Roof Wreckers: Faith in Action for Others
Summary
In the shared message, the focus is on the biblical account of the friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, as depicted in the Gospels. The narrative emphasizes the lengths to which these friends went to ensure their paralyzed companion could be healed by Jesus, including breaking through a roof to lower him down into the crowded space where Jesus was teaching. This act of faith and determination is used as a metaphor for the commitment required to bring others to experience the transformative power of Jesus.
The message begins by highlighting a concerning statistic that most churchgoers never lead a single person to Christ in their lifetime. It then transitions to the story of the paralyzed man and his friends, who are referred to as "roof wreckers" due to their unconventional method of bringing their friend to Jesus. The friends' faith was visible to Jesus, and it was their belief that catalyzed the healing of the paralyzed man. This story serves as a challenge to consider who we surround ourselves with and whether our circle of friends helps us draw closer to Jesus.
The narrative continues by examining the identities of the individuals in the biblical story, suggesting that people often see themselves as the heroes, like the friends of the paralyzed man, rather than the indifferent or critical onlookers. However, the message posits that our true selves are revealed not just by our actions but also by our inaction. It is suggested that sometimes we may be more like the religious insiders, prioritizing our own experiences over the needs of those outside our immediate community.
The message further explores the idea that the efforts to bring others to Jesus are not about personal success but about trusting in Jesus' power to work in individuals' lives. Personal anecdotes are shared to illustrate the point that after doing all one can to introduce someone to Jesus, the outcome is ultimately between that person and God.
The message concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to pray for one person in their life who needs to know Jesus and to be willing to do whatever it takes to bring them to a place where they can encounter Him. The metaphor of "wrecking the roof" is used to encourage creativity, hard work, and a willingness to take risks in the pursuit of helping others find and follow Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- The faith of friends can be a powerful catalyst for bringing others to Jesus. Just as the friends of the paralyzed man went to great lengths to ensure he met Jesus, individuals are encouraged to consider the lengths they would go to help others experience the transformative power of faith. This requires creativity, determination, and a willingness to break through barriers. [59:01]
- True faith is demonstrated through both action and inaction. It is not enough to simply believe in Jesus and attend church; faith must be lived out through embracing and serving the outcasts of society. This means prioritizing the needs of others and being willing to get involved in the messiness of their lives. [01:15:24]
- Evangelism begins with prayer. Before talking to people about Jesus, it is essential to talk to Jesus about people. This approach emphasizes the importance of intercessory prayer as the foundation for sharing the gospel with others. [01:25:07]
- The results of evangelistic efforts are not dependent on human ability but on the sovereignty of God. After introducing someone to Jesus, individuals must trust that what happens next is between that person and God. This understanding relieves the pressure to "make the sale" and allows God to work in His own time and way. [01:20:08]
- The church is most effective when it operates as a diverse body, utilizing the unique skills, gifts, and talents of each member. Just as the friends of the paralyzed man each played a role in bringing him to Jesus, every believer has a part to play in the mission of the church to reach the lost. [01:04:53]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 5:17-26 (NIV)
> One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the friends of the paralyzed man take to bring him to Jesus? (Luke 5:18-19)
2. How did Jesus respond to the faith of the paralyzed man's friends? (Luke 5:20)
3. What was the reaction of the Pharisees and teachers of the law to Jesus' declaration of forgiveness? (Luke 5:21) [57:51]
4. What was the outcome for the paralyzed man after Jesus healed him? (Luke 5:25)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the friends of the paralyzed man were so determined to bring him to Jesus, even to the point of breaking through the roof? (Luke 5:19) [55:34]
2. How does the faith of the friends in this story challenge our understanding of what it means to have faith in action? (Luke 5:20) [57:16]
3. In what ways might the crowd and the religious leaders in the story represent barriers to people finding Jesus today? (Luke 5:21) [57:51]
4. How does the story illustrate the idea that the results of evangelistic efforts are ultimately in God's hands? (Luke 5:25) [01:20:08]
#### Application Questions
1. Think about your circle of friends. Are they helping you get closer to Jesus, or are they barriers to your faith? How can you surround yourself with friends who will support your spiritual growth? [01:13:00]
2. The sermon mentioned that most churchgoers never lead a single person to Christ in their lifetime. What steps can you take to change this statistic in your own life? [01:11:46]
3. Reflect on a time when you had to work hard and be creative to help someone. How can you apply that same determination and creativity to bring someone to Jesus? [01:07:53]
4. The friends in the story were willing to "wreck the roof" to bring their friend to Jesus. What "roofs" or barriers might you need to break through to help someone encounter Jesus? [01:00:14]
5. Evangelism begins with prayer. Who is one person in your life that you can start praying for today, asking God to open opportunities for you to share your faith with them? [01:24:37]
6. The sermon emphasized that after doing all you can to introduce someone to Jesus, the outcome is between them and God. How can this understanding relieve the pressure you might feel in evangelism? [01:20:08]
7. The church is most effective when it operates as a diverse body. What unique skills, gifts, or talents do you have that you can use to help others find and follow Jesus? [01:04:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Catalysts of Faithful Transformation
Faith in action can break barriers and open pathways for others to encounter Jesus. Just as the friends of the paralyzed man dismantled a roof to reach Jesus, believers are called to be innovators and barrier-breakers in guiding others to Christ. This may require unconventional methods and a bold spirit, but the impact can lead to life-changing encounters with the divine. [59:01]
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: Who in your life might be waiting for you to take a bold step of faith on their behalf? How can you creatively and courageously help them move closer to Jesus?
Day 2: Embracing the Outcasts
True faith is not passive but actively seeks to include and serve those marginalized by society. It challenges believers to look beyond their comfort zones and engage with those who are often overlooked or rejected. By doing so, one embodies the love and compassion of Jesus, becoming a living testament to the Gospel's inclusive nature. [01:15:24]
James 2:14-17 - "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Reflection: Is there someone you know who is marginalized or overlooked that you can actively serve this week? How can you demonstrate your faith through tangible acts of kindness?
Day 3: Prayer as the First Step
Before engaging in evangelism, it is crucial to lay a foundation of prayer, seeking God's guidance and interceding for those who need to know Him. This approach prioritizes the spiritual groundwork that prepares hearts and aligns efforts with God's will, ensuring that outreach is not just a human endeavor but a divinely inspired mission. [01:25:07]
Colossians 4:2-4 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should."
Reflection: Have you dedicated time to pray for someone specific who needs to encounter Jesus? How can you incorporate intercessory prayer into your daily routine?
Day 4: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Evangelism
After sharing the message of Jesus, it is essential to trust in God's sovereignty over the outcome. This reliance on divine intervention alleviates the pressure to 'convert' and acknowledges that the spiritual journey of each individual is ultimately in God's hands. It is a humble acceptance that the Holy Spirit is the true agent of change. [01:20:08]
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
Reflection: Can you think of a time when you felt responsible for someone's faith journey? How can you shift your focus to trust in God's work in their life after you've shared your testimony?
Day 5: The Church as a Diverse Body
The church thrives when each member utilizes their unique gifts and talents in the collective mission to reach the lost. Like the friends of the paralyzed man, every believer has a role to play in the greater story of God's redemptive work. This unity in diversity reflects the multifaceted nature of the body of Christ and its purpose in the world. [01:04:53]
Romans 12:4-6 - "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us."
Reflection: What unique gifts or talents do you possess that can contribute to the church's mission? How can you actively engage in using your abilities to support the evangelistic efforts of your community?
Quotes
1) "The average churchgoer never leads a single person to Christ in their lifetime. When it comes to wrecking the roof, it's about seeing their faith, which led to his faith." [01:11:46] (Download)
2) "Who we really are and what our faith is all about is revealed in two ways: our actions and our inaction." [01:14:11] (Download)
3) "Wrecking the roof means that we're going to value risky innovation, think creatively and differently, and change the way we've thought about things." [01:09:02] (Download)
4) "Helping people find and follow Jesus always takes hard work and creative solutions. It's not for quitters; it's meeting people where they are, sometimes carrying them." [01:07:53] (Download)
5) "After you've done all that you can to put your friend in the presence of Jesus, you have to let go and what happens between them and God is something you have no control over." [01:20:08] (Download)
6) "Wrecking the roof together is more fun and more effective. We need people with crazy ideas, discerning minds, administrative skills, and builders." [01:05:31] (Download)
7) "The roof wreckers show love and compassion to their broken, messy, and needy friend. Their friend's pain became their priority." [01:15:24] (Download)
8) "After we put people in front of Jesus, what happens next is between him and them. We must trust that Jesus is both powerful and kind." [01:18:53] (Download)
9) "Wrecking the roof means that we are committed to do whatever it takes to put people in front of Jesus so they can experience his power and forgiveness." [59:01] (Download)
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