I absolutely despise when I hear people say the Bible has no relevance today. And please forgive my honesty, but when I see films still being made – today - with people clothed in ancient garb, I shake my head because Jesus is real and the Word of God is real-time. So, if you’d be so kind as to allow me to show you how the Word applies and how you can get Him (not it) to work for you - today. Let’s look at Mark 2:2-5,9 which says,
‘…(Jesus) entered Capernaum…and it was heard that He was in the house. (So)…many gathered together, so that there was no longer room…not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven…Arise, take up your bed and walk.”
Now let’s bring these verses into July 2017. Here you have four men, who’ve come to MegaFest™, ‘the nation’s largest faith, film, and family multiday experience1’ to hear the inspiring, soul-stirring teaching of Bishop T.D. Jakes, Senior Pastor of The Potter’s House. Filled with excitement, they catch the Red Line train to the Convention Center Station and commence to wheeling their paralyzed friend off the train, when they notice the crowds. Both sides of Griffin Street are packed. And since they weren’t able to preregister, they won’t be able to bypass the lines. For the sake of our study, He will be Bishop Jakes, since he is filled with Spirit of the Lord. And thus our seeing the relevance of the Bible – today – begins.
Jesus in Real Time
‘And again (Bishop Jakes) entered (the Dallas Convention Center to host MegaFest™ from June 28th – July 1st) …and it was (advertised via television/radio/newspaper/online) that (Dr. Bill Winston, Joseph Prince, and John Gray) would be there. Immediately many (preregistered and came to MegaFest™), so that it was packed out. There wasn’t even any room to stand; not even near the door. The conference started and (Bishop Jakes) preached the word to them. But by the time they got to the door, registration had closed. Instead of feeling defeated, they prayed and asked God to show them another way. One of the men knew someone on the Facilities team that let them in through the employee entrance. From there, someone in Maintenance escorted them behind the right side of the platform. As soon as they arrived, they noticed Bishop Jakes heading in their direction, who somehow managed to make eye contact with the men; who were wheeling their friend closer to get a better view. When Bishop Jakes saw their faith, he told the men to come on stage. And in front of the thousands in attendance and to the millions watching via livestream, Bishop Jakes said to the paralyzed man “Son, your sins are forgiven. Get ready, get ready, get ready! Arise, get out of that wheelchair and walk.”
And this my friend is how the Bible becomes alive. Yet, those who see no relevance would say it’s impossible for four men to carry a man up a building. And to that I say, they’re wrong. And that’s because they’re stuck in time. They left Jesus on the cross and aren’t familiar with the resurrected Christ who transcends time. Today, for you, this means that God can use an acquaintance, a livestream, conference, text, or any other modern means to get you where you need to be. It’s time that we bring the Jesus from 2,000 years ago into the now of today. Read the scriptures with you in mind. Because this is how the Bible becomes alive. ‘For the word of God is living and powerful’…right there in your here and now.
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