From Jim McGuiggan... JB and, Well Done...

JB and, Well Done...

JB Whitman was a friend of mine. He was well read, passionate about Christ and the gospel and severe in his appraisal of messages that undermined that gospel. He was one of those that combined kindness with honesty and gentleness with forthrightness and that seems to be a rare ability. Because he was that way and because I knew he was I couldn’t very well debate his qualifications when he responded to one of my messages when I visited the assembly of which he was one of the shepherds.

I’m not much of a speaker and I know it. I tend to ramble too much and have real difficulty in getting from A to B to C without numerous little diversions. I admire those that know where they’re going, how to get there and who stick to the path. Then, too, I oscillate between an emotional striptease and serious “bookishness”. As a consequence I very often get in the way of the gospel I wish to present. That Sunday (though it may have been Wednesday) I felt that I had the usual wrestle but when I was done JB came and with what seemed to be deep-seated pleasure he said to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It wasn’t just what he said that made the moment memorable for me; it was the quiet and thoughtful and pleased way he said it. Still, what he said gave me a lift I’ve never lost sight of and it made me want to do what he was sure I had done on that occasion. He thought I had been true to the gospel. (It might be vanity in me that leads me to mention this; on the other hand it might be that I feel the need of such assurance that I can’t keep it in. On the other hand, maybe I just miss JB a little.)

This incident came to mind several days ago when a friend of mine completed a little series of meetings not far from here (and I didn’t get to even one of them). He came to eat with us and I asked him how he had worked with the messages he had agreed to bring. When he was done and without thinking of what I should say, I said “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That was how his report and summary had made me feel about what he had done. It was only after he was gone I made all the connections with that moment and that precious moment with JB. I was pleased to be able to say to my friend that he had done well and was a good and faithful servant because that’s what his summary had made me think. But it was in saying it to my friend that JB’s word to me became even more precious. What I had said to John was a profoundly lovely thing; he had honoured himself in being faithful and the loveliest thing I could respond with was that word. It was then—additionally—that I realised the great honour JB had bestowed on me and it meant that at least on that occasion I had dome something worthwhile, I had been faithful to Jesus and his gospel.

One of these days JB’s teacher will say to all the loyal and blessed ones, “Well done, good and faithful servant, share in the joy of your Lord.”

Mmmm, love the very thought of that!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy for allowing to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Jesus Heals A Paralytic

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                   

Jesus Heals A Paralytic (2:1-12)
INTRODUCTION

1. Among the miracles of Jesus, one of the better known is the healing
   of a paralytic...
   a. Found in all three synoptic gospels - Mt 9:1-8; Mk 2:1-12; Lk 5:
      17-26
   b. In which a man was let down through a roof by his friends to be
      healed by Jesus

2. The occasion produced a range of emotions...
   a. Jesus charged with blasphemy by some
   b. God glorified with amazement by others

[The healing of the paralytic contains several valuable lessons for us
today.  Turning to Mark's account of the miracle (Mk 2:1-12), let's
first read and examine...]

I. THE NARRATIVE

   A. HELPFUL FRIENDS...
      1. The place:  the miracle occurs in Capernaum - Mk 2:1-2
         a. Described as "His own city" - Mt 9:1; cf. Mt 4:13
         b. Located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee
         c. Served as the base for His public ministry in Galilee
         d. Preaching in a house, which soon overflowed with listeners
      2. The paralytic:  His friends carry him to Jesus - Mk 2:3-4
         a. Totally immobile, confined to a stretcher, unable to enter
         b. With great effort, his four friends let him down through the
            roof
      3. The pardon:  Jesus forgives him of his sins - Mk 2:5
         a. Jesus observes the faith of the paralytic and his friends
         b. He replies, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
         c. Matthew adds, "...be of good cheer..." - Mt 9:2
      -- It seems strange Jesus forgave him first rather than healed
         him, but Jesus' purpose will be revealed as we proceed

   B. HOSTILE FOES...
      1. The disdain of the scribes:  blasphemy! - Mk 2:6-7
         a. Luke mentions both scribes and Pharisees - Lk 5:21
         b. They reasoned in their hearts, not speaking
         c. Silently accusing Jesus of blasphemy, for only God can
            forgive sin
      2. The defense of the Savior:  He has power to forgive sin - Mk 2:
         8-10
         a. Jesus knew their hearts, their reasoning - cf. Jn 2:24-25
         b. Which is easier to say (and do):  to forgive or to heal?
         c. Both require divine authority and power
         d. Jesus has power to do both!
      -- Here is Jesus' purpose in forgiving before healing is revealed:
         to make known His divine power to forgive sins

   C. HAPPY FINALE...
      1. For the paralytic:  healed! - Mk 2:11-12a
         a. Jesus tells him to arise, take up his bed, and go home
         b. Which he does immediately, in the presence of all!
         c. Luke adds that he went "glorifying God" - Lk 5:25
      2. For the people:  amazed! - Mk 2:12
         a. The crowd has never seen anything like this!
         b. Matthew adds their amazement was that God had given such
            power to men - Mt 9:8
         c. Luke adds their amazement was joined with fear - Lk 5:26
         d. They also were "glorifying God" - Lk 5:25
      -- A man healed, people amazed, Jesus' power made known, but most
         of all, God is glorified!

[From helpful friends to hostile foes to a happy finale, the healing of
the paralytic is a wonderful story. But it is more than just a story.
There are lessons to be gleaned.  Here, then, are...]

II. SOME LESSONS

   A. THE POWER OF CHRIST TO FORGIVE SINS...
      1. On earth, Jesus demonstrated His power to forgive sins
         a. Not only in the case of the paralytic - Mk 2:5,10-11
         b. But also with the woman who washed and anointed His feet
            - Lk 7:44-48
         c. And for the thief on the cross - Lk 23:39-43
      2. From heaven, Jesus continues to have power to forgiven sins
         a. Made possible by the shedding of His blood - Mt 26:28; Ep 1:7
         b. Offered to those who respond to His gospel - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:
            38; 10:42-43; 22:16
         c. Ever available to those who walk with God - 1Jn 1:7,9
      -- Have we looked to Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins?

   B. THE PRECIOUSNESS OF FRIENDS WITH FAITH...
      1. The paralytic was blessed with friends with faith
         a. Jesus saw "their faith" - Mk 2:5
         b. Evidenced by their great effort to assist their paralyzed
            friend
         c. Without them, the paralytic would have been unable to come
            to Jesus
      2. Do we have and appreciate friends with faith?
         a. In His church, Jesus provides us with many friends with
            faith
         b. Brethren ready to assist and serve us in time of need
         c. Does our involvement in the local church indicate that we
            appreciate such friends? - cf. He 10:24-25
         d. If a brother is in need, can they rely on our faith? - e.g.,
            Ga 6:1-2
      -- Nurture your network of friends with faith, and share your
         faith with them!

   C. THE PRIVILEGES SO EASILY SQUANDERED...
      1. The miracle occurred in the city of Capernaum
         a. Described as Jesus' "own city" - Mt 9:1
         b. There He did many wonderful works
            1) Healed the centurion's servant - Mt 8:5-13
            2) Healed Peter's mother-in-law - Mt 8:14-15
            3) Cast out many spirits in the demon-possessed - Mt 8:16
            4) From Cana He healed the nobleman's son at Capernaum - Jn4:46-54
         c. Yet those in the city brought judgment upon themselves - cf.
            Mt 11:23-24
      2. Have we squandered our privileges?
         a. Living in a country where God's Word is freely accessible?
         b. Blessed to be near a congregation of fellow Christians?
         c. Having many opportunities to grow and serve in the work of
            the Lord?
         d. "...For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will
            be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him
            they will ask the more." - Lk 12:48
      -- We have been given much by the Lord, let us give much in
         return!

CONCLUSION

1. The healing of the paralytic reveals a man...
   a. Who was in need
   b. Who was blessed with good friends
   c. Who was forgiven of his sins by Jesus Christ

2. We all are like that paralyzed man...
   a. With needs only Jesus can fulfill
   b. Who needs forgiveness that only Jesus has power to bestow
   c. With friends of faith willing to help

But are we like the paralyzed man in regards to faith?  His faith led to
Jesus fulfilling his needs.  May we have the same faith today...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Big dogs beware

The other day, I mentioned we had taken buddy home with us and once again, here is a picture of the little guy. But OH, how deceiving pictures can be; there is more to him than just the shy appearance shown here.  This little dog is 12 years old but acts like one that is much, much younger.  I am amazed at his pep and frankly, his intelligence is a little surprising.  Today, I slept in and I awoke to find that my Linda had went to the hospital already to do the volunteering that she loves.  So, after I dressed and finished my normal morning routine, I thought of Buddy and the walk that he should have.  So, even before I finished my first cup of coffee, I had him on the leash and off we went.  We no sooner had rounded the corner of our block when my next door neighbor (three doors up the street) and his beautiful black Labrador Retriever became visible.  Immediately, Buddy barked furiously and lunged on the leash.  He pulled so hard that he actually was on his hind legs most of the time.  Buddy became a hound from Hell.  He was not intimidated by this dog that was probably four times his size.  On the contrary, the Lab was trying to get away from HIM!!!  I thought, Dorothy should have named him something like Rex or Tiger, but no, she gave him this innocent little name.  People, like dogs, will surprise you with their courage.  The incident this morning reminded me of the famous episode of young David and the gigantic Goliath...

1 Samuel, Chapter 17

 1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.  2 Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.  3 The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.  4 There went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  5 He had a helmet of brass on his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. 6 He had brass shin armor on his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders.  7 The staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and his shield bearer went before him.  8 He stood and cried to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to set your battle in array? Am I not a Philistine, and you servants to Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.  9 If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then you will be our servants, and serve us.”  10 The Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day! Give me a man, that we may fight together!” 

  11  When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.  12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man was an old man in the days of Saul, stricken among men.  13 The three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.  14 David was the youngest; and the three eldest followed Saul.  15 Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.  16 The Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.  17 Jesse said to David his son, “Now take for your brothers an ephah ^*n1 of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers;  18 and bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers are doing, and bring back news.”  19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.  20 David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the place of the wagons, as the army which was going out to the fight shouted for the battle.  21 Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.  22 David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.  23 As he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke according to the same words: and David heard them. 24 All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were terrified.  25 The men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? He has surely come up to defy Israel. It shall be, that the man who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.” 

  26  David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 

  27  The people answered him in this way, saying, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.” 

  28  Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the naughtiness of your heart; for you have come down that you might see the battle.” 

  29  David said, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”  30 He turned away from him toward another, and spoke like that again; and the people answered him again the same way.  31 When the words were heard which David spoke, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he sent for him.  32 David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 

  33  Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 

  34  David said to Saul, “Your servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb out of the flock,  35 I went out after him, and struck him, and rescued it out of his mouth. When he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and struck him, and killed him.  36 Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”  37 David said, “Yahweh who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” 

Saul said to David, “Go; and Yahweh shall be with you.”  38 Saul dressed David with his clothing. He put a helmet of brass on his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.  39 David strapped his sword on his clothing, and he tried to move; for he had not tested it. David said to Saul, “I can’t go with these; for I have not tested them.” David took them off. 

  40  He took his staff in his hand, and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his wallet. His sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine.  41 The Philistine came on and drew near to David; and the man who bore the shield went before him.  42 When the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair face.  43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” The Philistine cursed David by his gods.  44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky, and to the animals of the field.” 

  45  Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  46 Today, Yahweh will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you, and take your head from off you. I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky, and to the wild animals of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,  47 and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh doesn’t save with sword and spear: for the battle is Yahweh’s, and he will give you into our hand.” 

  48  When the Philistine arose, and came and drew near to meet David, David hurried, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  49 David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, and slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.  50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 

David was but a youth, but his confidence in God made him fearless.  Other didn't understand it, but nonetheless, David was a zealous as zealous could be!!! 

I can't even remember how many times I have read this story, but one verse stands out.  It is interesting to me that in verse 40 David picked up five stones.  Why?  I think those stones were for Goliath's brothers.  Because if Goliath fell in battle, they were obligated to take his place.  Well, they didn't and David prevailed - the Philistines fled.  Just goes to show you, its not size that matters, its confidence that counts.  Buddy may be only eighteen or so inches, but inside he has the heart of a LION!!!  BIG DOGS BEWARE!!!!