September 25th, 2023
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Who Will You Bring?
One of my favorite stories in the gospels is found in Mark 2:1-12:
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
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? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 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!”
This Sunday morning, First Christian Church will begin a series of services that we call, “A Revival Meeting.” People are praying for God to provoke transformation in lives through the worship, praise and preaching that will occur. The purpose of such this meeting is to bring Spirit led and filled change in lives and to help people find Jesus in a very personal and life altering way. When people come to this gathering, they should find Jesus. That is who is in charge of what will transpire. It is my prayer and the prayer of others that Jesus Christ will be lifted up and draw people to himself for life-changing salvation.
The 4 friends in the event Mark wrote about knew that their friend was paralyzed and needed a personal miracle from Jesus. Even though the crowds were so great surrounding Jesus, they let nothing stop them from bringing their friend to the only one who could help him. They even cut a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching and lowered him down to the Master. This is the kind of love we should each have for our friends, especially those who are spiritually paralyzed by their sin and circumstances.
I’m sure they were seeking a miracle, one that could make their friend walk again. But what Jesus did for him was beyond their wildest imaginations. Jesus forgave him of his sins so he could become a friend of God. Then, he made him to walk again.
I would like for you to think for a moment about friends, relatives, co-workers, classmates, and other people you know who have been paralyzed by sin. They are lost in this world with no hope for eternal life with God. I don’t think you will have to cut a hole in the roof of the First Christian Church building, but you should stop at nothing to bring them to a Jesus. You see, they won’t be coming to church. They won’t be coming to hear our evangelist (guest speaker). They will be coming to hear from and meet in a life transformation way, Jesus Christ. Jesus will be here. Jesus will be waiting for them to come. Jesus will be waiting for you to bring those who need him. Jesus will have something special for you too.
The determination of the four friends made a powerful impression on Jesus. They received a special blessing along with their friend.
Plan now to attend and bring friends with you to the Revival Meeting scheduled for this Sunday through Wednesday. Jesus is ready and waiting. Don’t stand him up. Who will you bring to Jesus?
Seeking Revival with you,
Jon
Who Will You Bring?
One of my favorite stories in the gospels is found in Mark 2:1-12:
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
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? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 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!”
This Sunday morning, First Christian Church will begin a series of services that we call, “A Revival Meeting.” People are praying for God to provoke transformation in lives through the worship, praise and preaching that will occur. The purpose of such this meeting is to bring Spirit led and filled change in lives and to help people find Jesus in a very personal and life altering way. When people come to this gathering, they should find Jesus. That is who is in charge of what will transpire. It is my prayer and the prayer of others that Jesus Christ will be lifted up and draw people to himself for life-changing salvation.
The 4 friends in the event Mark wrote about knew that their friend was paralyzed and needed a personal miracle from Jesus. Even though the crowds were so great surrounding Jesus, they let nothing stop them from bringing their friend to the only one who could help him. They even cut a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching and lowered him down to the Master. This is the kind of love we should each have for our friends, especially those who are spiritually paralyzed by their sin and circumstances.
I’m sure they were seeking a miracle, one that could make their friend walk again. But what Jesus did for him was beyond their wildest imaginations. Jesus forgave him of his sins so he could become a friend of God. Then, he made him to walk again.
I would like for you to think for a moment about friends, relatives, co-workers, classmates, and other people you know who have been paralyzed by sin. They are lost in this world with no hope for eternal life with God. I don’t think you will have to cut a hole in the roof of the First Christian Church building, but you should stop at nothing to bring them to a Jesus. You see, they won’t be coming to church. They won’t be coming to hear our evangelist (guest speaker). They will be coming to hear from and meet in a life transformation way, Jesus Christ. Jesus will be here. Jesus will be waiting for them to come. Jesus will be waiting for you to bring those who need him. Jesus will have something special for you too.
The determination of the four friends made a powerful impression on Jesus. They received a special blessing along with their friend.
Plan now to attend and bring friends with you to the Revival Meeting scheduled for this Sunday through Wednesday. Jesus is ready and waiting. Don’t stand him up. Who will you bring to Jesus?
Seeking Revival with you,
Jon
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