Extreme Measures

“Extreme Measures” Mark 2:1-12   The Four Who Extended Mercy . . .   ·         They noticed the need of the man who was paralyzed.  (v. 3) o   Implication:  I need to notice the need of those around me.    ·         They were moved with compassion and chose to care. (v. 3) o   Implication:  I have to be intentional about choosing to care.   ·         They were willing to get involved and take some risks. (v.4) o   Implication:  I need to stop playing it safe and be willing to take some risks.   ·         They recognized that the only way this man would be healed was to take him to Jesus. (v. 5) o   Implication:  I need to take those who are in need and bring them to Jesus.   The One Who Extended Grace . . .   ·         There was nothing the paralytic did to deserve what Jesus gave him.  (v. 5) o   Jesus did what only He could do, and gave the paralytic what he needed most. Implication:  What every sinner needs most is the forgiveness of sin. o   There is nothing I have done or can do to deserve God’s forgiveness.   “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9   Questions for Discussion: 1.      There were many people who gathered after hearing that Jesus was coming home.  Why do you believe that so many wanted to see and hear Jesus?  Is there a correlation in our culture today as to why some want to see and hear Jesus but may not necessarily want to follow Him?  (Read Mark 1:45) 2.      What is it about these four men that challenge you in how you see and reach out to others around you who are in need?  3.      Why do you believe that Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” before healing this man physically?  What did the paralytic do to earn forgiveness?  Can we earn forgiveness?  Why or why not?  (Read Ephesians 2:8-9 again) 4.      Who has God placed around you that you need to notice, extended compassion to, take a risk, and bring to Jesus?  To what extremes are you willing to go to put people in the face of Jesus? 5.      Why were the scribes and Pharisees questioning Jesus and accusing Him in their hearts of blasphemy? What did Jesus act in forgiving as well as physically healing the paralytic say about Jesus’ deity? 6.      To what extremes was Jesus willing to go to extend to us forgiveness of sin?    7.      What are some takeaways from what you’ve heard and discussed?