Faith That Works

What would you do for a friend? How much time, energy, money, and embarrassment would you be willing to spend on a sick friend?

Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26

• Capernaum is called “his own city.” Jesus spent much time there.
• As often was the case, many people surrounded him to hear him speak.
• And there were a number of scribes, Pharisees, doctors of the law nearby taking note of all that happened, too.
• Four men wanted Jesus to heal their friend who couldn’t walk; and they would stop at nothing to present their request to Jesus-even if it meant making a hole in the roof of the house.
• Jesus saw THEIR faith and declared that their friends sins were forgiven-the man’s greatest need.
• The doubters accused Jesus of blasphemy for claiming the rights of God.
• Jesus proved his deity by also healing the man’s physical problem.
• The people were amazed, and glorified God.
• What of the religious experts?

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“A Leper’s Hope”

Do you get up early to be alone with God? Jesus did; and you should, too. Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day; but Man does not live by bread alone.

Mark 1:35-45; Matthew 4:23-25; Luke 4:42-44; Luke 5:12-16

• Sometimes you can close your eyes, shut out the world around you, and commune with God. At other times, the distractions are too great; and you need to go somewhere alone. Jesus left the house to pray; but many people went looking for him.
• Jesus took this opportunity to leave the town altogether and visit synagogues in other areas, preaching the gospel throughout Galilee.
• In one town a man with leprosy asked Jesus to heal him. Jesus did as the man requested.
• The man, however, did not follow the “post-operative” instructions of Jesus. Instead of quietly go to a priest to have the miracle authenticated, the man, understandably, told everyone what had happened.
• The news brought more throngs to Jesus, so that he must leave that town, too.

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A Man And A Mother-in-law

Does anything exciting ever happen at your church? How do you spend your day of rest and worship?

Mark 1:21-34; Matthew 8:14-17; Luke 4: 31-41

The Man

• Where: a synagogue in Capernaum
• When: a sabbath day
• Who: Jesus and a man with an unclean spirit
• What: Jesus rebuked the spirit who then came out of the man

The Mother-in-law

• Where: the house of Simon and Andrew
• When: later that day
• Who: Jesus and Peter’s wife’s mother (Note: Peter was married)
• What: Jesus rebuked the fever in the woman, and the fever left her.

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Fishers of Men

No, not with a metal hook and a plastic line. Not even with a lightweight net. Jesus had in mind gathering men to God.

Luke 5:1-11

(Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22)

• When was the last time you saw a mass of people pushing to hear someone talk about God? (v. 1)
• Where was Simon while Jesus was teaching (v. 3)?
• What did Simon do after the Bible lesson (v. 4)?
• How did Simon respond (v. 8)?
• Who else was there (v. 10)?
• What lesson should they/we learn from this?

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