Sermon Summary for February 3, 2013
We’re into a new month and Pastor Brantham is continuing his series called “Looking Unto Jesus; Studies in Mark’s Gospel” with a message entitled “Questions That Perplex, Decisions that are Critical”.
Text: Mark 10:1-52; (17-27); cross-reference Matt 19:1-30; John 10:40-42
Intro:
Last week Mark revealed to us that Jesus had manifested Himself again as Messiah in the Transfiguration, but warned the disciples not to misunderstand His mission and work. He also revealed that the way in the Kingdom of God is by child-like faith and that greatness in Christ’s Kingdom is not one of position, but of humble service. He also revealed to them that NOTHING IS MORE VALUABLE THAN BEING A PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD!! It should be our ultimate objective.
Today, we see Jesus journeying toward Jerusalem, but first turning aside into the region of Perea(East of the Dead Sea). While there, He is confronted by a group of Pharisees that ask Him a question about divorce. This event opens the way for Jesus to answer a number of questions that surround what it means to follow Christ and be a part of the Kingdom of God.
I. The Question of Divorce and Christ’s Response (The Baiting)
Mark 10:1-12; Matt 19:1-12; I Corinthians 7
The pharisees are trying to trip up Jesus by asking Him if divorce is lawful. They think that if he condemns divorce, King Herod may kill Him like he did John the Baptist, but if Jesus says divorce is allowed, they can then accuse Him of not following the law. Jesus responds to them with a question — “what did Moses allow.”
This model of answering a question with a question is good to follow — especially when people ask things simply to get you off- topic and away from the issues that really matter. This is exactly what the pharisees were doing. They were not interested in His opinion of divorce, they were simply trying to get Him caught up in an issue that really wasn’t pertinent to the Kingdom of God. The truth is, the pharisees (and folks in the modern era) are asking the wrong question. The better question is “should I marry this person at all?” Once married, God’s intention is one man, one woman for life.
II. The Blessing
Mark 10:13-16
After the pharisees were done questioning Him, the people brought little children to Jesus for a blessing. However, the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus encouraged the little children to come, saying “whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will by no means enter it.”
Jesus was saying not to become as children mentally or psychologically, but to develop child-like faith and more than that a total and complete dependance on God, much the same way a child is dependent on a parent or guardian for their very survival. Our own works wont do it — our salvation is ENTIRELY dependent upon Christ, and nothing else.
III. The Question on Inheriting Eternal Life (The Blunder)
Mark 10:17-27; Matt 19:16; Luke 18:18
The story of the rich young ruler is quite tragic — here is a guy that seems to have a sincere desire to know the way of eternal life. He is young, rich, and a religious leader. He is quite accomplished and by the world’s standards “going places.” Yet, he commits a big blunder in asking the entirely wrong question “what must I DO to inherit eternal life.”
This young man has a wrong view of salvation in that he thinks it has something to do with his own actions — “what must I DO”. Jesus first goes through some of the latter commandments with him, like “do not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, defraud, and honor your parents.” After the young man says he’s kept all these since boyhood, Jesus hits him in his weak spot, “one thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
Jesus exposes that the rich young ruler is attached to his possessions and therefore goes away sad, because he is unable to do the one thing Jesus asks. This story is not to say that we all need to sell everything and give to the poor, but that we need to be willing to do whatever God asks, and we must never become too attached to our worldly possessions.
IV. The Question of Peter (The Benefit)
Mark 10:28-31; Matt 19:27; Luke 8:28
Peter wants to know what benefit he and the other disciples will receive for following Christ. After all, they had left everything — family, friends, their businesses, etc. to follow Him. Jesus assures Peter that they will be rewarded a hundred-fold in this life and the next (but with persecutions).
V. The Question of James & John (The Brazenness)
Mark 10:35-45; Matt 20:20
After Jesus finishes explaining how He will have to suffer greatly, James and John ask a very brazen question — can they sit at the right and left of Him in the Kingdom? Jesus tells them that it is not His to give, and the other disciples become indignant. Jesus takes this opportunity to explain a huge misconception they have about God’s kingdom. Unlike the empires of this world, the greatest in God’s kingdom are those who serve.
These are not necessarily the pastors and elders of the Church, but are those who clean the kitchens and bathrooms, park the cars, play the organ, and do hundreds of other mundane and repetitive tasks that must be done in order for things to function properly. These folks do not seek recognition, but work and serve quietly for the betterment of the kingdom. When Jesus says “the last shall be first”, these are the people He is speaking of.
VI. The Question of Jesus (The Blindness)
Mark 10:46-52; Matt 20:29; Luke 18:35
As they came into Jericho, Jesus encountered a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. Jesus asked him “What do you want Me to do for you”. And this is the question we must all answer today. What do we want Christ to do for us? Bartimaeus asked to receive his sight, and this is a picture of the human heart, because we are all born spiritually blind. The world is blind, and without the intervention of the Holy Spirit, the human heart is hard.
We should ask Christ today to remove any spiritual blindness we may have. And to reveal to us things we are doing that displease Him. We also need to know that we have a loving Father and Savior waiting for us to call out to Him, repent of our sins, and reconcile with Him. As Christians, this is an ongoing process. It is easy to get caught up into the winds of worldly doctrines and behaviors, and many times we need to re-commit our lives to the service of the Kingdom.
Application; 5 Questions and Decisions to be Made:
1. Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? No. Be faithful to whom you marry.
2. What must I do to inherit eternal life? Seek Christ.
3. What do I get out of leaving all and following Christ? Everything we need for this life and the one to come.
4. Can I have position and honor? Yes, but it comes by serving, so get to work!
5. What do you want Christ to do for you? Ask Him.