This event that happens in the town of Capernaum is one, in my opinion, is a story that applies to all people, no matter whether or not you are a Christian. It is one of faith and it is one of forgiveness.  Two of the most important and unique aspects of the Christianity.  Faith, being the foundation of our acceptance of Jesus Christ into our hearts, and forgiveness, which is what Jesus gives to us for that faith that we have in Him.  Isaiah 43:25 "I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins."

Now when Jesus comes back to Capernaum a crowd gathers in the house to see Him.  They come to see Him, to listen to His message, to see His miracles.  And you could imagine the uproar that took place in the city.  However, there was no trace of REPENTANCE in the crowd.  Never once in all the gospels was there a mention of a revival of souls like in the 60s and 70s with the Jesus Movement.  Not once there was an overwhelming move of repentance like in Acts.  There was no growth in their lives. As Christians, this is not something that we should desire.  WE NEED TO DESIRE TO GROW.  Hebrews 6:1 "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity." You, personally, need to have that desire to pursue the Lord with everything that you have and to grow in your faith. To do that there needs to be action involved with that.  And there are four ways that we discussed to help you grow:

And that is the type of faith that the friends of the paralytic had.  Their faith was not the type to just sit around, they had the faith to get out there and go!  They had faith that Jesus could and would heal their friend.  And since they had faith like that their faith was: PERSISTENT, CREATIVE, and SACRIFICIAL.  When those three elements came together, there was nothing to stop them from getting their friend to meet with Jesus.  Therefore, I pose the question, IS YOUR FAITH PERSISTENT, CREATIVE, AND SACRIFICIAL, when it comes to either living up to what the Lord has called you to do or bringing people to meet with Jesus?  Are there paralytics in your life who need Jesus? Are you that paralytic?

When his friends got the man to see Jesus, Jesus responded in an odd sort of way.  Instead of healing, He FORGAVE. Why?  It implies two things, this man's paralysis is a result of sin in his life, and that Jesus went to the heart of the issue. Now let me pause for a second, many would question, does this mean that sickness is a result of sin? Let me say, no, it doesn't mean that.  There are many different examples in the Bible that contradict that claim (see John 9:1-3) that sickness stems from sin.  However, the accomplishments are the same.  They both accomplish glorification for our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through it all, Jesus is glorified. And forgiveness is the greatest thing that anyone could ever receive.  Warren Wiersbe says this, "It meets the greatest need; it costs the greatest price; and it brings the greatest blessing and the most lasting results." But Jesus pronouncement was met with outrage.

The scribes claimed "blaspheme".  Thus Jesus proves Himself God by healing the paralytic.  An amazing event that has two applications:

1. Put action to your faith.  It is not enough to come to Paradox and listen to the sermon, worship, and fellowship with others.  You must desire to have a faith that is PERSISTENT, CREATIVE, AND SACRIFICIAL.

2. Do you know any paralytics in your life who need Jesus?  Do you know of anyone who is in need of healing?  Are you that paralytic?

Let us not be people who just sit back and be comfortable in our faith.  Let us be people who are uncomfortable and "going for it".  Get deeper in your faith!  God Bless!