What does it take to have a miracle?

GO THROUGH THE ROOF!

by Ronald George Jr.

8-17-97 SFBC

Do you believe in miracles? Would you like to see one in your life? What does it take to see an actual miracle? Often we don’t see miracles because we aren’t willing to go where Jesus is. Are you ready to GO THROUGH THE ROOF?

Scripture text:

Mark 2:1 (KJS) And again he entered into Capernaum after [some] days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive [them], no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Luke 5:26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine [is] this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. Matt 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

It takes a people with Extreme Faith! Extreme Faith is Faith that is exercised in an Extreme Way! It is Faith that is seen by others, and it has an effect on all of those involved.

Mark 9:23 (KJS) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth. Hebr 11:1 (KJS) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

In our text today there is a story about four men who had extreme Faith. The Faith that these men had in Jesus moved them to action on behalf of the paralyzed man. The result of that action or extreme faith gave the crippled man a new life. The new life that the crippled man experienced was a result of the working of the Savior in his life that was a result of the faith of his friends. Our faith is in vain if it is not in the Lord of Glory , Jesus Christ. When Jesus is in the house things begin to happen . Ordinary people begin to act strange. Some may even say weird or crazy. Paul said " I am a fool for Christ's Sake."

Extreme Faith that allows the Lord to work miracles in our life is the faith that will cause a person to:

1. Give their TIME and change their SCHEDULES. These men made time in their schedules to be able to take their friend to see the Savior. Would we change our schedules to go to the Lord? Are first things first in our lives? Extreme Faith will change your schedule.

Many churches wisely have a large clock behind the congregation where it is quite obvious to the preacher. Some don't. The one where Rev. Sam has been invited to speak did not. As time when on, Brother Sam finally commented that he had forgotten his watch and asked, "Does anyone have the time?" "There's a calendar right behind you," piped a voice.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

-- Abraham Lincoln

2. Give their TALENT and their ABILITIES.

The man did have the abilities and the strength to get to the Lord, but the men had to give of themselves to help to get Jesus. I wonder who thought of going through the roof ? I wonder what the excuses were? Someone had a vision , someone had the courage, and someone had the faith to go through the roof to Jesus. They gave of themsleves.

3. Give their TREASURES and their VALUES.

Someone had to pay for the cot and the roof that was destroyed. Why weren't these men working at something useful and supporting their families. Someone had to pay .

Martin Luther astutely observed, "There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, mind and the purse." Of these three, it may well be that we moderns find the conversion of the purse the most difficult.

An old country preacher was earnestly exhorting his congregation to give more liberally. He was interrupted by a deacon who said, "Parson, you told us salvation is free -- as free as the air we breathe and the water in the river. If that's true, why are you always asking us for money?" The elderly preacher solemnly replied, "Brother Jones, you're right. Salvation is free -- as free as the water you drink. But if you want that water in the kitchen, somebody has to pay for the pump!"

4. Give their TENDERNESS seen in their EFFORTS.

No excuses could keep them from getting through to Jesus. They must see Jesus. They went from radical to Extreme Faith that brought the man to Jesus to be saved and healed from the disease that had crippled him. Sacrificed of themselves to see that the man was saved. Truly they gave their tenderness seen by their efforts. What miracles would you like to see accomplished? What will it take for these things to come to pass? Will it take an Act of God? Then call out on his name and GO THROUGH THE ROOF. Go all out on the Lord and get Baptized. Go through the roof and join the church. Go through the roof and follow Jesus as the disciples. Go bring a friend to Jesus.

Will you:

STEP OUT?

STEP UP?

STEP ON?

STEP THROUGH? the PROMISES OF THE LIVING AND LOVING GOD, JESUS?

Are you ready to go through the Roof for Jesus?