THE LORD SAW THEIR FAITH

Mark 2:1-12

    Introduction:

       A.  A paralytic man had four friends who

            wanted to help him.

       B.  They took him to Jesus because they

             had heard that Jesus could heal him.

       C.  When the Lord saw their faith, He healed

             the man's paralysis and forgave his sins.

I want us to look at three qualities of their faith

that need to be a part of our faith:

  I.  The Lord saw four men who  cared.  v. 5

       A. They were not thinking about themselves,

            but about their friend.

       B.  We must be people who truly care. 

             Romans 12:15

  II.  Jesus saw four men who wanted to  share

        Christ.  vs. 3-4

       A. Their friend needed Jesus.

       B.  We need to share Christ.  Acts 4:20

III.  The Lord saw four men who wouldn't

       give   up.  v. 4

       A.  What would we have done if we had been

             in their place?

       B.  These men had a faith so great that it

             refused to die in the face of obstacles.

       C.  Poem by Edgar Guest

  Conclusion:

       A.  Jesus saw four men who cared about

             others, ............who wanted to share Christ,

             and .......... with determination.

       B.  What does Jesus see in me?

Invitation extended