Discernment in Relationship : Social Distancing
Incredible message last week.
The challenge: Will you get to work/pick up the hammer – start pursuing the plan that God has chosen for you.
Nehemiah had some people that wanted to give the perception that they were for him but at the end – really not
Chapter 6 -
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem
Five different times – stop working.
Powerful moment happens when Nehemiah has God’s discernment on his plans.
For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. —Nehemiah 6.9
I want you to reach your Purpose!
God has created you for a great purpose.
In this life – you will realize that the people in your life will encourage you to do one of 2 things:
- Pick up the hammer –
Find your purpose - Throw in the towel
This path is easier. This path is fun. This path is trendy. You will get the notoriety that you are looking for over here.
Today: in the next few minutes, I want walk through a familar story in Mark 2 in the bible about friends and then give you tools for you to get real practical in your life.
The tension that we will all face today really centers around the question:
Do I really want to pick up my hammer?
Social distancing
Are you ready to pick up your hammer?
MARK 2
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 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. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 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? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
“It’s not what you are doing it is who you are with.”
Value of friendships
Insight #1
As you examine your closest friendships: Are they pushing you to be closer to God?
Vs. 3& 4
Are these friends pushing this paralyzed man to be closer to God?
Pushing: No
Carrying Yes
Insight #2
You will become like you surround yourself with
Vs. 5
This man who was paralyzed directly benefited when Jesus saw their faith
Get around people – just feel inspired!
Show me your friends
Show you what you marriage will look like in 5 years
If you want to know you purpose – pick up your hammer – pursue God
You have to have people around you with the same attitude
Same mindset
Vs. 5-8
5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?
Insight #3
God needs to assist you on your evaluation of your relationships
If you allow God to lead in the assessment – I promise that he will not mislead you.
He wants the very best for you!
He knows what is the best for you.
(Psalm 139:1-6) - NIV
O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. You hem me in,(secure me – set boundaries) behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it
He created you for this moment in time. With the hammer in your hand – he has searched you and know where you are supposed to swing it next!
Mark 2:9
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”
He says what is easier: Your sins are forgiven or take up your mat and walk.
Yours sins are forgiven. A great statement of Hope & Salvation.
Yet – these are words
Can anyone really know if the words have value?
Get up – Pick up your Mat – Walk
This is a physical action
Insight #4
Jesus’ mindset for US is to ALWAYS HAVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAYING SOMETHING AND DOING SOMETHING.
James 2:26b faith apart from works is dead.
So this message of social distancing lies within your next steps.
Will you pick your hammer?
Will you surround yourself with the people God has for you?
You get to choose…
Their story finishes like this: vs. 12
12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
My prayer is that when you decide to evaluate the auditorium of you life
God will direct your decision making
You will surround yourself with people who will inspire you to be holy and pick that hammer