Monthly Newsletter By Pastor Joey Rogers of Means Baptist Church
Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Can you imagine the startled look on the faces of the followers of Christ when the roof was dismantled above their heads? Can you imagine the shocking thoughts that must’ve gone their minds? Was it a mob of angry Jewish leaders of the temple coming to take away their leader? Was it a band of hungry natives seeking a miracle of food? Were people so desperate to hear His words that they were bombarding the house, and causing a riot? I personally can’t imagine what went through their minds. Imagine the surprise and shock when they discovered the dismantled roof was the fervent labor of a few, attempting to bring their sick friend to Christ. They were willing to risk physical injury, public ridicule, and even rejection at the prospect of Christ making their friend whole. Yet, when Jesus saw “their faith”, the sins of their comrade, and his physical infirmities were banished. Oh what great faith this was! Sometimes those of us who strongly believe in the sovereignty of God, lack this type of faith. These men never stood around questioning whether or not it was God’s will that this young friend be made whole. They never thought about Christ saying, “Yes I’m capable, but it’s not my will to heal this man.” They never said within themselves, “Well, God is sovereign, He could’ve already healed him if He wanted to.” No, they just believed Christ was able to make him whole, and they took him to Christ. Where is such great faith today? Why are we not living in this manner, with this desire, and this faith today? Why are we not taking people to Christ, believing God for their healing today? Why are we wasting an abundance of time disputing among ourselves over petty differences, when there are all around us those who are sick with the infirmities of sin? We should, no we must, have faith like this! We must bring people into the presence of Christ with a heart that cries, “Lord you can make this person whole!” When was the last time you made every effort to bring someone else to church with you? When was the last time you personally proclaimed the grace of Christ to another? How often do you forsake the fear of ridicule, rejection, and rage of opposition, because you truly believe Christ is the Great Physician, and He can make someone new? We fear ridicule. Men desire a certain acceptance, so they by nature reject the idea of public ridicule. How the earth would tremble at the thundering of God’s grace if we only forsake the fear of ridicule. We fear rejection. Our pop culture of psycho-babble has us nervous, unstable, and unsure of everything. We fear being rejected, so we hide our light under a bushel. Imagine how often the gospel would be proclaimed, if only the fear of rejection were removed from our hearts. We fear the rage of opposition. I personally remember how viscous I once acted towards people of faith. I am so thankful that men like Sherl Thomas, and Jim Spence, and others never gave in to the fear of my outbursts of profanity. They were strong in their belief that through the gospel message my rage would someday be turned to humility. We need faith like that. How many people do you know who are lost without Christ? Now, how often do you truly proclaim the gospel to them? How often do you make every effort to bring them to church to hear the gospel proclaimed? Considering the actions of the men in Mark 2, where is so great a faith in our world today?
Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Can you imagine the startled look on the faces of the followers of Christ when the roof was dismantled above their heads? Can you imagine the shocking thoughts that must’ve gone their minds? Was it a mob of angry Jewish leaders of the temple coming to take away their leader? Was it a band of hungry natives seeking a miracle of food? Were people so desperate to hear His words that they were bombarding the house, and causing a riot? I personally can’t imagine what went through their minds. Imagine the surprise and shock when they discovered the dismantled roof was the fervent labor of a few, attempting to bring their sick friend to Christ. They were willing to risk physical injury, public ridicule, and even rejection at the prospect of Christ making their friend whole. Yet, when Jesus saw “their faith”, the sins of their comrade, and his physical infirmities were banished. Oh what great faith this was! Sometimes those of us who strongly believe in the sovereignty of God, lack this type of faith. These men never stood around questioning whether or not it was God’s will that this young friend be made whole. They never thought about Christ saying, “Yes I’m capable, but it’s not my will to heal this man.” They never said within themselves, “Well, God is sovereign, He could’ve already healed him if He wanted to.” No, they just believed Christ was able to make him whole, and they took him to Christ. Where is such great faith today? Why are we not living in this manner, with this desire, and this faith today? Why are we not taking people to Christ, believing God for their healing today? Why are we wasting an abundance of time disputing among ourselves over petty differences, when there are all around us those who are sick with the infirmities of sin? We should, no we must, have faith like this! We must bring people into the presence of Christ with a heart that cries, “Lord you can make this person whole!” When was the last time you made every effort to bring someone else to church with you? When was the last time you personally proclaimed the grace of Christ to another? How often do you forsake the fear of ridicule, rejection, and rage of opposition, because you truly believe Christ is the Great Physician, and He can make someone new? We fear ridicule. Men desire a certain acceptance, so they by nature reject the idea of public ridicule. How the earth would tremble at the thundering of God’s grace if we only forsake the fear of ridicule. We fear rejection. Our pop culture of psycho-babble has us nervous, unstable, and unsure of everything. We fear being rejected, so we hide our light under a bushel. Imagine how often the gospel would be proclaimed, if only the fear of rejection were removed from our hearts. We fear the rage of opposition. I personally remember how viscous I once acted towards people of faith. I am so thankful that men like Sherl Thomas, and Jim Spence, and others never gave in to the fear of my outbursts of profanity. They were strong in their belief that through the gospel message my rage would someday be turned to humility. We need faith like that. How many people do you know who are lost without Christ? Now, how often do you truly proclaim the gospel to them? How often do you make every effort to bring them to church to hear the gospel proclaimed? Considering the actions of the men in Mark 2, where is so great a faith in our world today?
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