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July 11, 2010
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I dare you
Luke 5:17-26
One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers
of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these
men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as
well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord's healing power was
strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on
a sleeping mat. They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus,
but they couldn't reach Him. So they went up to the roof, took
off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd,
still on his mat, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith,
Jesus said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
Luke 5:17-20 NLT
...Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up,
take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!" And
immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped to his feet,
picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was
gripped with great wonder and awe. And they praised God,
saying over and over again, "We have seen amazing things
today."
Luke 5:24b-26 NLT
WHAT DO WE SEE ABOUT THESE FOUR FRIENDS?
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Their LOVE for their friend
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Their DETERMINATION in the face of obstacles
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Their MORAL COMPASS
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Their POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE
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Their FAITH
Look at what the Religious people missed!
"Who does this man think he is?" the Pharisees and teachers of
religious law said to each other. "This is blasphemy! Who but
God can forgive sins?" Jesus knew what they were thinking, so
He asked them, "Why do you think this is blasphemy? Is it
easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'?
I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on
earth to forgive sins.
Luke 5:21-24a NLT
They Saw:
They Missed:
Jesus Loved You Enough to suffer and die for You!
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right
time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for
a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a
person who is especially good. But God showed His great love
for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still
sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by
the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God's
judgment. For since we were restored to friendship with God by
the death of His Son while we were still His enemies.
Romans 5:6-10 NLT
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a
pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for
us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and
sisters.
1 John 3:16 NLT
Whatever It Takes
… if you suffer for doing right and are patient beneath the
blows, God is pleased with you. This suffering is all part of
what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is
your example. Follow in His steps. He never sinned, and He
never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was
insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even.
He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges
fairly. He personally carried away our sins in His own body on
the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
You have been healed by His wounds! Once you were wandering
like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the
Guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:20b-25 NLT
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will
reward you for it. So don't be afraid and don't worry.
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if
you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to
explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful
way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil
against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good
life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is
better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants,
than to suffer for doing wrong! Christ also suffered when He
died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He
died for sinners that He might bring us safely home to God. He
suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the
Spirit.
1 Peter 3:13-18 NLT
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