Dead Man Walking

Notes: Dead Man Walking

Luke 5

Pastor Greg

March 9, 2014

Read:

Luke 5:12-16 (NKJV)

And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." [13] Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him. [14] And He charged him to tell no one, "But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded." [15] However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. [16] So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

1. Leprosy had an insignificant beginning.

(Hansens Disease - shuts down your ability to feel anything. So you could burn yourself, or loose limbs and not feel it.)

Leprosy is a lot like sign, very little sins, just like very little changes in a leper.

"Sin is pleasurable for a time, then fills with a lifetime of regret."

A few moments of passion can lead to a lifetime of regret.

2. Leprosy worked almost imperceptibly. (Don't really notice it at first)

3. Leprosy spread quickly.

4. Leprosy was infectious.

That is why there are leper colonies.

This is why the bible says not to be unequally yolked with other believers or nonbelievers.

It's a lot easier for a nonbeliever to pull a believer down, then to pull a nonbeliever up.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)

Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

5. Leprosy was a state of living death.

1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)

speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

In an advanced state of sin, you don't even notice it anymore

6. Leprosy was incurable.

1. This leper had an honest awareness of his condition.

(v.12)

"Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

Our place is to ask; His place is to answer as He chooses.

Seeing ourselves for who we are is the first step to becoming who we need to be, a new creation in Christ!

2. Jesus will touch those who come to Him reverently and in desperation.

(v.12) And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face

3. The third factor in receiving Jesus’ touch is having active faith.

(v.12) and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying

Sin controls people through two opposing lies:

1. We are not sinners.

2. We are sinners, but we are so bad we are beyond help.

“Then He put out His hand and touched him.”

(v. 13)Luke 5:13 (NKJV)

Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him.

Read:

Luke 5:17-26 (NKJV)

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. [18] Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. [19] And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. [20] When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." [21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"-He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." [25] Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. [26] And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!"

These guys did what it took to get their friend to Jesus. You will always find opposition in bringing your friends to Jesus. (v19) "And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 (NKJV)

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. [10] For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. [12] Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

It’s not always easy to bring people to Jesus.

Mark 9:20 (NKJV)

Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

Luke 5:19 (NKJV)

And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

Luke 5:20 (NKJV)

When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

Jesus' word does not go out and return void.

Luke 5:21 (NKJV)

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Having your sins forgiven is the most important thing!