The Power of Relationship

The Power of Relationship - Mark 1:1-12
Lead Pastor, Darrin Mariott

Mark 1:1-12
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face,who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make his paths straight,’” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.

Big Idea: God calls us to relationship with others to deepen our faith, increase our hope, and enrich our lives.

I. The Power of Friendship (vv. 1-12)

A. The main thrust of this passage is the identity of Jesus as Messiah seen in His supernatural ability to heal disease and His authority to forgive sin. But we also see revealed the power of friendship and of faith when four men go to extreme lengths to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus for a healing touch.

B. In this friendship we see:

1. A deep compassion (v. 4) – These friends cared enough to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus despite the obstacles.

2. A deep concern (v. 5) – The paralyzed man’s need wasn’t just physical healing, but spiritual wholeness (cf. Mk. 3:1-6).
Mark 3:1-6
1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

C. These four friends demonstrate a love and commitment that reveals a relationship willing to go to great lengths to help the paralyzed man. The question for us: Who are our friends that will carry us in our time of need?

II. The Power of Faith (vv. 1-12)

A. Imagine the scene, the house is packed with people, but these four men were not going to be turned away, they were going to get their friend to Jesus even if that meant digging through the roof! It’s clear they believed Jesus was the solution to the problems their paralyzed friend faced.

B. We see the power of faith in their:

1. Trust – The Jesus could and would do something.

2. Persistence – They would not give up.

3. Sacrifice – They were willing to put themselves on the line.

4. Creativity – Who would have thought that digging through the roof would be the answer.

C. God works in and through relationship to deepen our faith, increase our hope, and enrich our lives. Where are you building relationships?