Luke 5:17-18, 20-23 (NKJV) “Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralysed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him…. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?
Jesus was expected to minister to the people who came to Him from every town and city. This Scripture reveals that the Lord’s power was present to heal others too. However, nothing is recorded in this passage about anyone being healed or set free, except the paralysed man. Perhaps there was no expectation or faith among the crowd that came. Some may have been curious, while others were sceptical about Jesus and His ministry. The scribes and Pharisees were out to argue, be sceptical and judgemental about Jesus rather than seeking Him to heal their sicknesses and pain. In contrast, the four friends of the paralysed man were full of faith and expectation that he would be healed.
Jesus is a great example for us, demonstrating grace and love in ministry. He was moved by love and compassion for the paralysed man. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 appears between chapters 12 and 14, which cover the spiritual gifts, to emphasise the importance of love as the primary motivator for ministering to others. We need patience, love, and grace to journey with others. Even though Jesus knew the paralysed man was a sinner, He forgave him to restore his health and spoke grace and mercy into the life of the paralysed man. Jesus didn’t dwell on his past sins but chose forgiveness. Many people today are critical of others and amplify their sins to condemn rather than bring restoration. While we don’t condone the sin, we should love the sinners. There is tremendous power in our words, especially words of encouragement, which can lift a person’s mood.
Acts 4:36 (NKJV) And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
The name Barnabas means Son of Encouragement. We all need at least one “Barnabas” in our lives, and as believers, we should also be known as encouragers.
Reflection: Do your words usually carry encouragement, grace, and hope, or criticism, discouragement, and condemnation? How is the Holy Spirit convicting you to change the way you speak?
Sermon Series: 2026 CG Campaign – Up! (Part 4)
你的态度和言语很重要
路加福音 5:17-18, 20-23 有一天，耶稣教训人，有法利赛人和教法师在旁边坐着，他们是从加利利各乡村和犹太并耶路撒冷来的。主的能力与耶稣同在，使他能医治病人。有人用褥子抬着一个瘫子，要抬进去放在耶稣面前…耶稣见他们的信心，就对瘫子说：“你的罪赦了！”文士和法利赛人就议论说：“这说僭妄话的是谁？除了神以外，谁能赦罪呢？”耶稣知道他们所议论的，就说：“你们心里议论的是什么呢？或说‘你的罪赦了’，或说‘你起来行走’，哪一样容易呢？
耶稣原本期待服事那些从各乡各城来到祂面前的人。这段经文显明，主的能力也在那里，要医治其他人。然而，除了那个瘫子之外，这段经文并没有记载其他人得医治或得释放。或许来到人群当中并没有期待或信心。有些人可能只是好奇，而另一些人可能对耶稣和祂的事工持怀疑态度。文士和法利赛人来到那里，是为了争辩、怀疑和论断耶稣，而不是寻求祂医治他们的疾病和痛苦。相比之下，瘫子的四个朋友充满信心，并期待他能够得着医治。
耶稣是我们的榜样，祂在服事中彰显了恩典和爱。祂因着对瘫子的爱和怜悯而被触动。哥林多前书第13章位于第12章和第14章之间，而这两章都讲到属灵恩赐，特别强调爱是服事他人的首要动机。我们需要以忍耐、爱和恩典陪伴他人同行。即使耶稣知道这个瘫子是罪人，祂仍然赦免他的罪，使他得着恢复，并将恩典和怜悯带入他的生命中。耶稣没有停留在他的过去和罪中，而是选择了赦免。今天许多人常常批评论断他人，放大他们的过犯，以定罪他们，而不是带来恢复。虽然我们不认同罪，但我们应该爱罪人。我们的言语具有极大的力量，尤其是鼓励的话语，能够提升一个人的情绪。
使徒行传 4:36 有一个利未人，生在塞浦路斯，名叫约瑟，使徒称他为巴拿巴（“巴拿巴”翻出来就是“劝慰子”）。
巴拿巴这个名字的意思是“劝慰之子”。我们每个人的生命中都需要至少有一个“巴拿巴”，而作为信徒，我们也应该被人认识为一个带来鼓励的人。
默想：你的言语通常带来鼓励、恩典和盼望，还是批评、沮丧和定罪？圣灵正在如何提醒你改变你的说话方式？
讲章系列：天天向上! 细胞小组活动 2026 第四部分