September 6 AM
"OUR LIFE TOGETHER"
Limitations On Our Fellowship
INTRODUCTION
1. Throughout this study on "Our Life Together", the focus has been on
enhancing the fellowship that Christians have in Christ, made
possible by His precious death on the cross - cf. Ep 2:14-22
a. Jesus died that He might reconcile us back to God "in one body"
- Ep 2:16
b. We are now "fellow-citizens with the saints and members of the
household of God" - Ep 2:19
c. We have been "joined together" as a holy temple in the Lord
- Ep 2:21
2. I hope that in some way I have challenged us to think about our
fellowship, and the importance of doing what we can to nurture it...
a. That we strive to develop the family-like intimacy Jesus intended
for God's household
b. That we appreciate the true interdependence we have as members in
the body of Christ
c. That we understand how our public assemblies with their various
acts of worship help to develop fellowship
d. That we receive one another as Christ received us
e. That we use our liberty in Christ to serve one another in love
f. That we allow the Scriptures with its exhortations and examples
to guide us in building fellowship
3. Yet, while fellowship among brethren is wonderful, sometimes we are
called upon to withhold our fellowship from a brother or sister in
Christ...
a. We may have to view a fellow disciple as "a heathen and a tax
collector" - cf. Mt 18:17
b. We may have to "avoid them" - cf. Ro 16:17
c. We might have to "put away from yourselves that wicked person"
- cf. 1Co 5:13
d. We might have to "withdraw" ourselves and "not keep company" with
a fellow disciple - cf. 2Th 3:6,14
e. We might not be able to "receive him into your house nor greet
him" - cf. 2Jn 10
4. Indeed, there are "Limitations On Our Fellowship" we must respect if
we are to be true to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles!
I. THE COMMAND TO WITHHOLD FELLOWSHIP
A. AS COMMANDED BY JESUS HIMSELF...
1. In the case of a brother who has sinned and refuses to repent
- Mt 18:15-17
2. Jesus' own words: "...let him be to you like a heathen and a
tax collector."
a. Spoken in the context of social relations at the time
b. Jews had no social dealings with Gentiles, nor with their
Jewish brethren who worked for the Roman government as tax
collectors
3. The point is to withdraw social association from a brother who
refuses to repent
B. AS COMMANDED BY HIS APOSTLES...
1. Paul's charge to the church at Rome - Ro 16:17-18
a. Involving those who "cause divisions and offenses"
b. The brethren were to "note" and "avoid them"
2. Paul's charge to the church at Corinth - 1Co 5:1-13
a. Involving a man who had his father's wife
b. The church was instructed:
1) To "deliver such a one to Satan..." - 1Co 5:5
2) To "purge out the old leaven" - 1Co 5:7
3) To "not keep company" - 1Co 5:11
4) To "not even to eat with such a person" - 1Co 5:11
5) To "put away from yourselves that wicked person." - 1Co 5:13
3. Paul's charge to the church at Thessalonica - 2Th 3:6-15
a. Involving those who would not work and support themselves
b. The church was instructed:
1) To "withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and
not according to the tradition which he received from
us" - 2Th 3:6
2) To "note that person and do not keep company with him"
- 2Th 3:14
4. John's charge to the elect lady and her children - 2Jn 9-11
a. Involving anyone who would seek their support, and yet not
abide in the doctrine of Christ
b. They were instructed to "not receive him into your house
nor greet him"
II. THE PURPOSE FOR WITHHOLDING FELLOWSHIP
A. TO SAVE THE SOUL IN ERROR...
1. One who refuses to repent of sin is in a lost state - cf. He 10:26-31
2. By making him (or her) "ashamed" of their sin, perhaps they
may repent - cf. 2Th 3:14
3. Consider Paul's words in 1Co 5:5...
a. The church is to "deliver such a one to Satan"
1) That is, to remove all godly influence from that person
2) This is done by withdrawing fellowship
b. The purpose is "for the destruction of the flesh"
1) It is "fleshly desires" (of which pride plays a great
part) that encourage one to persist in sin
2) But "shame" can go a long way to destroying these things
of the flesh
3) Therefore the command to publicly note and withdraw from
such a person - cf. 1Co 5:4,13
c. The ultimate goal: "that his spirit may be saved in the
day of the Lord Jesus"
1) Our concern is not his (or even our own) temporary
happiness
2) But the salvation of his soul on the day of judgment!
3) Therefore the need for "tough love" by withholding
fellowship
B. TO SAVE THE SOULS OF THE OTHER MEMBERS IN THE CHURCH...
1. This is Paul's point about the need to purge out the "leaven"
- cf. 1Co 5:6-8
2. Just as leaven infects the whole loaf, so can "sin in the
camp"!
3. Sin left unchecked will destroy the other members in the
congregation
a. Either by tempting them to sin in similar fashion
b. Or by their failure to exercise the proper discipline
1) For they would then be guilty before the Lord on that
basis!
2) As was the church in Pergamos - cf. Re 2:14-16
4. Even if the erring brother does not repent, the church that
exercises proper discipline will still be saved!
C. TO MAGNIFY THE LORD AND HIS CHURCH IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD...
1. This was an effect of the first case of "church discipline"
recorded in the NT.
a. The example of Ananias and Sapphira illustrates how
seriously the Lord Himself views "sin in the camp" - cf. Ac 5:1-10
b. The result was one of "fear", yet great "esteem", which
lead to many conversions - Ac 5:11-14
2. The world is not going to take the gospel call to holiness
seriously if the church does not deal properly with "sin in
the camp"
3. But when a church deals with unrepentant sin in the manner of
withholding fellowship, the reputation of the church is held
in high esteem
4. When people decide to get serious about sin, where do you
think they will go?
a. To a church that winks at sin?
b. Or one that provides every proper motivation to turn from
sin?
CONCLUSION
1. There is much more that should be said on the subject of
"withholding fellowship" as it relates to church discipline
a. Indeed, an entire series can be presented on this subject
b. Which I plan to do myself another time, the Lord willing
2. But I trust this will suffice to make two points about "Our Life
Together"...
a. Our fellowship together in Christ has limitations
1) While it is true we are to have "a receiving fellowship"
2) ...there may come a time when we must have "a rejecting
fellowship"!
b. Our fellowship together in Christ needs to be very special
1) Not only so we might enjoy all the blessings Christ intended
in the family of God
2) But should it ever be necessary to withhold fellowship as a
last effort to save a brother's soul, what is withheld will
really be missed!
-- Church discipline often fails because the fellowship never was
what it should have been to begin with!
3. So Christian fellowship serves a two-fold purpose...
a. To "enhance" the relationship we have in the family of God
b. To "preserve" the relationship we have in the family of God
That we might enjoy the fullest blessings of Christian fellowship, let
us all do what we can to strengthen "Our Life Together"!
September 6 PM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
The Savior's Sigh (8:11-13)
INTRODUCTION
1. Have you ever considered the Lord's reaction to your behavior...
a. When you refuse to believe in Him?
b. When you do not follow Him as you should?
2. In this lesson I want us to think how Jesus must feel...
a. When we put off obeying the gospel of Christ
b. When we fail to trust and obey Him in our daily walk
I. THE NARRATIVE
A. THE PHARISEES' DEMAND A SIGN...
1. Jesus had just returned to the western shores of Galilee - Mk 8:10
2. The Pharisees began to dispute with Him - Mk 8:11
a. They had challenged Jesus before - Mk 2:6-7,16; 3:22; 7:1-2
b. Matthew adds that they were joined by the Sadducees - Mt 16:1
3. They demanded a sign - Mk 8:11
a. A sign from heaven, perhaps like Joshua? - cf. Josh 10:12-14
b. Had they not seen and heard of the many miracles already
done?
c. They were testing Him, perhaps hoping He would fail and be
discredited
B. JESUS' RESPONSE INVOLVED A SIGH...
1. He sighed deeply in His spirit - Mk 8:12
a. The anguish which Jesus experienced came from deep down
inside him - Hendriksen
b. Here the word "spirit" is used in a sense not much different
from "heart" or "inner being." - ibid.
2. Similar responses on other occasions
a. Grieved by the hardness of their hearts - Mk 3:5
b. Sighed as He healed the deaf mute - Mk 7:34
c. Groaned in His spirit seeing the grief of others - Jn 11:33
d. Wept over the city of Jerusalem - Lk 19:41-44
II. THE APPLICATION
A. JESUS OBSERVES OUR BEHAVIOR...
1. Just as He observed the behavior of Saul of Tarsus - Ac 9:5
2. Just as He observed the churches of Asia
a. He knew their works - Re 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8,15
b. He found fault where it was due - Re 2:4,14,20; 3:2,16
B. WOULD NOT JESUS SIGH DEEPLY...
1. When we refuse to obey His gospel, time after time? - cf. Mt 11:28-30
2. When our conduct is not much different than those of the world?
- cf. Mt 5:20
3. When our love is no different than that displayed by sinners?
- cf. Mt 5:44-48
4. When the kingdom of God is not our priority in life? - cf. Mt 6:33
5. When tribulation or persecution causes us to stumble? - cf. Mt 13:20-21
6. When anxiety or materialism makes us unfruitful? - cf. Mt 13:22
7. When discouragement leads us to abandon prayer? - cf. Lk 18:1
8. When human traditions displace keeping the commands of God?
- cf. Mk 7:7,9
9. When denominationalism defeats His prayer for unity? - cf. Jn 17:20-21
10. When love of the world replaces love for His Father? - cf. 1Jn 2:15-17
CONCLUSION
1. From the Savior's sigh we learn that Jesus cared deeply...
a. For those He was willing to heal (e.g., the deaf mute)
b. For those He was willing to save (e.g., the Pharisees)
2. In similar fashion, Jesus stands ready...
a. To save us from our sins
b. To heal us of our souls' diseases
How will Jesus react to our response to Him? Will it be with great joy,
or a deep sigh in His spirit...?
September 13 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
The Blind Man At Bethsaida (8:22-26)
INTRODUCTION
1. Among the many people Jesus healed included the blind...
a. As foretold by Isaiah - cf. Lk 4:18
b. Offered as evidence to John the Baptist - cf. Lk 7:20-22
2. The healing of a blind man in our text is unique in two ways...
a. It is found only in Mark's gospel
b. It is the only miracle by that occurs in two stages
I. THE NARRATIVE
A. JESUS ARRIVES IN BETHSAIDA...
1. Bethsaida Julias, near where the 5000 had been fed - Mk 8:22;
cf. Lk 9:10
2. On the NE side of the Sea of Galilee, near the entrance of the
Jordan
B. A BLIND MAN IS BROUGHT TO HIM...
1. By those who begged Jesus to touch him - Mk 8:22
2. By concerned friends, similar to those who brought the
paralytic - cf. Mk 2:3
C. JESUS TAKES HIM OUT OF THE TOWN...
1. Leading the blind man by the hand - Mk 8:23
2. Similar to what He did with the deaf mute - cf. Mk 7:33
D. JESUS HEALS HIM IN TWO STAGES...
1. Stage one - Mk 8:23-24
a. Jesus spat on his eyes and then touched him
1) Similar to what He did with the deaf mute - cf. Mk 7:33
2) Perhaps to convey to the blind man His intentions
3) The spit - His intention was to heal, saliva was thought
to have medicinal properties
4) The touch - "Something will be done for your eyes...and I
will do it."
b. When asked if he saw anything, he looked up and said, "I see
men like trees, walking"
2. Stage two - Mk 8:25
a. Jesus put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up
b. His sight was completely restored and saw everyone clearly
E. JESUS SENDS HIM AWAY WITH AN ADMONITION...
1. To his house, not into town, not to tell anyone - Mk 8:26
2. Similar to earlier admonitions following His healings - cf. Mk 1:44; 5:43; 7:36
3. Undue attention would hinder His ability to travel and do His
work
4. Especially by the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Herodians - cf.
Mk 8:11
II. SOME OBSERVATIONS
A. WE DO NOT KNOW WHY JESUS DID IT THIS WAY...
1. Why take the blind man out of the town of Bethsaida?
a. To avoid publicity?
b. To establish a one-to-one relationship with the man?
c. Because Bethsaida had been judged already? - cf. Mt 11:21-22
2. Why didn't the man receive perfect sight immediately?
a. Was it the spiritual condition of the man himself?
b. Was it to illustrate the slow progress of the disciples'
faith? - cf. Mk 8:18
Any explanation is speculation at best
B. THE LORD DOES NOT ALWAYS DO THINGS THE SAME WAY...
1. Jesus healed at least eight blind men, using a variety of
approaches
a. Two men were healed by a simple touch of their eyes - Mt 9:27-31
b. A blind and mute man was simply healed - Mt 12:22
c. Two more blind men were healed by a simple touch of the eyes
- Mt 20:30-34
d. In our text, the blind man was healed with touch and
spittle, in two stages - Mk 8:22-26
e. Blind Bartimaeus was healed with but a simple word - Mk 10:46-52
f. A blind man was healed with the anointment of the eyes with
clay and spittle, followed by washing in the pool of Siloam
- Jn 9:1-7
2. Similarly, prayer is not always answered the same way
a. God may say "yes" and the prayer answer immediately
b. God may say "yes, but wait awhile"
c. God may say "yes, but not in the way you expect"
Faith is content to receive God's working, however He deems
proper
C. SPIRITUAL GROWTH OCCURS IN STAGES...
1. Similar to how this particular miracle occurred
2. Such was the case with Jesus' disciples - cf. Mk 8:18
3. So we should expect our spiritual growth to take time - cf. 1Co 3:1-2; 2Pe 3:18
Faith is patient, understanding that important things often
take time
CONCLUSION
1. Many commentators have noted our similarity with "The Blind Man At
Bethsaida"...
a. We are spiritually blinded by sin, in need of "healing" - Ro 3:23
b. We need the special attention of Jesus to be "healed" - Mt 11:28-30; Mk 16:15-16; Col 2:11-13
c. When Jesus "heals" us of spiritual blindness, it may take awhile
to see clearly - He 5:12-14
2. Are you still in sin...?
a. Blinded by sin, and alienated from the life of God? - cf. Ep 4:17-19
b. Then you need Jesus to be renewed in righteousness and holiness
- cf. Ep 4:20-24
Begin by coming to Jesus through obedience to His gospel, and continue
by walking with Him, seeing more clearly day by day...!
September 13 PM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
Who Do You Say That Jesus Is? (8:27-30)
INTRODUCTION
1. On the road from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His
disciples two questions...
a. "Who do men say that I am?" - Mk 8:27-28
b. "But who do you say that I am?" - Mk 8:29-30
2. The responses to such questions concerning Jesus' identity...
a. Have been many and varied
b. Both in Jesus' day and today
I. WHAT PEOPLE SAID THEN
A. JOHN THE BAPTIST...
1. King Herod thought this when he heard about Jesus - Mk 6:14
2. Perhaps motivated by guilt for having beheaded John - Mk 6:16
B. ELIJAH...
1. Likely based on their misunderstanding of Malachi's prophecy
- Mal 4:5
2. Which Jesus explained referred to John the Baptist - Mt 17:10-13
C. JEREMIAH...
1. As mentioned in Matthew's account of this conversation - Mt 16:14
2. Who some Jews expected to be resurrected as a precursor to the
Messiah
D. ONE OF THE PROPHETS...
1. One of the old prophets risen again
2. As mentioned in Luke's account of this conversation - Lk 9:19
E. BEELZEBUB...
1. Some had identified Jesus with Beelzebub, that is, Satan - Mt 10:25
2. So thought some of the scribes and Pharisees - Mk 3:22; Mt 12:24
F. MENTALLY DERANGED...
1. So thought some of His family - Mk 3:21; cf. Jn 7:5
2. As did many others - Jn 10:30
G. CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD...
1. As per Mark's gospel, Peter said "You are the Christ" - Mk 8:27
a. Christ (Greek) = Messiah (Hebrew)
b. Meaning, "the Anointed One"
2. As per Matthew, Peter added "The Son of the living God" - Mt 16:16
a. God's Son in an unique sense, not true of any mortal
b. As confessed by others (Nathanael, Martha, John) - Jn 1:49;
11:27; 20:31
II. WHAT PEOPLE SAY TODAY
A. FABRICATION...
1. Some skeptics deny He ever existed
2. Yet the Encyclopedia Britannica uses 20,000 words to tell about
Jesus and never hints that He did not exist
B. GOOD MAN...
1. Many say He was simply a good man, a good teacher, akin to
Mahatma Gandhi
2. Yet the Biblical claims do not leave us this option: "You can
shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a
demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.
But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His
being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.
He did not intend to." - C. S. Lewis
C. PROPHET...
1. Many believe He was a prophet of God, but not the Son of God
2. So teaches the religion of Islam
D. CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD...
1. As professed by Christians today, and to them He is so much
more!
2. As indicated by this list:
* 100 Biblical Names And Titles Of Jesus *
CONCLUSION
1. We have seen what people said about Jesus...
a. Then - during His earthly ministry
b. Now - by atheist, agnostic, skeptic, and believer
2. But the key question today is this: "Who do YOU say that Jesus
is...?"
b. Your answer will determine your eternity - cf. Mt 10:32-38; Ac 17:30-31
a. Your answer will determine how you live today - cf. Mt 28:18-20
My prayer is that you would join with Peter and countless others and
confess to Jesus:
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Why not confess Jesus now, as you obey the gospel of Christ (e.g., Ac 8:35-38). For you will either confess Him now, or confess Him later
when it is too late...! - cf. Php 2:9-11
September 20 AM
"THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"
God's "Second String" (4:7-18)
INTRODUCTION
1. We have stressed throughout this study of Colossians that we are
"complete in Christ" - cf. Col 2:9
2. To be "complete in Christ", or "perfect in Christ" (Col 1:28), is
certainly to be the goal of every Christian
a. Does this mean that those who are in Christ are to be exactly
alike in every way?
b. Should we expect every mature Christian to be duplicates of one
another in ability and service?
3. No, it does not, and that becomes especially clear as we consider
Paul's closing comments concerning several individuals who were
instrumental to the success of Paul's ministry
4. Reading Paul's comments about these individuals reminds me of the key
to any successful sports team: the strength of the "second string"
that supports the key players
5. So as we come to this last section of the Book of Colossians, I hope
we do not consider these closing comments of Paul as something to
quickly gloss over
a. There are important lessons we can glean from these verses
b. We are reminded of the need and the value of "God's Second String"
I. THE MEN WHO WERE MESSENGERS (7-9)
A. TYCHICUS (7-8)
1. Described as "a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a
fellow servant in the Lord"
a. We read of him in Ac 20:7, as one of those who accompanied
Paul
b. Again in Ep 6:21-22, where he performed the same duties as
outlined in Col 4:7-8
c. And also in Tit 3:12 and 2Ti 4:12, where he continues to
serve Paul as a messenger
2. He might have been one of the brethren referred to in 2Co 8:
23, who were called "messengers of the churches, the glory of
Christ"
B. ONESIMUS (9)
1. Also "a faithful and beloved brother"
2. Who was from Colosse (cf., "who is one of you")
3. We learn from the Epistle to Philemon that Onesimus was a
runaway slave who was converted by Paul and sent back to
Philemon
4. He, too, was serving as a messenger for Paul
II. THE MEN WHO WERE COMFORTERS (10-11)
A. ARISTARCHUS (10a)
1. A "fellow prisoner"
2. He also had been a fellow traveler of Paul - Ac 20:4
a. Who nearly lost his life to the riot in Ephesus - Ac 19:29
b. Who sailed with Paul to Rome - Ac 27:2
3. And was now in Rome with Paul, sending greetings
B. MARK (10b)
1. The writer of the second Gospel, he was the cousin (nephew) of
Barnabas
a. The church in Jerusalem met in his mother's house - Ac 12:12
b. Started out with Paul and Barnabas on their first journey,
but then turned back - Ac 13:1-13
c. He later became a bone of contention between Paul and
Barnabas - Ac 15:36-41
d. But eventually proved "profitable" to Paul for service -
2Ti 4:11
2. Even now, he is included with those who Paul said "proved to be
a comfort to me"
C. JESUS, CALLED JUSTUS (11)
1. Little is known of this man, except that he was a Jew ("of the
circumcision") and a "fellow worker for the kingdom"
2. He, too, was a comfort to Paul
III. THE MAN WHO PRAYED (12-13)
A. EPAPHRAS, THE PERSON WHO STARTED THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE - CO 1:7-8
1. He was from Colosse ("one of you")
2. He cared deeply for them and those in Laodicea and Hierapolis
3. He too was a "fellow prisoner" (Phm 23); what could he do
for those so far away?
B. EPAPHRAS, A MAN OF PRAYER...
1. He could at least pray for his brethren!
2. And pray he did...
a. He prayed "constantly" ("always")
b. He prayed "fervently" ("laboring fervently")
c. He prayed "personally" ("for you")
d. He prayed "with a goal in mind" ("that you may stand perfect
and complete...")
IV. TWO MEN OF CONTRAST (14)
A. LUKE, THE "BELOVED PHYSICIAN"...
1. A fellow traveler with Paul on a number of his journeys - Ac 16:10; 20:5; 27;1 (note the personal pronoun "we")
2. He was used by the Holy Spirit to write over half of the New
Testament!
a. He penned both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts
b. In total volume, they constitute the majority of the New
Testament
3. He was faithful to Paul to the end - 2Ti 4:11
B. DEMAS, WHO LATER FORSOOK PAUL...
1. At the time Colossians and Philemon was written, Demas was a
"fellow laborer"
2. But not long after, it was said of him, "Demas has forsaken me,
having loved this present world" - 2Ti 4:10
CONCLUSION
1. Demas serves as a sober reminder of the need to remain steadfast to
the end - cf. also Re 2:10
2. But the others in this passage remind us that the spread of the
gospel during the first century was not accomplished through the
efforts of great men like Paul and the twelve apostles alone
3. It was greatly assisted by humble men and women willing to serve as
"God's Second String"
a. Who served as messengers, comforters, prayer warriors, and
servants to those in positions of greater influence than
themselves (7-14)
b. Who opened their hearts and their homes to the service of the
church, as did Nymphas (15)
4. If the gospel is to spread today, there is also a need for "God's
Second String"!
a. Are we willing to do whatever we can in service to the Lord,
whether it be great or small?
b. Then let Paul closing remarks to a man named Archippus serve as an
admonition to us as well:
"Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord,
that you may fulfill it." - Col 4:17
5. Whatever our calling, whatever our ability, let us be faithful to the
Lord!
If we truly let Jesus be our "All-Sufficient And Pre-Eminent Savior",
then God's grace will certainly be with us!
September 20 PM
September 27 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
Mindful Of The Things Of God (8:31-33)
INTRODUCTION
1. As Jesus travelled near Caesarea Philippi, He made the first of three
predictions concerning what awaited Him in Jerusalem... - Mk 8:31;
cf. Mk 9:31; 10:33-34
a. He must suffer many things
b. He must be rejected and killed, and rise again in three days
2. Peter's response was adamant...
a. He took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him... - Mk 8:32
b. Peter's words: "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen
to You!" - cf. Mt 16:22
3. In turn, Jesus looks at His disciples and then rebukes Peter...
a. "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of
God, but the things of men." - Mk 8:33
b. Matthew reveals that Jesus also said: "You are an offense to
Me..." - Mt 16:23
I. GOD'S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS
A. AS STATED...
1. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My
ways" - Isa 55:8
2. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
- Isa 55:9
B. AS ILLUSTRATED...
1. By His view of suffering in the scheme of redemption - Mk 8:31-33; Lk 24:26-27,44-46
2. By His view of greatness versus ours - Mk 10:42-45
3. By His view of beauty versus ours - 1Pe 3:3-4
4. By His view of money versus ours - Lk 16:13-15
II. MINDFUL OF THE THINGS OF GOD
A. WE CANNOT TRUST OURSELVES...
1. Our feelings
a. This is often the standard of right and wrong for many
people
1) Who go by whatever "feels right"
2) Who place stock in a religion "better felt than told"
b. Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in our
feelings
1) "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end
is the way of death." - Pr 14:12
2) "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool..." - Pr 28:26
2. Our conscience
a. "Let your conscience be your guide" is the motto of many
b. But consider: "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
c. Our conscience is not always reliable
1) Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his
life - Ac 23:1
2) Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - cf.
Ac 26:9-11
3. Our wisdom
a. Many feel that through their own wisdom they can determine
right and wrong
b. God has chosen to save man in a manner designed to confound
the wise - 1Co 1:18-29
c. For us to know God's will, it was necessary for Him to
reveal it to us - 1Co 2:9-12
1) This He has done through His Spirit-inspired apostles
2) Who in turn shared it with us through their writings - Ep 3:1-5
B. WE MUST TRUST IN GOD...
1. In how to be saved
a. Some seek to be saved by good works
b. Others by faith only
c. We must trust in Jesus and His apostles - Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
2. In how to worship
a. Some want to offer what pleases them
b. Others want to offer what pleases others
c. We must trust in the commands and will of the Lord - Mk 7:6-7,9; Col 3:17
3. In how to live
a. Some want to make themselves #1
b. Others want to make work or family #1
c. We must trust Jesus and the Word of God - Mt 6:33; 1Ti 6:17-19; 2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 1:3
CONCLUSION
1. We can only be "Mindful Of The Things Of God" when we...
a. Humbly submit to what is revealed in the Word of God
b. Refuse to let our feelings, conscience, or wisdom be our guide
2. Otherwise, we are "Mindful Of The Things Of Men", where we...
a. Become an instrument of Satan! - cf. Mk 8:33
b. Become an offense to Jesus! - cf. Mt 16:23
Have you given much thought as to whether you are "Mindful Of The Things
Of God"...?
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your
mind on things above, not on things on the earth." - Col 3:1-2
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God." - Ro 12:2
September 27 PM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
Beware Of Leaven (8:14-21)
INTRODUCTION
1. Following the disputation with the Pharisees, Jesus warned His
disciples...
a. As they sailed the Sea of Galilee from Dalmanutha to Bethsaida
- Mk 8:10,13,22
b. Charging them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of
Herod - Mk 8:15
c. Matthew's gospel mentions the Sadducees (often aligned with Herod)
- Mt 16:6,11-12
2. The disciples at first misunderstood...
a. They thought it was because they had forgotten to take bread - Mk 8:14-16
b. Jesus corrected their misunderstanding, reminding them of His
miracles - Mk 8:17-21
c. Then they understood that "leaven" referred to "doctrine" - cf. Mt 16:11-12
3. Leaven is a good metaphor for doctrine...
a. Both operate with subtlety
b. Both are very potent
c. Both gradually spread their influence
I. THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES
A. THE PHARISEES THEN WERE...
1. A religious and political group noted for its conservatism
a. They were strict observers of the Law of Moses
b. They also adopted "the traditions of the elders",
interpretations of the Law that had been handed down - cf.
Mk 7:1-5
2. Jesus described them as "blind leaders of the blind" - Mt 15:12-14
a. They made the commandments of God of no effect by their
traditions - Mt 15:3-6
b. They were often hypocrites, teaching one thing and
practicing another - Mt 15:7-8; 16:3; 23:1-4,27-28; cf. Lk 12:1
c. They did their works to be seen of men - Mt 23:5
d. They loved the attention and special treatment by others
- Mt 23:6-7
d. They wore religious titles - Mt 23:8-10
e. They prevented others from finding the way to the kingdom of
heaven - Mt 23:13
f. They used their religion to make money and impress others
- Mt 23:14
g. They didn't make people better, they made them worse! - Mt 23:15
h. They made distinctions where God did not - Mt 23:16-22
i. Though sticklers for some commandments, they ignored others
- Mt 23:23-24
j. They honored men of God who went before them, but were more
like those who persecuted the people of God - Mt 23:29-31
They were the more conservative religious group in Jesus' day
B. THE PHARISEES TODAY ARE THOSE WHO...
1. Teach and practice traditions of men, instead of the commands
of God
2. Teach one thing, while practicing another
3. Do things to be seen of men, wearing special garments, and
using religious titles
4. Do not truly show people the way to the kingdom of heaven
5. Use religion to make money and impress others
6. Make distinctions where God has made none
7. Stress some commands, but neglect others as unnecessary
-- Religious conservatives are susceptible to being like the
Pharisees today
II. THE LEAVEN OF THE SADDUCEES
A. THE SADDUCEES THEN WERE...
1. A religious and political group noted for its liberalism
a. Included many powerful members of the priesthood - Ac 5:17
b. They insisted only the laws found in the Pentateuch were
binding
c. They rejected "the traditions of the elders"
d. They did not believe in the resurrection, spirits, angels
- Ac 23:8; Mt 22:23
e. They did not believe in rewards or punishment after death,
nor in heaven or hell
2. Jesus charged them with two faults - Mt 22:23-29
a. They did not know the Scriptures
1) Even those scriptures they held to be true!
2) For Jesus used the Pentateuch to show their error - Mt 22:31-32; Exo 3:6
b. They did not know the power of God
1) Like many liberals, they were influenced by rationalism
2) They assumed that if they could not comprehend something,
it could not be true
3) They failed to believe what Gabriel and Jesus both knew:
that with God, nothing is impossible! - Lk 1:37; Mt 19:26
They were the more liberal religious group in Jesus' day
B. THE SADDUCEES TODAY ARE THOSE WHO...
1. Take portions of God's word, but reject the rest; such as those
who:
a. Accept the words of Jesus, but not His apostles - contra Jn 13:10; Ac 2:42; 1Co 14:37
b. Accept the words of His apostles, but hold that ALL of
Jesus' teachings in the gospels are Old Covenant teaching
- contra Mt 28:20; Ac 20:35; 1Ti 5:18b; Lk 10:7
2. Accept human reason over divine revelation
a. Who will not accept a Biblical doctrine unless it makes
sense to them
b. A dangerous position to hold, since God has chosen to
confound the wise and arrogant with the foolishness of the
gospel message - cf. 1Co 1:18-31
c. Some doctrines revealed may contain elements beyond man's
ability to fully comprehend (such as the mystery of
godliness: God manifested in the flesh - 1Ti 3:16; or the
nature of the Godhead itself)
d. A child-like trust is more becoming of a Christian - cf. Mt 18:3; Ps 131:1-3
3. Rule out the power of God
a. Rejecting any doctrine, any promise, of the Scriptures if
conceived as not being possible
b. Such as the creation, the virgin birth, the miracles of
Jesus, the resurrection of the dead
c. But once we accept the premise that with God all things are
possible, we cannot reject Biblical testimony just because
it does not fit our preconceived ideas of what is possible
Religious liberals are susceptible to being like the Sadducees
today
III. THE LEAVEN OF THE HERODIANS
A. THE HERODIANS THEN WERE...
1. Jews who supported the dynasty of Herod, though it was mostly a
puppet of Rome
2. Not a religious sect, but a political party; secular minded
rather than spiritually minded
3. They would align themselves with the Pharisees when convenient
- Mk 3:6; 12:13
4. They were often interchangeable with the Sadducees - cf. Mk 8:15 with Mt 16:6
They were politicos first, who used religion to promote their
cause
B. THE HERODIANS TODAY ARE THOSE WHO...
1. Believe the solution lies in politics, not the gospel
2. Are more interested in worldly matters than the kingdom of God
a. When the kingdom of God should come first - Mt 6:33; Php 3:20
b. When we are to be pilgrims and sojourners - 1Pe 2:11-12
c. Where we are to avoid worldly attachments - 2Co 6:14-7:1
3. Use religion when convenient to get the support of the masses
Political activists are susceptible to being like the Herodians
today
CONCLUSION
1. The parallels between then and now are striking...
a. Pharisees - religious fundamentalists
b. Sadducees - religious liberals
c. Herodians - political activists
2. Jesus' warning is sorely needed today...
a. "Take heed, beware of the leaven..."
b. For it is so easy to become like those who opposed our Lord
How can we ensure that we do not become like the Pharisees, Sadducees,
or the Herodians? Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
with Jesus and His apostles as our spiritual guides and mentors...
