August 2010
August 8 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
The Triumphal Entry (11:1-11)
INTRODUCTION
1. From chapter eleven forward, the events of Mark’s gospel take place
in or near Jerusalem...
a. From His triumphal entry to His resurrection from the dead
b. Occurring within the time span of eight days
2. The first day is often remembered as "Palm Sunday"...
a. In which Jesus made a triumphal entry into the city
b. Accompanied by crowds who laid branches on the road before Him as
He road into town on the colt of a donkey
I. THE NARRATIVE
A. THE PREPARATION...
1. Jesus and His disciples draw near to Jerusalem - Mk 11:1
a. By way of Bethany ("house of dates") and Bethphage ("house
of unripe figs")
b. Two small villages near the Mount of Olives between Jericho
and Jerusalem
2. Jesus arranges for two disciples to get a colt - Mk 11:1-3
a. A colt on which no one sat
b. By foreknowledge or previous arrangement, Jesus knows the
owner will consent
3. The disciples get the colt just as Jesus predicted - Mk 11:4-6
B. THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY...
1. Jesus mounts the colt - Mk 11:7
a. It is brought to Him, clothes placed on it, and He sits on
it
b. Matthew mentions two animals, likely the mother to calm the
colt - Mt 21:2,7
2. Many spread their cloths on the road, others cut leafy branches
and place them on the road before Jesus on the colt - Mk 11:8
a. The significance of the clothes placed before Him might be
found in 2Ki 9:12-13
b. John mentions palm branches - Jn 12:13
3. Many praise Jesus as He rides the colt - Mk 11:9-10
a. Crying "Hosanna!" ("Save!" or "please save!") - Ps 118:25
b. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" - Ps 118:26
c. "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in
the name of the Lord!"
d. "Hosanna in the highest!"
4. Jesus enters Jerusalem - Mk 11:11
a. He goes straight to the temple, and looks around
b. But the hour is late and so He does not stay
C. THE RETURN TO BETHANY...
1. Jesus returns to Bethany with the twelve - Mk 11:11
2. Where He likely stays each night during the week (until the
Passover)
3. Likely at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus - Jn 12:1-2
II. SOME OBSERVATIONS
A. THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY...
1. Matthew explains that all this was in fulfillment of prophecy
- Mt 21:4-5; Zech 9:9
2. Some view the short visit to the temple as fulfilling prophecy
- cf. Mal 3:1
B. THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM...
1. The actions and words of the crowd reflect Messianic
anticipation - Mk 11:10; Jn 12:12-13
2. Earlier some had tried to force Jesus to become a king, but He
refused - Jn 6:15
3. Many were looking for the Messiah to be a physical king, but
Jesus made it clear that His kingdom was not of this world
(i.e., a spiritual kingdom)
a. To the Pharisees - Lk 17:20-21
b. To Pilate - Jn 18:36
4. Paul made it clear that the kingdom was spiritual, not physical
- Ro 14:17; 1Co 15:50
5. Jesus’ selection of the colt indicated the spiritual nature of
His kingdom
a. Normally kings would ride on a horse, symbolizing war and
power
b. But the donkey symbolized peace, befitting the nature of His
kingdom - cf. Isa 9:6
C. THE PRAISE OF THE CROWD...
1. How exciting it must have been on that day! The anticipation!
The joy!
2. The praise of Christ reached eternal heights after His
ascension - Re 5:8-14
3. Today, we can join in the praise of Christ each Lord’s day!
4. And we can look forward to praising Jesus when He returns, when
we will be glorified together with Him! - 2Th 1:10
CONCLUSION
1. What a triumphal entry that will be when Jesus returns...!
a. Not to offer Himself for sin, as He did with His first coming
b. But to offer eternal salvation for those who believe! - He 9:27-28
2. But that will be a day of salvation for those who eagerly await
Him...
a. For others, it will be a day of condemnation - 2Th 1:7-9
b. For others, it will be a day of destruction - ibid.
As we await His "triumphal entry" at the last day, let us faithfully
serve Him today in His spiritual kingdom of righteousness, joy, and
peace...!
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Luke 19:38
August 15 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
Faith And Forgiveness (11:20-26)
INTRODUCTION
1. So far in Mark’s account of the Last Week, we have considered...
a. The triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Sunday - Mk 11:1-11
b. The cursing of the fig tree and cleansing of the temple on Monday
- Mk 11:12-19
2. On Tuesday, the day begins with Jesus and His disciples passing by
the fig tree...
a. Which was withered to its roots - Mk 11:20
b. Wherein Peter comments, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You
cursed has withered away!" - Mk 11:21
I. FAITH AND PRAYER
A. THE NARRATIVE...
1. Jesus tells His disciples to have faith in God - Mk 11:22
2. He says that with faith and no doubt, a mountain can be cast
into the sea - Mk 11:23
3. He tells them that if they pray believing they will receive,
whatever they ask will be given them - Mk 11:24
B. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
1. This passage clearly teaches the importance of faith in prayer,
yet many have abused it
a. Taking it too literally
b. Ignoring what the Bible teaches elsewhere regarding prayer
2. Moving a mountain was a metaphor in Jewish literature for doing
what was seemingly impossible (Isa 40:4; 49:11; 54:10; cf. Mt 21:21-22). Those who believe in God can have confidence that he
will accomplish even the impossible, according to his sovereign
will. - ESV Study Bible
3. The ESV Study Bible offers further insights worth considering:
a. God delights to "give good things to those who ask him" (Mt 7:11) and is capable of granting any prayer though we must
ask with godly motives (Jm 4:3) and according to God’s will
(1Jn 5:14)
b. Those who trust God for the right things in the right way
can have confidence that God will "supply every need...
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Php 4:19),
knowing that he will work "all things together for good" and
will "graciously give us all things" (Ro 8:28,32)
c. Some have misused this verse by telling people that if they
pray for physical healing (or for some other specific
request) and if they just have enough faith, then they can
have confidence that God has already done (or will do)
whatever they ask
d. But we must always have the same perspective that Jesus had
- that is, confidence in God’s power but also submission to
his will: "Father, all things are possible for you - Yet not
what I will, but what you will" (Mk 14:36)
4. So let us seek to grow in faith as we pray, but also with
understanding that what we ask must be in harmony with the will
of God
5. If we feel that we lack in faith, there are two things we can
do to grow in faith:
a. Read the Word of God - cf. Ro 10:17
b. Pray that the Lord will help increase our faith - cf. Mk 9:24; Lk 17:5
II. FORGIVENESS AND PRAYER
A. THE NARRATIVE...
1. Jesus enjoins the need to forgive others as we pray - Mk 11:25
2. Without a forgiving heart, we cannot hope to receive
forgiveness ourselves - Mk 11:26
B. SOME OBSERVATIONS...
1. Forgiving others was very important to Jesus, as stressed time
and again
a. In the sermon on the mount - Mt 5:7; 6:12-15
b. In response to Peter’s question - Mt 18:21-22
c. In the parable of the unforgiving servant - Mt 18:23-25
d. In the sermon on the plain - Lk 6:37
e. In teaching the disciples how to pray - Lk 11:4
f. In teaching His disciples to forgive - Lk 17:3-4
2. Jesus and His followers demonstrated the forgiving spirit
a. Jesus on the cross - Lk 23:34
b. Stephen as he was being stoned - Ac 7:59-60
c. Paul when he was abandoned - 2Ti 4:16
3. We must develop the forgiving spirit, which we can do by:
a. Focusing on God’s love for us - Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:10-11
b. Remembering Christ’s willingness to die and forgive - 1Jn 3:16; Lk 23:34
c. Meditating on the passages above about the importance of
forgiving others
CONCLUSION
1. We have considered two very important conditions for having our
prayers answered...
a. Faith, that we believe what we ask according to God’s will shall
be done, for God does not answer the prayers of doubters - Jm 1:6-8
b. Forgiveness, for unless we forgive God will not forgive, and God
does not hear the prayers of the unrighteous - 1Pe 3:12
2. What Jesus teaches about faith and forgiveness is challenging...
a. But consider the blessings that will come from acceptable prayer!
b. Where we must confess a weak faith and an unforgiving spirit, let
us pray that grace will create in us a new heart!
Such grace comes through responding to the gospel of the grace of God...
- cf. Tit 2:11-14; 3:4-7
August 22 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
Is It From Heaven Or From Men? (11:27-33)
INTRODUCTION
1. Upon return to the temple on Tuesday, Jesus was confronted by the
chief priests and elders...
a. They questioned His authority - Mk 11:27-28
b. In response, Jesus challenged them regarding the authority behind
the baptism of John - Mk 11:29-30
c. Since they would not answer, Jesus refused to answer their
question - Mk 11:31-33
2. In this passage, we find an important principle regarding authority
in matters of religion...
a. All religious practices must come from one of two sources
b. They come either from heaven or from men - Mk 11:30
3. What Jesus asked regarding John’s baptism, could be asked of many
religious practices...
a. Infant baptism
b. Sprinkling or pouring instead of immersion
c. Denominationalism, a clergy-laity distinction
d. The impossibility of apostasy, observing the Sabbath
e. Instrumental music, burning of incense, etc., in our worship
-- Are such practices from heaven or from men?
I. TO BE FROM HEAVEN
A. IT MUST COME FROM JESUS...
1. For He has been given all authority - Mt 28:18
2. Both in heaven and on earth
Certainly if Jesus commanded it, it is from heaven!
B. IT MUST COME THROUGH HIS APOSTLES...
1. For Jesus delegated His authority to His apostles - Jn 13:20
2. They serve as His official ambassadors - 2Co 5:20
3. To ensure their reliability, Jesus promised the Spirit to
remind them of what He taught, and to guide them into all the
truth - Jn 14:26; 16:12-13
4. This is why the church continued steadfastly in the apostles’
doctrine - Ac 2:42; 1Co 14:37; 1Th 2:13
If the apostles of Christ taught it, it is from heaven!
C. IT MUST COME ONLY FROM THE APOSTLES...
1. The apostles were given, and proclaimed, the whole counsel of
God - Ac 20:27
2. They were given all things that pertain to life and godliness
- 2Pe 1:3
3. The faith revealed through them was delivered once for all
(lit., one time for all times) - Ju 3
There is no need for modern day revelations, for in the
Scriptures we have all we need to be "complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work" - 2 Ti 3:16-17
II. IT IS FROM MAN
A. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT THE MAJORITY THINKS...
1. Many people will accept whatever most people think about
something
2. Yet Jesus warned against following the majority - Mt 7:13-14
3. If you had followed the majority...
a. In Noah’s day, you would have perished in the flood
b. In Joshua’s day, you would have perished in the wilderness
What the majority believes or does is not likely to be from
heaven, but from men!
B. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT PARENTS TAUGHT US...
1. Some believe "If it was good enough for Mom and Dad, it is good
enough for me."
2. As much as we may love and respect our parents, Christ must
come first - Mt 10:37
3. If every generation had simply followed their parents, then we
who are Gentiles would likely still be idol-worshippers and
polytheistic!
Let us honor our parents, not by following them blindly, but by
applying principles they themselves likely taught us, such as
seek to do the right thing, obey God, etc.
C. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT PREACHERS TELL US...
1. It is common for people to place their trust in their
"preacher," "priest," or "pastor"
2. They reason that surely these "men of God" could not be wrong
or lead them astray
a. Yet Paul warned of how we can easily be misled - cf. 2Co 11:13-15
b. And Jesus warned about the "blind leading the blind" - Mt 15:12-14
3. Our attitude needs to be like that of the Bereans, who
carefully examined Paul’s teachings in light of the Scriptures
- Ac 17:11
What a preacher teaches is only as good as the authority behind
it; unless we wish to be led astray, we have the responsibility
to ask "Is it from God, or men?"
D. IF BASED SOLELY UPON CREEDS AND TRADITIONS OF MEN...
1. This is where the denominations really get most of their
authority
a. E.g., for such things as infant baptism, pouring or
sprinkling instead of immersion
b. E.g., for such things as denominationalism, once saved
always saved
2. Indeed, adherence to the creeds of men is what produces
denominations
a. Accept the Bible only, and you become a Christian only
b. Accept some man-made creed or tradition, and you become
something else!
1) Accept the Book of Mormon, and you become a Mormon
2) Accept papal authority, and you become a Roman Catholic
3) Accept the Lutheran Catechism, and you become a Lutheran
3. Creeds are really not even necessary...
a. If they say more than what the Bible says, they say too much
b. If they say less than what the Bible says, they say too
little
c. If they say exactly what the Bible says, then why not let
the Bible be our creed book?
The fact is creeds are filled with the traditions and commands
of men, many of which conflict with and displace the commands
of God! - cf. Mk 7:6-9
E. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT YOUR CONSCIENCE TELLS YOU...
1. "Let your conscience be your guide" is the motto of many
2. But our conscience cannot always be reliable
a. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his
life - Ac 23:1
b. Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - cf. Ac 26:9-11
3. Our conscience is like a clock, which works properly if set
properly
4. Once our conscience has been "set" by the "apostles’ doctrine",
then it can be a good guide
Unless what your conscience is telling you can be confirmed by
the Word of God, then what you believe is from man, not God!
F. IF BASED SOLELY UPON WHAT IS HUMAN WISDOM...
1. Many believe that through their own wisdom they can determine
right and wrong
a. If it makes sense to them, they reason it must be true
b. If it doesn’t make sense, they won’t accept it
2. But God’s thoughts and ways are not always our own - cf. Isa 55:8-9
3. In fact, God has chosen to save man in a manner specifically
designed to confound those who depend solely upon human wisdom
- cf. 1Co 1:18-29
4. For us to know God’s will, it was necessary for Him to reveal
it to us - 1Co 2:9-12
a. This He has done through His Spirit-inspired apostles
b. Who in turn shared it with us through their writings - Ep 3:1-5
Appeal to human reason to justify a certain practice, and it
will likely be from man, not God!
G. IF BASED SOLELY UPON FEELINGS...
1. This is often the "standard of authority" for many people
a. Who go by whatever "feels right"
b. Who place stock in a religion "better felt than told"
2. Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in "feelings"
a. "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is
the way of death." - Pr 14:12
b. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." - Pr 28:26
c. "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not
in man who walks to direct his own steps." - Jer 10:23
It should be evident that any religious practice or doctrine
based upon "feelings" alone is from man, not God!
H. IF BASED SOLELY UPON THE OLD TESTAMENT...
1. People will sometimes resort to the O.T. to provide authority
for some practice
a. When they can’t find authority for it in the teachings of
Christ and/or His apostles
b. For example, a clergy-laity system, burning of incense and
use of instrumental music in worship, keeping the Sabbath
2. But the O.T. was designed to be temporary, to fulfill a
specific purpose and as a covenant has been replaced by the New
Covenant (i.e., the New Testament)
a. It was given because of transgressions, till Christ should
come - Ga 3:19
b. For those under the Law (Israel), it was a tutor
1) A tutor designed to lead them to Christ - Ga 3:24
2) A tutor that has been taken away - Ga 3:25
c. When those who were under the Law came to Christ...
1) They became dead to the Law - Ro 7:4
2) They were delivered from the Law - Ro 7:6
d. As prophesied by Jeremiah, God has made a "new covenant" to
replace the "first covenant" which is now obsolete - He 8:7-13
3. In handling of the issue of circumcision, the apostles
demonstrated that one cannot use the O.T. to teach something
which the apostles themselves did not command
a. Some sought to enforce circumcision and the Law upon Gentile
believers - Ac 15:1,6
b. But the apostles, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
were able to defuse the problem by simply stating they "gave
no such commandment" - Ac 15:22-29
4. This is not to say the O.T. is not of value to Christians...
a. It was written for our learning, to provide patience,
comfort, and hope - Ro 15:4
b. It was written for our admonition, that we not make similar
mistakes - 1Co 10:6,11
c. We just can’t use it to enjoin religious practices upon
others which the apostles themselves did not teach!
CONCLUSION
1. Do we want to avoid being led astray...?
a. By "blind leaders of the blind"? - cf. Mt 15:14
b. By "false teachers...who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies"? - cf. 2Pe 2:1
2. Then we need to know how to ascertain whether a religious doctrine or
practice...
a. Is from God or from men
b. Is based upon what the apostles of Christ taught, or some other
"authority"
3. The solution is simple, but requires effort on our part...
a. We must "continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine" - Ac 2:42
a. We must "search the Scriptures daily" - Ac 17:11
Only then can we be sure that what we believe or someone teaches is
truly from God, and not from man!
August 22 PM
"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"
Taking Revenge (Mt 5:38-42)
INTRODUCTION
1. As we continue our study of Jesus' "Sermon On The Mount," bear in
mind that we are still discussing the "The Righteousness Of The
Kingdom"
2. We have seen Jesus contrast this "righteouseness" to that of the
scribes and Pharisees, in how they interpreted and applied the Law
to such matters as:
a. Murder (21-26)
b. Adultery (27-30)
c. Divorce (31-32)
d. Swearing Oaths (33-37)
3. In this lesson, we shall consider what Jesus taught concerning
"vengeance"
I. THE LAW OF MOSES AND "THE TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION"
A. CONCERNING THE STATEMENT: "AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A
TOOTH"...
1. It is found in Exo 21:24-25
2. A parallel passage is Deut 19:21
B. FROM THE CONTEXT, IT IS SEEN THESE STATEMENTS WERE ACTUALLY LAWS
FOR THE CIVIL COURTS TO APPLY...
1. Notice carefully Deut 19:15-21; Exo 21:22-23
2. They were given to guide the priests in meriting out proper
punishment
C. IT APPEARS THAT THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES HAD...
1. Interpreted these statements so as to justify PERSONAL
retribution!
2. Applied them by frequently taking matters of revenge into their
own hands
-- JUST AS MANY PEOPLE DO TODAY!
D. BUT THE LAW OF MOSES REPEATEDLY FORBID "PERSONAL" VENGEANCE...
1. Consider Lev 19:18; Pr 20:22; 24:29
2. Both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, the matter of
vengeance was to be left up to God and His duly appointed
agents: CIVIL GOVERNMENTS - cf. Ro 12:19; 13:1-4
II. THE "RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM" AS TAUGHT BY JESUS
A. JESUS PROCLAIMED TWO PRINCIPLES...
1. DO NOT RESIST AN EVIL PERSON (39a)
a. Not only should you not take vengeance into your own
hands...
b. But don't even oppose (resist) the evil person when the
evil is being done!
2. REACT TO THE EVIL BEING DONE, BY DOING GOOD! (39b-42)
a. This principle is illustrated by Jesus with several
examples...
1) Reacting to PHYSICAL ABUSE (39b)
a) "Turn the other cheek"
b) This may refer to offering the other cheek as an
expression of love
2) Reacting to a CIVIL SUIT, by giving more than what the
person is suing for! (40)
3) Reacting to GOVERNMENT OPPRESSION, by offering to do
more than what is being demanded of you! (41)
4) Reacting to THOSE ASKING FOR HELP, by giving them what
ask for! (42)
b. In each case, the principle is the same
1) We are not to resist the person...
a) Who would mistreat us
b) Who would try to deprive us of our possessions
2) Instead, react in a positive manner...
a) Demonstrate love towards them
b) Do so by giving them freely MORE than they were
hoping to gain by force, oppression, or manipulation!
B. IS THIS TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY?
1. Why not?
a. We have several O.T. examples...
1) JOSEPH, in forgiving his brothers - Gen 45:4-15
2) DAVID, in sparing the life of Saul - 1Sa 24:8-15
3) ELISHA, in feeding the army of the Arameans - 2Ki 6:
8-23
b. We also have several N.T. examples...
1) JESUS, our prime example - 1Pe 2:20-23
2) STEPHEN, when he was being stoned - Ac 7:59-60
3) THE HEBREW CHRISTIANS, who "joyfully accepted" the
plundering of their goods - He 10:32-34
2. If not, then how do we apply these words of Jesus?
a. What does Jesus mean?
b. Give some examples of how to apply these teachings... ???
C. ARE WE TO APPLY IT "UNCONDITIONALLY"?
I.e., must we decide who is "worthy" to receive this kind of
treatment?
a. Jesus does not give us any indication that we are to use
"discretion"
b. Paul does give some qualifying instructions (e.g., 2Th 3:
10)...
1) But it applies to those who are Christians
2) And we have a responsibility to "judge" those in the
church, leaving those outside to God - 1Co 5:9-13
CONCLUSION
1. Summarizing the teachings of Jesus concerning vengeance...
a. Do not resist evil
b. Respond to evil by doing good in turn
2. The teachings of Jesus in this passage are admittedly challenging,
and opposed to what what we might call "human nature"
3. But we are called upon to be "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Pe 1:4); in other words, to be more like God than men
4. And as we will see in the next lesson, it is in order to be truly
"sons of your Father in heaven" that Jesus teaches a standard of
righteousness that far exceeds that of the Scribes, Pharisees, and
most people today!
At the very least, let us expend as much energy in seeing how we can
apply this passage to lives, as many spend in trying to explain it
doesn't really mean what it appears to say!
