Mark 2:5 - A Visible Faith
Wayne Jackson

Once more Jesus had returned to the city of Capernaum. When the crowds learned of His where abouts, they pressed near the house where He was, jamming even the doorway, and He proclaimed the word to them (Mark 2: 1 ff). Being aware of the Lord's power to effect miraculous healing, some benevolent men were determined to bring one of their friends - an invalid - into the Master's presence. Because of the crowded doorway, they could not gain access to the room in which Christ was teaching. Not to be dissuaded by the circumstance, they went up on the housetop, "Uncovered the roof" (i.e., opened a passageway), and lowered their friend into the company of the Great Physician. At this point the inspired writer has a very significant statement. He says: "And Jesus seeing their faith said to the one sick of palsy, Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). Note the expression, "Seeing their faith," and underline it. Jesus saw their faith. What does faith look like? What color is it? What shape does it take? These are foolish questions, of course. Faith is an intellectual/emotional disposition; it is not tangible. It cannot be seen literally.

What the Lord actually saw was the action of these men. From the divine vantage point, faith is acknowledged when it manifests itself in action.

This account agrees wonderfully with the challenge of James. "Yes, a man will say, you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith apart from your works, and I, by my works, will show you my faith" (James 2:18). God sees your faith, and honors it, when that faith is manifested in doing His will. These verses are quite at variance with the denominational philosophy that alleges: "faith alone saves." Thus, in the margin of your Bible, beside Mark 2:5, write: See James 2:18; valid faith acts. ❦

Ladies...
Since we have over $2,000 in our Ghana Fund it has been decided to send $1,000 for the completion of a permanent building to house the Christian Academy in Aveyime. Word has come that they are adding another level which will mean that they now have Grades 1-4 meeting "under the tree" as they put it. We have already sent funds for desks and benches and some ground work which has been accomplished. With this additional support a permanent building can be completed so that the school can assemble unhampered by bad weather. At the school the children are taught the Word of God along with secular subjects. The benefits of this will be seen for many years to come. It is a good work to help these dedicated Christians teach the children to "remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.." (Eccl. 12:1) along with giving them the secular education they will need to better their position in life. Let us keep building our Fund and be attentive to ways we can help.

.... Take care,
Shirley Faneuf

Ladies’ Luncheon
The Ladies’ Group is scheduled to meet Monday (tomorrow) at 11:30am in the annex for their regular monthly luncheon and devo. All ladies are invited.

Personal Work Group B
Team B will meet Sunday, October 20th, immediately after morning services for a short meeting, followed by a light lunch after the meeting. See Nancy Norton for more details.

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to Wanda Greene and Ora Lee Skinner and their families in the death of their sister’s granddaughter, Kim Woody, in Spencer, TN. Keep the Greenes in your prayers while they travel to Tennessee and back.

Temporary Addresses
Mary Garrett will be staying with family in Indiana for a couple of months. Her address there is:

Mary Garrett............***-***-****
℅ The Williams
*** * ******** ** - Bloomington, IN *****

Elsie Chambers will be staying with her daughter Pat Conner in Sarasota for a while. That address is:

Elsie Chambers........***-***-****
℅ The Conners
***** ***** ***** - Sarasota, FL *****

Home Devotional
The regular monthly Home Bible Study and Devo will be hosted by Bob and Shirley Faneuf at their home this coming Saturday evening at 6:00pm. Sign-up in the foyer if you plan to attend.

God Speed..
Brother Carlton Hyde has taken a work with the Oakland church of Christ in Haines City. We will miss Carlton, Jacqueline and the kids, but we wish them the very best in this new endeavor.

UPCOMING AREA EVENTS:

• Oct. 17, 2002 - Fla. School of Preaching
Booster Banquet
in the S. Fla Ave fellowship room.

• Nov. 2, 2002 - Central Fla Bible Camp
Banquet
See bulletin board for details.

• Jan 20-23, 2003 - Fla. School of Preaching
28th Annual Lecturship.
"Do You Understand Fellowship"
Complete schedules are posted online