Forgiven and Loved | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the Good News Translation.

Forgiven and Loved

(From Luke 5:17-26)

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1. Summary

One day, Jesus was teaching. Among the crowd were Pharisees and teachers of the law from Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. At this time, Jesus was empowered by God to heal the sick. Some men came carrying their paralyzed friend on a stretcher. But they could not make their way through the crowd, so they broke a hole in the tiles of the roof and lowered him down. Jesus, seeing their great faith, told the man that his sins were forgiven. 

Immediately, the Pharisees and teachers of the law began to cry out in protest: Jesus had no authority over forgiveness of sins. Only God can forgive!

Jesus asked, "Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven', or 'Get up and walk'? But so you can see that I have the authority to forgive sins, get up, pick up your bed, and go home."

And the man did, praising God all the way! In wonder, the crowd echoed his praise.

2. N/W/L Statements

1. I NOTICED that 
1. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were concerned with authority.
2. The friends of the paralytic were concerned with physical healing.
3. Jesus was concerned with the state of our souls.
4. The power of the Lord was present for Jesus to heal.
2. I WONDER if the Lord's power was always present where Jesus was? Or did God only allow Jesus to heal sometimes and not others?
3. I think God wants us to LEARN that:
1. Forgiveness is more important than authority.
2. Forgiveness is more important than physical healing.

3. Key Verse

When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, "Your sins are forgiven, my friend." Luke 5:20 

Imagine this verse being about you. Imagine Jesus complimenting the depth of your faith. Imagine Jesus proclaiming the forgiveness of your sins. Imagine Jesus calling you His friend.

4. God's Character

1. God grants the power to heal. (The power of God was on Jesus to heal.)
1. The Sovereign LORD has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison. Isaiah 61:1
2. You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. He went everywhere, doing good and healing all who were under the power of the Devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38
3. Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and every sickness. Matthew 10:1
2. God acts in response to our faith. (Jesus saw how much faith they had and then forgave his sins.)
1. Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Proverbs 3:5-6
2. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22
3. No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
3. God primarily cares about our standing with Him. (Jesus forgave the man's sins before He healed him physically.)
1. "Now, people of Israel, listen to what the LORD your God demands of you: Worship the LORD and do all that he commands. Love him, serve him with all your heart, and obey all his laws. I am giving them to you today for your benefit. Deuteronomy 10:12-13
2. "And yet, I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you. Isaiah 43:25
3. The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins. 2 Peter 3:9
4. God is always revealing the truth to us. (While performing a miracle, Jesus was showing the Pharisees who He really was.)
1. The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. John 1:14
2. God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known. God punishes them, because what can be known about God is plain to them, for God himself made it plain. Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all! Romans 1:18-20
3. For no prophetic message ever came just from the human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God. 2 Peter 1:21

5. Pray

Father God, because of Your great mercy, I am forgiven and loved. You make me whole. When my heart longs for other things and strong influences try to pull me away, remind me that the greatest gift of all has already been given to me. May I ever rest satisfied in this truth: I am forgiven and loved. 

6. Act

• Value your forgiven status. Sing about it with Jimmy Needham: 🎵Forgiven and Loved🎶
• Trust God as the ultimate authority.
• Walk in faith: He did. He can. He will.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.

1. *Pharisees gathered from all over to see Jesus; they must have been curious about Him. (Luke 5:17)
2. ? Did the crowd feel Jesus' healing power? (Luke 5:17)
3. *Jesus must have forgiven the man's sins first as a message to the Pharisees. (Luke 5:20)

Sample these related resources:

• For our Wolfe Notes on Mark's version of this story.
• To respond to an expectation-rattling God.
• To connect with the importance of forgiveness.
• For an exploration on Jesus' authority. 
• To witness Jesus' longing for us all to have more faith.

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