WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:03.200 It's awesome to be with the church family this morning. 00:00:03.359 --> 00:00:09.039 If I haven't had the chance to meet you, my name's Russ, and I'm one of the pastors here at Church at the Grove. 00:00:09.199 --> 00:00:23.519 Always excited to see everybody, but if you're here, especially first or second time, we always want to show hospitality, but more than anything, we want you to have an encounter with Jesus. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:27.359 And so that's what that's that's the that's our heart's desire. 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:55.200 Um now, y'all, you you heard me share my testimony and and and points of my life and different things, and and and I refer back to growing up, not going to church, and and and as a result of that, I was I was one of three boys, and we were always involved in mischief and stuff. 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:02.240 And so, um, and it and it wasn't always, it didn't always go well. 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:11.920 So, so I I was probably about 17 years old and and I was sitting in the jail in Conyers, Georgia. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:19.439 Not because I was doing a ministry visit. 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:29.680 I I had been hanging out with some friends and doing some things that I shouldn't have done at the age that I that I was at. 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:42.799 And and and the nice police man from Conyers, he knew that that that's not really what I needed to be doing. 00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:48.159 And so I sat there, you know, and I had to call home. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:56.079 My dad was out of town working, and and I'm telling you, that that is a blessing that he was not home. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:03.920 And I and I just sat there and I had to make that phone call, and I said to myself, this is this is not good. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:06.959 Things were not going well for me. 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:10.719 Things were not going well at that moment. 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:22.960 And so a lot of us can say that at points in our life, maybe right now you would say, things are not going well for me. 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:36.639 I guarantee you, you've got friends and you've got neighbors and you've got work associates, and you have people in your extended family, maybe your immediate family, and things are not going well for them. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:53.039 I walked out of that jail, got in the car, my my I had two old, I had two older brothers, one still living, and my middle brother Eddie, both Eddie and my older brother Butch, they they were a huge influence in me coming to Christ. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:57.039 Eddie had been on me to inviting me to come to church. 00:02:57.199 --> 00:02:58.719 And I just wasn't interested. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:04.240 I just kept giving them the stiff arm and told him that just, you know, that's not that's not for me right now. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:09.120 And and and as I sat there and thought, man, this is not going well for me. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:13.840 The lifestyle that I am choosing right now at this moment, it's not going well. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:21.759 And I walk out, I got in the car, and and I I looked, I had to look my mother in the eyeballs. 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:25.120 Now, my mother was the sweetest lady in the world. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:26.879 I mean, she just so sweet. 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:34.240 And she, you know, there were times that she had to get on to me, but but it wasn't near, I mean, she still had a soft heart. 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:39.280 And I had to look at her walking out of that jail. 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:50.240 And we got in the car, and and my brother was driving, and you know how you ever been in just an awkward situation, think something's not going well, and it's quiet. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:54.479 And I just, I mean, it just came out. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:59.439 I said, Eddie, I think I want to go to church with you this week. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:05.199 And and and and God, that's kind of, that was meant to be kind of funny. 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:09.199 Obviously, scratch that for the next service. 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:23.279 I it had I had to get to that point where things were not going so well that my heart was open uh to God working. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:25.600 And I imagine most of us have similar stories. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:31.360 Some of us probably, when God got a hold of our life, we were probably at low places. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:34.240 And and it might have been at a young age. 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:50.399 I I I know with my uh my children, uh for for their little hearts, it was different, but the reality, they they something wasn't going well in their life, and they wanted to reach out and ask Jesus to come and save them. 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:52.560 And so we all have these stories. 00:04:52.720 --> 00:05:08.079 Something's not going well, there's a terrible uh set set of circumstances in our life, and and and and somebody steps into our life when things are not going well, and they begin to share some hope and joy and love. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:18.959 They share their testimony, they eventually get to share the gospel, or they invite you to a place or to a church where the gospel is going to be preached. 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:31.839 The reality is we don't we don't we don't have to access, we we don't have to know how to access the faith that we need to have to get to Jesus. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:37.360 Really, what needs to happen is somebody needs to care enough to get us to Jesus. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:44.639 Now, we're in this series called The Empty Chair, and so I should have an empty chair right here. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:46.639 Russ, can I have an empty chair? 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:48.240 Um, at perfect timing. 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:50.800 He was reaching for it as I called for it. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:55.519 And so, so listen, we we we taught last week, we introduced this idea. 00:05:55.759 --> 00:06:03.519 The series is titled The Empty Chair, and and there are chairs throughout this room, and this room is there's a lot of people in this room, but you know what? 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.920 There's still a lot of empty chairs that are in this room. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:17.759 And we, listen, when we started this church 20 years ago, the idea would be that we would continually see people reach with the gospel to fill up empty chairs. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:21.199 And he, listen, I am so excited about this building. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:25.360 Sometimes I have to pinch myself, but you know what I have to be reminded of? 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:27.759 That it's not about this building. 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:33.199 It's about the people who will sit in the empty chair and fill this place. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:42.560 And not only just fill this place, they'll walk out into the community and they will represent Jesus in all they do and all they say. 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:44.800 And there's a commitment. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:50.160 And so we we said there's gonna, over the next three weeks, we're gonna talk about these three knots. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.279 These knots. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:07:09.040 And when you hear these knots, they will immediately, through through the power of habit, through the power of something triggering your memory, it'll remind you, when you hear, hey, I'm not going to church, it'll trigger the fact that, hey, you have an answer to that. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:10.480 It's an invitation. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:16.959 And this week we're talking about the second night when things are not going well. 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:24.720 And we all know people that are that are going through experiences where it's just not going well for them. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:26.720 Listen, I know people in our church. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:33.040 I know that our church has a lot of people that are hurting and suffering and going through difficult circumstances. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:37.279 So if that's happening inside the church, I know it's happening outside the church. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:41.600 Now the difference is inside the church, we know we've got a savior. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:50.240 We've got a king who cares about us, a heavenly father that has adopt, wants to adopt us into the family of God. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:57.600 And so when things are not going well, people seem to be open to something outside of themselves. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:03.600 And so next week, we'll look at another knot. 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:06.560 We'll share that knot for for later. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:16.000 But here's what I want you to hear as we think about all the seasons where there seems to be little to no faith in us. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:19.040 And sometimes that is the case. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:21.040 And when that's the case, listen to this. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:23.120 Here's the big idea, you don't walk away with anything else. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:24.240 Listen to this. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:28.240 When you can't walk by faith, borrow somebody else's. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:32.879 When you can't walk by faith, you borrow somebody else's. 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:35.279 And we're in Mark chapter 1 today. 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:36.799 I'm sorry, Mark chapter 2. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:40.639 We're going to be in Mark chapter 2, but let me tell you what happens in Mark chapter 1. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:58.960 It's, I love Mark because you've got Matthew and you've got Luke that give you the whole nativity stories, and there's great detail, and it's all important detail because it's it that tells us what's happening in the Roman Empire and what's happening in history at that time. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:00.240 Mark is different. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:02.559 Mark gets straight to the point. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:09.840 I mean, Mark chapter 1, verses 14, Jesus comes on to the scene. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:13.039 He said, the kingdom of God is at hand. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.320 It is here. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.080 It is here. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:19.840 Believe, listen, he says, repent and believe the good news. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:25.759 I mean, that's Jesus' invitation and his call to salvation. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:31.200 Now, once he makes this proclamation, the kingdom of God is here. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:37.679 Repent, believe the good news, he begins to demonstrate the power of the kingdom. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:40.879 He demonstrates it through the authority of his teaching. 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:45.919 He demonstrates it through being able to supernaturally heal people. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:48.799 He heals Peter's mother-in-law. 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:52.000 He is able to cast out demons. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:54.639 He heals a leper. 00:09:55.120 --> 00:10:01.759 And so you see the power of God through the life of Jesus. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:06.480 And then he, we get to chapter 2. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:10.799 Here's what it says in verses 1 through 3 of chapter 2, Mark 2. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:17.919 It says, when he entered Capernaum, again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:21.679 And so, which gives us the idea, that was Jesus' home base. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:24.159 We know he was from Nazareth. 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:32.080 We know he was born in Bethlehem, but we also know that Capernaum became his home base. 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:48.480 And so many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them, and they came to him bringing a paralytic carried by four of them. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:49.919 Four men. 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:54.720 And so things are going well in ministry. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:57.360 God's power is showing through Jesus. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:02.559 But the crowds here, they hear about this man who can teach with authority. 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:06.000 They hear about this man who has the power to heal. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:09.279 This man who has the power to cast out demons. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:13.759 He has the power that only could come from God. 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:19.840 And he's surrounded by people crowding in to the house. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.759 You know why they're crowding in? 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:27.440 Because when you look at their life, things are not going well for them. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:30.559 They're living under the tyranny of the Roman Empire. 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:35.279 Many are living with the consequences of their own sin. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:42.159 Many are living with physical issues where they desperately need healing. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:44.080 They desperately need help. 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:52.240 And so last week we looked at the story of Zacchaeus and realized he was not going to church. 00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:56.159 And so Jesus says, Zacchaeus, I need to come to your house. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:12:09.600 And Jesus walks into the house of Zacchaeus that is filled with shame, that is filled with unforgiveness, that is filled with the consequences of separation from an eternal God. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:18.559 And listen, but when Jesus walks out of Zacchaeus's house, he walks out of a house where a man who was lost is now found. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:23.360 And the chair that was empty is now filled with somebody. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:27.279 And so this week it's different. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:34.879 When things are not going well, let me give you, give me a give you a few responses if you're a note taker. 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:41.279 When things are not going well, somebody's got to make a decision to do something. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:47.039 When things are not going well, somebody's got to make a decision to do something. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:51.279 You can't just talk about it. 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:53.360 You can't point fingers at it. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:57.919 Somebody's got to be willing to get up and take action. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.360 Here's a question for you. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.840 Did Jesus come? 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:10.960 Did he need to just come be a helpful? 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:16.159 Come to be helpful with the things that we need in life? 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:22.000 Or did he come to be the hope for all eternity? 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:34.000 That's a question we've got to consider because it changes how we look at life and it changes how we look at people and how we're to adjust our life to the mission that God has given us. 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:36.399 Somebody's got to do something. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.559 Somebody's got to do something. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:42.639 We've developed a discipleship pathway. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:14:05.679 Steps that are tangible enough for hopefully for us to explain what it means to come to a place where we believe the gospel and we belong to the family of God, and then we become more and more like Jesus, and then we join Jesus in building his kingdom, advancing the gospel. 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.559 So here's my question. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:11.279 Is it just enough to believe? 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:22.879 I believe that we are now dealing with the consequences of a church that has for decades said that salvation is simply repeating a prayer that you believe something. 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:41.440 And that you, listen, you get your ticket to eternal life, but you can go sit back on your dairy air and maybe show up to church occasionally, at least a couple times a year, and have this false sense of eternal security. 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.679 Now, no, don't. 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:47.279 I know some of you are thinking, oh, here he goes, here he goes. 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.720 Works by salvation. 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.639 That's not what I'm talking about. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:55.519 We are saved by grace through faith alone. 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.600 Faith alone. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:06.480 The thief on the cross, he didn't really have time to do a lot, so he wasn't he wasn't deserving of salvation, but it was given to him as a gift. 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.919 So don't get me wrong. 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:10.799 But let's pull back and look at the big picture. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:25.120 If you say you believe in Jesus and you go about living your life as if nothing else, as if nothing has changed, then there is no evidence that Jesus has transformed your life. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:28.399 Somebody's got to step up and do something. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:44.559 When we see that things are not going well in somebody's life, listen, when you don't have faith, you've got to borrow somebody else's, and there's a man that's on a stretcher in this story that is counting on somebody to do something. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:48.000 There's a guy on a mat here, laying here. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:50.399 He's paralyzed, it says. 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.679 And there's four guys standing around. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:59.679 Now, in some scenarios, this is what I'm thinking. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:04.879 Four people standing around, they're thinking, there's something wrong here. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.639 Things are not going well. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:16.240 But some smarty pants is over here trying to decide, diagnose what's happening. 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:20.480 Here's what I read in my medical journal. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:25.679 I think it's an infection. 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:29.519 Which it couldn't have been that. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:34.320 Because microbes weren't discovered until the 1800s. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:38.720 So they wouldn't even have thought it's an infection. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.720 That wasn't even on their brain. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:46.399 You know, little tiny microbes were kind of otherworldly back then. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:49.279 But there's somebody, you know, but you you get the dress. 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.720 Somebody's giving their opinion. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.080 I think it's an infection. 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:56.159 Somebody else says, well, I think it's the sin in his life. 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:58.639 And this is retribution for his dis. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:02.799 I mean, you people, oh, everybody has a commentary. 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:05.359 Everybody has an opinion. 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:10.559 I mean, even doctors practice medicine. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.920 And you know what? 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:27.440 We live in a society where it's becoming ever more obvious that there are less experts than we think. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:41.519 There was a, I think there might have been, there might have been a committee meeting in Washington somewhere. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:45.920 I can't remember the guy's name, but but he was an expert. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:52.160 He was an expert over those microbes that I said, you know, those microbes. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:57.200 So we listened to the experts tell us. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.759 Stay home. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.359 Wear a mask. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:04.240 Now, I that's way off base from where I was. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.519 No, listen. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.599 We can step back. 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:13.839 Listen, we we all have needs. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.359 We all have physical needs. 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.559 We have emotional needs. 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:21.119 There's sickness, financial needs, loneliness, marriage, parenting, physical needs. 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:33.599 There's something wrong when we prioritize physical or felt needs over what is most important, and that's eternal needs. 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:56.000 Something is wrong with the idea that this man can be healed to have two good legs, but all these legs are going to be good for is to walk straight into hell because nobody shared the gospel with him and helped him understand what is more important than even your physical healing. 00:18:56.160 --> 00:19:01.039 Now, listen, I don't think that Jesus is indifferent to our felt needs. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:07.359 Jesus is not indifferent to our physical needs and our pain and our hurt, and I believe he heals. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.400 We have prayed. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.960 We have prayer services where we heal for people. 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:13.119 We'll pray over you any Sunday. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:17.680 And I believe that Jesus can heal every disease. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.920 I believe he still casts out demons. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:26.160 I believe that he can do anything that we need him to do to meet a felt need. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.759 And that is good. 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:42.079 But there's something wrong if somebody's felt need is met, but they walk away without knowing the fact that they could have eternal life. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:48.240 So somebody's got to do something. 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:53.920 Verse 4, it says, since they were not able to bring in with Jesus because of the crowd, what did they do? 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:56.079 Somebody decided to do something. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:59.680 They removed the roof above him after digging through it. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:04.079 They lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:10.960 See, when things are not going well, true friends have faith that overcome obstacles. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:14.720 True friends have faith that overcome obstacles. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.119 Listen, somebody needs to get to Jesus. 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:19.359 Are you truly a friend? 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.720 Are you truly a friend? 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:26.319 Are you truly caring about what's happening in their life? 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.279 Look at verse 5. 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:29.440 It says, seeing their faith. 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:33.279 Does it say seeing his faith? 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:35.200 What's the word there? 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:37.440 Seeing there. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:48.319 So here's what I'm reading that your faith might matter in my life just as much as my faith matters in my life. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:57.039 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, son, your sins are forgiven. 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:59.039 You see what happens here? 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:02.240 He didn't say just get up and walk. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:04.079 He says, your sins are forgiven. 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:15.519 Jesus has a way of cutting through all of the peripheral things and getting to what really matters the most. 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:21.119 And yeah, we listen, healing is possible. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.279 Jesus still casts out demons. 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:25.039 He does all of these things. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:30.720 But listen, he was willing to take the conversation deeper. 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:35.599 We live in a world that's paralyzed by things that can't be fixed. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.799 So what do we do? 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:42.160 We ignore the true answers for people whose lives are not going well. 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:46.079 We live in a world that is confused. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:51.200 We live in a world where we're paralyzed by things that can't be fixed. 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:54.799 So we just focus on what we know. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:59.519 An authentic faith understands that there is more at stake than just. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.359 Physical healing. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:03.599 Someone overcame an obstacle. 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:05.519 Listen, listen to me. 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:23.200 I know some of you have grown up in church your whole life, but I'm telling you, somewhere, somewhere in your family, somewhere in your life, somebody had to overcome an obstacle to make sure that you would eventually get to hear about Jesus. 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:32.160 Somebody had to be willing to bring you to church, to drag you to church, to preach to you, to love you. 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:46.480 If you were born and raised in a Christian family, somebody, somewhere in your ancestral history, was willing to step out of their comfort zone so you could hear the name of Jesus. 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:51.200 And true friends are willing to overcome the obstacles to see this happen. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:58.160 Here's what else we see. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:01.759 Jesus sees the faith of his friends before he solves the problem. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:05.519 He sees the faith of his friends before he solves the problem. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.839 See, we all come with our felt need list. 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:13.759 Jesus loves enough to go deeper, to go deeper to what really matters. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.880 Look at verse 6. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:19.440 For some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts, why does he speak like this? 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:21.039 He's blaspheming. 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:23.279 Who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:35.680 Right away, Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:40.880 Which is easier to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven? 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:47.200 Or to say, get up, take your mat, and walk. 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:59.599 See, when things are not going well, we need to be reminded that the greatest miracle isn't walking, it's being forgiven. 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:06.160 The greatest miracle isn't just getting up and walking. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:13.519 This man right here, I said he could have two great, he could be healed, have two good legs, and still walk straight into the depths of hell. 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:21.200 The greatest miracle isn't always the physical healing, it's the spiritual healing. 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:23.839 It's the forgiveness that comes. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:35.279 And in a paralyzed world, in a world that's paralyzed, things that about about things that can't be fixed, we have a Savior who addresses what's actually wrong. 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.359 And it's the human heart. 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:44.240 See, when you can't walk by faith, borrow somebody else's. 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:49.200 And so let's finish right here, Mark 2, verses 10 through 12. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:59.839 It says, But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, he told the paralytic, I tell you, get up, take your mat, and go home. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:03.599 Immediately he got up, took the mat, went out in front of everyone. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:11.920 As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, We have never seen anything like this. 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:21.519 He saw the faith of the mat carriers. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:26.000 But based on this, he also knew the thoughts of everyone there. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:32.000 He knows every thought you have, everything you're thinking right this second. 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:34.480 Jesus knows it. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:37.359 He knows what your need is. 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:43.599 In a moment, we're gonna ask you to come to the Lord's table. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:26:02.079 And before you come to the Lord's table, it's always a heart check to make sure that we come with our hearts right with God, reconciled with the Heavenly Father, receiving the forgiveness that He offers before we come partake. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:13.039 And so the most important invitation you might hear this morning is the invitation to put your faith in Jesus before you take your first communion. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:26.319 Have you ever needed somebody to carry you when you couldn't get somewhere by yourself? 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:32.640 Have you ever had to rely on somebody outside of yourself? 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:41.839 Listen, we all, we all are going through something. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:58.480 And we need Jesus to respond to that something, but that something will never take precedent over the greatest need that we have, and that is the need for salvation. 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:22.160 And if somebody was willing to pay a price for me to make sure that I filled an empty chair, then I, listen, shame on me if I don't participate and join in the mission to make sure somebody else is invited to fill the empty chair. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:27.279 Now listen, we we all have things in our life. 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:35.359 A couple of weeks ago, I was I I just decided I'm gonna have a pity party. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:39.200 I just felt pitiful. 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:43.359 I I felt I felt like I felt this weight. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:50.720 It feels like this season that we're in, that my family's been in. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:28:16.000 I mean, going back to COVID, going back to uh losing an uncle at the end of 2020, knowing that my aunt and uncle didn't have any children, and and see, me and my three brothers, me and my two brothers, all three of us, have spent all of our lives talking about how we are going to have to step in and take care of my aunt or uncle because they didn't have children. 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:25.200 And so my uncle Tom gets he gets COVID on Friday, dies on Sunday. 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:34.319 And so our family's scrambling, giving care to my aunt, and I'm I'm a part of that rotation. 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:46.799 My mother passed away, it's probably like it's been a year and a half ago, a little over a year and a half ago, and and and it wasn't a long period of time, but the last year or two, there's a lot of caregiving. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:50.319 And you know, I'm I got two brothers. 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:53.359 Hey, we're we're gonna be in this together, aren't we? 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.319 Aren't we? 00:28:54.559 --> 00:29:01.680 We're gonna be in this together, except the fact that God decided to take one of my brothers at the age of 34. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:07.359 And hallelujah for Eddie, hallelujah, because he knew the Lord, hallelujah for him. 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:12.480 But it it when I think about it, sometimes I have a pity party. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:28.000 And so when my mother passed away and everything, all the business stuff that has to do, and if you've experienced that, you know what I'm talking about. 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:32.319 It was three of us that would be in on this together. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:43.519 Except my older brother, eight years ago or so, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:51.759 And a couple weeks ago, I mean, you know, these things happen in stages, and his his declining has happened in stages. 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:54.000 He had a major seizure a couple of weeks ago. 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:55.599 He's doing a lot better. 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.799 But but you know what? 00:29:56.880 --> 00:30:03.119 I I'm I'm in the middle of all that, I just feel weight, and I decided I'm gonna have a pity party. 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:12.240 And listen, I say all that, I I it's not because I want you to feel sorry for me. 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:20.400 I say it because I know that we all deal with it, have dealt with it, or will deal with it. 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:22.160 Things like this. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:25.920 And here's what I said in my mind. 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:30.000 I guess it can't get any worse than this. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:33.519 I guess it can't get any worse than this. 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.759 And right, listen. 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:42.160 Almost as if God was standing right in front of my face. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:48.480 He said, Russ, it could be worse. 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:56.079 I mean, immediately the Holy Spirit began to call to my mind all the miracles in my family. 00:30:56.559 --> 00:31:05.279 One of them being three boys that came to Christ despite growing up in a family that didn't go to church. 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:09.759 And so it could be worse. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:12.000 God says it could be worse. 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:19.519 My brother's situation is a bit bleak, but you know what would be worse is if he had never put his faith in Jesus. 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:22.640 Hey, I miss my brother Eddie so much. 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:24.720 My kids never got to meet him. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:30.799 He would have been the best, most fun uncle that you could imagine. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:34.000 You think, man, it can't get any worse than that. 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:36.319 Yes, yes, it can. 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:38.000 He knows Jesus. 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.119 It could be worse. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:42.720 He could be facing eternity without Jesus. 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:48.319 So whatever is going on in your life, and it's all valid. 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:51.839 I want to validate you all have issues and needs. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:57.279 We all are experiencing some type of situation. 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:04.640 And sometimes we we get in our little pity parties and we we ask that question, man. 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:07.759 I I get I I guess it can't get any worse than this. 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:09.039 Yes, it can. 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:10.960 Yes, it can. 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:13.680 It can always be without Jesus. 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:18.960 Jesus didn't promise us complete, perfect life. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.640 And our salvation. 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:24.240 Matter of fact, he said, in this life you will have troubles. 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:30.000 He is our fortress, he is our refuge. 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:36.079 He is Psalm 46, He is our ever-present help in a time of trouble. 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:40.640 When you think it can't get any worse, it can get worse. 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:50.240 It can not only be physical, you can be headed straight to eternity without a relationship with your heavenly father. 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:53.920 It certainly can be worse. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:33:05.680 And listen, if I want to be a good friend, then I want to carry the mat for you straight to Jesus this morning. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:22.319 And listen, if you're a true friend, then you'll consider the reality that these chairs need to be filled with somebody looking for true hope, looking for true life. 00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:25.920 And listen, it may come out as a felt need. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:35.440 It may come out that they're dealing with heartache or sorrow or loneliness, financial needs, physical needs, marital needs. 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:45.920 It may come out, all those things, but it all goes back to the true deeper issue is do you know Jesus or not? 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:56.160 And when things are not going well, people seem to be more open to that invitation. 00:33:56.480 --> 00:34:05.519 So when you hear, listen, when you hear somebody say, I'm not in church, that ought to immediately trigger you to invite, hey, listen, man, I love my church. 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:09.679 You need to come try it. 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:14.159 And when you hear somebody say, you know, hey, how's it going? 00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:14.880 What's going on? 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:17.119 Well, it's not going so well. 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:28.079 Let me tell you what, let me tell you what what my what my Bible tells me is that even when things are not going well, there's hope. 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:35.840 Because our Savior, our Savior didn't promise a problem-free life on this earth. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:40.159 He promised us an eternity with him. 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:50.320 So can we just spend a moment in prayer, reflecting on what God has said? 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:58.159 And in a second, after I pray, I'm going to invite you to come to the Lord's table. 00:34:58.800 --> 00:35:00.639 And we'll partake of that. 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:08.880 Father, we thank you for the hope that we have in our Savior Jesus. 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:15.280 We thank you, Father, that our hope is not in the things of this world. 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:18.000 And I can't help but to think of what Jesus said. 00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:25.119 What does it profit or benefit someone to gain the whole world, but yet forfeit their own soul? 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:27.119 What does it profit? 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:34.480 What does it profit you to have every every penny you could earn and be a millionaire? 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:42.960 But to forfeit your own soul, what does it profit you to get the things that you want in life that are material things? 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:48.000 But to forfeit your soul, what does it profit you? 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:51.039 You fill in the blank with whatever it is. 00:35:52.159 --> 00:36:07.840 Because Jesus is here and he wants to have a relationship with you, and he is inviting you to answer and to respond to what he tells us back in Mark chapter 1. 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:10.079 He says, The kingdom of God is here. 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:13.360 Repent and believe the good news. 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:25.039 Yes, Jesus, I want you in my life. 00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:27.599 I turn my life over to you. 00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:35.679 I believe that you lived and you died and you rose again to provide for my salvation. 00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:41.840 God, thank you. 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:44.559 Thank you for that salvation. 00:36:47.280 --> 00:37:02.960 And Father, as we close this time and participate in this meal, this meal that you you encouraged us and commanded us to celebrate until you return again, when you'll you'll celebrate with us at this great banquet. 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:07.440 We come to this table to remember the broken body. 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:12.960 This body that was beaten and bruised and that it bled. 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:17.199 And by by his blood, we are redeemed. 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:31.119 God, you also call us to come and partake of the fruit of the vine, and and and it represents it represents your blood, and and you call us to break the bread that represents your body. 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:38.400 So, Father, as we do so, can we make sure? 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:41.599 I want to encourage you that you have put your faith in Christ. 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:43.199 I'll be down here at the front. 00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:49.599 If you want somebody to pray with you or talk with you about that, one of our other leaders and pastors will be here as well. 00:37:52.800 --> 00:38:01.119 And Paul tells us when we come to the table, let's do it in a way that is sensitive to everybody else. 00:38:01.360 --> 00:38:03.039 Let's don't be rushed. 00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:06.320 Let's be patient. 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:25.760 Even let this be a time of ministry where maybe God will point somebody out that you need to pray for, encourage them with a word, give them a hug, a high five. 00:38:26.960 --> 00:38:32.159 And so, Father, I pray over this time that we come to your table. 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:47.119 God, that you would reveal yourself clearly to people for who you are, and that God, that you through this meal that we're gonna partake of, that God, your your presence would be real. 00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:53.280 And God, there would be healing, there'd be forgiveness. 00:38:54.639 --> 00:39:01.039 God, you'd bring your shalom peace, your complete holistic peace that you want to offer us. 00:39:02.960 --> 00:39:06.480 So, Father, we love you, and we thank you. 00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:08.639 It's in Christ's name we pray. 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:10.960 And everybody said, Amen. 00:39:11.039 --> 00:39:21.199 Our team's gonna lead out in a second, but but if you'll notice, there there are two tables here at the front for the middle sections of the room. 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:32.880 We all have also have a table on each side of the room, and so so based on the sides in the middle, uh, you've got plenty of opportunities for places to come. 00:39:33.039 --> 00:39:41.519