LORD of the Storm
LORD of the Storm
John 6:16-21
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Jesus' Disciples in the Storm (verses 16-18)
II. Jesus' Dominion over the Storm (verses 19-20)
III. Jesus' Deliverance through the Storm (verse 21)
"Trial... is part of the diet which all true Christians must expect. It is one of the means by which their grace is proved, and by which they find out what there is in themselves. Winter as well as summer -- cold as well as heat -- clouds as well as sunshine -- are all necessary to bring the fruit of the Spirit to ripeness and maturity." ~ J.C. Ryle
Christ the Provider
Christ the Provider
John 6:1-15
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. The Setup that Purposed His Plan (verses 1-6)
II. The Lack that Proved His Power (verses 7-11)
III. The Instruction that Provided a Principle (verses 12-13)
IV. The Provision the People Missed (verses 14-15, 51)
“Naturally in almost anything I offer to Christ, my reaction would be, “What is the good of that?” The point is, the use he makes of it is none of my business; it is his business, it is his blessing. So this grief, this loss, this suffering, this pain – whatever it is, which at the moment is God’s means of testing my faith and bringing me to the recognition of who he is – that is the thing I can offer.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot
Prosperity Presbyterian Church - 704-875-1182
5533 PPC Drive
Charlotte NC 28269
HEAR AND SAVOR
HEAR & SAVOR
September 3rd, 2017
PROSPERITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
PSALM 19:7-14
I. THE WORD OF THE LORD (VSS 7-9)
II. WHAT THE WORD OF LORD BRINGS (VSS 7-9)
III. HOW TO SAVOR THE WORD (VSS 10-11)
Pastor Bruce Brown
“The challenge before us... is not merely to do what God says because he is God, but to desire what /god says because he is good. The challenge is not merely to pursue righteousness, but to prefer righteousness. The challenge is to get up in the morning and prayerfully meditate on the Scriptures until we experience joy and peace in believing 'the precious and very great promises of God' (Romans 15:13; 2 Peter 1:4).” ~ John Piper
Look and Listen
Prosperity Presbyterian Church Worship Service
10:00 AM August 27, 2017
Psalm 19;1-7
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Creation Speaks! (verses 1-2)
II. How Creation Speaks (verses 3-6)
III. What Creation Doesn't Say (verse 7)
“To all who will look and listen, during the day God is proclaimed in cloud and sky and rain and rainbows. When day is done, the night takes over with moon and meteors and galaxies galore. Together, day and night consistently proclaim one message: ‘God is elegant! God is exquisite! God is enthralling!’”
Sam Storms
Basking in the Beauty of the Lord
Prosperity Presbyterian Church, 5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte NC
704-875-1182
Worship Service is at 10:00 AM
Rev. Bruce Brown
August 13, 2017
Psalm 27
I. The Soul's Passion (verses 1-6)
II. The Soul's Prayer (verses 7-12)
III. The Soul's Prescription (13-14)
“The glorious beauty of God will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast.” Jonathan Edwards
God Is My Shelter!
Prosperity Presbyterian Church
5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte NC 28269
704-875-1182 Ext. 4 for Office
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 16
August 6, 2917
I. A commitment to God for Our Shelter (verses 1-4)
II. A Contentment in God as Our Inheritance (verses 5-7)
III. A Confidence that God Is Our Future (verses 8-11)
Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him. Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer #1
The Trouble with Foolishness.
July 30, 2017
Rev. Bruce Brown
5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte 10:00 AM Worship Service
I. A Foolish Vow That Troubles Israel (verses 24-30)
II. Foolish Orders that Shift the Blame (verses 31-39)
III. A Foolish Act that angers the People (verses 40-46)
“What a fearful thing it is to leave God and His ways, and give one’s self up to the impulses of one’s own heart? Fearful for even the humblest of us, but infinitely fearful for one of great resources and influence, with a whole people under him!”
William G. Blaikie
Nothing Can Hinder the LORD
I SAMUEL 14:1-23
I. The Boldness of Faith (verses 1-7)
II. The Victory of Faith (verses 8-15)
III. The Rally of Faith (verses 16-23)
Nothing Can Hinder the LORD
Pastor Bruce Brown
Jonathan is the one man other than Saul in Israel's army to possess proper battle equipment, and he employs his sword not by sheathing it in besieged safety but by wielding it in daring faith. While Saul sits, Jonathan acts. While Saul's pious inactivity inspires no help from the LORD, Jonathan's faith-driven intiative receives God's mighty aid. ~ Richard D. Phillips
JULY 23, 2017 WORSHIP MESSAGE 10:00 AM
PROSPERITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 5533 PPC DRIVE, CHARLOTTE, NC 28269, 704-875-1182
Tried, Tested, and Tarnished
July 16, 2017 Worship Message 10:00 AM
Prosperity Presbyterian Church, 5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte, NC 28269, 704-875-1182
Rev. Bruce Brown
I Samuel 13
I. A Clue of Trouble in the Test (verses 2-7)
II. A Failure to Follow Through on Obedience (verses 8-15)
III. Our Hope in a Hopeless Situation (verses 16-22)
I will glory in my Redeemer
My life He bought, my love He owns
I have no longings for another
I’m satisfied in Him alone
I will glory in my Redeemer
His faithfulness my standing place
Though foes are mighty and rush upon me
My feet are firm, held by His grace
My feet are firm, held by His grace
Steve & Vicki Cook
A Farewell of Renewal
July 9, 2017
Rev. Bruce Brown
I Samuel 12:1-25
I. The Case Made (verses 1-15)
II. The Verdict Passed (verses 16-19)
III. The Grace Given (verses 20-25)
“There is then a dual emphasis in chapter 12: You must see your great evil (vv. 16-19) and yet you must see the LORD’s great steadfastness (vv. 20-25). Only the latter can keep you from despair over the former. It is not only by grace alone that we become God’s people but by grace alone that we remain his people.”
D. R. Davis
Sunday Worship Service is at 10:00 AM -- Everyone is welcome to attend.
Prosperity Presbyterian Church - 5533 PPC Drive - Charlotte NC - 704-875-1182
A Savior to the Fight
I Samuel 11
Rev. Bruce Brown
July 2, 2017
I. Why Deliverance is Needed (verses 1-4)
II. When Deliverance Comes (verses 5-11)
III. What Deliverance Renews (verses 12-15)
“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand; Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.” Rhea F. Miller
Come worship with us.
Prosperity Presbyterian Church, 5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte NC.
Sunday School is at 9:00 AM and the Worship Service is at 10:00 AM
God's Wonderful Providence
I Samuel 9:1-25
Rev. Bruce Brown
i. The Circumstances for God's Providence
(verses 1-14)
II. The Compassion Behind God's Providence
(verses 15-17)
III. The Certainty of God's Providence
(verses 18-25)
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
~ William Cowper, God Moves in a Mysterious Way
Our Worship Service is at 10:00 AM each Sunday.
Prosperity Presbyterian Church
5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte, NC Phone 704-875-1182
Trading God for Substitutes
I Samuel 8:1-27
May 28, 2017
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Our Desire for Substitutes (verses 1-9)
II. God's Warning of Wisdom (verses 10-18)
III. Be Careful What You Ask For (verses 19-22)
Israel Demands a King
8 When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”
Samuel's Warning Against Kings
10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. 11 He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.12 And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. 15 He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. 16 He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men[a] and your donkeys, and put them to his work.17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. 18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
The Lord Grants Israel's Request
19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. 22 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”
“God has given us a King. He died upon the cross to bear our sin. He rose from the dead to reign in resurrection power and glory. Let us rejoice in him.” Gordon J. Keddie
Prosperity Presbyterian Church, 5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte, NC 28269
Sunday School is at 9:00 AM
Worship Service begins at 10:00 AM
Our Homecoming God
Luke 15:11-32
Rev. Bruce Brown
May 21, 2017
I. Two Distant Sons (verses 12-16; 25-30)
II. One Lavish Father (verses 21-24; 31-32
III. All the Way Home (verses 31-32)
Luke 15:11-32 (ESV)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
“The lesson of these words was primarily meant for the Scribes and Pharisees. If their hearts had been in a right state, they would never have murmured at our Lord for receiving sinners. They would have remembered that the worst of publicans and sinners were their own brethren, and that if they themselves were different, it was grace alone that had made the difference. They would have been glad to see such helpless wanderers returning to the fold. They would have been thankful to see them plucked as brands from the burning, and not cast away forever. Of all these feelings, unhappily, they knew nothing. Wrapped in their own self-righteousness they murmured and found fault, when in reality they ought to have thanked God and rejoiced.” ~ R.C. Ryle
Prosperity Presbyterian Church - 5533 PPC Drive
Charlotte, NC - 704-875-1182
Worship Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM - Everyone is Welcome.
A Prayer for Wife and Mother
Proverbs 31:10-31
Pastor Bruce Brown
May 14, 2017
I. A Request for a Glowing Fear (verse 30)
II. A Request for a Giving Life (verses 12, 15, 20)
III. A Request for a Growing Skillfulness (verses 11-14, 16-19)
IV. A Request for a Guiding Influence (verses 23, 26, 28, 31)
"This woman is not a living in a perfect environmnet where life is a breeze. She is living in the real world, and she is up to the challenge. No wonder her husband trusts her. He feels honored to be her husband. This woman that God gave him is his greatest earthly treasure. In fact, there is only one person this husband trusts more than his wife, and that is Jesus Christ himself. She has won a deep place in his heart. She is "an excellent wife," and her husband cherishes her." ~ Ray Ortlund Jr.
The Christian Sabbath
John 5:9-18
Rev. Bruce Brown
May 7, 2017
I. Missing the Point of Sabbath (John 5:9-10, 16, 18)
II. The Christian Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13-14)
III. Enjoying Christ's Rest (John 5:17-18; Matthew 11:28-29)
John 5:9-18 (ESV) -- 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews[a] said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
“New graces ever gaining from this our day of rest, we reach the rest remaining to spirits of the blest. We sing to you our praises, O Father, Spirit, Son; the church its voice upraises to you, blest Three in One.” -- Hymn – O Day of Rest and Gladness
Prosperity Presbyterian Church, 5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte, NC 28269 - 704-875-1182 ext. 4
Sunday Worship Service is at 10:00 AM -- Come and worship with us.
Covenantal Infant Baptism
April 30, 2017
Rev. Bruce Brown
Acts 16:25-34
I. The Old Testament Background for Infant Baptism (Genesis 12:1-3 & 17:1-8)
II. The New Testament Basis for infant Baptism (Acts 2:39; I Corinthians 7:14; Acts 16:25-34)
III. The Gracious Benefits of Infant Baptism (Romans 9:4; Acts 16:25-34)
Acts 16:25-34 (ESV)
The Philippian Jailer Converted
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer[a] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
The Heidelberg Catechism in question 74 asks: Should infants also be baptized?
Answer: Yes. Infants as well as adults are included in God’s covenant and people, and they, no less than adults, are promised deliverance from sin through Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith. Therefore, by baptism, the sign of the covenant, they too should be incorporated into the Christian church and distinguished from children of unbelievers. This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision, which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.
Receiving the Testimony of the Father
John 5:31-47
Rev. Bruce Brown
April 23, 2017
I. John the baptist and Miracles (verses 31-36)
II. The Witness of scripture (verses 37-40)
III. Missing the Message (verses 41-47)
John 5:31-47 (ESV)
31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
“There is more here than first meets the eye. Self – glorification will keep us from the truth, and in fact any moral deficiency is capable of doing so. Finding the truth is as much a matter of the heart as of the mind… So when we come to the Scriptures, there must be a yielding of our lives, a focus not on self but on God. Then we will be able to hear what the Scriptures have to say to us.” R. Kent Hughes
Prosperity Presbyterian Church, 5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte, NC 28269 - 704-875-1182 ext 4.
That All May Honor the Son
John 5:19-30
Rev. Bruce Brown
Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017
I. Like Father, Like Son (verses 19-20)
II. Life In Himself (verses 21, 24-26)
III. Lord of All (verses 22, 27-30)
John 5:19-30 (ESV)
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[a] does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
“Life is the highest and greatest gift that can be bestowed. It is precisely that thing that man, with all his cleverness, can neither give to the work of his hands, nor restore when taken away. But life, we are told, is in the hands of the Lord Jesus, to bestow and give at His discretion. Dead bodies and dead souls are both alike under His dominion. He has the keys of death and hell. In Him is life. He is the life.” ~ J.C. Ryle
Sunday Service 10:00 AM
Prosperity Presbyterian Church
5533 PPC Drive
Charlotte NC 28269
704-875-1182
Established in 1789
When Jesus Rolls Up His Sleeves
PALM SUNDAY
John 5:1-18
Rev. Bruce Brown
April 9, 2017
I. Jesus Restores a Paralytic (verses 1-9)
II. Jesus Disturbs the Jewish Leaders (verses 10-13)
III. Jesus Claims All Authority (verses 14-18)
John 5:1-18 (ESV)
The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath
5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic[a]called Bethesda,[b] which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.[c] 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews[d] said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
Jesus Is Equal with God
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
“Now, when Jesus did this miracle on theSabbath and commandedthe paralytic to carry his bed on the Sabbath, he widened the breach between the Pharisees and himself. At that time the Pharisees decided they were going to have to do away with Jesus. So humanly speaking, our Lord sealed his death warrant with this miracle. It sent him to the cross. He loved the paralytic that much. He loves us that much.” R. Kent Hughes