The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-01-20

Mark 2:l-l2.
Golden Text--The Son of mar
hath power on earth to forgive
sins. Mark 2:l0.
Returning to Capernaum from
his first Galilcan tour in tho
summer of rs A. D., Jesus ut,
tracted such multitudeS that 4
paralytic, unable to reach him
indoors otherwise, WAS lowered
by four friends through th2 root
into his presence. BY forgiving his
sins, Jesus aroused the question
ing of the Scribes, but by healing
the paralytic he proved his powcS
to forgive.
CLAIM OF POWER TO
FORGIVE
The assembled multitude heard
Jesus claim the power to forgive
sin.
First, the thronging crowds
gathered about Jesus AT MS home
in Capernaum as soon As they
heard of his return from his brief
tour Of the neighbOring towns.
They filled the house, gathered
the sick about the door and over
flowed into the streets nearby.
He welcomed them and began
giving them the gospel.
Second, the faithful friends Of
a poor paralytic believed III thr
healing power of Jesus. So four
of them carrying the sick man
came, but could not reach him
through the crowd. In the eager
ness of preserving faith they
went on top of the house, tore
up a part of the roof (Which
could be replaced readily, and
let down the palsied man on his
pallet right before the Great
Healer. Seeing their faith, Jesus
did a strange but fundamental
thing: He forgave the sick mans
sins.
QUESTION OF POWER TO
FORGIVE
The critical scribes questioned
the power of Jesus to forgive sin.
They were on hand, though not
so bold as they became later. But
in their hearts arose the bitter
reasoning: This man is bias
phemer; only God can forgive
sin" They were right in saying
that none but God can forgive
sin; but they were wrong in call
ing Jesus a blasphemer, for he
was and is God. Hence the test
proposed: If Jesus could not
heal this paralytic, then he was a
blasphemer as they said; but If
he could heal him, then would
be proven his power to forgive
sin. The test was fair.
PROOF OF POWER TO
FORGIVE
The Great Healer by Immediate
and astounding miracle gave
proof conclusive both Of his diety
and of his power to forgive sin.
First, the cured parayltic by
the power and at the word OF
Jesus instantly arose in full
strength, took up his pallet, car
ried it out through the wonder
ing crowd, and went home with
joy.
Second the marveling multi
tude saw the point of the miracle
and glorified God.
CHRIST is THE FORGIVEN
OF SIN
First, The Forgiven of Sin Is
the Accessible Christ. "He en-
tered into Capernaum he
was in the house" We may think
him on another planet or in an
other continent or in a distant
land when he is in our own COM
munity. We may think him in
another neighborhood when he is
in the house with us. He is
never distant. We may reach him
at any time.
Second, The Forgiven of Sin Is
the Attractive Christ. Straight
way many were gathered togeth-
en-" There is worldwide and
heartdeep hunger for him. When
he appears men gather around
him. He can satisfy as none 9TH
er in all the world. Let no one
resist the magnetic Christ.
Third, The Forgiven of Sin Is
the Revealing Christ. "He preach
ed the word unto them" The
revelation of himself is his great
est revelation. But his word is
the word of grace and of good
ness. And his will should be our
law. We never hear false note
when we hear Christ.
Fourth, The Forgiven of Sin Is
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