Sermon Notes

September 22nd \\ The Elephant In The Room \\ WHY JESUS? \\ Tim Fisher, Lead Pastor

Mark 2:1-12 - 1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

“This is the teaching of an egotistical maniac or an evil manipulator, or God in the flesh.” - C.S. Lewis

What am I going to do with Jesus?

The Problem With Jesus

Jesus claims authority over all of heaven and earth. He presents himself not as one possible path to God, but as God himself. We can choose not to believe him. But he cannot be one truth among many. He has not given us that option.

Why Jesus?

John 14:1-6 - 1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

It is PERSONAL. He IS the way. Jesus wants me to KNOW Him.

It is PROFOUND. He IS the truth. Jesus wants me to FOLLOW Him.

• Jesus answers the question of my ORIGIN

• Jesus answers the question of my PURPOSE

• Jesus answers the question of my MORALITY

• Jesus answers the question of my DESTINY

It is POWERFUL. He IS the life. Jesus wants me to TRUST Him.

Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

What am I going to do with Jesus?

• Monday: Mark 2:1-12

• Tuesday: John 14:1-14

• Wednesday: John 11:17-44

• Thursday: Acts 4:1-22

• Friday: Matthew 28:16-20