Taking Your Faith Through The Roof

TAKING YOUR FAITH THROUGH THE ROOF

Luke 5:17-26

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. An atheist had an old tree in his back yard. During a storm, the tree fell on his neighbor’s house. The atheist called his insurance company to see if it was covered.

2. The insurance agent was a Christian and knew that the man was an outspoken atheist. He said, “If the tree fell over because it was dead, we can’t cover this expense; you’ll have to pay for the expense of fixing your neighbor’s house yourself.”

3. He continued, “However, if the tree fell because of an “act of God” your insurance will cover it. So, which one do you consider it to be?”

B. TEXT: Luke 5:17-26

“17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there....And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

C. TITLE

1. This passage was preceded by the words, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (vs. 16). Consequence? Jesus was clothed with saving and healing power. Note: God’s power resides on us in proportion to our seeking God.

2. Title: “Taking Your Faith Through the Roof.”

I. OPPOSITION TO JESUS

A. PRESENCE OF THE PHARISEES & TEACHERS

1. Verse 17 tells us that many Pharisees & teachers had come from all over Galilee, Judea, & Jerusalem. Most of them were there to oppose Jesus, to try to find a flaw in His theology, or catch Him in a trap.

2. Such a large, official contingent would usually put a damper on a meeting. Everyone would be on pins and needles, hoping the spiritual police wouldn’t quash the excitement and freedom, and they couldn’t receive from Jesus.

B. GOD’S PRESENCE COUNTERACTS THEM

1. But God did what He said in Isa. 59:19, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” KJV.

2. It’s the nature of God that when opposition arises to Him, He raises up an equal (or greater) & opposite reaction. “And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick” (vs. 17). This verse tells us it’s God’s will for sick people to be healed.

3. JESUS HEALED EVERYTHING AND ALL

a. “…healing every disease and sickness among the people” Mt. 4:23.

b. “…healing every disease and sickness” Matt. 9:35.

c. “He healed all who were sick” Matt. 12:15.

d. “He…healed [all] their sick” Matt. 14:14.

e. “People brought all their sick to him…and all who touched it [cloak] were healed” Matt. 14:34-36.

f. “…power was coming from Him and healing them all Luke 6:17-19.

g. If it wasn’t God’s will to heal ALL, then in those large crowds of thousands, there certainly would have been some it wasn’t God’s will to heal; yet Jesus healed them ALL! And Jesus commissioned others to do the same!

II. DIFFICULTY IN GETTING TO JESUS

A. ATTEMPTS TO ENTER OBSTRUCTED

1. This paralytic had 4 great friends (Mk. 2:3)! They were friends of faith – “If we can just get him to Jesus, he’ll be healed!” Some people can be brought to Jesus by one, but often it takes several to win them. Let’s be part of God’s squad!

2. Even outside the door -- large crowd. "Make way! Make way for the sick! Stand aside! For Mercy’s sake, let this sick man reach the healing prophet!"

3. In Vain were their pleadings. Many other sick were also trying to enter. It was IMPOSSIBLE, by ordinary means, to get to Jesus.