mark tells us simply, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven." (2:5)

{5} When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." {6} Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, {7} "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

{8} Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? {9} Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? {10} But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, {11} "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." {12} He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!""

Murmuring filled the room. The room went silent again at the teacher's voice, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up, take your mat and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.." Then he turned and looked the young man in the eyes whose expectation suddenly leapt up into his throat. Could it be? "I tell you, get up, take you mat and go home." There was a moment’s hesitation. But as the man attempted it, a rush of warmth filled his legs and all doubts and questions left his mind like cockroaches scattering when the light is turned on. He felt the strength rush into his legs. He picked up his mat and made his way through a crowd that stared and made room for the one they knew as the paralytic to leave.

The four others ran up to him outside and picked him up, not to carry him this time but with a burst of cheer and joy. He did it. They knew the Teacher could. Then they let him down and they walked around the streets together waiting for the crowds to filter out so they could thank the teacher. The crowd was amazed. Many hearts swelled with hope. The rubbernecks were delighted with the story to tell all their friends. Some faces were still hard and silent, they unconsciously refused to look at the five young men as they left the house.

I. What kind of faith does he see in You?

"When Jesus saw their faith,. . . (Mark 2:5 NIV)

What is it Jesus saw? He saw faith that overcame some obstacles. He saw . . .

A. Barrier Breaking Faith

Are there Barriers Keeping You From the path of Faith?

· Little Barriers

1. The Crowd

(Blocking the Way, hypocrisy, in-crowd, needy crowd, embarrassment because the crowd is watching)

Maybe you have experienced the crowd blocking your way to Jesus before. One of the best arguments against Christianity is “Christians”. Their hypocrisy, lack of love and caring, and judgementalness.

Perhaps you felt on the outside of the In-crowd. We as Christians need to watch out that we are not blocking the way to Jesus.

Perhaps it is some other people in the way. Maybe even the preacher, some misunderstanding, or weakness of character, or something he said or did.

The point is, don’t let people stay become permanent barriers keeping you from entering the personal presence of Jesus. Coming to Jesus personally always makes a difference.

Sin and Sickness are Related (though not necessarily directly)

In that day it was not unusual to associate sickness with sin. The Jews integrally connected sin and suffering. They argued that if a man was suffering he must have sinned. That is in fact the argument of Job's friends. The Rabbi's had a saying, "There is no sick man healed of his sickness until all his sins have been forgiven him." It is true that many sicknesses are related to sin. It is also true time and time again that many sicknesses are as a result of another man's sin. Jesus was the one who actually in other cases shows that the connection is not necessarily direct. In this case he is not necessarily saying the paralysis was caused by sin. However, he shocks the people who are used to justifying their own lack of love towards such people by thinking their predicament is somehow the persons own fault. Jesus forgives his sin.

Fault Is No Excuse Not to Help

Sin is no excuse for us to pre determine that we don't need to help. We are tempted not to help the homeless because "probably their homeless because it is their fault", we are tempted not to help the alcoholics because "its their own fault". We are tempted not to help the drug addict because probably it is their own fault. We are tempted not to help the unwed mother to be, because it was her own fault. What does fault have to do with anything. What can we do to help? Jesus forgave. He has disarmed our excuse. Now the best help for a drug addict may not be cash, but does that mean that we don't help? We must determine the best help possible. Has he been brought to our door? Through our roof? Have your barriers been broken? Intruded upon. We are without the excuses. Jesus will forgive. Can we help? Can we by our helping carry this man who needs help to the Jesus who will forgive and heal? There are many hurting people out there who think they are hurting because God is angry at them. God is not hurting them. Sin is. They are. Or they are a victim of the fall like we all are. God will forgive.

2. The Roof

These are first Century Hackers, breaking into a private domain. J

3. The Skeptics

Have you had skeptics in your life making your faith more difficult?

These skeptics ask the right questions. And I’m glad they did. Because this passage is a powerful answer to those questions.

When is it OK to forgive someone? And when is it NOT OK to forgive them? These leaders of the law had an answer to these questions. In fact their answers were correct. However, the conclusions drawn from their answer was incorrect. When is it OK to forgive another? If you hit me out of anger it would be OK for me to forgive you That is within my authority to grant, because I could accept the pain of it and release you the guilt by that acceptance and offer you forgiveness. But what if _____________________ struck his wife _______________________, would it be OK for me to say “It’s OK __________________ I forgive you for striking your wife.” Who am I so say I forgive you. The offense was against his wife not me. The only one who can truly forgive is the one who is offended. Now I may also need to forgive ________________ in my heart because he offended me and I have him on my revenge hook also. But I don’t have the authority to absolve him of wrong doing. My stating it doesn’t make his forgiveness effectual. This is what the teachers of God’s law knew. Only God is able to grant the kind of forgiveness that Jesus stated. Because only God is the one who is offended in the case of all this man’s sins. Notice that the forgiveness is for SINS plural not sin, singular.

What is revealed here is that Jesus was more than a prophet. Jesus says in effect: “You say that I have no right to forgive sins? You hold as a matter of belief that if this man is ill he is a sinner and he cannot be cured till he is forgiven? Very well, then, watch this!” So Jesus spoke the word and the man walks. It is the belief of these skeptics, that sin and sickness were related. He baffled the legal experts by doing what was harder “forgiving sins” then proving he did it by healing the man.

· Big Barriers

4. Your Problem (addiction, darkness, bitterness)

The biggest hindrance for coming to Jesus in the first place was the Paralytic’s problem. He couldn’t come because he couldn’t walk. That is true of faith also. The biggest problem to coming to Jesus for help with our problem is often the problem itself. When you have an addiction you are stuck. When you are deceived, you don’t know it. When you are in the darkness, the light is uncomfortable to your eyes. The problem itself is difficult to admit. The problem itself has a hold on you.

5. Your Own Hesitancy

Even after the Paralytic came, there came that moment after the skeptics were grumbling to themselves that Jesus summoned a response.

(Mark 2:11 NIV) ""I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.""

I wonder if he hesitated. I wonder if there were doubts and questions. They didn’t last long if there were. He had come far enough that whatever hesitancy there might have been, it didn’t last. He got up, and walked.

Did you have hesitancy coming to Jesus? Do you? Is there still a problem you are hesitant to expose? Do you know Jesus is going to tell you to do something about it so you have been keeping your distance? Your Own Hesitancy may be the Biggest Barrier.

II. Where do you get this kind of faith?

When Jesus saw their faith. . . He saw them overcome The Crowd, The Roof, The Skeptics, His own problem didn’t keep him, He did not hesitate. Where do you get Barrier breaking faith?

A. Get help from others when you are crippled, (paralyzed, or stuck )

This is profoundly helpful when it comes to weakness of faith. Faith comes from faith. Life comes from life. You catch it from others. It’s contagious. Get help from others who have faith. It is catchy really. You begin to believe because of your growing confidence in the people that help. You begin to see the results of faith because God is responding to the people of faith around you. These types of relationships are vital to your spiritual health. Christianity is never to be lived out alone. We need each other. Even in Jesus’ model prayer do you notice something, it is prayed in the Plural. "'Our Father in heaven, . . .(Matthew 6:11-13 NIV) "Give us today our daily bread. {12} Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. {13} And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

I can’t tell you how many times that my faith has been strengthened in the presence of the faith of another as it is expressed or lived out. These 4 friends probably convinced the paralytic or even dragged him along as they were convincing him to “take a chance with Jesus…What do you have to lose?”

III. When Jesus sees your faith, He Surprises You With Forgiveness then Commissions You with Wholeness

Do you want to be whole? Come to Christ in faith. Open all your life to him. Let him deal with your inner motivation, with your hidden hurts and your secret sins. Trust him with all your life. He will not let you down.

Once Jesus gives you the ability to walk in faith . . .

A. Be a “stretcher bearer” for someone else

Is there someone else you want to see made whole? Believe for them – believe in all that Christ has done and can do for them. Bring them in prayer until you can bring them in person. In the final count healing and wholeness will come in their own encounter with Christ. But in the meantime, Christ sees your faith as he reaches out to meet their need. He is already reaching out to touch them with healing and wholeness through your practical love and active faith.

[1] James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 220.

[2]James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 221-222.