The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-01-19

GOLDEN TEXT-The Son of man
hath power on earth to forgive sins.
Mark 2:10.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Jesus Forgiving
. Man.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Jesus Forgiving a
Man.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-How We May Be Forgiven.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-Jesus' Power Over Sin.
]. Jesus Preaching the Word wv.
I. p.
1. To whom ". p. 1t was to the
surging crowd which was gathered
about the house where Jesus was stop
ping. So great was the crowd that
there vas no room to receive them,
even ABOUT the door. This house may
have been the home of Peter where he
had healed his wife's mother of a
fever. AS soon as it was noiSed about
that Jesus was in the house, the multi
tudes gathered. 1t is always so, that
the multitudes gather where Jesus is.
2. What Jesus preached ". p. He
preached the Word before he wrought
miracles. for his supreme mission was
to make known Gods will. Miracles
were not an end in themselves, but to
authenticate his work. The people
came, some to be healed, and some out
of curiosity. The Word of God should
be preached to all so that the will of
Cod may be known even though the
hearers gather with an unworthy mo-
tive.
u. Jesus Forgiving Sins wv. 3-5).
The man brought to him was suffer
ing from the dread disease of palsy,
but his deadly affliction was that of
sin. Palsy was a type Of sin. The
miracle was wrought by Jesus in con-
frmation of his message. 1t was vital
ly connected with faith. Observe:
/. Faith coming to Jesus ". 81.
The actuating impulse of the palsied
man and his four friends who carried
him was faith. They believed that
JESUS had power to save.
2. Faith overcoming difficulties ".
-. Though prevented by the crowd
from coming to Jesus. they assembled
the outer stairway and let the afflicted
man down through the roof into his
presence. They disregarded conven-
tionalities. knowing that the all-im-
portant thing was to go to the Lord
with their need.
8. Faith rewarded ". 81. No word
was uttered by either the paralytic or
his hearers. No words were needed.
Their action was enough. The paralyt,
lie got more than he expected. He de-
sired healing Of the body and he re-
ceived forgiveness of sins-the healing
Of the body plus forgiveness of sins.
III. Jesus Answering the scribes
ivy. 6-1O).
I. Their objections wv. 6. y.
a. Why does he thus speak?
b. Who can forgive sin? They were
entirely right III their reasonings that
only God can forgive sins. Their blum
der was in not perceiving him as God.
The very one who was speaking and
acting was the living God.
2. Jesus answer wv. S-10). Know
ing their inner thoughts and reason
.ings, he manifested unto them his es-
sential deity in that he had power to
know their thoughts. He inquired,
(which is easier, to say, Thy sins be
forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and
take up thy bed, and walk? But that
we may know that the Son of man hath
power on earth to forgive sins. Che
saith to the sick of the palsy. say
unto thee, Arise. and take up thy bed.
and go thy way into thine house." He
was willing that his power in the in
visible realm should be tested by his
power in the visible.
~. Jesus Healing the Paralytie
(vv. IL, 12).
/. His method ". ny. He spoke
the word and 1t was done. Christ's
words were enough. This man was
helpless and unable of himself to
move, but with the command was
given the strength to obey. It is
always so, that when Christ commands
he gives the strength to perform.
2. The obedience of the man ".
12). He Immediately arose. took up
his bed and went forth among them
all. The poor helpless man walked
away with his bed upon his shoulder.
At the words of Christ. disease and
death flee away. This was fine ex.
ample again of divine healing.
3. The people were amazed, and
glorified God ". 12). They said, 1--WE
uayer cav IL on This fashion