TOGETHER WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

“Together We Make A Difference”

Mark 2: 1-12

This event that God has given us in His Holy Scriptures, is an exceptional and interesting account of how God uses teamwork to solve big problems.  It is not just about four men who worked together to meet the need of healing in the life of a friend, but it is about Jesus.  God wants to deal with some big problems in your life and He wants to use others to help you.  There are problems in the lives of others that need you to help them.

Today, God has given us the miracles of modern medicine, therapy, counseling, rehabilitation centers, books, and information to give us treatment, advice, and opportunities for healing.  But we need to remember where the source of healing and problem solving comes from and that is from above.  “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:16-17).  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5).

Picture yourself or someone you love on the stretcher being carried to Jesus.  The first step is to find out where Jesus is working His miracles of healing and restoration.  If you are reading this message in God’s House today, you are closer to Jesus than those on the outside.  There is an invitation for you to come.  “And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)  When you do come, He will be waiting for you. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20).

The man could not walk to Jesus in his own power.  His problem was too big for him to solve unless someone who loved him came to help him.  Many people were bringing their loved ones to Jesus.  The four friends new that their friend would be healed if they could only get him to Jesus.  “When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed” ( Matthew 14:25). 

We all need to be a part of spiritual teams so that others can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, and so that we can do for others what they cannot do for themselves.  There are some big problems in our lives that we aren’t able to overcome because we are too proud, busy, self-absorbed, or too uncompromising to work with others.  Sometimes big problems can be solved when you and others come together to think about different creative solutions.

The church is the “body of Christ” meaning that we are a team.  We need to work together.  Four men worked together to get this man to Jesus to get healed.  Think of how hard, or maybe impossible, it would have been for two or one man to do what the four did.  “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.”(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Jesus saw the faith of the four friends who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof and heal the man because of their faith.  “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you… "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." (Mark 2:5,11).  There are times when the faith of others will keep your hope alive.  Your faith may grow weak and that happens, but when it does, look for someone else that has strong faith.  We need to encourage one another’s faith.

There were some obstacles for the four men to overcome.  The closer they got to their miracle, the more difficult the obstacles became. There was a distance they had to travel to get to Jesus. They were late to the meeting and Jesus had already started teaching.  There was a crowd that prevented them from getting to Jesus.  They had to decide if they were going to turn back or come up with a team meeting and a creative solution to their problem. “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”(Hebrews 10:38-39).

God has created you to be a part of a team so that you don’t have to remain hopeless and helpless.  When others express their faith in Jesus, our own faith begins to grow.  Faith that has been weakened by the tough trials of life finds new strength by witnessing the extraordinary faith of others.  After seen the team of four, lower their friend down through the roof on a stretcher, and after Jesus forgave the man’s sins and healed him, people were amazed and praised God. “Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the