The Cost of Ministry (Mark 2,1-12), PTN Sharathon, August 19, 2008

The Cost of Ministry (Mark 2:1-12)

PTN Sharathon, August 19, 2008

Text

" A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered 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 paralytic, 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 and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “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?” 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 the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat 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 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!”" (Mark 2:1-12 NIV)

1.    The reason for the crowd.

The people came when they heard Jesus was there. The best way to build any church or ministry is to preach Jesus, worship Jesus, exalt Jesus, minister Jesus, and entertain the manifest presence of Jesus through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

Throughout His earthly ministry, He drew great crowds of people and He still does today!

" 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”" (John 12:20-21 NIV)

2.    The value of the individual.

Everywhere Jesus went, even when surrounded by great crowds, He always took time for the needy individual. His ear was attuned to their cry.

" 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”" (Mark 10:46-49 NIV)

3.    The necessity of faith.

When Jesus saw their faith, supernatural salvation and healing power flowed.

4.    The importance of partnership.

This crippled man needed to come to Jesus, but he could not come to Jesus unless they went to him.

One man alone was not enough to bring this man to Jesus. It took four men partnering together, overlooking their individual personalities and opinions, to set the stage for this miracle.

5.    The role of technology.

They used the technology of the day (“ropes”) to let the man down before Jesus. Living in Capernaum, a seaside town, their rough hands were used to handling these ropes. Today, instead of ropes, it takes television antennas and cameras and satellites and fiber optic cables to bring everyone to Jesus that needs to come to Him.

6.    The need for miracles.

The ministry of Jesus and that of the disciples always combined declaration and demonstration. His miracles proved the validity of His message.

" 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:4-8 NIV)

7.    The priority of salvation.

The first and greatest miracle Jesus performed was to speak a word of forgiveness to the man’s soul, thus bringing him salvation.

8.    The reality of controversy.

The Jewish leaders were angered by two things:

·         Jesus pronounced forgiveness of sins (something normally only done by the priests at the Temple after offering up a sacrifice). This struck them as blasphemous.

·         Jesus moved in supernatural authority and ministered supernatural power. This always angers the religious establishment because it is outside their control.

9.    The cost of ministry.

While Jesus spoke supernatural healing to the man, He did not speak supernatural repair to the roof! That took time, money, and energy. Ministry is always messy and ministry always costs money! Someone always has to be willing to pay the price to reach the multitudes and to effectively minister to their needs.

It is interesting to see how, in Simon Peter’s life, he first lent Jesus his boat, then his home. Peter had such a heart for his city that he was willing to shoulder the cost. In return, God gave him his country when he began functioning as the chief apostle to the Jews!

10.           The outcome of obedience.

A great need was met and the crowd was all amazed (literally, “in ecstasy,” i.e., “out of their minds”) with joy at what happened.

It is always worth whatever it takes to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus and in the name of Jesus…!

He that "… wins souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30 NIV)

"3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3 NIV)