Obstacles and Opportunities

One of the stock childhood Sunday School stories: the lowering of the paraplegic through the roof of the house Jesus is in.

Mark 2:1 - 5 & verse 12

Work Together
What are you willing to do to bring those you know to salvation?

Consider the men, family, friends, whomever, who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing.  The dug through a packed dirt roof, removed the supports below the dirt, to make a hole large enough for this man to be lowered through.

It took some effort!  And I am sure that this type of activity would have been frowned upon by the responsible members of the community.  And yet, without this action, this man would not have found freedom from his condition physically, but spiritually as well.

You have to be able to be friendly towards those whom need help.
You have to be willing to be inconvenienced.
Your local Church's outreach is one such way to get involved:

• Youth Ministry
• Prison Ministry
• Volunteer for/at the Church
• Active in sports
• Missions, long or short
• Seniors Ministries
• Scouting
• Boys/Girls Clubs

There are many, many ways to get yourself involved in bring people to find salvation (ministry) and most of them do not have to appear to be a ministry at all!  Some might be socially unacceptable.  Some might ever bring the hiss of everyone because there is something wrong with you to even think what you are doing is right.  But, you know the goal is bring your loved ones, friends and family, to Jesus for salvation - not appease the wagging tongues of your church or community.

Your goal as a Christian is to BRING as many as you can to Jesus!  Not lead a happy content life ...

2.  Obstacles Are Only Challenges
A challenge does not necessarily stop us, but causes us to think of ways around whatever the issue is.

In this case, someone needed to be presented to Jesus and the roof was the only route!  So, goodbye roof!

These, probably four or more, made themselves servants for Jesus in order to be able to bring this man to Him.  In like manner we are all to be servants to both Jesus and our fellow man.  Yet in our culture we serve ourselves not others.

Find the freedom to allow Jesus to work through you!
Find the opportunity to allow Jesus to work!

3.  Let Jesus Give More Than Is Asked For
The man's desire, maybe only his friend's  desires, was that he be healed physically.

But, to Jesus, whether the man was paralyzed or not, had nothing to do with the man's real need. He needed forgiveness.

And Jesus addressed that man's real need and forgave him his sin.

Then Mark 2:12, the man arose ... and walked out ...