Mark 2:1-12
When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Being “real” simply means that we are authentic, imperfect people who find hope and help in a perfect, loving God – and who want to help others find Him also.

John 14:11-12
“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”

Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

1. The Presence of Jesus

…and He was speaking the word to them. v. 2

Mark 1:37
“Everyone is looking for you.”

Acts 17:32-33
…some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again…”

Acts 17:34
But some…joined him and believed…

2. The Diversity of the Crowd

And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door…v. 2

3. The Faith of the Friends

And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. v. 3

They believed Jesus could heal.

How is their faith expressed?

They brought their friend.

They persisted in getting him to Jesus.

They were blessed to see him forgiven and healed.

4. The Transformation of the Paralytic

“Son, your sins are forgiven.” v. 5

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.”

Mark 2:7
“...who can forgive sins but God alone?”

God alone can forgive sins.

“I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” v. 11

Being “real” simply means that we are authentic, imperfect people who find hope and help in a perfect, loving God – and who want to help others find Him also.