Having Strong Faith

Mark 2:1-4

 

Introduction: The greatest need we have today is to have a greater faith.  Yes, we have faith, but how strong or radical is it?  Today we see an example of radical faith.

 

I.               A united Faith – Mark 2:1-4

A.   Borne of four, dedicated to get results

1.     Not willing to allow the crowd to keep them out

2.     Climbed up on the roof

a.     Likely flat with outside stairs

b.     Made of tile and mud

c.     Dug up mud, removed tile

3.     They got the sick man in the presence of Jesus

a.  Jesus spoke – Vs 5

b.     Caused opposition from the religionist- Vs 6-7

c.     “Get up, you are healed” – Vs 9

d.     Note:  The man never said a word

e.     Obedience – Total radical faith of these men

4.     There was a continuous, repeated action

 

II.             Unity of the Faith – Ephesians 4:11-16

A.   Coming together in the same mind, same goal, desiring the same results

1.     Note Vs 12 -  “ For the work of the ministry”

a.     Jesus described this in Luke 4:18

b.     “ The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me”

2.     This is the point Paul is making here

a.     The Body of Christ coming together as one

b.     Into Christ Jesus – infused in us – His fullness – Vs 13

c.     Christ Jesus becomes our HEAD – Vs 15 [Colossians 1:18]

3.     The Body of Christ joined together – Vs 16

a.     What ever we need – it will be met

b.     “Maketh increase” receiving all God has for us

c.     The God kind of Love will bring faith and unity

B.    Putting this together in Faith – Colossians 3:1-2

1.     IF? – The right of the born again believer

a.     Seek those things above

2.      Jesus, our High Priest – Hebrews 4:14-16

a.     Jesus is touched by our sickness, our infirmities

b.     “Himself took our infirmities and bare our sickness”

c.     He took them all for us

d.     “That we may receive - - - -“

3.     Setting our affections – desires – hope – needs

a.     Not on the earthly things, but

b.     On God, Jesus our Savior

 

III.           We are to have Great Faith – Matthew 8:5-10

A.   Great faith of the Centurion – “Come heal my servant” – Vs 6

1.     Jesus replied, “I will come and heal him” – Vs 7

B.    Here is the great display of faith – Vs 8

1.     “Just speak the word”

2.     The centurion recognized Jesus’ authority – Vs9

C.    Note this:  It is not religion – customs – traditions, that moves Jesus

1.     It is faith and trust in God – Jesus – Holy Spirit

2.     Note Vs 12:  “The Children of the Kingdom”

a.     The chosen – the Jews –who reject Jesus

b.     The punishment – Vs 12

c.     The reward – Vs 13

 

IV.           How great is our Faith?  Matthew 14: 22-33                                                                A. Notice how man looks at the circumstances

1.     Cried out in fear – Vs 26

2.     Jesus spoke to them – Vs 27

3.     Peter’s boldness “Bid me come”

B.    Note the command – “Come”

1.     Only one responded

2.     Maybe Peter did sink, but Jesus saved him

C.    Maybe our faith gets weak and we begin to sink

1.     There is a hand that will reach out for us

2.     By faith take hold, He will lift us up

3.     The end results – Vs 33

D.   On shore – He healed them all – Vs 34-36

 

Conclusion:  It is our faith that gets results.  The four men had great faith enough to dig a hole in the roof and let the sick man down to Jesus.  That is unity in the faith.  Remember Jesus is touched by our infirmities and our sickness.  His command is still, “Come, I will minister to your every need.”