LET’S BE A CHURCH THAT TAKES THE ROOF OFF
July 24, 2011 Jay Davis Robison MARK 2:1-12 ISAIAH 43:18-25
What is the greatest danger our church faces today?
Heresy? No Financial collapse? Sure times are tough but no
Conflict? We are full of human beings but not that either
Greatest threat losing our vision retreating from God’s dangerous call
Large percent of churches in USA have done that began with dream
Compelling gave all had success\growth from nothing to something
But then got tired, carrying a cross does that wonder if best in past
Or comfortable we have a new pastor all taken care of
Why I challenged you to pray for God’s dreams for Viewmont
To seek the new call God has for us Isa 43 God says
I am doing a new thing, God is always doing new things
Let’s be a church that takes the roof off!
Mark 2 what in the world got in to those guys?
Jesus is speaking from a home in Capernaum
Large overflow crowd gathered to hear him speak
I mean it was a preacher’s dream overflow crowd
People in doorways & windows no one else can fit in
When 4 people approach carrying paralyzed friend no way to get in
Then one of them gets this crazy idea roofs then made of
poles 3 ft apart, between them smaller sticks and seeds
which formed a network covered with mud hardened in sun
Roofs grass growing on them in summer had to be fixed after rain
Not to be deterred these 4 friends tore the roof off house
Imagine what would happen at house renting if I put hole in roof
Bible does not say so but you can just imagine Jesus speaking
When mud\grass falling commotion lowered friend to Jesus’ feet
Don’t know about you, but I want to be like those guys
Doing the unbelievable the impossible
What does it mean to be a church that takes roof off?
1. People of Compassion
Here’s man needed help crippled no social programs or hospital
If you were handicapped as he was little hope only life of begging
Acts 5 Peter passes man outside the city begging
Notice Mark does not mention any family bringing him
Where were they? Maybe they had given up
Enter 4 friends no question how these man feel about their friend
They decided to do something moved with compassion for man
Someone once said if you share another’s burden
Both of you walk a little straighter
They knew about their friend’s illness knew he’d not get well on own
Story is about a group of people who saw friend in need
They realized there was no hope of healing outside of Jesus
Taking the roof off in our faith begins
As we see needs in world around us
People unemployed, single moms buffeted by life
Young people with too much time on hands
Are their people like that around us?
Note when man is lowered before him
Jesus did not say what have you done?
You have to pay for this!
2. People of Conviction
They firmly believed Jesus could help their friend in need
They had no other choice no other resource had to get to Jesus
NT days people saw close relationship between sin and sickness
We can get sick from our own sin
Dr. told me 75% of patients he sees sick by own hands
Eat high fat diet, smoking, or alcohol abuse, stress out of control
These factors much more likely to have cancer heart problems
NT did not have any understanding of hereditary or random illness
None the less Jesus said to the man your sins are forgiven
Vs 10 as proof of forgiveness, Man gets up and walks
To take the roof off must come with some conviction
Important questions to settle who is Jesus? THE way or A way?
Do we believe people sin and are accountable for it? Or let off hook
Believe Jesus miraculously transforms lives today or just then
Measure of a person is height of their ideals, breadth of their
sympathy the length of patience & depth of convictions
To be church that takes roof off completely sold on Jesus Christ
As outgrowth of faith try to do what he would do in Hickory today
3. People who are Creative
Taking the roof off is really out of the box
Doing the unconventional and risky
Instead of asking how can we even think of doing this
These guys said we have to do something
Imagine the moment when saw no way to get in
Doors full, windows full
When one of them gets sparkle in eye
What if we come from top through roof
Lets go from the upside and bring him down
They moved beyond the way it’s always been done
These friends laughed at the barriers before them
Wonder how many barriers can be overcome with creativity
Every modern invention came about creatively overcoming barrier
Taking roof off involves creativity
Pres Kennedy told story from Irish writer Frank O’Conner
In childhood O’Conner & friends found orchard wanted to go in
But high wall kept them out all threw hats over wall forced them
Kennedy threw hat around moon, 50+ yrs ago, Jesus over world
What out of the box ways can we share faith
How can we meet a need in someone’s life
In order to have opportunity to share
Steven Sjorn Conspiracy of Kindness simple acts to show love
Done free to show love of God rake leaves car wash, drinks,
Joe was unemployed son Jared asked if there is a God
Joe down said I don’t know, Jared released helium balloon
Said God if you are real send people who know you to dad and me
Came upon a free carwash, people prayed with them
Sanitation worker in NY upset free car wash created traffic jam
Pulled in started complaining while doing so people washing truck
Guys at garage not going to believe this, prayed with him
Light bulbs, smoke detectors, popsicles
A lot of roofs around represent barriers in life
Every dynamic ministry in world began as a dream
Taking the roof off
4. People who Cooperate
They guys had to work together to get job done
What if they fought over how to do it
Each one had to carry his own weight, had to be coordinated
Often it is people in church who are God’s greatest obstacles
But these guys depended on each other
They build off each other
To take the roof off easiest
Need to be willing to work together
Burdens are lighter if everyone lifts
Don’t think cooperation important
In college from KY to Illinois borrowed friend’s car
He was trying to sell it to me, on way back
Near Columbus IN corner of car fell terrible sound
Sparks everywhere watched left front tire roll away
Through median to other side did not want to go with rest
Point of whole story is to bring people to Jesus
Must be people of compassion
Who have a conviction that Jesus can help
Creative in approach unwilling to be deterred
Cooperate with one another
Who do you need to bring to Jesus
On their mat of a broken life, cynicism
Will you bring them to Jesus
Vs 8 Jesus saw what was in the hearers heart
What does Jesus see in you?
