Antioch Odessa
Easter
- I Believe
- Christus Victor (Amen)
- Crown Him With Many Crowns
Mark 2:12 ESV 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”Throughout God’s Word there were many times when Jesus showed up and the people who were around him were shocked by what He did and even uttered phrases like this.Let me begin today by asking you, what is the most incredible thing you have ever seen? People have witnessed the birth of a child which is life changing. People have witnessed some incredible weather events or even music or sporting events. Maybe you have been part of a great event in history, and at times we could say I have never seen anything like this. I remember saying this when we were going through a difficult time in our world and Covid had shut down churches. There can be times in history where people can use words or phrases that would communicate that this event that this thing they had witnessed was not normal it was out of the ordinary.How do I transition this into the needs of people?As we look around our world today there are many needs that we see.-People are hungry and malnourished. This is definitely a need.-We see many folks who are struggling with financial needs.-We see folks who struggle with emotional needs and relationship needs.-Then there are those dealing with health needs.In the Bible we see something very similar there were many folks who had needs just like you and I. In Luke 18 we learn about a person who was blind. They had a really big need. Jesus asks this person about their need.Luke 18:41 ESV 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”This particular need was that a person was blind and wanted to see. Jesus asks this man what do you want me to do about your need, and the simple response was Lord, let me see. In verse 42 we learn that he did recover his sight.In our text today we are going to learn about another needy person and this time we see the need was that this man could not walk and yet there was a deeper need that he was not aware of. My point this morning is that we all have needs. Everyone has different needs and yet we all share something exactly the same wether we realize it or not. Every person’s greatest need is the forgiveness of sin, and the only solution to mankind’s sin problem is Jesus. The book of Romans talks about our problem.Romans 3:23 ESV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Romans also tells us about the solution to this problem.Romans 5:9 ESV 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.So, the gospel message helps us to see the great pardon to those who would turn from their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. No other religion provides the means to forgiveness, and many false religions are even leading people to hell. Throughout the gospels we come to learn about Christ and all that He has done for you and I. We see the powerful teaching of Jesus. We see his love and compassion for the needy, and we learn about his death and resurrection. The incredible lesson that I want to share with you today is that Jesus has the power and authority to not only heal our needs, but also to forgive us of our greatest need and that is our sin. Turn with me to Mark chapter 2.1. The fascinated crowd showed up for all the wrong reasons.1. La multitud fascinada acudió por las razones equivocadas.Mark 2:1–2 ESV 1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.Clearly we see here that many in this crowd had some sort of need. Jesus now returns back to this town named Capernaum. This town was a place of home base for Jesus, however it was not long after he had come back when the crowds began to show up. This crowd wanted to see Jesus because they were intrigued by Him. They wanted to hear his teaching, they wanted to see another miracle, after all many of them had some sort of need. Our text tells us here that there were so many people that had gathered together that there was no more room at this house. The situation was so powerful that you couldn’t even get in the door.This intrigued crowd was there to hear something and see something from Jesus, and yet so many of them did not see their need to repent from their sin and believe in Jesus. We also know that part of this crowd was made up of some of the religious leaders of this time period. These Pharisees were there to call out Jesus because His teaching went against their legalistic traditions, man made rules, and rituals. These men considered themselves as holier than thou and better than other Israelites and yet all of their so-called religion was external and superficial.Over and over again these religious leaders opposed Jesus and were looking for a way to put him to death. The scribes and Pharisees now join in with this large crowd not to be supportive of Jesus or learn from Him. This crowd was only concerned about their own desires and needs. Despite their spiritual blindness, Jesus continued to preach the word to them hoping that some would truly believe in Him. Why do you come to church? Why is it that you are interested in Jesus? Is it only that he would take care of your needs? Or have you come to a place where you have realized your desperate condition and that you truly need a Savior.2. The Needy Sinner shows us the desperate situation.2. El pecador necesitado nos muestra la situación desesperada.Mark 2:3–4 ESV 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.It is interesting here that without some really good friends this man would have never made it to see Jesus. In fact, this man’s condition had made him completely dependent on others for help. This man’s need was that he was lame and he could not walk. His story should stand out to us and not for the obvious reason that he had some really good friends to help him see Jesus, but more importantly in what Jesus did for him beyond healing his body.Let’s go back to our text. We know that this house was so packed with people that there was no way people were going to enter this house. There was already a line out the door. These determined friends of this lame man did not quit, and they refused to give up. They looked for another way to get into the house. What in the world would they do to get their friend in?These guys decide to think outside the box and remove the roof of this house in order to lower their needy friend down to Jesus. However, what they did that day was incredible because as they took the roof apart they let down this mat that their friend was on and put it down directly in front of Jesus. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Not only was the lame man hoping to see Jesus, but he was hoping to be healed. I want you to understand this today because there are some of you who are here today and you have not yet realized your desperate situation. You have not yet realized that your sin has separated you from Jesus.The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “You and your sins must separate, or you and your God will never come together.” To believe in Jesus is to trust completely in Him as your Lord and Savior, and to acknowledge that salvation can only come through faith alone in Christ alone. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin; to repent is to turn from your sin, and to believe is to turn to the Savior. They are inseparable.3. The forgiveness of Christ shows us the Lord’s loving care.3. El perdón de Cristo nos muestra el cuidado amoroso del Señor.Mark 2:5 ESV 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”More than anything this man desired to be healed and stand up and walk or even run down the street. Clearly everyone in the crowd that day saw that this man had a physical need. He was paralyzed. But only Jesus saw something much deeper and that was that this man needed to be forgiven of his sin.I’m sure that Jesus took a look around and saw these friends and how loyal and persistent they were to let there friend down through the roof. Jesus not only saw the friends faith, but also the faith of this lame man. Notice the Lord’s words to him, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”What incredible words here. The whole reason Jesus came to earth was for this very purpose. Jesus came to seek and to save sinners, and that through Him sinners might be reconciled to God. We cannot be saved by our good works, we cannot be saved by being a better person, we cannot be saved by anything we do.This crippled man saw himself as a needy and a guilty sinner. His true disability is that he needed to be forgiven of his sin and through his faith in Christ, he did receive forgiveness.The greek word forgiven here refers to an idea of sending or driving away. In other words, complete pardon was granted by the Lord’s divine grace and not based on any work that this lame man could do. Church, Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life so that we can be pardoned from our sin. Have you trusted in Christ today? What is stopping you?4. Hardened and unreceptive hearts always miss the power of God at work.4. Los corazones endurecidos e insensibles siempre pasan por alto el poder de Dios en acción.Mark 2:6–11 ESV 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”Instead of being excited that this man had been spiritually healed the religious leaders were so upset that they began to attack Jesus. These scribes reasoned in their hearts, or thought why did Jesus say this to the man? He has said something so blasphemous that clearly He has sinned, because only God could forgive sinners. What this shows us church is that the most religious leaders of the time, the most holy of all Israelites missed the fact that Jesus was in fact the God-Man. As the true Messiah and God, Jesus had the right to forgive and pardon those who saw their sin and trusted in Him.Sadly these people missed who Jesus was and eventually, they would use this same accusation of blasphemy to justify the murder of Jesus. Jesus knew what was on their hearts and minds. He was clearly aware that they did not believe that He was God and therefore their hearts were hardened. But in order to have some fun and prove His point to these religious leaders Jesus backed up His claim that He was God by showing His divine power through physically healing this lame man.It is here in verse 9 that Jesus asks the question, “which is easier, to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven or to say rise, take your bed and walk?”It is interesting here that Jesus of course knows that answer to this question. It is easier to say that someone’s sins are forgiven because there is no way to actually confirm or deny the reality of this claim. However, telling someone that they were healed from being paralyzed could be immediately tested right? Of course.What Jesus did here was incredible. Jesus waited to heal this man until after He said that the man was forgiven of his sin. Why? To show that He was God and that He alone had the power to forgive sins. Jesus proved His authority over sin itself. Don’t miss this.By performing this miracle, Jesus proved for all to see that He was not a blasphemer. And if He was clearly not a blasphemer, than He was God. Don’t miss the power of God today loved ones. You may be here today and say I am too far gone. I have done too many bad things. I want you to know today that Jesus can and will change your life if you will surrender your life to Him. He can forgive you of your sin.5. God’s power over sin should cause us to glorify Him.5. El poder de Dios sobre el pecado debería llevarnos a glorificarlo.Mark 2:12 ESV 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”When this paralyzed man got up and began to walk the crowd was shocked. This man did not have to go to physical therapy to learn how to walk again, he simply picked up his bed and went out before them all. This man had not only been physically healed but more importantly he had been spiritually healed. He had been forgiven of his sin.This crowd was amazed, and shocked because they had never seen anything like this. They were filled with fear. They had a reverence that came from being exposed to the person, the presence, and the power of God. So, they gave glory or praise to God. The words that Jesus spoke thousands of years ago to this paralyzed man are the same words that He still speaks to all who come to Him in genuine faith.If you are here today and you are living in sin and understand that you have a desperate need to be forgiven than call out to Christ today. The greatest benefit Christianity offers to this world today is the forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ made this possible through His death on the cross and His resurrection. Today is Easter Sunday. Today is the greatest day in the history of the world. It is a great day of hope for every Christian. Many people still call Sunday the Lord’s Day because this is the day that Jesus took care of our greatest need. Jesus has risen and we see shown over and over again in the gospels. Look with me at Luke 24.Luke 24:1–12 ESV 1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.Sin is still our greatest problem in the world today. It is our greatest enemy and it ultimately separates us from God. The Bible tells us that we are spiritually dead, and if left unforgiven, this results in eternal death in a place called hell. Sin destroys relationships, it causes us to think and act in foolish ways, and it leads us to make bad choices.Can I be forgiven? Yes.Who can forgive me? God can.Today on this Lord’s Day Jesus offers forgiveness just like he did to the paralytic. Jesus offers forgiveness to all who are willing to turn from their sin and believe in His name.Romans 10:9–10 ESV 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.(Close in Prayer)Mark 2:12ESV
Luke 18:41ESV
Romans 3:23ESV
Romans 5:9ESV
Mark 2:1–2ESV
Mark 2:3–4ESV
Mark 2:5ESV
Mark 2:6–11ESV
Mark 2:12ESV
Luke 24:1–12ESV
Romans 10:9–10ESV
- In third John and verse 4 John reminds us, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” It delighted John to hear that those whom he had led to Christ were walking with Jesus. After all Jesus is the way the truth and the life and so we desperately need to follow Him. All other roads or paths lead to an eternity away from the Lord.I am thankful today to have had the opportunity to grow up in a Christian home. I know that not everyone has had this experience. I am thankful today that my parents saw the importance of talking to me about Jesus and helping me at a very early age to know what it meant to know Christ and then follow Him. My mom once said Matt, “I would rather have you half around the world in another country following Jesus and speaking about Him then living right next door to you and you not following Jesus.” It gave my parents great joy to know that my sister and brother and I were walking in the truth of Christ.My siblings and I also had great examples to follow in our church. I am tremendously in debt to a faithful youth pastor who not only taught me about following Jesus, but also lived as a faithful example, and showed us students through his own life how to follow Jesus. My point is that we all need great godly examples and spiritual fathers to guide us and show us who Jesus is and how to faithfully follow Him.Today I want to help us see through the warning of Paul that there was a godly leader who truly loved his flock or spiritual children and cared enough to warn them to straighten up and follow Christ. We see this example with many earthly fathers don’t we? Fathers should deeply care for their children, so they do their best to give them godly advise and instruction to live by. Scripture shows us this.
Proverbs 23:22 ESV 22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.Proverbs 1:8 ESV 8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,Proverbs 4:1–2 ESV 1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.It is important to see here that last week we saw how Paul’s words were rather sharp and sarcastic. This may have been extremely difficult to hear, but these words were needed to help cut to the heart of the matter for these arrogant believers who had forgotten the importance of being unified in Christ. Today’s message now turns the corner as we see that Paul’s words were very personal and caring. Paul spoke the truth in love and therefore we see that these verses point to a father and child relationship between Paul and the church in Corinth. Let me share with us today 3 spiritual truths from a wise and loving spiritual father.1. The Warning from Paul is necessary and shows us his care for the church.1 Corinthians 4:14–15 ESV 14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.As Paul writes to these believers in Corinth he is saying here that he does not want the Corinthians to experience shame as a result of the attitudes that they had shown. No good and loving father should desire to shame his children. Rather Paul is warning them or admonishing them as a kind and loving father would do with his own children. One of the primary jobs of a father with his children is to bring them up in the instruction of the Lord and this is exactly what we see that Paul had in mind.Ephesians 6:4 ESV 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.The word admonish here means literally to put in mind with the purpose of warning or correcting someone. This helps us to see that Paul wanted them to know that something was clearly wrong and it needed to be corrected and made right. The Corinthians attitude needed to change from arrogance and pride and being divided to a spirit of humility. So, he is writing to lovingly point out their wrong beliefs and behavior. Sometimes correction and change are needed church. One of the ways that we are to help with this is always point others to the word of God so that we can see truth from error and what we should do to live for Christ and also what we must leave behind and forsake. Here is how Paul explained this to Timothy.2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.In verse 15 Paul takes time to mention that there was a difference between a guide or tutor and a father.The reason that Paul says that he became their spiritual father is because he was given the opportunity by God to share the gospel with them and therefore is not replacing their relationship with God who was their true Father, but sees himself as an earthly spiritual leader and father to help point them to imitate Christ. As the Corinthians spiritual father we see that at some point Paul took the time to share the good news with these people. We can begin to see why Paul deeply cared for his children and and took the time to admonish them.More than anything Paul wants these believers to imitate him so that they might imitate Christ. Church, as your pastor more than anything I want you to follow Jesus. I love hearing when you are able to help others know Jesus and then you invite them to church and they begin to serve and follow Christ. What an awesome thing that this truly is.Paul wanted these Corinthians to see a clear reflection of Christ in his own life so that they might understand what genuine godly behavior looked like. More than anything Paul wanted these believers to live in a manner that was worthy of Christ and not continue to be divided and angry.Since, Paul was the one who explained the gospel to them and helped them to come to Christ than Paul was their spiritual father.But why does Paul take time to say this? Well clearly here Paul is trying to help these Corinthians see his authority over them and his right to give them instruction, admonishment and even warning. It was their job to now see this and pay attention to the warning by being doers of the word. In the Roman world, the authority of the father was not to be challenged so this would have become crystal clear in their minds.The guide or tutor here that Paul mentions helps us to see that in ancient times and in the Greek culture this was someone who was a trusted slave to whom the father entrusted his sons or children with. The tutor helped the sons with their lessons and was an important person in the life of these children just like many teachers are for us, but he was not the father. Paul was their spiritual father and his warning was given in love to help them grow up and follow Jesus.2. The Reminder and example from Paul shows his care for the church.1 Corinthians 4:16–20 ESV 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.Paul gives his life as an example. Follow the lives of godly leaders so that ultimately we will follow Christ. I think it is important here to keep in mind that many of these Corinthians had just come out of paganism and a highly immoral culture. This new Christian life was a constant learning for so many of them. This is exactly why they needed a godly example and spiritual father to guide them to Christ. We also need to remember that the New Testament at this time had not yet been completed, so these new believers did not have any written guidelines to look too and read to show them how to conduct their new life in Christ. Paul urged them to follow him in verse 16, but again ultimately he was pointing them to Christ.To help these new believers follow Christ Paul gave these believers a great gift in that of Timothy who was a faithful minister to guide them and help them follow Jesus. Timothy was someone whom Paul trusted and had led to the Lord while he was in Lystra on his first missionary journey. The point here is that Timothy would serve well to these believers who had wondered away from the Lord. To listen to Timothy and have him as their guide would be much like having Paul there himself. Timothy’s instruction would be no different from what Paul taught in all his churches.But what did Paul mean by reminding them of his ways in Christ? What was the specific imitation that Paul is referring to here? The pattern of not judging himself or not taking pride in any human leaders as we saw in the first 7 verses of chapter 4. Paul also would have in mind giving your life for Christ and suffering for Him. Ultimately Paul was pointing to his entire life in Christ. Hey believers, have a love for Jesus. Live your lives in obedience to Christ and have a hatred for sin.Paul also takes time to address the main problem in verse 18. He cannot sweep this under the carpet as if this was not a big deal or that it was not destroying the health of the church. Paul says plainly that you are arrogant. Sometimes spiritual leaders need to confront people about their sinful attitudes and actions. It seems as if these ringleaders that were in opposition to Paul were telling the church that Paul would not come back to visit the church. This church had a serious problem with pride and selfishness. When strong godly leadership is not in place, many believers slipped back into their old ways of thinking and behaving.This is why Paul took time to assure them that if the Lord wills that he would come and check up on them. If the Lord does allow Paul to go to Corinth, then he planned to expose these arrogant leaders and to see what sort of power they really did have. Paul could not let this prideful and arrogant attitude to continue on. He as a loving father must discipline their ungodly actions. As a loving spiritual father Paul cared too much not to discipline them. Just like God disciplines those whom He loves.Proverbs 3:12 ESV 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.These Corinthians thought they had good arguments for their case if Paul showed up, but Paul cared nothing about their words. He didn’t care about the outside, but the inside. God’s people should reflect God’s kingdom which is God’s rule and glory. This kingdom does not consist in words but in power because God almighty is a powerful and a mighty God.My point here church is that faith that does not result in right living may have many words behind it and even know all the right things to say, but it will have no power. Do your words back up how you are truly living? Are you living for Christ? Or are you living for yourself? Ask yourself this morning who is Lord of my life?Matthew 7:21–23 ESV 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’3. The Question from Paul shows his care for the church.1 Corinthians 4:21 ESV 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?There are of course times where we will teach through discipline. This of course is not what Paul desires to do.Notice here that this is a rhetorical question. Of course these believers want Paul to come to them with love and a gentle spirit. What would you want if this was you???Would you want correction or mercy? Would you want discipline or to be shown a spirit of gentleness? If the Corinthians refused to listen and take Paul’s warning seriously, he would not hesitate to come to them with a whip or with a rod. We are reminded of this in Proverbs of how a parent might use a rod to discipline their disobedient child.Proverbs 22:15 ESV 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.As wise and loving parents we ultimately discipline our children because we love them and care for them. Yes, there are times where we discipline them in love so they don’t continue to make foolish choices and Proverbs reminds us of this. This is exactly what Paul is doing here. Paul of course prefers to come as a gentle and loving father and not as a disciplinarian. Paul did not want to shame them, but there may come times where he would warn them and discipline them if that was what was necessary. This was a mark of a wonderful and godly spiritual father. Paul more than anything dealt severally with their pride. He wanted them to know that they could not continue to walk in this arrogant way. In dealing with this wayward group of people that he loved so dearly we see the spiritual care of a godly father.Conclusion: Sometimes instruction, warnings, and discipline are for our own good. Obeying our god given leaders may not always be pleasant, but it will be for our good and for the glory of God. Yes, there may come times where we are called to repent and turn from sin in a gentle and firm way. Yes, we may be called to get out of our comfort zone and go and serve others. Yes, there may come times where it will be hard to follow, and we may even be ridiculed and made fun of, but don’t despise the Lord’s instruction and direction.Wise children will always listen when their Heavenly Father speaks, and wise children will also learn and listen to those whom God speaks through. Those whom God has put over us to guide us and faithfully lead us will always point us to Christ and His Words, they should never lead us astray or to follow in any other path. Paul the faithful servant and spiritual father reminds us in chapter 11 of these words.1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.(Close in Prayer) Proverbs 23:22ESV
Proverbs 1:8ESV
Proverbs 4:1–2ESV
1 Corinthians 4:14–15ESV
Ephesians 6:4ESV
2 Timothy 3:16–17ESV
1 Corinthians 4:16–20ESV
Proverbs 3:12ESV
Matthew 7:21–23ESV
1 Corinthians 4:21ESV
Proverbs 22:15ESV
1 Corinthians 11:1ESV
- Take My Life And Let It Be
- God Is Faithful (Psalm 114)
- We Give Thanks (Psalm 107)
Antioch Odessa
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