This Week's Sunday School Lesson, " What Friends Do For Friends" Matthew 9:1-8, 2/17/2019

WHAT FRIENDS DO FOR FRIENDS

Mark 2:1-13   (Matthew 9:1-8)

V:1-2. A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.

2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.

IT IS NOT THE NUMBER OF FRIENDS THAT MATTER BUT THE ACTION

V:3-4. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them.

4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.

A. There were more people in the crowd than the number of brothers serving.

    1. Those who serve will always be few.

    2. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

    3. To be a friend, you have to show yourself as a friend.

         John 15:15-16

         I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. 

         Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I

         have made known to you.

THE ATTITUDE OF AN EFECTIVE BROTHERHOOD/SISTERHOOD.

A. They were concerned about their brother..

     1.They had a desire to help their brother.

     2. They sought a solution for his problem.

     3. They believed  the testimony of the crowd about Jesus.

     4. They heard about Jesus being in town.

B. They worked together to help their brother.

     1. They took their brother to the solution; Jesus.

     2. They would not take no for an answer.

C. They ran into a problem trying to get to the solution.

     1. They couldn't get in to see to Jesus

     2.They created a solution to get their brother to Jesus.

     3. Together they carried him to the roof

     4. Together they dropped him down to Jesus

             

THE FAITH OF HIS FRIENDS  GOT JESUS ATTENTION

V:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

    A. Notice it was their faith that got Jesus attention.

         1. It was their faith that caused Jesus to forgive their brothers sins

         2. It was their faith that caused Jesus to heal their brother.

    B. The faith of friends can make a difference in the lives of others.

         1. Knowing this example that Jesus has given us:

             a. What will your response be to the text?

             b. What can we do as a brotherhood/sisterhood to help others?

             c. Do you know any current needs that this church can get involved in?

DON'T GET DISCOURAGED BY NONE BELIEVERS

V:6-7.  "Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,

  7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God

       alone?"

A. There will always be people that want believe in Jesus or the miracles of Jesus.

     1. The devil is at his best when you have doubt.

     2. The devil is at his best when we fail to act.

B. Do you think that we have some unbelievers  in our church?

    1. What can we do as a small group to show the importance of the brotherhood/

         sisterhood?

     

PUT SELF FIRST OR PUT GOD FIRST

V:8-9. " 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?

9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?

A. It is easy to do nothing.

    1. It is easy to doubt the important of the friendship.

    2. We all have families, jobs and agendas.

    3. The devil is effective in  influencing  us that our own priorities

         should take up all of our time.

    4. It is easy to make excuses not to get involved.

NEVER FORGET THAT WITH JESUS WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

V:10-11. " But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic,

11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."

A. People benefit from the efforts of the brotherhood/sisterhood.

    1. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

    2. We all are forgiven through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

    3. He acts on our behalf before the Father to forgive our sins.

B. The sins of man originated  in the Garden Of Eden with the

     disobedience of Adam.

    1. All sickness has it's origination in sin.

    2. Is we can help one brother or sister get to Jesus, it can cover many sins.

        Luke 7:47-48

        Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — for she loved much. But

        he who has been forgiven little loves little."

        48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

OTHERS ARE WATCHING WHAT YOU DO.

V:12 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!"

A.  You never know who is watching you from a distance.

B. You never know who will be encouraged by your activities.

C. God gets the glory when we act as a brotherhood/sisterhood..

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

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