I. How the Authority of Jesus to Heal Demonstrates His Authority to Forgive Sins-II. What the Crowds Understood and What We Can Learn From It-III. What the Crowds Misunderstood and What We Can Learn From It

I. A Paralytic with a Deeper Disability -vv1-2--II. A Lesson on the Purpose of Jesus' Miracles -vv3-6-

I. A Physical Example of Spiritual Captivity--II. A Dramatic Display of Christ's Authority--III. A Shocking Response to Christ's Authority

I. God the Father Issued the Gospel Promise-II. God the Son Fulfilled the Gospel Promise-III. We Proclaim the Gospel Promise

I. Forgiveness is the Greatest of Blessings -vv1-2--II. Forgiveness Comes Through Confession -vv3-5--III. Seeking Forgiveness Should Not be Delayed -vv6-7--IV. The Lord Instructs the Forgiven -vv8-9--V. The Joy of a Clean Heart -vv10-11-

I. A Great Storm and a Sound Sleeper -vv23-24--II. An Urgent Plea and a Gentle Rebuke -vv25-26--III. A Marvel-causing Miracle and a Marvelous Revelation -vv26-27--IV. Applying the Storm-calming Power of Jesus to Our Lives Today

I. Root Our Prayers for Mercy in the Mercy of God -vv1-8--II. Counter an Honest Assessment of Our Condition with Faith in the Greatness of God -vv9-18--III. Pleading Begins with Desperation but Ends in Confident Celebration of the Goodness of God -vv19-22--IV. Our Pleading with God is for the Pleading of Others -vv23-24-

I. A Presumption of Self-Confidence -vv18-20--II. An Assumption of Autonomy -vv21-22-

I. Past Grace and Present Praise -vv1-3--II. Grace to One Yields Praise from All -vv4-5--III. Praising God for Lessons on Grace -vv6-10--IV. Past Grace and Future Praise -vv11-12-

I. Lessons from the Healing of One -vv14-15--II. Lessons from the Healing of Many -vv16-17-