The Joy Of Bringing Men To Jesus

The Joy Of Bringing Men To Jesus

Text: Mark 2: 1-5

Intro: The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is more than a lifeless organization. It is a living organism, made up of many parts, all of which are to be energized by Christ Himself, for the purpose of accomplishing God’s work on earth.

The Church consists of many individuals from all walks of life, with differing personalities, talents and abilities, united under a number of common goals. Among these common goals are the worship of God, growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, fellowship with other saints, and the propagation of the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In essence, the Church does not exist for itself, but for the Lord, and the fulfilling of His purposes.

In the short account given us in Mark chapter two, we find four individuals united in one common goal—getting their friend to Jesus. The characteristics of their efforts on behalf of their friend are the same characteristics that must be true of Christians today, if they are to get men and women to Christ.

I want to examine the characteristics of these men, and the overall situation of this event, to ascertain the qualities needed in our day, as we seek to bring others to Christ. I believe this passage has much in the way of pertinent principles for our use.

Theme: In seeking to bring their friend to Jesus, we notice:

I. THE DETERMINATION OF THE FOUR

A. Notice Their Fellowship.

Mark 2: 3 “And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.”

NOTE: [1] The word “fellowship” means “communion, fellowship, sharing in common” (W.E. Vine, M.A., An Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, Vol. II, published by Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey; pg. 90).

[2] These men shared some things in common:

2a. They all had the same needy friend.

2b. They all shared the same goal of getting their friend to Jesus, so he could be helped.

2c. They all shared the same attitude—they’d do whatever it took for their friend to be delivered.

[3] Sometimes the Lord allows us to bring someone to Christ alone. But more often than not, it is a concerted effort. The Apostle Paul referred to this when he said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (I Cor.3: 6). Someone else may eventually lead people to Christ whom you have befriended, and with whom you maintained a good Christian testimony. But without a doubt, your friendship and testimony helped pave the way for those people to be brought to Jesus.

B. Notice Their Faith.

Mark 2: 5a “When Jesus saw their faith…”

NOTE: [1] Everything about this situation points to the faith of these men. They truly believed that if they could get this man to Jesus he would be healed.

[2] These men didn’t let anything keep them from their mission:

2a. The fact that their friend couldn’t walk didn’t stop them from getting him to Jesus—they carried him.

2b. The fact that the crowd blocked their access to Jesus didn’t stop them—they went around them.

2c. The fact that the roof of the house lay between their friend and Jesus didn’t stop them—they removed it.

[3] What we need today is a good dose of spiritual determination to bring people to Christ.

D.L. Moody had a keen memory for names and faces. If one of his children was missing from Sunday school, he knew it, and he would do everything possible to find out why. One day he saw an absentee coming down the street, so he took off after her. She ran down the sidewalk, across the street, and through an alley into a saloon, up the stairs to a back apartment, into the bedroom, and then dived under the bed. Moody went after her, and just as he was claiming his prize, the mother showed up.

Panting from the exertion, Moody simply explained, “I’m Moody,” He said that he had missed the girl and would be happy if all the family could come to the services. Within a few weeks he had every child in the family in his school.

The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 203.

II. THE DIFFICULTIES THEY FACED

A. There Was A Burden To Carry.

Mark 2: 3b “…bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.”

NOTE: [1] In a very real sense, these four men were willing to bear the physical burden of their friend in order to get him to the One Who could help him. Each of them was willing to do their part—they each carried a corner of his pallet. But folks, don’t miss the point. We too must be willing to bear the burden of our lost friends and loved ones that we might get them to Jesus.