He “saw their faith”,  would He see our faith?

He was teaching in a private home.  (Mark 2:2-12, Matthew 9:1-8, and Luke 5:17-26)

The story of the man let down through the roof to be healed.  Good read.

First point, He did not need to be in a special place of Worship, He taught and healed on the street, in homes, on boats….  we should be ready and able to do so, also.

When a crowd gathered.

Second point, they gathered to hear the Word of God.  To experience the Power of that Word.

We think it’s our programs, children’s church, divorce counseling, feeding, clothing  the poor, our wonderful sermons.  That these things will increase our numbers.

Sorry folks, if you want Church Growth, Seek His face, Seek His Power.

Luke 4:32
“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

1 Corinthians 2:4
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”

If we are preaching the Word of God, there should be Power, exhibited.   It is not always the Power to heal, some have the Power to cause repentance .

Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Power, the very thing most of our Churches lack.   We blame it on God,  “He doesn’t do that anymore . ”  Baloney.  “JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW.”

The problem we have is;  He doesn’t see our faith.   Why?

Because, we have fallen away, we have accepted Christ as Savior, and then, we rest, in that promise.

Third point,  He saw their faith, because, they made a way to reach Him, when there was no way.

We come to Church, maybe even a Bible Study, we accept being fed, with no desire to learn to feed ourselves.

We never learn to chew our food, we don’t have the meat of the Word in our Spiritual diet.

We do not, study to shew ourselves approved unto God, workmen, rightly dividing the word of Truth.

It really isn’t hard to get close to God, to study His Word, to enter into the Holy of Holies.

A simple first step:

Read the Proverbs as a devotional,  1-31, as a verse comes alive, and they will, if you have an open heart.

Search (a good concordance or search engine is needed),  to find other verses that may expand upon and explain this verse.

Before you know it, The Word of God, comes alive, you experience it’s Power.  Now, you can share with others, in that Power.  The Word is alive.

Your faith is visible for all to see.

Forth point,  He healed the sick, told him to get up and walk.  This angered the religious.

The same happens today, with the unbelieving believers.  (Those who think the time of miracles is past).

“We pray and no one is healed, therefore God doesn’t heal today.”  Baloney . …  see above.

God has not changed, His Character, His Mind,  His Will, His Word.

John 14:12

“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.“

His answer to the religious.

“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”

He shows us, by healing, that He has the Power to forgive as well as heal.  He sent us to continue His Work.

Do you really think, He sees our faith?

Mark 2:2-12King James Version (KJV)

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.

6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Matthew 9:1-8King James Version (KJV)

9 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Luke 5:17-26King James Version (KJV)

17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.