1/18/2026 Midtown Church – Sacramento Campus
“From Spectating to Participating”
Pastor Efrem Smith
Main Text: Mark 2:1-12 (NIV)
Other Texts- John 15:5 and John 15:13-17
Biblical Foundation: Gospel of Mark, Spectators, Critics, Participants
- Spectators: present but passive; watching Jesus without engaging.
- Critics: questioning, resisting, focused on what’s “wrong.”
- Participants: leaning in, taking action, bringing others to Jesus.
The Big Question:
Will Our Following of Christ Truly Influence How We Live?
1. Christ Desires More Than a Crowd
Mark 2:1-4
2. Christ Addresses What Is Crowding Our Souls
Mark 2:5
3. Christ Has An Agenda for the Whole
Mark 2:6-12
Final Thought: Christ Calls Us to Connection and to A Cause
John 15:5, John 15:13-17