TAKING OUR FRIENDS TO JESUS!
Mark 2:1-12
INTRODUCTION: “When Jesus saw their faith!” Mark 2:5. Our question is: “Where did these men get such faith?” Romans 10:17. Could we bring our friends to Jesus and would He see our faith? Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 2:13, 18. It is because of our relationship with Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father and can bring others to Him. John 14:6; Hebrews 4:14-16.
- HAVING ACCESS AND BEING ON PRAYING GROUND!
When our friends or family are hurting they need someone who can take their needs to Jesus, someone who is related by birth, someone who has access to the throne of God, someone who believes that God can and will help them! 2 Timothy 1:7. We are to ask, to seek, and to knock! Matthew 7:7-11; James 4:1-3. Praying is the first step in being used of God but it is hardly ever the only step to answered prayer. Our God receives glory when we keep on praying, seeking, and knocking!
2. WHAT CAN WE TAKE OUR FRIENDS TO JESUS FOR?
First, we must bring our friends to Jesus for their salvation: John 1:35-42. We can bring our friends to Jesus for their physical healing: Luke 18:35-42. We dare not be those who hinder others from coming to Jesus but we must be those who assist others to come for healing: Mark 2:1-5. We can bring our friends to Jesus for deliverance from their sins: 1 John 5:16-19; James 5:19-20; 1 John 1:8-10. We can pray for our friend’s finances and material goods that they need: James 4:1-3. We can bring both our friends and ourselves to Jesus for any need we have! We can pray for godly mates for our children, even when our children are young.
3. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE ABLE TO BRING OUR FRIENDS TO JESUS?
In order to bring our friends to Jesus we must be sure we are not cut off from the throne of grace by our own sins: Psalm 66:16-20. Yes, our own sins, even as God’s children can cut off our prayers for ourselves and our friends: Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 Peter 3:8-12; Psalm 84:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:19-26. Do you desire to be a vessel unto honor and to be able to bring your friends and loved ones to Jesus? We must turn away from our sins and turn to Jesus so He may use us for His glory to bring our friends and loved ones to Him!