Divine Solution Over Life Paralysis | Rev Dr S.O. James

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Mark 2: 1-12

INTRODUCTION
Life is about purpose and destiny fulfilment. Yet in life, there are situations and circumstances that tend to incapacitate an individual from life fulfilment. When a man is under such a situation it does not matter his age, his academic qualifications (intellect), his position or where he lives, he is rendered useless.

This was the situation of the unnamed man in our text. His life was incapacitated by paralysis. He was no longer introduced by his name or his position in the community but was simply identified by his problem. With divine connections, this man received a turning point.

Prophetic Declaration: I declare divine connection and solution that will turn around your story. Your paralysis will become your testimony.
I. DIVINE SOLUTION THROUGH HUMAN SUPPORT – vs 1-3.

The first lesson in this passage is the power and limitation of the help from man. While we must never rely on help from man (which we often emphasised), God often uses men to provide necessary help and support for men in order to connect them to their miracle.
Here we see the power and benefits of great and excellent friendship. In the time of trouble; while this man was helpless and powerless he has friends that led him to the place of miracle. Four friends carried him to Jesus in his hopeless circumstances. Friends will make or mar your destiny.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 says:
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

• Friends, who are your friends? Do you have people who can stand by you in time of trouble?
• Do you know there are people’s destiny that depends on you? If you don’t help them they may remain paralysed for life. Are there people around you that you can help to get out of their life crisis? Arise now and help them.
• What type of friend are you? Do you take people to Christ in time of their trouble?
NOTE: There are wrong possible options these friends could take:
• Abandonment: The can forsake the man like many friends will do
• Sit with him with pity and console him without providing a solution
• Take him to seek help in wrong places

NB: – The example In Acts 3:1-10 (note verse 2)
– Compare this with the man in John 5:1-11

II. DIVINE SOLUTION TO LIFE PARALYSIS DEMANDS BREAKING THE LIMITATIONS AND BARRIERS
The four friends were limited in what they could do. They had no power to heal the man but they could carry him and this they did. They were however faced with other obstacles but they will not allow this to stop them.
a. The Crowd as obstacles – Vs 2-4
You must be able to break the crowd barrier to receive your miracle. The crowd often constitute a problem in the journey of life. We can see this in the example of Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 2-5) and Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). These two men, however, did not allow the crowd to stop them from receiving their miracles.
b. The House (the roofing and ceiling) (vs. 4)
The four friends made an opening in the roof (of another man’s house). This was a desperate action and no one could stop them.
Prophetic Declaration: I declare no one will be able to stop you on your way and desperate actions for destiny fulfilment.

c. Carrying the sick man
They put him on the mat, tied a rope around him, carried him up first and then lowered him down through the opening on the roof.

III. DIVINE SOLUTION FOR LIFE PARALYSIS DEMANDS RIGHT POSITIONING FOR DIVINE ATTENTION (vs 4)
The four friends made an opening in the roof above Jesus and lowered the man down directly in front of Jesus.
• There was an immediate divine interruption. Everything stood still, the master stopped the teaching and the crowd were just gazing watching what was happening. Everything stood still for the man.
• Space was created for this man before Jesus in the crowded house.
Prophetic Declaration: As you come before Jesus today, there will be a divine interruption. Everything will stand still till you receive your miracle. You will become the centre of divine attention. Men will make way and create space for you where there was no space before.
NB: Remember the Blind Beggar Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)
• The attention and the focus of the meeting shifted from teaching to solving the man’s problem.

IV. DIVINE SOLUTION FOR PARALYSIS COMES THROUGH FAITH – Vs. 5
Faith is another key that connects people to the supernatural for a miracle.
The Bible declared; “When Jesus saw their faith …..” Jesus is looking for a man with faith today who will connect the supernatural for a personal miracle or family miracle.
If the faith of friends can work wonders in the life of a helpless sinner, how much more your personal faith as a believer?
NB: Biblical examples
• The woman with the issues of blood (Mark 5:25-29) (Note that she received her miracle while Jesus was going to Jairus house to heal his daughter.
• The Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13).

V. DIVINE SOLUTION FOR PARALYSIS COMES THROUGH FORGIVENESS OF SIN – vs. 5
– i.e. RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God
Jesus declaration to the paralysed man “Son, your sins are forgiven” is very instructive. Two things are crucial here:
• Sonship in Christ (As many as belief in him he gave the power to become the sons of God). Have you given your life to Jesus? Are you genuinely born again? (Remember the Canaanite woman-)
• Holiness- Obadiah 17; Holiness is the key to freedom, the key to miraculous encounter and the key to greater glory. Stop sinning, walk-in holiness and you will experience the power of his resurrection. Without holiness, no one can see or please God.

CONCLUSION: With divine cleansing, this man’s miracle happens in the full view of men despite the reservation of the Pharisees and teachers of the law present in the programme. The man who was carried into the house by four men stood on his feet and walked out free. He now “carries” the mat that was used to carry him. The man who was ignored by men when he was brought in, but became a hero that everyone wanted to associate with after the encounter. The crowd who once blocked the way gave him right of way as he walked out. People at home saw him as a sick and dependent man but he returned home a new man with testimony. This will be your story today.