How to Get Saved Out of a Works-Based Religion - Matthew 9:1-8

On Palm Sunday, we're going to continue on in our series in the

book of Matthew. We are in Chapter 9 now.

We've made it. Through Chapter 8 last week.

But chapter 8 and 9 we have been focusing on the miracles of

Jesus. Matthew wrote these down in this

way chronologically or or in a way that many stories are lumped

and. Piled together because that's

what the way the holy. Spirit told him to write it,

but. But there's a.

Reason that we need to pay attention to each.

Story because it's all. Revealing to us salvation.

Who? Christ.

Is how how Christ has. Come to save.

People and so today specifically.

We're in Matthew Chapter 9 one through 7 and I've titled the

Matthew 9 · chapter mention

message Getting saved out of. Worked, works based religion.

Now, many of you when you hear the word religion, there's

usually a negative connotation to it, right?

Like. We we think, oh, religion is man

made and and you've. Probably said this before I have

said this. Before that, Christianity isn't

about religion, it's about a relationship, right?

You don't have to raise your hand if you said that.

I know what we mean when we say. That but we.

Also have to understand that the word religion in and of itself

isn't a bad word it it just means devotion.

Religion is an outward expression of our.

Faith. And it's an.

It can be ordered and organized because.

If we look at scripture. The Bible does make it.

Clear that God is. Particular, and he does care.

About. How we come to him and how we

live. And there are certain commands

and and and laws and yes, there is also grace and forgiveness.

And we come to. Christ as we are, but.

But he's doing a work in US and conforming us to something.

There is truth to follow. So religion in and of itself is

not a bad word. The word is used several.

Times in the New Testament in James chapter one verse 26 it

says if anyone thinks he's religious and does not bridle

his tongue but. Deceives his heart this.

Person religion is worthless, religion that is pure and

undefiled. Before God the Father is this to

visit. Orphans and widows in their

affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world, that's

not a bad thing. There's a, there's got.

To be an organized way in which not only we come to the.

Lord, but but that we also live our.

Lives so that we can grow in our faith and that's what the word

really means is a devotion. What is our devotional time look

like? How?

Are we devoted to the? Lord, how is it organized?

It's a good thing that we have organized church that we have,

we meet at a certain time where everybody can be like, I can be

there at that time and, and we can do this and we can do that.

And it ends at this time. And hopefully the preacher does

end on time, you know, so that we can get out for lunch.

The problem with religion happens when you start adding

people to it, though. When you add people, when you

add men, corrupt men who are sinful, and all human beings are

sinful. We're all imperfect in nature,

and we have If you're a Christian, you have two natures.

You want to follow God with one of one part of your nature, but

then you want to follow your own desires.

That's called your flesh. You do that and there's this war

in US. And so when you add these

imperfect men and women to religion, now you have corrupt

systems, and now you have systems.

Which which is probably what? You think of when we say the

word religion is people trying to control.

Access to God. And that's what I mean when we

say works based religion, because Christianity is

different from any other religion out there in the world.

We are saved by grace. Alone, through faith alone and

Christ alone, we do nothing on our own merit.

That song that we were seeing singing is explaining that we

don't come to Christ with our own works.

Nothing. I bring only to the cross of

Christ. I cling.

It's the work that he did. But when we are involved.

With. Trying to carry on this religion

that Christ started. We corrupt it.

And so then what people have done is they've added.

To scripture they've. Added to or misinterpreted the

Bible, misinterpreted the Old Testament, misinterpreted what

Jesus has said, and and and they.

Say OK, Jesus is good, but we also got to do XY.

And Z to get to heaven. We got to be worthy of his

sacrifice. We've got to meet him halfway

and you've got to keep this up in order to.

Have the grace or to have. The gift, which makes zero sense

logically. And there are workspace

religions all. Out there that have it.

Wrong and therefore even the atheists have a religion right

everything is a devotion or an organized way of thinking about

something and so why I've titled it today getting saved out of

workspace religions because anybody who does get saved

basically needs to get. Out of their way of.

Thinking about how they. Are a good person.

How they make it to God and really understand.

How we're supposed. To come to the Lord.

Through Jesus. And so I've got three points on

our text today, and the first one.

Is this if you're? Thinking about that person in

your life that's like, man, this would be so good for them to

hear. Or maybe you're like, yes, I'm

finally going to learn how to talk to my neighbor or talk to

my my coworker. Well, here's where I think it

starts. If you want to get.

People saved out of workspace. Religion, then you've.

Got to have faith. That gets your friends to Jesus.

Let's look at this first part of this text.

It says. In Chapter 9, verse one and two

and getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own

city and behold, some people brought to him a paralytic lying

on a bed, and when Jesus saw their.

Faith, he said to the paralytic take.

Heart, my son, your sins are forgiven.

Hey, a little bit of context. We.

Over the last several weeks have talked about where Jesus is He's

been. Around the Sea of Galilee, he's

doing his ministry all around. The Sea of Galilee He crossed

over to the other side. Through a storm, he challenged

the disciples faith on the other side.

Last week we talked about. He met some demons there.

He cast the demons into. Pigs and it's a crazy story.

You should read that go. Listen to the sermon last.

Week. But now.

It says that they're. Getting back into the boat and

going. Across to the other side.

Again and came to his own city and we know from context.

That. Before he came over, he was

staying with. Peter, where he healed his.

Mother-in-law, we looked at that.

So, so the house. That they're in now is back at.

Peter's house with his. Family and his mother-in-law

and. Jesus is.

Preaching there, he's teaching and.

There are all these people. That are pressing around.

He's become extremely famous because not not, not only.

Because of his. His.

Preaching and teaching that is contrary to the religious.

Leaders of the day. He's also proving who he.

Is and proving what he's saying is true and worth listening to

by doing miracles and casting out demons and healing people

who are sick and. And so that's.

Kind of the context here and and it's not in, not.

All these details are. In Matthew.

So we have to go. To Mark's version to get a

little. Bit of the fuller.

Story here so mark chapter. 2. It says and when he returned to

Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home

and many were gathered together so that there was no more room,

not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to

them, and they came bringing to him a.

Paralytic carried by 4. Men, and when they could not get

near him. Because of the crowd, they.

Removed the roof above him and when they had made an opening

they let down. The bed.

On which the paralytic lay. So the fuller.

Picture from Mark. Is is.

That this is that famous story. Maybe you've heard it.

Before of the. Friends lowering down their

paralytic friend from the roof because there was no room inside

of this house. As he was preaching.

To the word, to them. It's such an interesting

experience, you know to. To think of these guys's faith

was was that is that if I could just.

Get my friend to. Jesus that a miracle could.

Happen and that's what I'm talking about in my.

My first point is that. Their faith is what Jesus.

Is is somewhat amazed by and he's moved.

By that they would press through.

And and go through all this action to get up on top of the

roof. I mean, it's not telling us how

hit they got him up on the roof. Maybe there's stairs that go up

to the? Roof a lot of times in.

Israel there are there are flat roofs.

That you can go up and walk on and there are.

Stairs to get up there. But anyway, they've got him on a

stretcher and they're taking them up there and they decide

we're going to just. Cut right through here.

And you know, if that was my home, I'd.

Probably be you know. A little bit angry, right?

If it was at church. You know, and they're like, man,

I need to get somebody to Jesus. You know, I'd say there's quite

a. Few empty seats like you didn't

need to. Do that, but here it's.

Jam packed, you got hundreds, if not, if not, you know thousands

surrounding the house. It would be crowded around.

Jesus, but the thing. Here I want to focus on is

their. Faith, their faith.

Was willing. To do whatever it took.

To get them this man in front of Jesus.

Now you and I cannot believe. For another person.

So let's. Not get that mixed up.

I can have all the faith in the world, but that ain't getting my

spouse, my kids, my friends, my coworkers to heaven.

They have to have. Their own personal relationship

and devotion to Jesus Christ. Faith in Him alone, right?

Everyone has to have that faith moment.

But it does work. God works this way.

Though God uses other people, He uses us.

To make sure his message. Gets across to other people or

to. To make sure that we we get them

in front of someone who can deliver the message.

You see? That's what's going on here.

Jesus is. Preaching the word of God and we

don't have now. Jesus physically here at church.

OK, but spiritually speaking, he.

Is with us. When we gather, but even.

Probably. More in line or more in context

when we. Preach the word of God.

Jesus is speaking to us. When we.

Read the Word of God. When we sing the word of God,

when we hear. It out loud this is.

Jesus talking to us now I'm not saying all of my words

specifically, especially when I tell my.

Stories and stupid jokes are. God, So don't get that wrong.

I'm not a prophet. There's no such thing as a

prophet anymore. I work for a nonprofit

organization. You know, we don't believe in

prophets anymore. But the word of God preached is

as if God is speaking. To your heart and your soul.

When it is done truthfully and accurately.

Now there's a lot of false. Preaching.

We'll get to that later. So then.

How does it work we? In somehow, some way, need to be

desperate to get our friends and family in front of Jesus.

Meaning get them to church, get them to a hearing of some

preaching or. Bring Jesus.

To them by expounding on scripture.

Yourself. Learning it from church,

learning it in your discipleship groups, and then being able to.

Read these words. And tell the people and even

praying you can intercede for another person by praying and

saying. Lord, I'm trying to get.

This person to you and obviously God.

Is is everywhere all? At once and so.

But you're you're. You're you're.

Coming to God on their. Behalf that's.

What these guys are doing, this guy could not get there on his

own. People need other people to lead

them to Jesus and to be desperate.

To do so. So my question is, do we have?

That type of faith do we think the power of the preached word

of God. Can change his soul.

Do we? Pray with enough faith to

believe that God can save a Sinner as he saved.

US because that is the way that it works.

Romans 10/17, one of my favorite.

Verses that I always have to go back to is that.

When we're thinking about how. Does God save people like?

We know it's through the crucifixion and faith.

Like. Faith in Christ and Him dying

for our sins. That's how He.

Saves people, but how does it work?

In time. Well, God uses something and

it's. Called a call.

Before someone repents and believes they have to be.

Called they have to hear the word.

Nobody just believes out of nowhere, not hearing anything

that's not. How God does it?

Even if there was some kind of supernatural working where God.

Was was. Leading a person or you've heard

sometimes that you know, maybe in the Middle East or in Muslim

countries that they get dreams they're not necessarily getting

saved in the dream, but they're getting they're getting drawn

and pulled to go listen to. The word preached out loud.

And listen to someone who can explain it to them.

This is how it works. This is biblically how it.

Works, and I know that there are some people who might disagree.

With that but this? Is where I come back.

To this verse. Romans 10/17 So faith comes from

hearing and hearing. Through the word of Christ, this

is how faith. Comes about.

God does it this way. It has to have a call.

Again, I I I make fun of this quote by Saint Francis of Assisi

who says share the Gospel and if.

If possible, use words. Well, that's ridiculous.

And he's talking about. Do good works out.

There in the world and maybe. People will see Christ.

In you but no. It just doesn't work that way

without the the audible call. Nobody's going to see it, man.

You know that Christian really takes.

Care of their yard. Really.

Well, they must know Jesus, you know.

Or look at look. You know, look at.

Look at how they drive. The speed limit all the time

down our Rd. It might help that they know

you're a Christian and they see that you.

Live a a godly life. But it's not enough to get them

saved. They need to hear, do you have

enough faith to share with them? And again, it doesn't have to be

our own. Our own.

Words. And that's why.

I always tell people, what should I say?

To someone and it's like. Well, there's all these words.

All you got to do is just try to.

Open it up and like. Oh, Jesus said this.

Here and read. This because the word does the

work. That's the other way it works is

that God uses. His own word to bring about that

faith. Isaiah 5511 So shall my word.

Be that goes out. From my mouth it shall not

return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Not a word. Falls to.

The ground without God having. Used it for its purpose.

Now, people will reject. We know that probably most of

the time, but and we know that God is sovereign and, and and

it's not just by humans own capability for them to

understand these things that they come to faith.

But we must understand that people come to faith by a call,

and that comes from us having enough faith to get our friends.

To Jesus, who, by the way, is the word of God.

Made flesh. There's so much that what that

means by the way and I can't get to it but.

The word of God. He is the communication

physically from God to us that we could comprehend.

He became human. The word of God is.

Something that you should. Revere that you should have

respect for that. You should believe that.

There's power in the word. A quote.

That might help us understand this from John Calvin, he says.

We owe to scripture. The same reverence that we owe

to. God, because it has proceeded.

From him alone and has nothing belonging to man mixed with it

this. Is what you would call.

Comes from the doctrine of. Scripture is that all scripture

is God. Breathed.

And it was. It was written down.

As the Holy. Spirit carried along men to

write it down. It's perfect.

It's not like some of God's ideas, some of man's ideas, and

we mixed. It together.

No. This is all God's.

Truth being controlled when it was written, so much so that

there are no errors, do. We have that type of faith.

In. God's Word that we would read

it. To them, say it to them, invite

them to come and hear it. And I'll tell you what, there's

a great opportunity next week. Easter, by the way, a lot of

people for. Some reason, and maybe you were

one of those. Maybe you came to faith.

Because you started. To come and come into church on

Easter. But people.

Come to church on. Christmas and Easter, we call

them creasters, you know, and they do that, you know, I don't

know, out of some kind of like maybe religious obligation, it's

been built into their, you know, kind of culture or history,

family history. They come on Christmas and

Easter and that's. That's why we do.

We make a big. Deal of Easter?

Well, most. Importantly, because what it

really is is Resurrection Day. Jesus rose from the dead on a

Sunday and one day. A year we celebrate.

That around the time that that we think it possibly could have

happened on the calendar and it's OK.

To celebrate those types of holidays.

But the other reason is that we know that.

There's a lot of people that got God uses this for people that

are lost that I. I can't tell you all the reasons

why people are coming to church on that day.

Maybe they. Got dragged to church.

And they didn't want to go, maybe.

They're there because they're desperate.

Maybe it's because the friend brought them, but that.

Could be you do? We have enough faith to invite

them. Secondly, we need to in order to

help people. Get saved out of workspace.

Religion because we need to. Realize that false.

Religion minimizes Jesus and we need to be diligent about

knowing the true. Jesus so that.

We can warn them of the false teachings about him.

It goes on and says and behold, some of the scribes said to

themselves, this man is blaspheming.

But Jesus, knowing their hearts, said, Why do you think evil in

your hearts? Jesus has.

Come to his own people. Mind you, the Jewish faith was

in the beginning. Set up by God, He chose a

people. To represent him to the.

World and he had told. Them time and time again, I'm

I'm coming. Even though you reject my

prophets and and kill them, I'm coming.

Finally, myself. I'm coming.

The sun is coming, the Messiah is coming, and he will.

Set all things right, he. Will come.

To forgive you of your. Sins and they've missed it,

they've missed it. They've missed his mercy and

compassion. His.

Power the religious people. Reject him for not fitting into

their made-up system. Because what did they do?

They even corrupted the system that God established.

They. Corrupted it, did you know?

That the Bible has 6. 113 Old Testament laws in command.

Some of those things are moral, some of them are ceremonial,

some of them. Are civil, we say.

Definitely the moral commands. Still.

Still. Transferred to the New

Testament, the ceremonial ones. Christ fulfilled those the

civil. Ones there's some good

principles in there, but don't. Fully apply to us what the

Pharisees. Did of Judaism was add thousands

of laws on top of these 613 laws.

Because they they. Wanted to make sure that they

never broke any of. God's laws so.

They made-up their own way of being protected from breaking

God's laws, and maybe that starts from the right.

Heart, right? But that's where.

Legalism comes from it's like. OK, God's Word says this, but

we're going to take it further or God says this.

And we're going to. But we're going to say.

Oh, that's not a big deal. There's two sides to this.

Thing with religions that minimize Jesus, it's overdoing

it with legalism and under under preaching repentance and

following the Lord's commands. Anyway, they call this guy.

They call Jesus a blasphemer. Because they reject that that he

has the. Power to forgive sins, if you if

you remember. He had just said.

The the crazy thing is about this story is they bring this

guy on the the. Cot to.

Jesus, and instead of Jesus healing him right there.

What did he? Say, he said, my son, your sins

are forgiven. Now, you can only imagine what's

going on in everybody's head because they might, you know,

some of them did believe that he was the Messiah, and probably.

Got it. A lot of people were like, what

does? That mean, you know, I was

coming here for a healing. I was coming here.

For you to do. Something for me and you're

telling me my sins are forgiven? The Pharisees are like.

Whoa, wait a minute. They know that this has

implications. To it because later we'll we'll

see that it. Says only God can forgive sins.

But they're they're. Saying he's a blasphemer.

Why? Because blasphemy means to

slander or revile, to speak in an irreverent or impious manner.

To speak. Lightly or profanely about

sacred things. And in this instance, if Jesus

wasn't God. He would be guilty of.

Blasphemy of of basically bringing God down to his own

level, speaking lightly of it or profanely of it, reviling God,

abusing the holiness and. Glory of God.

By making it common. And that's so, as I said.

There are examples on both. Sides of this of how?

Religion. Either is too LAX or too

legalistic. We're we're either irreverent.

And we think it's, you know. Jesus.

Jesus is good with. Everything I do in my life and

he loves me and he doesn't want me to change anything, do

anything. I don't need to even look into

my own heart. I don't even need to agree with

sin, but sin is sin as long as I just mentally.

Have this. Ascent of who Jesus is and never

change anything and nothing ever happens in my life and I

continue to sin nonstop and feeling no remorse that's OK and

that's. The type of Jesus.

That some people preach that. It's.

There's no forsaking sin. There's no following after

Christ. There's no joining in with His

mission and what He's doing with His Church on earth.

There's no. There's no loving him back and

we know that. That's just erroneous and.

I would say that our. Country and all over the.

World there are churches that to.

Try to reach more people and these what I'd call seeker

sensitive. Churches to try to.

Reach more people They really. Leave a lot of stuff.

Out they really just won't say a lot of the things we have been

walking verse by verse through Matthew and what I've found.

Is Jesus. Is a pretty intense guy, he is.

He's also more loving, compassionate, gracious, kind,

and powerful than you could ever imagine.

But he also. Challenges and when you walk

through. The word verse by verse.

You're not leaving anything out, you get to.

Hear all that God has for you. You get to hear the whole

counsel of God. But but there are churches where

it's like. We're going to jump from.

Topic to topic. And we're going to do the things

that we believe. The.

Seekers, Not even the believers. But the seekers?

How can we get them in and fill these seats?

How can we? What's interesting to them?

You know, let's do. A pop psychology series.

You know, and then. Let's do oh, this.

One drives me nuts. Is the.

At the movie series. There are a lot of churches that

it's like they take they'll. The newest movie that's out,

we're going to do a sermon on the plot line of the movie and

sometimes. They dress up like the.

Superhero in the movie they. Got their whole their whole

stage. Is this background of this this

movie right? I could go on and on.

This is a pet peeve of mine. If you didn't know, that's the

that's irreverent. Honestly, you're bringing all

this common worldly stuff in and you don't believe the first

point that it's. The word of God that saves

people. And that it's if you just get

them to Jesus, not all this pop psychology, not just kind of

bait and switching them. That's not how it works if you

believed in the word. Of God you would give.

Them the word of God and if you had a.

Proper fear of the Lord or respect of the Lord you'd be.

Like I'm going to do this in in in a in a.

Reverent way by the way. You know, one of the things that

on our website we we came up with these kind of three phrases

reverent. Worship Biblical.

Teaching faithful community. And that's what we mean when we

say. Reverent worship is like we.

Want to and we want to. Keep it biblical, we.

Want to keep it within? God's will we.

Want to worship in the ways that he's?

Said to I don't want to keep taking artistic license to the

the. Extremes of now I.

Look just like the world. I do not believe.

That that's what God's will is for His church.

We are to look like separate to some degree, weirdos.

You know, to the unbelievers. Like boy, they're weird.

You know. They follow the laws they have.

Well manicured I'm just kidding that's not that is not it right

it's no they they don't they don't join in with in the jokes

at work and and they. They have their.

Schedules laid out so much so that they they make.

Sure that corporate worship is a.

Priority and they're always meeting and they're always

studying the Bible and they're always praying and they're

praying at meals and it's like. These people are just weird.

You know, to the world. Right.

That's a good thing, because we don't care what the world.

Thinks I care what God. Thinks even more so than trying

to reach people with some bait and switch tactic now.

The other side. Is the legalism adding all kinds

of things that God did not say? That's where we have.

A lot of false religions, right? Every other religion that you

can think of. That we're close to is the fault

of works. Based religion, meaning that

we've we've added now these. Extra steps to get to the Lord.

We've got to not only follow the Bible.

But this other book, this. Other book.

And then we've got to believe that.

The Pope or the prophet or the. President and his writings are.

Equal to scripture. And, and and bring all that into

account and that's all keeping people.

Separated from God as well. False.

Religion minimizes Jesus, and it minimizes them on both sides.

If you think you. Have to work your way or follow

the law to get to Jesus. Or join a religion and do all of

its sacraments to be worthy. What are you doing?

You are minimizing Christ on the cross.

You're saying that he's not enough.

You're saying that he's not powerful enough, he's not big

enough, and that his death wasn't sufficient.

And far be it from any of us to ever.

Think that or say that that's. Blasphemy.

That is heresy. Jesus is enough.

We need to get in front of Him, hear his words, understand how

big. He truly is.

He is God, everybody. Wants to become just a.

A teacher these days, though, I've.

Noticed it you know you're you're on on YouTube or

Instagram or Facebook and even athletes and actors and famous

people, they might all of a sudden.

Get a taste for Jesus. And although they're not

qualified because they barely know anything, they're spending

minutes or hours doing videos about teaching Christians.

What the Bible? Says and how to live.

Everybody wants to be a teacher. Everybody wants and this.

Is where Where? We're scared of religion.

We're like. I don't have to follow anybody

or do anything. I can just me and my Bible.

You know, me and my Bible go up to the mountains and I, I don't.

Meet a lot of people that take their Bible.

Up to the mountains, but me and my Bible alone and I don't need

church, I don't need any organized way of devotion.

And what ends up happening is they themselves fall into false

teaching and all kinds of beliefs because they're not

believing that God. Did leave a structure, He did

leave. A church he did leave.

His body here on earth and there is a whole.

History of the Church that we can go.

Back and look at and we can say here's where they got it wrong.

Here, here and here, and here's. Where they fought bad teaching.

Here and here, and we don't have to reinvent the wheel.

James 31. Not many of you should become

teachers, my brothers, for you know that.

We who teach will be. Judged with a greater strictness

and Jude 110 tells us. That false teachers will be

judged in. Hell, Jude 110 But these people

blasphemy all that they do not understand blasphemy, and they

are destroyed. By all that they.

Like unreasoning, animals understand instinctively they

are. Outside of the church, but.

Wanting to make their way in, maybe even start their own

church, right? But Jesus is who we.

Follow and we do it his. Way.

In Mark's version of the story. Of this passage it says.

Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in

their hearts, why does this man? Speak like that he is.

Blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God

alone? You know what?

They're partially right here. Only God can forgive sins.

Now they're wrong about calling Jesus a blasphemer, but only God

can forgive sins, and that's. What this story is about, that

is what this story is about, Christ has the authority to

raise up. Sinners from spiritual paralysis

will go on in the passes. For which is easier to say your.

Sins are forgiven or to say rise and walk, but that you may know

that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive

sins he then said to the. Paralytic rise Pick up your.

Bed and go home and he rose and went home, and when the crowd.

Saw it, they were afraid. And they glorified God, who had

given such authority to men, So he in these.

First parts of these verses. He's he's almost reasoning with

them like. Why are you?

Why are? You confused.

Why do you have this? Wrong.

Which is easier for? Somebody can just say your sins

are forgiven. Like what's the big deal with

that? Compared to what I'm about to

do, that's what he's saying. I'm not just saying I have.

The authority. I will prove it to you.

And he's a man of action and of proof, not just of talk.

And he makes this man. Rise.

He is proving that he is God in the flesh, mercifully.

And by the way, just so you know, this guy does absolutely

nothing. Here's where we get.

Rid of workspace religion. Here he did nothing.

His friends. Brought him on a cot and we

don't have any. Record of the guy.

Saying a single thing. He didn't come and say let me

pass the test, Jesus, let me say this magical incantation in the

right formula and hope you'll save me.

It doesn't. Say, he said a single.

Thing. But Jesus looks at him

mercifully and wants to bless him by forgiving his sins, which

is more important than healing him, but using him as an

example, showing he has the authority to even do so.

And this man represents. Our state.

You want to get saved. Out of a works based.

Religion or get saved at all. Then you have to come to Christ.

However you got there. With bringing nothing with 0.

Ability to do anything because that's what this this guy's

picture. Is meant for.

Us to see this is called. Doctrinally, total inability.

Ephesians 21 says that. All people.

All people. Are dead in their trespasses and

sins, the Psalms. Tells us that we were.

Born in our iniquity and sin. We are spiritually dead.

And no one, no one can even reason their way to believing

who. Jesus is.

It is a miracle. It is a gift.

In fact, I love this verse. John 644 No one can come to me

unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him

up on the last day. You see?

What's going on here is this guy has nothing that he can do.

For the Lord. No qualifications, basically

useless. Now what?

Does that do to yours? And my pride, did you come here

today thinking, you know what, I could I have some things to

offer to Jesus if I add myself to what's going on here?

I mean he. Could really use.

Me, you know I, I. Could really do some great

things for the. Lord, and then He'll have favor

on me, and then maybe if I do it well enough, I can get to

heaven. But we know how.

That track record works out is you start.

With maybe some, well, intentions and then what

happens? You just fail over and over

again. And then what ends up happening

and then you leave. You just never come back for a

while. Just like you just feel.

Guilty that you can't measure up, you can't do the things

that. You thought you could do for the

Lord just. Rest, though, in the fact that

he's not asking anything of you. As far as it goes with.

Salvation. He's doing it all.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws.

One of my favorite analogies of this was by Vodi Baucom, who?

Said it's like this. You know we think of salvation.

As we're out there. Drowning in the the ocean,

that's our sin. We're in our sin and Jesus comes

along and he throws a. Life raft or a life preserver

and he's like just. Swim to it, you know, just swim

to it. Grab it.

And once you grab. It that's.

You doing the work of repentance and faith and and and and trying

to understand and study and all of that and if you just.

Will do those. Things then you will be.

Saved. But then he says, but Vodi.

Says this, but here's the. Problem Dead men don't grab

things we can't even reach. For the life preserver.

This paralytic cannot even reach out his hand to Jesus.

That was you and me. We can't come here and say that

I was so humble and I was so ready and I did this, this and

this and and now Jesus has mercy on me and I'm so thankful to him

and me. That's not how it works, however

you came to. Him.

It was a miracle. It probably happened because

somebody was had enough faith in Jesus and the Word.

Of God that they. Told you about him and.

Drug you to church or God? Drew you somehow to.

Hear the word of. God and eventually out of

nowhere, you're like, I understand.

I never understood a single thing.

It was all so terribly. Boring when I was a.

Child or or this or that, but all of a.

Sudden something flipped and it was like.

Wow, I I heard every word you said, preacher.

I can't believe it made sense and all the sudden you have

conviction and. This is how God works by.

Grace, you have been saved. I love how.

Ephesians 2 goes on. It says but.

God being rich in mercy. Because of the great love with

which he loved. Us, even when we were dead in

our. Trespasses.

Made us alive together with Christ.

When we were dead, He made. Us alive by his grace.

And his mercy. He was saved by faith.

And this is not of your own doing.

It's a gift of God, not a result of works that no man may boast.

This is what this. Story is pointing to and.

Here's how. Luke 526 this all also in Luke

and I just wanted to pull. This out as we close what how

Luke's. Version ends the story.

An amazement sees them all and they glorified God and we're

filled with awe, saying we have seen extraordinary things today.

Let me tell you this, when you see a Christian, a real true

Christian, you've seen an extraordinary miracle walking

you and me. When you look at your own life,

you can say you know what I am a miracle.

I was as good as dead. I was like this paralytic.

I bring nothing, I have nothing to offer, and yet God rose me

up. He revived my soul.

I want to follow Him now, and I don't do it perfectly.

And I slip and I fall, but the difference?

Is is that I love? Him and I need him.

I'm not concerned about doing life my own way anymore.

I want to find out how he wants me to live and I'm not going to

follow the false teachings I'm going to be.

Aware of who Jesus is so. That I can fight against it.

And that's our whole Christian life as we're spent.

We're trying to fight sin, find out who Jesus is more and more,

grow closer to him, and trusting though that he holds us in the

palm of his hand, we are safe and we are going to make it to

heaven. This is an extraordinary thing.

Do not lose the passion, don't lose the excitement, don't lose

the the miracle of your own salvation.

Allow that. To be the fuel for how you

follow. Him.

The rest of your life close with this.

Get your friends to Jesus next week and beyond.

Get right. Doctrine so you can point out

false religion that always minimizes the person and work of

Jesus. Christ.

Realize that only. God has the ability.

And the authority to save sinners.

And he does it. By the Spirit and through His

Word, let's pray. Oh Lord, we are so thankful God

that you. You reveal to us.

Week in and week out, day in and.

Day out, every hour. Your mercy, your kindness, Your

love. For.

Us, we are unworthy sinners, and yet you came and.

Saved us by grace. We don't deserve it.

We bring nothing. We have an inability or we had

an inability to come to you. Thank.

You, God, for those of us who are saved, who have placed

their. Faith in Christ.

That we have your. Spirit, and now we have an

ability to follow you. Help us, God to do that.

Help us to represent you out there in the world.

With our. Actions and with our mouth.

Help us to share the Word of God with.

The people around us that need to hear it and believe have

enough faith to know that it. Will be you and you.

Alone that does the miracle in them, but you will use.

Us, so use us, I pray. And Father, if there are any of

those who are dead in their trespasses and sins, spiritually

paralyzed, they don't know you. They've never.

Understood. I pray you'd give them that

ability. Now through the Holy.

Spirit. And help them to trust in you,

in Jesus name, Amen.