Jesus: The Servant King
Message Title: Jesus Has Authority to Forgive
Message Text: Mark 1:40-2:12
Message Truth: The will of God is something you would choose if you had all the facts. Therefore, you must go to Jesus.
Five Encouragements
1. Don’t let anything stop you from coming to Jesus. (Mark 2:1-12)
• “When Jesus saw their faith.” (V.5)
• From the book, “The Day America Told the Truth” 87% of Americans gave this definition of sin.
“Acting in a way that is inconsistent with my own values or hurting another person.” (The Day America Told the Truth, James Patterson) That means 4 out of 5 people you meet believe this lie.
• Biblical Definition: Sin living independently of God’s standard, will and design. “Sin is lawlessness” 1 John 3:4 But, lawlessness against who? God.
• This is why the teachers of law were so angry with Jesus. Only God can forgive sin.
• It’s easy just to say something, but Jesus did miracles to confirm his message not to just convince people. Miracles are “power-points” They point to God. Sometimes, money and others can change our circumstances. But only Holy God can forgive sin.
2. Fix your faith on Jesus Christ alone. (Mark 1:40-45)
“If you will, you can make me clean (v.40)
• Pastors Point: The “you” in this verse is singular. He ignores the group and focuses on Jesus. Christianity stands and falls on Jesus Christ, not his followers. Followers fall sometimes. Many people go to their pastor, small group, therapist, internet but Jesus said you will not come to me to have life.
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” John 5:39-40
3. Come to Christ with the faith you have, and he will deal with your unbelief and struggles.
4. Draw encouragement from the compassion of Jesus. “Moved with pity, (compassion) he stretched out his hand and touched hum.” (v.41)
5. Get to the point – Go to Jesus with your greatest needs. Some come to church for years but never get to the point.