Raze the Roof

Jesus has plenty of fickle fans but He’s looking for fearless followers. Fans Spectate, followers partake, participate and imitate. Fans observe safely from the stands, followers get into the game and “go into the world and preach the gospel” risking ridicule and rejection. Spectator’s posses the power to play but choose to stay away and are often offended at those who choose to take action. It’s the classic armchair quarterback syndrome and it’s easy to sit around and criticize when you’re not the one taking the risk. But no risk no reward. And it’s not enough to merely desire to live our lives vicariously through Jesus Christ, but the Almighty wants to actually manifest His life and power through us. And the power of the Lord is always present but remains inactivated until someone takes action.

There’s a social phenomenon called “diffusion of responsibility.” Which means that the larger the group the less likely everyone in the group becomes to take action. It causes the “bystander effect” where large numbers of people witness horrible things and do nothing because everyone is waiting for someone else to act. But there will be no “innocent bystanders” in heaven because all believers possess the power to act. And inaction based on fear or the belief that someone else will is bunch of bull. And there will be no excuse for the non-use of the power and authority that God has given us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” And if we will, God will - confirm the Word with signs following, and if we don’t He won’t.

It seems like the church in America at large is experiencing diffusion of responsibility and many “believers” have become merely benevolent bystanders. No one wants to step out from the group mind protection and risk social rejection. What about you? Will you just stand buy while people go to the fire to fry, and reason it will be okay in the sweet by and by, and that “someone else” will, so you need not try? Because, God’s given you the power, and asks you “WHY?” And will you merely observe while people suffer and die?

“And the power of the Lord was present to heal them!” Lu5:17b

The power was present but there was no manifestation until somebody came along and ripped the roof off religion.

Luke 5:17-26
17 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. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.

20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" — He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."

25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!"
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Mark 2:12
12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
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Matt 9:8
8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
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John 20:21-23
21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
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Mark 16:15-20
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
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