Fundamental Truth

1. Fundamental Truth • The primary way the Creator God of the Universe has revealed Himself to mankind is through His Son—Jesus Christ—as described in the four historical narratives called the Gospels and the other _ _ canonical books of the Bible.

2. Question #1 What is mankind’s greatest need?

3. Question #2 What is the most distinct benefit that Christianity has to offer the world?

4. Question #3 What sends people to hell?

5. A Demonstration of the Authority to Forgive Sin Mark 2:1-17

6. And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised [reported] that he was in the house [home].

7. Preaching the Word Mark 2:2 • And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: • and he preached the word unto them.

8. Turn back to the last chapter and last verse of Mark

9. Mark 16:20 • And they [the apostles] went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. • Amen.

10. Jesus preached “the Word” “the Word” not “a word” There is nothing relative about “the word”

11. “The Word” The Word is another way of describing the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14)

12. Please notice “the Word” Christ was preaching was directed to Jews—not Christians or disciples. Jewish scribes were present reasoning among themselves and Christ expected them to receive it.

13. Lesson #1 Christ presented a universal message of absolute truth which He insisted be affirmed by Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles.

14. “And they” Mark 2:3 • And theycome unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

15. Tenacity Demonstrated Mark 2:4 • And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

16. Commentary • 2:4 This house like many in first-century Palestine evidently had an outside staircase leading to a flat roof made of branches and sod. To make an opening in such a roof was not difficult. • James A. Brooks

17. Removing Tiles Luke 5:19 • And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

18. Lesson #2 People bring people to the Lord!

19. Mark 2:5 • When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Turn over to James 2:17-22

20. “their faith” His Faith & Their Faith What was different about the paralytic’s faith and their faith?

21. Faith (& Works) James 2:17-22

22. Lesson #3 Faith without works may be intellectual assent but it is not saving faith.

23. Forgiveness of Sin Mark 2:5 • When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

24. Sin • Evildoing • Any transgression to the law • Any failure to do good when it is known to be good

25. Psalm 51 offers a keen analysis of the inner meaning of sin. By affirming “in sin did my mother conceive me,” the psalmist confessed that his life had been sinful from the first. His whole personality needed “purging”; he was defiled. Ritual sacrifices offer no solution. Only a broken, contrite heart can prepare a sinner for God’s cleansing. • Walter A. Elwell

26. Lesson #4 Having your sins forgiven is more important than being healed of paralysis.

27. Blasphemy Mark 2:6-7 • But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, • Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? • who can forgive sins but God only?

28. The Jews were right; only God can forgive sin. Turn to Exodus 34:6-7

29. Isaiah 43:25 This is what I want/need: • I, even I, am he [God] that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

30. Blasphemy This is the very charge that the Jews would bring against Christ at his eventual trial before the Sanhedrin.

31. Mind Reading Mark 2:8 • And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

32. NoticeChrist engaged their minds with a question designed to create faith in Him.

33. Mind Reading Mark 2:9 • Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

34. Jesus could have said: Think About It.

35. Son of man Mark 2:10-11 • But that ye may know that the “Son of man” Jesus uses “Son of Man” to distinguish Himself from God—who is the Father

36. Signs and Wonders Mark 2:10-11 • But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) • I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

37. Think About It! • Question: • If there is no supernatural and the miracle described here (and all the other miracles in the Bible are not true)—then: • “What is the logical explanation for the worldwide growth and dominance of Christianity?”

38. Signs and Wonders Mark 2:10-11 • But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) • I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

39. Notice the word Ye may “know” that

40. Lesson #5 God wants you to “know” your sins have been forgiven.

41. Turn to 1 John 5:13

42. Signs and Wonders Mark 2:12 • And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

43. Lesson #6 When we fully comprehend the truth that the Father forgives my sin by his grace through my faith in the Person and Work of Jesus, it will be the most amazing God glorifying truth we have ever understood.

44. Preaching/Teaching Mark 2:13 • And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

45. Follow Me Mark 2:14 • And as he passed by, he saw Levi [Matthew] the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. • And he arose and followed him.

46. More Followers Mark 2:15 • And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

47. Eating with Sinners Mark 2:16 • And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

48. Repentance toward God Mark 2:17 • When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: • I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

49. Summary • God through the Son of Man forgives sinners who come to Him in a spirit of repentance and authenticate faith which always results in becoming a follower of Jesus.