JESUS & WE

Part 4

ANYTHING SHORT OF SIN

The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ motives for hanging out with or eating with sinners? (Prostitutes, broken, lonely, outcasts) …

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5

•WE WILL DO ANYTHING SHORT OF SIN TO REACH PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW CHRIST. TO REACH PEOPLE NO ONE IS REACHING, WE NEED TO DO THINGS NO ONE IS DOING. THIS WILL REQUIRE TWO THINGS OF US…

•1) BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS - Some men came, bringing to [Jesus] a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Mark 2:3

People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. We don’t just invite—We bring. These guys didn’t just look at the broken, paralyzed man and say, ‘Hey! Jesus is over there in that house! If you can figure out a way to get to Him, He can probably heal you!” Nom they carried him to Jesus. They literally carried him, and his burden, to Jesus!

•2) BREAK SOME RULES – I never waited 30 min after eating swim, Never wore helmet when. I rode my bike. Sometimes ran with scissors in my hand or a sucker in my mouth.  

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. Mark 2:4

I see a church full of people 

•Who don’t judge those without Christ—but love them to Christ. 

•Jesus didn’t come for the healthy—He came for the sick; He didn’t come for the righteous—He came for sinners.

•Anything short of sin—to reach people who don’t know Christ. We’re not doing it unless YOU’RE doing it—you are the church!

•Who do you know that needs Christ?

•What can you do to expose them to the good news of Christ’s love?

•What do you like about our church that you could share with others? What about inviting them to church or to Growth Group?

•Share what got you to come to our church for the first time. After hearing everyone’s story, what tactics could apply to how you can be more effective at bringing others with you?

•Jesus ate with sinners. What are some ways you can get more involved in the lives of people who are far from Christ?

•Is the workplace off-limits? Talk about how you feel like your faith could play a bigger part in your work relationships?

•How could you start a dialog with an extended family member or long-time friend who you haven’t shared Jesus with before?

•What have been obstacles for you in the past for not being more passionate about reaching others for Christ? 

To introduce some different perspectives into the conversation, consider reading one of these verses together.1 Peter 3:15, Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:8, Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20, John 14:6

•Name three people you know who need Jesus in their lives. What will you do this week to reach out to them?

•In what area of your life do you need to be more bold with sharing God’s love? What step will you take toward that this week?