Faithful Intercession: Bringing Others to Jesus
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound narrative from Mark chapter 2, where a paralytic man is brought to Jesus by his friends. This story, while not explicitly mentioning prayer, serves as a powerful metaphor for the act of intercession. The friends' determination to bring the paralytic to Jesus, despite the obstacles, illustrates the power of agreement in prayer and the necessity of perseverance. We are reminded that prayer is not just a solitary act but a communal effort, where the faith and determination of a few can lead to miraculous outcomes.
The story of the paralytic is a vivid illustration of how we can bring those paralyzed by sin to Jesus through prayer. Just as the friends believed that Jesus could heal their friend, we too must have faith that Jesus can transform the lives of those we pray for. The act of carrying the paralytic symbolizes the burden we bear in prayer for others, trusting that Jesus will make a difference in their lives.
We also reflected on the importance of not giving up in our prayers. Faith is persistent and refuses to be deterred by obstacles. The friends of the paralytic did not let the crowd stop them; they found a way to bring their friend to Jesus. This is a call for us to persevere in prayer, even when the situation seems hopeless. Our faith must be resilient, knowing that Jesus sees our efforts and honors our faith.
Furthermore, we discussed the transformative power of salvation. The greatest miracle is not just physical healing but the forgiveness of sins and the new life that comes with it. When Jesus forgave the paralytic's sins, it was a declaration of his wholeness. This is a reminder that our ultimate goal in prayer is the salvation and transformation of souls.
Finally, we are encouraged to continue bringing our loved ones to Jesus in prayer, trusting that in His time, they will experience the fullness of His grace and salvation. As we pray, we join a symphony of believers, past and present, who have witnessed the power of prayer in bringing about spiritual breakthroughs.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Agreement in Prayer: The story of the paralytic illustrates the strength found in communal prayer. When we come together in faith, our collective prayers can move mountains and bring about miraculous changes in the lives of those we intercede for. [50:19]
- Perseverance in Prayer: Faith is not passive; it is active and persistent. Just as the friends of the paralytic refused to be deterred by obstacles, we must continue to pray fervently, trusting that God hears and honors our perseverance. [54:43]
- The Transformative Power of Salvation: The greatest miracle is the forgiveness of sins and the new life that follows. Our prayers should focus on the salvation of souls, knowing that Jesus desires wholeness for everyone. [01:00:48]
- Faith Refuses to Give Up: There are only two eternal destinations, and our prayers can make the difference between them for those we love. We must remain steadfast, knowing that our faith can lead to the salvation of others. [01:14:17]
- Jesus Sees Our Faith: When we bring others to Jesus in prayer, He sees our faith and responds. Our role is to carry them to Him, trusting that He will do the work of transformation in their lives. [01:24:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:01:00] - Introduction to Mark Chapter 2
- [00:03:00] - The Story of the Paralytic
- [00:05:00] - Prayer as a Visual Aid
- [00:07:00] - The Power of Agreement in Prayer
- [00:10:00] - Perseverance in Prayer
- [00:12:00] - The Transformative Power of Salvation
- [00:15:00] - Faith Refuses to Give Up
- [00:18:00] - Jesus Sees Our Faith
- [00:20:00] - Personal Testimonies of Faith
- [00:25:00] - The Role of Community in Prayer
- [00:30:00] - Encouragement to Keep Praying
- [00:35:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 2:1-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did the friends of the paralytic take to bring him to Jesus, and what obstacles did they face? [50:19]
2. How did Jesus respond to the faith of the paralytic's friends, and what was the first thing He said to the paralytic? [54:43]
3. In the sermon, what metaphor is used to describe the act of bringing someone to Jesus through prayer? [01:00:48]
4. What was the reaction of the crowd when the paralytic was healed, and how did it reflect their understanding of Jesus' authority? [01:24:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the paralytic illustrate the power of communal prayer and agreement in faith? [54:43]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between physical healing and spiritual wholeness? [01:00:48]
3. How does the perseverance of the paralytic's friends serve as a model for persistent faith in prayer? [01:14:17]
4. In what ways does the sermon highlight the importance of faith in overcoming obstacles to bring others to Jesus? [01:19:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced obstacles in your prayer life. How did you overcome them, and what can you learn from the perseverance of the paralytic's friends? [01:14:17]
2. Identify someone in your life who is "paralyzed" by sin or struggles. How can you and your community of faith support them in prayer and action? [01:00:48]
3. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of salvation. How can you focus your prayers on the spiritual wholeness of those you care about? [01:24:25]
4. Consider the role of communal prayer in your life. How can you engage more actively in prayer groups or partnerships to support others? [54:43]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of not giving up in prayer. What specific steps can you take to remain steadfast in praying for someone who seems far from God? [01:19:45]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper faith that refuses to give up, even when faced with discouraging circumstances? [01:14:17]
7. Reflect on the idea that Jesus sees our faith. How does this assurance impact your approach to prayer and intercession for others? [01:24:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Strength of United Faith
When we come together in prayer, our collective faith can lead to miraculous changes. The story of the paralytic man in Mark 2 is a testament to the power of agreement in prayer. His friends' determination to bring him to Jesus, despite the obstacles, illustrates how communal prayer can move mountains. When believers unite in faith, their prayers can bring about significant transformations in the lives of those they intercede for. This narrative encourages us to join hands in prayer, trusting that our combined faith can lead to divine intervention. [50:19]
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you partner with in prayer this week to intercede for someone in need of a breakthrough?
Day 2: The Resilience of Faithful Prayer
Faith is not a passive state but an active, persistent pursuit. The friends of the paralytic man in Mark 2 exemplified this by refusing to be deterred by the crowd. They found a way to bring their friend to Jesus, demonstrating that true faith perseveres despite obstacles. This story calls us to remain steadfast in our prayers, trusting that God hears and honors our perseverance. Even when situations seem hopeless, our faith must be resilient, knowing that Jesus sees our efforts and responds to our persistence. [54:43]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel like giving up in prayer? How can you renew your commitment to persevere in prayer for this situation today?
Day 3: The Miracle of Spiritual Renewal
The greatest miracle is not just physical healing but the forgiveness of sins and the new life that follows. In Mark 2, when Jesus forgave the paralytic's sins, it was a declaration of his wholeness. This story reminds us that our ultimate goal in prayer should be the salvation and transformation of souls. Jesus desires wholeness for everyone, and our prayers should focus on bringing others to Him for spiritual renewal. The transformative power of salvation is the most profound miracle we can witness. [01:00:48]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the transformative power of salvation? How can you commit to praying for their spiritual renewal this week?
Day 4: The Unyielding Nature of Faith
Faith refuses to give up, knowing that our prayers can make the difference between eternal destinations for those we love. The story of the paralytic man in Mark 2 shows us that faith is unyielding and determined. We must remain steadfast in our prayers, trusting that our faith can lead to the salvation of others. This narrative encourages us to continue bringing our loved ones to Jesus in prayer, confident that He will work in their lives. [01:14:17]
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you have stopped praying for because the situation seems hopeless? How can you reignite your faith and commitment to pray for them today?
Day 5: The Divine Response to Our Faith
When we bring others to Jesus in prayer, He sees our faith and responds. The story of the paralytic man in Mark 2 illustrates that our role is to carry others to Jesus, trusting that He will do the work of transformation in their lives. Jesus honors our faith and the efforts we make to intercede for others. This narrative encourages us to continue praying for our loved ones, trusting that in His time, they will experience the fullness of His grace and salvation. [01:24:25]
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." (Matthew 21:22, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate your faith in prayer for someone today, trusting that Jesus will respond to your intercession?
Quotes
"I believe that it gives us insight. It gives us literally, I'm going to use it as a visual aid today to talk about prayer. I believe it's a pitch or a prayer, okay? And so, let's stand together. We'll read Mark chapter 2. We'll read verses 1 through 5. Keep your Bibles open there because we're going to be going back to that." [00:49:23]
"Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four of them. Verse 4, since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus, and after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. Verse 5, when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Can we all say this together? Son, Son, Your sins are forgiven." [00:50:19]
"So put your hand on the Word of God right now, and let's pray. Father, I thank you for the powerful worship. I thank you, Lord. Your presence, O God, Lord, is so precious. And we're so thankful for it. And, Lord, may we never take it for granted. But we thank you now, Lord, where we come to your Word, to honor your Word." [00:51:04]
"And I thank you for the message you've given me as I've sought you this week. Lord, I thank you that the best I can tell, this is what you've laid on my heart for us, for me, and for all of us that are here today and those watching online. And I ask you that this Word would literally come alive. It is alive." [00:51:27]
"The Word of God talks about travail of prayer, which compares to a woman in travail of childbirth. The Word of God talks about, so we see these challenging of being able to persevere and press into prayer. But here, that this, his family, his friends, are willing to bear the burden of his weight because he can't get to Jesus." [01:02:14]
"Prayer is preparation for salvation. So prayer is like plowing a field. Plowing a field prepares it to receive the seed the crops can produce, right? The harvest will come. So prayer prepares the S-O-U-L, soul. It prepares the soul of the individuals being prayed for, and it prepares the people that are prayed." [01:05:53]
"Faith refuses to give up. Mark chapter 2, verse number 4. Here we go. Since they speak into the ones carrying Adam to Jesus, the paralytic, since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus. And after digging through it, lowered the man, the mat, the paralyzed man was lying on." [01:14:17]
"Jesus sees your faith because he's saying it's time it's the spirit of God stirring in us and I believe that I believe there's a fresh stirring I know there is in me it's not just for a Sunday morning service Janice and I pray together this thing praying for people to be saved and praying for lives to be touched." [01:24:25]
"Jesus said, get up, but he had to get up. It doesn't say Jesus made him get up, put a paddle prod, said you've got to get up. He had a choice to make to get up. And he made that choice by faith. And when he made that choice by faith, grace abounded in his life, and he was transformed." [01:30:02]
"Wholeness all the way around. The religious group gets offended about this. You know, because they say, who is this in their mind that can forgive sins? Only God can forgive sins. And Jesus knows their thought. And he says this in Mark 2, verse number 9. Which is easier to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven, or to say, get up, take your mat, and walk?" [01:32:22]
"Think about Christina Bell. It's sitting back there right now. Christina was baptized last year. Christina was raised in this church. Christina's dad, Larry, served on the board. Her stepmother, Patricia, served in our church. She's went on to be with the Lord now. But Christina was blessed with the Father to pray for her salvation, because she walked away as she got up in her later teen years and all, early 20s." [01:34:45]
"Some of you need to hear the Lord saying, it's time. I'm telling you, it's time. Bring them to me. Trust me with them. Persevere. Press in. Overcome the obstacles. Overcome the things that come. The bad reports. Things like that. And trust me with them. And you know what? If you do that, I believe." [01:40:43]
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