How Far Would You Go?

Today’s Reading – Mark 1 – 3

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. (Mark 2:4)

In our passage today, Jesus was preaching and ministering in a house in Capernaum. Four men had found out that Jesus was in town, and they attempted to bring to Him a man that was “sick of the palsy”. They could not get near the place due to the throngs of people that were also trying to get near the Lord. They did not let the multitude deter them, however. They climbed up on to the roof, and actually removed part of the roof so that the sick man could be lowered down to Jesus and be healed. This was certainly a bold move on their part, after all they could have gotten in trouble for “breaking and entering” into the house where the meeting was held. They probably would at least have to repair the damages or pay to have the roof repaired. They must have really cared about the man with the palsy, and Jesus was really impressed with their faith.

How much do we care about people in order to bring them to the Savior? Are we concerned enough about our friends to go the “second mile” in order to see them saved. Are we willing to sacrifice some of our time, treasure, and talent to bring people to Christ? Are we willing to take risks as these four men did? There seems to be very little of that level of commitment in Christianity today. I don’t know if it’s because our faith is weak, or if it’s because we are just too comfortable living in this old sin cursed world. I do know this: the time is going to come very soon when we will care; but it will be too late.

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Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.