Seven Characteristics In Reaching The Lost For Jesus

Date: 7 July 2007
Speaker: Patricia
Venue: Patricia's

Mark 2:1-5
And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Mark 2:11-12
“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

1) Compassion

The four friends of the paralytic man had compassion for their friend. Whoever has compassion, God will give the harvest to him.

In 1 Kings 3, the story of two women who were fighting over their rights to own a child. v26 "She yearned with compassion"

2) Faith

Mark 2:5
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

The guy was a paralytic, he could not help himself. He needed help from someone who had faith to believe for his healing. Sometimes, your faith is what helps them casr the deciding vote. Your faith leads you to pray, and prayer works.

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

3) Action

Mark 2:3
Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.

"came", "bringing", "carried by" are all action words.

4) Persistence

Mark 2:4
And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

The friends of the paralytic man did not let difficulties deter them.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

5) Creativity

Mark 2:4
And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

When their friends saw that the place was full, they creatively thought of a solution.

6) Cooperation

Two is better than one. You will have more prayer and emotional support. Infact, studies have shown that people come to Christ faster when they are in the context of a supportive group environment. Relationship is always the key to bringing people to Jesus. It starts with people in our circle of influence.

7) Sacrifice

The church is the only society that exists for the benefit of the non-members. -William Temple

Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”