RECAP: Methods of Influence: Are you creating an environment for the Holy Spirit to reign, or an environment for Satan to influence?

• I believe that you’re my healer…my portion…more than enough.

9 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” 3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house. 8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

• When God sees our faith He is pleased

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

      ~By faith Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joshua…

• The anchor is faith in the “promise” of heaven

Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

(11:35) Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise.

• Faith grows by exercise

        ANCHORS

1. Worship

2. Attendance

3. The Word

4. Building on the Rock despite the storms

5. Trusting God despite the circumstances

6. Trusting the outcome versus what we “thought”

7. Meditating on His faithfulness: slow down…don’t let the beauty of life pass you by.

Many fears are tied to a “lack of faith”: No Anchor

• Lifeguard, Physician, Accountant, Strength, Sufficient

• PSTD

5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

• Confirms His Deity: only God can forgive sins

           Show cults who remove the deity of Christ this verse.

• Lunatic, Liar, or Lord?

         *They crucified Him because He was Lord!

         *He will show you if you ask.

He restores the sick. He raises the dead. He revives the broken. He strengthens the weak.

CLOSING: Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)

“O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!”

• O’ dry congregation, O’ dry church, O’ dry nation

      ….“Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.”

“SHANE, THE MAN STILL HAND TO CARRY HIS BED.”

Divorce, Foreclosure, Prodigal, Sick, Failure…