I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP

Sermon pericope: Mark 2:1-4,11-12 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. ² And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. ³ And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. ¹¹ “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” ¹² And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Sermon title: “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”  

Point 1: Get around people that will carry you to your destiny, not pall-bearers

A. Mark 2:3 “And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.”

·         In life you need people that are going to carry to your destiny, not your grave.

·         God sent Aaron to help Moses speak because Moses couldn’t speak well. (Ex. 4:16) He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.

·         Where Moses had a weakness, God sent strength.

A.    Pall-bearers take you to the grave, not to Jesus.

·         They don’t believe in your potential.

·         They don’t want to see you win.

Point 2: They’re going to remove the obstacle

B. Mark 2:4 “And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay”

·         Problem Vs. solution

·         We need to get around people whose motivation for helping us is to get us next to Jesus.

·         Palestinian homes

·         The men were determined to get the man to see Jesus

·         Different men and women can help you.

Point 3: Walk in your victory

Mark 2:11-12 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” ¹² And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

A.    Jesus has a habit of speaking words of life and things changing as a result.

1.)     Mark 4:39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

2.)    Mark 5:34 “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

3.)    Matthew 8:16 “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.”

B.     God’s going to do things immediately in your life.

·         John 6:21 “Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”  

D. After Jesus blesses you, its going to bless other people.

Life application:

1.)    Assess your relationships. (Weed out the bad)

2.)    Do whatever it takes to get closer to Jesus.

3.)    Celebrate your victory