The Wait Is Over by Pastor Jerry Eze: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

The Four Friends and the Paralyzed Man

Mark 2:1-12 — Four friends saw their friend was paralyzed and carried him to where Jesus was. The paralyzed man never said a word, never had faith. The Bible says Jesus saw the faith of the four friends — not the faith of the paralyzed man. The man's access to his next season was entirely dependent on his four friends.

Breakthrough is a man. Delay is a man. Favour is a man. The lack of favour might also be a man. One person God sends to you can clear six prayer points at once.

Do Not Be Paralyzed

Your lack of movement in destiny makes you vulnerable to be carried by people who may not know where you are going. Spiritual paralysis is directly proportional to destiny misalignment. There is no such thing as "I am where I am." Once you lose mobility in the spirit, something carries you.

When you say, "I'm tired, I don't feel like doing anything" — the devil says, "Let me carry you to depression." From depression to bitterness, from bitterness to unforgiveness, from unforgiveness to panic attack, from panic attack to anxiety. You are always moving — but the direction matters.

Anything carrying you in a negative direction — let it drop you right now.

Coming from Above — Not Through the Door

The four friends couldn't get through the door because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and let their friend down from above. God does not start to finish — he finishes to start. His will is already done in heaven. Matthew 6:10 — Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. That is why we are seated with Christ in heavenly places — Ephesians 2:6.

We are not humans trying to activate our spirit man. We are spirits living in bodies. You operate from top to down. You confess from top to down. You prophesy from top to down. When men say there is a casting down, you say there is a lifting up.

The friends who blocked the door could not stop the four who came from above. You cannot delay someone who is coming from somewhere higher. Nobody blocked the roof because they were coming from a superior understanding. Come from above.

Your Sins Are Forgiven — Now Arise

When Jesus looked at the paralyzed man, he said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee." The scribes challenged this. Jesus replied: which is easier — to say your sins are forgiven, or to say arise and walk? For you to know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins — and he said, "Arise, take up thy bed, and go thy way into your house."

When God forgives your sins, he begins to show you what it means to be loved by him. He does not call your past to memory again. He does not judge you by what you did wrong. To someone hearing this: your sins are forgiven.

When your season comes, there must be an arising. Carry what used to carry you. And go.

Principles from the Story

• The world is a game of heights. Never remain on the same level with those competing with you. Go higher.
• Don't just have friends who love you — have friends who take action for you. One word of encouragement, one phone call, one contact, one belief in your dream — these are acts of carrying people.
• Don't answer to everything. The man said nothing. The talk is not between you and them. Jesus will reply them. Focus on what is important.
• Your exploit is your access. The world does not respect people without exploits. Those who know their God shall be strong and do exploits — Daniel 11:32. Wake up every morning and say: Father, make this life count.
• If it is new, they will fight it. But don't shrink back. God is about to use you to raise a new culture. Not everyone in your crowd is for you.