Stories and Signs: "The Greater Miracle of Forgiveness"

Stories and Signs: “The Greater Miracle of Forgiveness”

Mark 2:1-12

I. Jesus’ love for the broken and lost. (Mark 2:1-2)

II. Jesus' Authority. (Mark 2:2) 

John 8:26 - “Jesus said, ‘I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’”

John 12:49 - “Jesus said, ‘…the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment-what to say and what to speak.’”

John 5:39 - “Jesus said, ‘You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.’”

Gospel conversations point others to Christ and His truth.

III. The Broken Man’s friends. (Mark 2:3-5)

1. Compassion

2. Faith in Christ

3. Teamwork

4. Tenacity 

IV. Jesus’ proclamation that being physically healed is not as important as being made whole. (Mark 2:5-12) 

Isaiah 53:5-6a “…He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, andwith His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray…”

1 Peter 2:24-25 - “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His woundsyou have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, (Not physically needing healing) but have now returnedto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

2 Corinthians 5:18 - “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 

Faith Sheet

1. What are some excuses and objections we can come up with for not engaging with the lost in order to share the gospel with them? What is the gospel message? (share it with one another and see how well you have it down)?

2. What motivates you to see people encounter Jesus?Read Psalm 34:8 and Romans 1:4. What motivations do you see in these scriptures to proclaim Christ?

3. If we rightly prioritize the spiritual need for forgiveness of sins over the physical needs of the body, how should our prayer requests change? How should our interactions with other people be affected?

4. What lengths are you willing to go to in order for others to encounter Jesus and be restored not only physically but spiritually?

5. How has Jesus recently overwhelmed you and given you reasons to glorify Him?

6. How can we be intentional and considerate about sharing the gospel with people who are going through painful circumstances in life? Pray for someone broken and in need of the gospel.