Mark 2:1-12
One day Jesus was in the house teaching and many religious leaders and other people were gathered and there was a paralyzed man who was desperate to see Jesus so he could be healed.
People who documented the account did not find it necessary to document the man’s name. I believe this man had a name but it was not mentioned. He was insignificant in the eyes of those who recorded the story. They had their own standard. But he was not insignificant for God’s touch.
– I want you to know that God will touch you regardless of your background.
– God will help you regardless of what people think about you.
One thing though that strikes one about this man is that he did not allow his paralysis to become an excuse for not pursuing his goal of being healed. He got others to do what he couldn’t do: he got his friends to take him to Jesus. They had to find a way!
This man was paralysed and couldn’t lift himself.
You may not be physically handicapped but you may be financially incapacitated or challenged in one area or another. Many who are not physically paralysed have been trying desperately to lift themselves for years but without success. Some are paralysed spiritually, some socially, some financially and materially.
Whatever condition has been preventing you from lifting yourself shall be removed!
There were five different people in this man’s life.
a. His near relatives. His mother carried him expectantly for 9 months with high hopes. When he was delivered, they were relieved, but soon discovered there was a limitation. He could not walk. They must have cried and went on to start pitying him. They were disappointed.
Your parents may not tell you but they may be disappointed because you are unable to lift up yourself. They thought you would help them after school. They were patient for a while but it turned out that you cannot lift up yourself. Your brothers and sisters and those close to you may also be disappointed for the same reason.
b. His neighbours. Some laughed at him. People who laugh at you never do it in your presence. They may be laughing at you for different reasons; maybe because you are not married or because you don’t have money etc. Some may have been indifferent to his plight. They just didn’t care!
c. Those who prevented him from reaching Jesus; they blocked the entrance. His obstacles – silent enemies. They wanted to preserve him in his state. They did not believe he needed to seek for help. There are people who believe your condition cannot change; they believe you will never be able to lift yourself. God is about to disappoint them.
Some people have quit trying because of these kinds of people.
d. His friends. They were able to carry him without changing his condition. I thank God for those who have been trying to carry you financially but unfortunately they have not been able to change your situation.
• You don’t need someone to carry you but someone to change you!
• You don’t need someone to lift you in your condition but someone to change your condition.
• You don’t need someone to lift you temporarily but someone that will lift you permanently.
• You don’t need partial lifting but total lifting.
e. Jesus. He is a permanent lifter. He is a transformer, a life-changer, etc.
Why did Jesus raise this man? Because it is not God’s intention for you to be permanently down: and also because the man wanted to be lifted.
10 KEYS TO PERMANENT LIFTING
1. Don’t put up with being down. When you have been down so long it is sometimes difficult to believe that you can ever rise. But history is no reflection of the future. Know that where you have been is no reflection of where you are going. You can never change a situation you are comfortable with. Many people put up with their problems or limitations. They conclude it’s the only choice they are left with in life. They rationalize by saying that some people were meant to suffer. You cannot change what you don’t hate. Lazarus died poor because he did nothing but go to camp in the house of a rich man to struggle for crumbs with dogs. He may even have prayed that the dogs would not beat him to it.
Why do people accept defeat? People accept defeat
• When they believe the problem is beyond solution.
• When they have multiple problems: they give up on even the ones they could have been able to solve.
• When they are ignorant of other possibilities and opportunities.
• When they think they have done their best.
• When they are afraid of taking any step because of the possibility of failing.
• When they have no vision or their vision is dead.
• When there is no one to assist them to get up.
• When those they respect tell them there is no hope.
2. Watch your thoughts.
3. Decide that you will be lifted regardless of the odds against you. You can only survive obstacles if you are determined to win no matter what. Many people never anticipate problems before they take off. They actually believe it amounts to unbelief to anticipate problems. As a result they are ill-equipped and ill prepared to deal with eventualities. First they are surprise when these problems start to surface. Then they get discouraged and disillusioned. This team must have prepared themselves for all possible scenarios. Successful people prepare themselves for all possibilities. Having a positive attitude does not mean just building an expectancy of positive things. It means knowing that life will sometimes hand you lemons but you are strong enough to make lemonade out of them. It means squeezing the bitterness out of the bitter leaf to make the bitter leaf soup which is a wonderful companion for your pounded yam, amala etc.
4. Set goals. Start dreaming bigger. Set new goals. Think of other possibilities. Begin to dream of rising to a higher place. Begin to fill your mind with thoughts of where you want to be. Goals determine your direction. They focus and save your energy. The other day at the Heathrow Airport in London when my family and I were returning form vacation, we headed in the opposite direction of the gate that we were to board through because when we were checked in we were not told the gate to use. They had not determined it then. I had had to then go back to find out our gate. Many people know they have to move but they have not decided where to go and those who have decided their destination don’t know which direction to face.
5. Surround yourself with people who believe in your dream: people who will give you a hand. Your team determines how high you can rise. Your network, determines your net worth.
6. Lift the people around you. You lift yourself when you lift others. You are better off when the people around you improve. Jesus is lifted so high because He lifted others.
7. Be persistent and persevere. Don’t take no for an answer.
8. Do something new. If what you have been doing has not produced the results you desire in life; do something else.
9. Do something unusual, do something uncommon if you want uncommon results.
10. Make God your only source. Not your first alternative or last alternative.
IN SUMMARY
Say to yourself… “This isn’t a signpost to the rest of my life. My judgement and behaviour were bad, but I am not bad. No matter what happened, I am still worthwhile and unique. I am teachable. I can change and grow. I can use experiences from the past and convert them to strengths. I made a mistake. I am not a mistake. There is hope! I’m going to be alright!
Have a blessed week!
Bishop Dr Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
