FOUR PALSY BEARERS

TEXT: Mark 2:1-12

INTRODUCTION:

1. Have you ever wondered about the phrase "pall bearer"?

2. The "Pall" was a thick cloth that was draped over the coffin.

3. Today we are considering the four "palsy bearers."

DISCUSSION:

I. They showed great love for their fellow man (3).

A. Sometimes we can learn as much from what the Bible does not say as we can from what it does say.

B. Things we don't know about them.

1. Their names.

a. Preachers who have to have their name on everything.

b. Some congregations are afraid to recognize any one because of members who get all excited if you leave their name off a list.

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil." (I Cor 13:4-5)

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem another better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil 2:1-5)

d. Ethyl Anderick served quietly for many years. No one will ever know the encouragement she was to this preacher when he was young and poor. Each time we sing "Jesus Rose of Sharon." I think of her. It was her favorite song.

2. Whether they were related to the palsied man.

3. Whether they even knew him.

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Gal 6:10).

4. It shouldn't make any difference who the person is if he needs help, we help him.

C. Things we know about them.

1. Like the Good Samaritan, they had compassion and showed their love.

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God dwell in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth...(I Jno 3:14-18)

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love has been perfected in us..." (I Jno 4:7-12)

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. In this our love has been made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God love his brother also." (I Jno 4:16-21)

II. They showed great determination for their cause (V 4).

A. Consider the things they had against them.

1. The press (crowd)

"And at evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door." (Mk 1:32,33)

"And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. And immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them." (Mk 2:1,2)

2. Had to climb the stairs carrying the man.

a. Quadriplegic in Piketon.

3. Had to break up the tiling (of someone else's house!).

B. Just as Zacchaeus had to overcome by determination 3 things:

1. A Publican.

2. The crowd.

3. His size.

C. Determination can overcome great obstacles.

1. New Convert.

a. Jesus' Temptation (Mat 4)

III. They showed great faith in their Lord (V 5).

A. Note: When Jesus saw their faith he healed the man.

B. Vicarious faith - acting for another.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2)

D. Who is it that our faith could have helped.

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (I Cor 16:13)

We are talking about our faith helping cripples and new converts "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." (Gal 6:4).

IV. Application.

A. When we learn these three lessons then the three things will happen that did in verse 12.