MARK 1:21 – 2:12 JESUS’ HEALING

INTRODUCTION A story of healing… What to do and what not to do So how does Jesus bring healing to his people, then and now?

MARK 1:21 – 2:12 (NIV) 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

MARK 1:21 – 2:12 (NIV) 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

MARK 1:21 – 2:12 (NIV) 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

MARK 1:21 – 2:12 (NIV) 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

MARK 1:21 – 2:12 (NIV) 40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

MARK 1:21 – 2:12 (NIV) A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

MARK 1:21 – 2:12 (NIV) 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralysed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

BUILDING GOD’S COMMUNITY TOGETHER This is our theme for And how are we to achieve this? Submitted to Christ Authentic in Worship Growing as Disciples United in Fellowship Serving in Ministry Sharing the Gospel Committed to Missions

BUILDING GOD’S COMMUNITY TOGETHER So how do we partner with God in healing our community, let alone ourselves? We allow the Holy Spirit to work in us as it did with Jesus at HIS baptism (Mark 1:9-13) Challenge – when was the last time you know God said something like this about us… “You are my son/daughter, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)

BUILDING GOD’S COMMUNITY TOGETHER Well… I have bad news and good news for us! The bad news is… God entrust this mission of “Building God’s Community Together” to people like us! When was the last time you lied? Even if it was for a good reason When did you last think or done things you shouldn’t have like lust, envy, idolising, taken the Lord’s name in vain, etc… Have you stolen anything before?

BUILDING GOD’S COMMUNITY TOGETHER When was the last time you honoured your father or mother? How about in-laws? Do you keep the Sabbath? Surely – we can be graded on a moving scale right? Because I’m not as ‘bad’ as others, right? Unfortunately – NO! We are imperfect, inconsistent, can grow tired, loose our way, make mistakes and bad choices… Why in the world would God use us, let alone allow HIS mission to fall into our hands?

BUILDING GOD’S COMMUNITY TOGETHER In the bible reading today, we see so many broken people (Mark1:21-2:12) People who were demon possessed, ill due to various diseases including a leprosy, even a lame or paralysed man And Jesus healed them all And also Jesus entrusted this to us – here and now Is this bad news or good news ?

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF MARK ABOUT? Most commentators, scholars, believers and followers of Jesus Christ understands the Gospel of Mark to have one overarching theme: The definition of ‘sin’ is “missing the mark” And as you go through the readings in Mark, you will discover that there’s allot of people (Jews, disciples, ordinary folk, religious leaders, etc…) who often “miss the mark” or misunderstand Jesus and what he is about We can call the Gospel of Mark – “the adventures of missing the point”

THE GOSPEL OF MARK FOR US… Are we (too) going to miss the point and call this “bad news” because God has trusted ill prepared, ill mannered people who are often more broken then we are willing to admit to? 2 examples: The man healed from leprosy (Mark 1:40-45) The paralysed man (Mark 2:1-12) We shouldn’t focus on missing the point, but to focus on Jesus and what he’s on about

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS The good news is that… Jesus entrusted this work to us! Yay! Who better than HIS children (that’s us) to partner with HIS purpose, HIS will, HIS plan, etc…? The people who know HIM, love HIM, have been transformed by HIM, everyday becoming more like HIM…

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS Because as children of God or followers of Jesus Christ, we too have been baptised by the Holy Spirit More than that – we’ve been ‘born again’ (John 3:3-8) And like Jesus, we too will have to overcome temptation, call people, drive out evil spirits and heal people (Mark 1:9-34) And like Jesus, we can copy his sermon, which he copied from John the Baptist – “The time has come, the kingdom of God is near. Repent & believe the good news” (Mark 1:15)

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS Not only are to proclaim the good news, but to actually “do” the good news! We’ll be equipped for it and given authority Mark 1:22 – “…he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law…” Authority in word (Mark 1:25) Authority in deed or action (Mark 1:31) We are called and equipped for this!

HOW DO WE GO ABOUT THIS? How does “Building God’s Community Together” look like? First know that we’ve been entrusted with this awesome task Second, that God can and will use us Third, we’ll be equipped with the Holy Spirit and authority of God to heal all kinds of people

HOW DO WE GO ABOUT THIS? Let me give one example out of many in our community Our children (which includes youth) as it is defined by age from 0-18 years old We encourage them in all 7 functions: submitted to Christ, authentic in worship, growing as disciples, united in fellowship, serving in ministry, sharing the gospel & committed to mission We want to make faith, church, loving God, etc. as normal and a part of their DNA – you are the future NOW!

FRIDAY NIGHT YOUTH

PREPARATIONS FOR YOUTH RALLY