Beacon Hill Church

You and I have been called to bear one another burdens on this battlefield of life. In this way we fulfill the law of love.

JESUS RECOGNIZED THEIR BOLD MOVE AS AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH: Verse 5: Seeing their faith . . .


“Faith” here is from the Greek root word pistis. It means to be convicted or convinced that something is true.

If works don’t naturally result from whatever we’re calling “faith,” then it’s not real, saving faith. The four men lived out this faith-in-action when they carry their friend and commit minor property damage to get him to Jesus.


ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

(1) Who are your burden bearers?

(2) For whom have you been a burden bearer?

(3) Have you positioned yourself to be a person of faith?


Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we will crumble under the pressure of disease, heartache and tragedy. We cannot bear one another’s burdens, if we don’t first lean upon the strength of the Lord.

Jesus’ response to their act of faith was unexpected.


He pronounced: “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

· The pronouncement was startling because it seemed inappropriate and perhaps even irrelevant to the immediate situation.

· Jesus saw beyond the immobile legs of the man to a heart that was paralyzed by sin

· His purpose was to heal the whole man, not just the outer façade

Our hands of help, must also be hands of hope

· Only the hope that is found in Jesus Christ can change a person and transform their life forever.


My definition of HOPE: FAITH ON ITS TIP-TOES

· A faith that is stretched and extends from the ordinary to the extraordinary.