Borne by Four

Luke 5:17-20

1.                  Luke 5:17 - Many come to hear Jesus - unbelievers, skeptics, believers.  There are always unbelievers surrounding the believers when they worship.  They are not there to worship or to fellowship with believers. They are there to complain, to find fault, and to discourage the believers.  They are in the way, but we shouldn’t run them off.  They need to see what God is doing so he will be able to judge them.  If they are church members, we should put them out so we will be able to worship in spirit and in truth.  Note:  the unbelievers were sitting, while others were standing.  They got there early so they could observe everything going on, and find fault.  Some who were believers weren’t there because they were bringing others.

2.                  Mark 2:3 - Four cooperated together to bring a man to Christ.  They agreed - not stated that the man agreed.  They worked together for the benefit of another.  In a church, everybody ought to work together for the benefit of others.  They brought him anyway.

3.                  Luke 5:18 - Sought means to bring the man to Christ.  (God almost always uses means)  The purpose of the means is not to entertain, or to fool him into being healed (saved).  They are clear in their intentions from the beginning.  Preaching of the gospel is what God uses.

4.                  Luke 5:18 – Had to think how to bring the man.  What an idea!!  Go through the roof!  This is not a gimmick, or a trick.  How can I man people understand??

5.                  Luke 5:18 – Lay before Christ for whatever his will is.  We cannot force God to do anything.  Healing (salvation) is of the Lord, not of means, or men.  There is no certain pattern of bringing a person to Christ for salvation.  No sinners prayer.  Romans road?  Use scripture is good, but trusting Christ is everything.  Let the sinner pray his own prayer to God.  Tell God what is on your heart.  God will hear you.  +

6.                  Luke 5:20 – Christ saw their faith – not the faith of the man.  And Christ acted on that.  Does Christ see our faith and act on that?  Do we really believe Christ will save? 

7.                  Luke 5:21-26 – Forgiveness of sin is on the inside – where men can’t see.  Healing is on the outside where men can see.  God does a work on the outside so unbelievers can see what he has done on the inside.  After salvation, we ought to live Godly lives on the outside so men can see what we are on the inside.