Mark 2:1–12 (NLT)
February 28, 2021
NOTES FROM A SERMON PRESENTED BY DR. GREG SLOOP AT THE KANNAPOLIS CHURCH OF GOD. FOR VIDEO OF SERVICES, GO TO THE CHURCH WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.KCOG.ORG, AND CLICK ON THE LIVESTREAM LINK TO VIEW LIVE OR FOR A REPLAY OF THE SERVICES. YOU MAY ALSO WATCH LIVE OR A REPLAY ON the DR. Greg SLOOP FACEBOOK PAGE. FOR AUDIO OF THE SERVICES, GO To THE WEBSITE, kcog.org, AND CLICK ON THE MEDIA PAGE.
May 21, 2023
The Appeal of Hope
1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door.
Four Friends
While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.
- Let’s give these friends names:
- Faithful (aka Loyal)
- Honest (aka Trustworthy)
- Available (aka Present)
- Accountable (aka Open and Truthful)
Friends Who Find a Way
4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.
Friends Who Intercede
5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
Friends in Spite of Enemies
6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
Friends Who Stand By You
8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?
Friends Who Help You Heal
10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
Friends Who Celebrate Your Victories
12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
Takeaway Thoughts
- Everybody Needs Friends
- Be Sure You Choose the Right Friends
- The Right Friends Offer Loyalty, Honesty, Availability, and Accountability
- The Best Friends Always Lead You to Jesus
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Devoted To You 
