January 2010
Jan 24 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
The Problem With Riches (10:17-27)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our text, we read of a rich man who was so right, yet wrong...
a. He came to the right person - Mk 10:17
1) He came to Jesus
2) Who could tell Him the way to eternal life
b. He asked the right questions - Mk 10:17
1) "What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
2) "What do I still lack?" - cf. Mt 19:20
c. He certainly received the right answers - Mk 10:19-21
1) "...if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments"
(suitable for one living under the OT covenant) - cf. Mt 19:17-19
2) "If you want to be perfect, go, sell...give to the poor...and
come, follow Me" (fitting for one who would become a disciple
and follow Jesus during His ministry) - cf. Mt 19:21
d. But in the end, he made the wrong decision - Mk 10:22
1) He went away sorrowful
2) For he had great possessions
2. As the rich man went away sadly, Jesus told His disciples about the
difficulty of riches...
a. It is hard for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of
God - Mk 10:23-24
b. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle - Mk 10:25
3. What is it about being rich that makes salvation so difficult...?
a. Are we aware of the dangers of riches?
b. Do we have the proper attitudes toward wealth, whether rich or
poor?
I. THE PROBLEM WITH RICHES
A. THE ABSORBING INTEREST OF RICHES...
1. Riches do not satisfy, and we foolishly think that simply more
riches will bring satisfaction - cf. Ec 1:8; 5:10
2. With riches comes the preoccupation with them: how to use,
maintain, store, etc.
B. THE DECEITFUL PROMISE OF RICHES...
1. Jesus warned about the deceitfulness of riches - Mk 4:19
2. Riches promise much, but really offer little in return
a. They can easily disappear, rust, or be stolen - Pr 23:5; Mt 6:19
b. They cannot buy one's salvation - Ps 49:6-9,16-20
c. Neither can they protect one from God's wrath - Zep 1:18
Riches can deceive one into thinking they are in need of
nothing; the parable of the rich fool illustrates the folly of
such thinking - Lk 12:16-21
C. THE FOOLISH PRIDE OF RICHES...
1. Wealth tends to promote a sense of arrogance and pride - cf.
Deu 8:11-17
2. It was such pride that was the downfall of Sodom and Israel
- Eze 16:49-50; Hos 13:4-6
Blinded by such pride, one will not seek God - Ps 10:4
D. THE HARDENING SELFISHNESS OF RICHES...
1. The wealthy, while in a position to help others, often close
their hearts to the cry of the poor
2. This was one of Israel's sins - Am 2:6; 5:11-12; 8:4-6
Abusing the poor to make money, failing to respond to their
cries for justice, interested more in money than the welfare of
the poor, such are the problems that often afflict the rich
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II. LESSONS GLEANED FROM THE PROBLEM OF RICHES
A. THE FOLLY OF COVETOUSNESS...
1. Why be so anxious to be rich, when riches might prove to be a
curse for us?
2. Besides, covetousness is viewed by God as a form of idolatry
- Ep 5:5; Col 3:5
3. It not a sin to be rich, but the desire to be rich is wrong
a. Those who desire to be rich will fall into temptation, and
not go unpunished - 1Ti 6:9; Pr 28:20
b. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil - 1Ti 6:10
1) For which some have strayed from the faith
2) And suffered many sorrows
Beware of covetousness! - Lk 12:15
B. THE DUTY OF CONTENTMENT...
1. Contentment along with godliness is true wealth - 1Ti 6:6-7
a. "He is richest who is content with the least." - Socrates
b. "Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few
wants" - Croft M. Pentz (The Complete Book of Zingers)
2. Contentment is a virtue that is learned - e.g., Php 4:11-12
a. By having a proper perspective on life - 1Ti 6:7
1) "You can't take it with you"
2) Ever see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer?
b. By understanding what is truly essential in life - 1Ti 6:8
1) Food and clothing...anything more is a luxury
2) Realizing this, we will appreciate how blessed we are!
Learn to be content! - He 13:5
C. THE NEED FOR SYMPATHY FOR THE RICH...
1. Jesus loved the rich young ruler - Mk 10:21
a. We should certainly love those who are rich
b. We should not be envious, nor despise them
2. If the rich are overcome by their riches, we should remember...
a. That the desire to be rich affects both the rich and those
who want to be rich
b. That the rich face many temptations that the poor do not
The rich are in need of salvation as much as the poorest
beggar! - Ro 3:23; 6:23
D. FAITH IN THE POWER OF GOD...
1. Though it is hard for a rich person to be saved, it is not
impossible - Mk 10:23-27
a. No one can save themselves, whether rich or poor
b. But God can save the rich by His own power, through the
gospel - Ro 1:16-17
2. There were many rich people who became Jesus' disciples
a. Those that supported Him during His earthly ministry - Lk 8:1-3
b. Others such as Zacchaeus, Matthew, Barnabas, Lydia, Aquila
and Priscilla, Gaius, Philemon
c. Such people used their riches in service to God and others
- cf. 1Ti 6:17-19 3. Therefore...
a. The rich should have the gospel preached to them
b. We should pray for the rich
c. We should rejoice greatly that there are rich men and women
in the kingdom of God
With God, nothing is impossible! - Mk 10:27
CONCLUSION
1. The issue of wealth is often one of contention...
a. The poor are often envious of the rich
b. The rich often despise the poor
2. But riches and poverty both have their difficulties...
a. Wealth can one make one arrogant, less receptive to the gospel and
the kingdom
b. Poverty can make one bitter, filled with envy of others
3. Whether rich or poor, all should be aware...
a. Of our need for salvation that comes only by the grace of God
b. That we can share together in the riches of salvation
Have you become an heir to the "unsearchable riches of Christ"...? - Ep 3:8
Jan 24 PM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
The Cost And Reward Of Discipleship (10:28-31)
INTRODUCTION
1. Jesus had just completed His encounter with the rich young ruler...
a. Who sadly left when he chose his possessions over following Christ
- Mk 10:17-22
b. When Jesus then warned His disciples about the difficulty of
riches - Mk 10:23-27
2. At which Peter began to say, "See, we have left all and followed
You..." - Mk 10:28
a. Matthew adds in his gospel "Therefore what shall we have?" - Mt 19:27
b. Matthew also mentions the promise of the apostles sitting on
thrones of judgment in the regeneration - Mt 19:28
I. THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. EARTHLY RELATIONS...
1. Jesus spoke of leaving family - Mk 10:29
2. He mentioned wife; not found in some mss of Mark, but is in Lk 18:29
3. Not to suggest such is always necessary - cf. 1Co 9:5
4. But sometimes even one's family turns against a disciple - Mt 10:21,34-36
5. Thus Jesus and His gospel must come before family - Mt 10:37;
Lk 14:26
Sometimes the greatest cost of discipleship is imposed by our
own families
B. EARTHLY POSSESSIONS...
1. Jesus spoke of leaving house and lands - Mk 10:29
2. Not to suggest that it is always necessary - cf. 1Co 16:19; Ro 16:5; Col 4:15; Phm 1:2
3. But disciples often sold lands, opened their homes to others
- Ac 4:36-37; Phm 1:22
4. Paul certainly gave up much to serve Christ - Php 3:7-8
5. Thus Jesus and His kingdom must come before possessions - Lk 14:33; Mt 6:33
We must be willing to forsake all that is necessary to be a
discipl
e of Jesus
II. THE REWARD OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. ETERNAL RELATIONS...
1. Jesus spoke of hundredfold blessings "in this time" - Mk 10:30
2. Of brothers, sisters, mother, children
a. He likely refers to fellow disciples as family - cf. Mk 3:31-35
b. Jesus does not mention "fathers"; could it be because God is
our Father? - Mt 23:9
c. The fulfillment of this can be seen in the church, the
family of God - 1Ti 3:15; 5:1-2
d. Our spiritual family (the church) is the only one that will
survive death
3. Of houses and lands
a. Perhaps through fellow ties with other disciples - Ac 4:32
b. Who opened their hearts and homes to one another (Mi casa es
su casa)
c. Like Aquila and Priscilla - Ac 18:1-3; 1Co 16:19; Ro 16:5
Even now, through His church, there are great rewards for
following Christ
B. ETERNAL POSSESSIONS...
1. Jesus spoke of eternal life "in the age to come" - Mk 10:30
2. As Paul described, the gift of God to be received at "the end"
- Ro 6:22-23; cf. Mt 25:46
3. This eternal life includes the "people of God" - cf. Re 21:3
4. This eternal life includes spiritual houses and lands
a. The Father's house, in which there are many rooms - Jn 14:1-3
a. A new heaven and a new earth - 2Pe 3:13; Re 21:1
b. The holy city, New Jerusalem - Re 21:2,23-27
- What glorious rewards await those who follow Jesus to eternal
life!
CONCLUSION
1. In Mark's account, Jesus also mentioned persecutions...
a. Together with the rewards of following Jesus - Mk 10:30
b. Leading some to view them as a reward rather than a cost of
discipleship
c. Those who suffer persecution are certainly blessed - Mt 5:10-12;
Re 20:4-6
2. Jesus concludes: "But many who are first will be last, and the last
first"... - Mk 10:31
a. Which is followed in Matthew's gospel with the parable of laborers
in the vineyard - Mt 20:1-15
b. And is repeated again after the parable - Mt 20:16
c. Thus a cautionary warning not to serve the Lord with a mercenary
spirit
Whatever the cost of discipleship, whether our service proves to be long
and hard or short and easy, the reward of discipleship more than makes
up for it. As Paul (who suffered greatly for Christ) wrote:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we
do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the
things which are not seen are eternal." - 2Co 4:17-18
Jan 31 AM
"WHEN DISASTER STRIKES"
INTRODUCTION
1. In recent years, natural disasters have struck different regions of
the world...
a. Tsunami in Asia (2004)
b. Hurricane Katrina (2005)
c. Cyclone in Myanmar (2008)
d. Earthquake in Haiti (2010)
2. When disasters like these strike, people often raise questions...
a. Why did it happen? Did God cause it? If not, why did He allow it
to happen?
b. What can I do? Does it do any good?
[Since the Ethiopian famine in 1985, I have often thought about such
questions. With the most recent disaster fresh on our minds, let's
attempt to provide some answers...]
I. WHY DID IT HAPPEN?
A. DID GOD CAUSE IT...?
1. It is common to call such natural disasters "acts of God"
2. Perhaps because God has used natural disasters in the past; for
example:
a. The flood - Gen 6:6-7,11-13,17
b. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen 18:20; 19:24-25
c. Famine, drought, pestilence, plague, war, earthquake,
against Israel - Am 4:6-12
3. But it would be a mistake to attribute all disasters to the
hand of God
a. Disasters are part of a natural process in a planet's
evolution and ecology
b. Sometimes God simply allows such events to run their course
according to "time and chance", and so many experience
tragedies due to no fault of their own - Ec 9:11
c. Some disasters are man-made (Chernobyl, Bhopal, bridge
collapses, forest fires)
d. Suffering often comes upon the innocent - Job 1:8-22; 2Co 11:23-27
e. Thus we should not make the mistake of Job's friends,
presuming guilt on those who suffer tragedy - Job 42:7
-- Without divine revelation, there is no way we can know if "God
caused it"
B. THEN WHY DOES GOD ALLOW IT...?
1. If God didn't cause it, why does He even allow it to happen?
2. This relates to the overall problem of suffering, which God may
allow for several reasons
a. It keeps this world from becoming too attractive,
encouraging us to seek something better - Mt 6:19-21; He 13:14
b. It can bring out the best in people (patience, generosity)
- Ro 5:3-4; Jm 1:2-4
c. It encourages people to think of God, to draw near to Him in
repentance
3. Whenever the innocent and righteous die, we should bear in
mind:
a. The death of the righteous is precious in the sight of God
- Ps 116:15
b. The death of the righteous removes them from all suffering
and evil - Isa 57:1-2
c. The death of the righteous is truly a blessing! - Re 14:13
d. Even the innocent young are delivered from much heartache
and sorrow!
-- Whether caused by God or not, disasters can result in much
good!
[Which leads to our next question, which often comes from those
responding to disaster and suffering...]
II. WHAT CAN I DO?
A. AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY...
1. As we have opportunity, we are to do good - Ga 6:10
2. What we can do depends on what we are able to do
a. Our skills, our resources
b. Whether we are nearby or far off
3. If the need is nearby, we may be able to help directly
a. With skills like medical aid, trash cleanup
b. With resources like medicines, food, clothing, shelter
4. If the need is far off, we can help indirectly
a. Supporting those with skills who desire to go
b. Supporting charitable organizations (NGOs)
5. Thoughts about charitable giving
a. Give to established charities with experience in the
affected area
b. Use guides like Charity Navigator to find one you can trust
c. Send cash, not food, clothing, etc.
6. While donating tangible items might make you feel better,
giving cash is almost always a better option - to understand
why, read these two articles:
a. Cash Is Best - Center For International Disaster Information
b. What's the absolute best way to help after a natural
disaster abroad? - Slate.com
-- Again, what we should do depends upon our opportunity
B. DO GOOD TO ALL...
1. As we have opportunity, we are to do good to all men - Ga 6:10
2. Like the Good Samaritan - Lk 10:30-37
3. Non-sectarian, charitable organization are especially good for
this, for example:
a. Doctors Without Borders (especially good for immediate help)
b. Mercy Corps (especially good for long term help)
4. I prefer non-sectarian instead of faith-based organization for
general charity, because many of the latter teach false
doctrine while they seek to help - cf. 2Jn 1:9-11
-- We should not hesitate to help those who may not be Christians
C. ESPECIALLY THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH...
1. As we have opportunity, we are to especially help our brethren
- Ga 6:10
2. Like Gentile Christians did for their Jewish brethren in Christ
- Ro 15:25-26; 2Co 8:1-4
3. Churches can certainly send aid directly to such Christians
- 1Co 16:1-4
4. Individuals can sometimes use other channels - e.g., Open
Hearts, Helping Hands
-- When we know of Christians in need, we should not hesitate to
help
D. FINALLY, WE SHOULD PRAY...!
1. It is our duty as Christians to pray for all men - 1Ti 2:1-2
2. We should pray for those directly afflicted, and their loved
ones
3. We should pray for those providing relief (governments, NGOs,
individuals)
-- The prayers of the righteous can accomplish much good - cf. Jm 5:16
CONCLUSION
1. Disasters are terrible, but they can be occasions for much good in
this world...
a. The wicked can turn to God
b. The righteous can draw closer to God
c. People can become more charitable, foes can become friends
2. With faith in God and love for our fellow man, we can make the best
of the situation...
a. Strengthening bonds between brethren
b. Bringing communities together
c. Appreciating what is really important in life
So in times of calamity, trust in God and reach out to aid your fellow
man...!
Jan 31 PM
We spent the evening singing praises to the LORD!!!!!
