Mark Chapter 2

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us,Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
- Mark 1:23-26

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A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
- Mark 2:1-12

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“What does it feel like to feel yourself forgiven? I can only speak for myself, but, speaking for myself: surprising. In my experience, it’s like toothache stopping because a tooth has been removed. It has the numb surprisingness of something that hurt not being there any more.”
– Francis Spufford

Mixer

Who would you like to trade places with for a month?

Neighborly - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In Youth Director, Cristina’s 3/17/22 entry, Run to the Father, she reminds us that we have a safe space in God’s arms, no matter what our “track record” is. If He is this for you, who can you be a safe space for? To have open arms for and welcome in someone who doesn’t think they are worthy of love and redemption? Who is that?
2. In Pastor Sean’s, 3/18/22 entry, God is Working, he reminds us of the mustard seed - growth starts from small beginnings, and it is slow. What area of growth in you has you tapping your fingers in impatience? Get out your journal and write it down. Focus on the small evidences of growth that you have seen unfold and count them as progress. Ask a friend to share what they have noticed. Find Scriptures that support that these changes in you are impactful to Kingdom work. Afterall, God wants you as part of His Kingdom! He is going to make that happen. Your job is faith and trust!

Sermon Questions

Scriptures: Mark 1:2-26, Mark 2:1-12; James 2:14-26

1. What impacted or challenged you in today’s message?
2. Pastor Jared said that sometimes we “cherry-pick” the Jesus we want to know. Are you as comfortable with Jesus as Lord, as you are with him as Savior? Why or why not?
3. In Mark 1:23-26, we learn that even the demons know who Jesus is. So Mark gives us this challenge: If faith is not just believing, then what actually is it? Read James 2:14-26 to aid with the answer.
4. Are you more impressed with Jesus forgiving the paralized man, or Jesus getting him up off the mat?
5. This story reveals God works in the unseen first. What is it that you are keeping hidden that needs to be healed?
6. If you can step into the heart-healing God offers, then what does that have the power to do in the world around you? Where God then can work in the ways everybody can see.
7. Are you the kind of friend, like those of the paralyzed man, who is willing to take a corner of someone’s mat?

Serve

• CHANGE: Good Neighbor Day is coming up Saturday, April 9! Register online or in app.
• Vacation Bible School is coming up June 20-24! If you would like to be a part of kids experiencing the best week of their summer, contact heidi@thechurchrb.org or lisak@thechurchrb.org !

Pray

As you lift up world events, and personal/ family struggles, to the LORD, praise Him this week for Resurrection! That the resurrection of Christ provides for new life in you, and new life for this world. As we approach Easter, trust that God is working on those things you have brought to Him, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the love and joy that flow from the gift of the peace of God, and peace with God.

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