Covenant #2

COVENANT #2

Relationships that Matter

Covenant = a solemn agreement between two parties for the purpose of creating and maintaining a successful, God-honoring life-giving relationship.

Luke 5:17-26 One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.

¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, ¹⁹ but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. ²⁰ Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

²¹ But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”

²² Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? ²³ Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? ²⁴ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man^[d] has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

²⁵ And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. ²⁶ Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

4 GROUPS OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS OF JESUS

1. THE RELIGOUS LEADERS

• They led with fear and kept the people in bondage to the law.

2. THE CROWD

3. THE PARALYZED MAN

• He lived his whole life feeling judged and looked down on.

4. THE FOUR FRIENDS

• They had incredible faith.
• Chose to do life with this man regardless of the stigma.

CHARACTERISTCS OF A COVENANT FRIEND

1. WILLING TO BUST THROUGH A ROOF FOR YOU

2. ADDS VALUE TO YOU

Prov 27:9 Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

THE LAW OF MAGNETISM = Who you attract is not determined by what you want, it’s determined by who you are — John Maxwell

3. WILLING TO BRING YOU TO JESUS