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Faith That Breaks Barriers

Luke 5:17-26 ESV

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.[a18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Luke 5:17 ESV

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.[a

Luke 5:18 ESV

18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 

Luke 5:19 ESV

19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.

Luke 5:20 ESV

20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

Real Faith Springs Into Action

Matthew 9:2 AMP

They brought to Him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a stretcher. Seeing their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], Jesus said to the paralytic, “Do not be afraid, son; your sins are forgiven [the penalty is paid, the guilt removed, and you are declared to be in right standing with God].”

If your faith isn't manifesting itself in works or corresponding action - it's NOT real, authentic or genuine faith!

3 Traits That Should Be Present In Every Believer


  1. They had love for their friend.
  2. They had hope (in Jesus) for their friend.
  3. They had faith (in Jesus).

Luke 5:21 ESV

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Matthew 9:2 TLB

Soon some men brought him a paralyzed man on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the sick man, “Cheer up, son! For I have forgiven your sins!”

Forgiveness of sins is the GREATEST of ALL miracles

Now unless the speaker is God, this is really so preposterous as to be comic. We can all understand how a man forgives offences against himself. You tread on my toes and I forgive you, you steal my money and I forgive you. But what should we make of a man, himself unrobbed and untrodden on, who announced that he forgave you for treading on other men’s toes and stealing other men’s money? Asinine fatuity is the kindest description we should give of his conduct. Yet this is what Jesus did. He told people that their sins were forgiven, and never waited to consult all the other people whom their sins had undoubtedly injured. He unhesitatingly behaved as if He was the party chiefly concerned, the person chiefly offended in all offences. This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every sin. – CS Lewis

Luke 5:21-25 ESV

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.

Jesus' words to the cripple here, like the Word of God at creation, is IMMEDIATELY effective!

Luke 5:26 ESV

26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”


Talk It Over Questions

1. What can we learn from the persistence of the friends in bringing the paralyzed man to Jesus?


2. How can we demonstrate this kind of faith in our own lives - faith that overcomes obstacles?


3. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust Jesus not just for physical needs but for spiritual restoration?


4. How can we encourage or help others draw near to Jesus, just like the friends of the paralyzed man did?


5. What does this story challenge us to believe about the authority of Jesus over both sin and suffering?



Ask Your Kids


Luke 5:12-16


1.What did the leper do after he was healed?

 

2.Does Jesus love everyone? How do you know? 


3.What do you need to talk to Jesus about that you 

are fearful of?