Make Room: Mission

Illust: We fill the space

June 29th, 2007 was a day that changed the course of history. Can anyone tell me what was released on this date? The first ever, generation 1 iPhone. I remember the exact moment I held one for the first time. It was remarkable. I hadn’t seen anything like it! Nobody had! It was the future of technology in the palm of your hands.

The first generation iPhone had 8gb worth of storage. At the time, this was PLENTY of room. We could take all the pictures, listen to all the music, and fill our phone with all the apps. But in just a short amount of time the 8gb phone filled up. Then we upgraded to the 16gb, then the 32gb… I currently have a phone that can hold up to 256 gb of storage and guess what… it’s full!

The point is that in every area of our lives, where there’s a space, we fill it.

Take our homes for example. C’mon all you hoarders, you know where I’m going with this one. I remember our first house. It was really small… really small. It didn’t take much to fill it with all the furniture, pictures, and just clutter in general. But then our next house was a little bigger, then the next one a little bigger, and guess what… we filled them all!

So much so, that when we moved to Boulder and downsized significantly, we kept looking at each other saying “Where did we get ALL THIS STUFF?!” If you’ve ever moved then you completely understand what I’m talking about here.

We’re moving in to a new year. Which means many of you have made New Year’s resolutions. This is a controversial thing now apparently, maybe you didn’t make resolutions, just goals. :) Whatever the case, you looked back on your life and said “I’m going to make adjustments in 2019.” As we look ahead, I want to encourage you today to make room. Make room for a miracle in 2019.

Title: Make Room

We’re going to look at a group of people that made room for a miracle. A group of people that demonstrated compassion, tenacity, and faith.

Passage: Mark 2:1-12 CSB

When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 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 so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic— 11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.” 12 Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background:

Jesus performed many miracles around the region of Galilee, including this one. This miracle takes place early in Jesus’ ministry. At this point in the story Jesus had demonstrated power over illness and demons many times.

This was more than proof of who He was, this was God’s love and compassion on display in a profound way. He was constantly showing the people that He had both the power and desire to perform miracles and forgive sins.

Main Points: Principles from the story

1. See The Need

   1. “They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them.” V3
   2. These men didn’t isolate themselves, they didn’t ignore the need, they weren’t too busy to help, they picked up the paralyzed man and carried him to Jesus! They made room for a miracle! They made room in their schedule, they made room for compassion, they made room for a breakthrough.

   3. Application: Needs are all around us.

      1. Who’s depending on you? What neighbor, co-worker, spouse, son, daughter, do you need to grab some people together and say “Let’s go!” Let’s meet a need. Let’s make room?
      2. We’ve all got people in our lives that are in need of a miracle. The need could be physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional, and the miracle is always found in Jesus.

      3. Illust: Love Boulder Date Night

         1. We looked for a need and then took steps to meet that need. 4. What is one tangible thing you can do for someone in need this week? Not offer to do for someone, but actually follow through and do it.
            4. But I need the miracle. What about my needs?

      4. I don’t want to minimize your hurt, your pain, or your miracle. I believe that many of you here today are dealing with some real and deep pain. I believe that many of you here today are wounded and desperate for a miracle.

      5. I want to shift your perspective today and say “What if the pain I’m going through can be used as a platform to bring a miracle in someone else's life.”
      6. I want to say this with all humility and grace, but while you’re putting yourself together, waiting on your miracle, the world is falling apart.
      7. If you have Jesus then you have the answer. Now go bring people to Jesus and walk that journey alongside someone else in need!

      8. Create The Space

         1. “So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway… Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” V2 & V4
         2. Leaders that reflect the love and compassion of Jesus don’t allow obstacles to stop their progress. They work together to find a solution knowing it is worth it!
         3. Fulfilling a dream does not come easy, it requires creativity, and it comes with a cost, count the cost and move forward together.
         4. Let’s talk about the crowd. Did they not see this group of four men trying to get to Jesus? Were they that oblivious?! I don’t think so.

      9. How often do we complain about this or that in church, and take our focus off the mission and completely miss the paralytic.

      10. Don’t allow your comfort or critical attitude to dictate your contribution to the mission of God.

          5. Imagine the spectacle this must have been. Brush, dirt, and sticks falling all over everybody and then a man comes down from the ceiling?! This is CRAZY, this is IRRATIONAL, THIS IS FAITH, THIS IS LOVE!
          6. Faith doesn’t say “I wonder what others might think.” Faith says “I’m on a mission to get to God!”
          7. Do we have a “Let’s make room mentality?” or are we perfectly content going about our daily lives never really risking anything for the sake of the Gospel? It’s time we risk it all and give it all for the sake of the King and His Kingdom.
          8. Making room in the church

      11. We may physically have seats, but how are we making room in the space for the hurting. The ones that have a disdain for the church. The ones that are afraid to walk through the doors. The ones that are curious.

      12. Question: How are we making room for the unchurched and dechurched in our city.

          9. The love Jesus demonstrated to us was a crazy, irrational, risk it all, radical kind of love! As Christ followers we have a mandate to live the life of a Jesus follower. To be Christ like!
          10. Question: what’s holding you back?

      13. Is it fear?

      14. Rejection?
      15. Criticism?
      16. Resources?
      17. Never let a tangible obstacle hold you back from a supernatural miracle God wants to do through you. (Say it with passion and say it slow)

      18. Witness A Miracle

          1. “Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven… (11) I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.” Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone.” V5 & V11-12
          2. The Greatest Miracle

      19. The greatest miracle that took place in this story was the forgiveness of sins. It meets the greatest need, it costs the greatest price, and it provides the greatest blessing with the most lasting result.

      20. It may be a physical or emotional need that leads us to Jesus, but Jesus knows our greatest need and He speaks directly to the heart of the matter.

          3. The Critics:

      21. “But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” V6-7

      22. The scribes did not recognize Jesus as God. This claim was punishable by death in their eyes. How could He claim to forgive sins of man? Only God can do that.
      23. Jesus used this moment, this perceived distraction, to proclaim His deity and power over both physical and spiritual healing.

2. Can you imagine the awe that filled the room. You have a paralyzed man just stand up and walk! Forgiven, whole, and healed!

3. Here’s how I’d apply that. When we make room in our lives, we make room for a miracle!

Closing: There’s room for more

Walking Points

1. Make room in your life (Prayer and Fasting)
2. Make room in His house (For the Lost and Broken)