Bringing Others to Jesus: The Power of Faith
Summary
Today’s passage brings us to a crowded house in Capernaum, where Jesus is teaching and the room is so packed that not even the doorway is accessible. Into this scene come four friends, carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. Their determination to get their friend to Jesus is so great that, undeterred by the crowd, they climb onto the roof, dig through it, and lower their friend down to the feet of Jesus. This act of faith and love is met by Jesus in a way that surprises everyone: before healing the man’s body, Jesus forgives his sins. This moment reveals two simple but profound truths about the heart of God and our calling as followers of Jesus.
First, there is a call to be bringers—to be those who, like the four friends, carry others to the feet of Jesus. It’s not our job to transform hearts; that’s God’s work. But we are God’s plan A for sharing the good news and inviting others into the life that Jesus offers. This is not about having all the answers or being perfect, but about loving people enough to bring them into spaces where they can encounter Christ—whether that’s through a meal, an invitation to church, or simply showing up in their lives. The challenge is to look at our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and our circles and ask: who around us needs to be brought to Jesus? Are we willing to do the hard, sometimes uncomfortable work of loving people in practical, sacrificial ways?
Second, the greatest miracle is not physical healing, but a transformed heart. Jesus sees the deeper need in the paralyzed man—the need for forgiveness, for restoration to God, for healing that goes beyond the body. In addressing the man’s sin first, Jesus shows that spiritual healing is the foundation for all other forms of restoration. The authority to forgive and transform belongs to Jesus alone, and he offers it freely. This is the miracle that leaves people in awe: a life changed by the love and power of Christ.
The invitation is clear: to step into our role as bringers, to trust Jesus with the work of transformation, and to marvel at the miracle of new life that only he can give.
Key Takeaways
- Being a “bringer” means loving people enough to carry them to Jesus, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. The four friends didn’t let obstacles stop them; their faith was active, creative, and persistent. We are called to look at those around us and ask what it would mean to love them with that same determination, trusting that God uses our efforts to draw people to himself. [08:39]
- God’s plan for sharing the good news is us—there is no plan B. This is both humbling and empowering: God chooses to work through ordinary people, not because we are sufficient, but because he delights in partnering with us. Our role is not to save, but to invite, to love, and to point others to the One who can save. [10:40]
- The greatest miracle Jesus offers is the forgiveness of sins and the transformation of the heart. Physical healing is significant, but spiritual restoration is eternal. Jesus sees beyond our outward needs to the deeper wounds and shame we carry, and he addresses those first, offering true healing and reconciliation with God. [21:39]
- Practical love opens doors for the gospel. Simple acts—sharing a meal, meeting a need, showing up—create space for relationships where the love of Jesus can be seen and shared. We don’t need to be experts; we need to be present, attentive, and willing to serve. These small steps of faithfulness can have eternal impact. [16:15]
- A changed life is a powerful testimony. When Jesus transforms a heart, it leaves people amazed and points them to God’s glory. Our stories, and the stories of those around us, are living evidence of God’s power to bring life out of brokenness. Don’t underestimate the impact of your story or the stories unfolding in your community. [25:39]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:28] - Setting the Scene in Capernaum
[05:13] - The Determination of the Four Friends
[06:10] - Modern Parallels: Capernaum Surf Camp
[07:01] - The Cost and Joy of Carrying Others
[08:39] - Our Call to Be Bringers
[10:40] - God’s Plan A: Us
[12:48] - A Story of Transformation: Diego
[15:17] - Practical Ways to Love Your Neighbors
[16:15] - Simple Acts, Profound Impact
[17:32] - The Urgency of Sharing the Good News
[18:15] - Overcoming Fear in Invitation
[19:10] - Living Faith Out Loud
[21:39] - The Greatest Miracle: Forgiveness
[22:54] - Jesus Heals the Heart First
[24:35] - Jesus’ Authority to Forgive
[25:39] - The Power of a Changed Life
[26:36] - Questions for Reflection
[28:01] - Closing Invitation and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Mark 2:1-12 (Jesus heals the paralyzed man in Capernaum)
- Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)
- Romans 10:13-15 (“How can they believe if they have not heard?”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 2:1-12, what obstacles did the four friends face when trying to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus? How did they respond to those obstacles?
2. According to the sermon, what was the first thing Jesus did for the paralyzed man after he was lowered through the roof? Why was this surprising to the crowd? [21:39]
3. In Matthew 28:18-20, what does Jesus command his followers to do before he leaves them?
4. In Romans 10:13-15, what steps are described as necessary for someone to come to faith in Jesus?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to forgive the man’s sins before healing his body? What does this reveal about Jesus’ priorities and the heart of God? [21:39]
2. The sermon says, “God’s plan A is you. There is no plan B.” How does this idea shape the way believers should view their role in sharing the gospel? [10:40]
3. The four friends showed “active, creative, and persistent” faith. What does this kind of faith look like in our lives today? [08:39]
4. The sermon mentions that practical love—like sharing a meal or meeting a need—opens doors for the gospel. Why do you think simple acts of love are so effective in pointing people to Jesus? [16:15]
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### Application Questions
1. Think about your own “local mission field”—your neighborhood, workplace, or school. Who is someone in your life right now who might need to be “brought to Jesus”? What is one practical step you could take this week to move toward that? [15:17]
2. The four friends didn’t let inconvenience or discomfort stop them from helping their friend. What are some obstacles (fear, busyness, uncertainty, etc.) that keep you from reaching out to others? How can you push through those obstacles? [08:39]
3. The sermon says, “It’s not your job to transform hearts; that’s God’s work. But we are God’s plan A for sharing the good news.” How does this truth free you or challenge you in your relationships with non-believers? [10:40]
4. Jesus saw the deeper need in the paralyzed man—the need for forgiveness and restoration. Are there people in your life whose deeper needs you might be overlooking? How can you be more attentive to what’s really going on in their hearts? [21:39]
5. The sermon gave practical ideas like inviting someone for a meal, mowing a neighbor’s lawn, or simply showing up. Which of these (or another idea) could you try this month? What’s stopping you? [16:15]
6. Has your own life been changed by Jesus in a way that others can see? If so, how can you share your story more openly? If not, what would it look like to invite Jesus to transform your heart? [25:39]
7. The sermon ended with the question: “What is keeping me from being a bringer?” Take a moment to reflect and share honestly with the group. [26:36]
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Closing Thought:
We are invited into the work of bringing people from death to life—not because we have all the answers, but because Jesus delights in using ordinary people. Let’s pray for courage, creativity, and love as we step into our role as “bringers” this week.
Devotional
Day 1: Faithful Friends Bring Others to Jesus
The story of the paralytic and his friends is a powerful reminder that we are called to bring those we love to the feet of Jesus, even when it requires sacrifice, creativity, and perseverance. These four friends did not let obstacles or discomfort stop them; they carried their friend, dug through a roof, and risked embarrassment because they believed Jesus could help. In the same way, we are invited to be bringers—people who go out of our way to share the hope and healing of Christ with those around us, trusting that even a small chance at encountering Jesus is worth every effort. [08:39]
Mark 2:1-5 (ESV)
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Reflection: Who in your life needs to be brought to Jesus, and what practical step can you take this week to help them encounter Him?
Day 2: You Are God’s Plan A
God’s design for sharing the good news of Jesus is not through grand strategies or backup plans, but through ordinary people like you. From the very beginning, God chose the church—His people—as His primary way to reach the world with the message of salvation. There is no plan B; you are His plan A. This truth can feel overwhelming, but it is also a profound privilege and calling. Jesus’ commission to make disciples is not just for the original disciples, but for every believer today, inviting us to step into God’s mission with confidence that He is with us always. [10:40]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Reflection: How does knowing you are God’s “plan A” for sharing the gospel change the way you see your daily interactions and relationships?
Day 3: The Power of Sharing the Good News
The message of Jesus cannot be heard unless someone is willing to share it. Just as Paul reminds us, people cannot believe in what they have not heard, and they cannot hear unless someone brings the message to them. Our everyday acts of love, hospitality, and presence are the bridges that open doors for the gospel. Whether it’s inviting a neighbor for a meal, showing up in someone’s life, or simply being present, God uses these moments to draw people to Himself. The beauty of bringing the good news is not in eloquence or expertise, but in willingness and love. [17:32]
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Reflection: What is one simple, tangible way you can show Christ’s love to a neighbor or friend this week as a step toward sharing the gospel?
Day 4: The Greatest Miracle Is a Transformed Heart
While physical healing is powerful, Jesus shows us that the deepest need in every person is the forgiveness of sins and the transformation of the heart. When Jesus saw the paralytic, He addressed his spiritual need first, declaring, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” This act reveals that Jesus’ authority and compassion reach beyond the surface to the core of our being. No matter our outward circumstances, the miracle of a changed heart—freed from shame, restored to God, and made whole—is the greatest gift Jesus offers. [21:39]
Mark 2:5-12 (ESV)
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need Jesus’ healing and forgiveness today, and are you willing to let Him transform your heart?
Day 5: Jesus Alone Has Authority to Forgive and Transform
Jesus boldly declares Himself as the Son of Man, the promised Messiah with all authority in heaven and on earth to forgive sins and bring new life. This authority is not just a theological concept but a living reality—He alone has the power to move us from death to life, to heal what is broken, and to invite us into God’s family. Our role is not to save or fix others, but to trust in Jesus’ authority and participate in His mission, knowing that He wants to use us and empower us by His Spirit. [25:39]
Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV)
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Reflection: Where do you need to trust Jesus’ authority in your life or in the lives of those you are praying for, and how can you surrender that area to Him today?
Quotes
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