Jesus Up Close and Personal Part 1: Whatever It Takes!
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(Message from the Grand Opening of New Life Community Church in Rogers Park, Chicago)
Jesus Up Close and Personal / Whatever It Takes
Luke 5:17-26
17 One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.
18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, 19 but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
21 But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 23 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man[d] has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
25 And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”
WHATEVER IT TAKES:
1. We will wait on God with expectant faith and exuberant praise.
God loves to move in places where there is expectant faith.
2. We will not be comfortable standing with a crowd but push through to get close to Jesus.
3. We will not get stuck in a religious rut but recognize a relationship with Jesus is what matters most.
4. We will creatively work hard together to help others get closer to Jesus.
creatively - find solutions
work hard - committed
together - teamwork
to help others - not self-centered
