We Are Better Together

We Are Better Together
Mario Fernandez

I. Introduction

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Philippians 2:3 (NAS) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourself.

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

II. The Main Characters; A Paralytic Man and His Four Friends

Mark 2:1-2 (NAS) ¹When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. ²And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them.

Mark 2:3-4 (NAS) ³And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic, carried by four men. ⁴Being unable to get to Jesus because of the crowd, removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.

Mark 2:5 (NAS) And Jesus seeing their faith said^* to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:6-12 (NAS) ⁶But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” ⁸Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said^* to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? ⁹Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? ¹⁰But so 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, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” ¹²And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

III. What Can We Learn About Meaningful Community From These Five Friends?

A. Meaningful community involves being with .

B. Community is marked by going for one another.

C. Meaningful groups get people to .

D. Greater accomplishments happen when with .

IV. Conclusion

Mark 2:12 (NAS) And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”