Emory Baptist Church

Don't Be Bossy...Like the World!

Today, we continue in Mark’s Gospel and chapter ten and verse 35.  I have entitled this morning’s message, “Don’t Be Bossy…Like the World!”

 

This morning we move from Jesus’ third announcement of His death and resurrection to a very important lesson Christian discipleship.

 

 

1. A Request for Privilege, Mark 10:35-40

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”  36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”  38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”  39 They said to Him, “We are able.”  So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” 

 

Notice that James and John asked the question in 10:35-37.  Matthew 20 tells us that their mother, Salome, was also involved in this event.  Perhaps James and John were cousins of Jesus, and if so, by involving their mother, who would have been Jesus’ aunt, maybe they were trying to take advantage of some family favor.

 

Regardless, James and John recognized Jesus as King and Messiah.  However, they failed to understand the reality of what His kingdom what entail. 

 

They asked for the two most privileged positions of any king.  The seat at his right was the most important and favored position.  The seat to his left was the second.  James and John asked to occupy both.

 

Notice also that Jesus answered their question in 10:38-40.  By the way, please see that Jesus didn’t just give them a blank check.  He thought before He answered which is a good model for us to follow because answering too quickly or before we think can prove imprudent.  See Mark 6:22-23 and Proverbs 29:30.

 

Mark 6:22-23, 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

 

Proverbs 29:20, 20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?  There is more hope for a fool than for him.

 

Jesus answered their question with a question in verse 38.  He asked if they could drink of the same cup and partake in the same baptism.  Both parts of this question deserve further explanation. 

 

In essence, Jesus was asking if they were willing to suffer as He was going to suffer.  In the OT, the idea of the LORD’s cup is often a sign or symbol of God’s wrath against sin as it is here. 

 

In the same way, Jesus was not speaking of what you and I think of as baptism.  He was speaking of the literal act of being engulfed by water as calamity.  It was a sign of death and a feeling of torment.  Consider Luke 12:50. 

 

Luke 12:50, 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

 

Psalm 69:2, 2 I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me.

 

Psalm 69:15, 15 Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.

 

Surprisingly enough, both James and John answered they could endure what Jesus would endure, and to some degree, they did.  James was the first disciple who was martyred.  He was beheaded in AD 44. 

 

John certainly experienced calamity as he was exiled to the island of Patmos where he received and then recorded his revelation from the Lord, and even though they both did suffer, their suffering was not completely like Jesus’ since their suffering did not end in redemption for humanity.

 

In the end, Jesus told them in verse 40 that their request for privilege was not His to give.  We can infer that only God could grant their request, and they would have to wait on that.

 

By the way, Jesus recognized and was obedient to His Father, and children, you need to notice Jesus’ example and remember God’s Word in Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6.

 

Exodus 20:12, 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

 

Ephesians 6:1-3, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

 

 

1. A Recipe for Prosperity, Mark 10:41-44

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

 

This recipe for prosperity includes a pattern to refuse in Mark 10:41-42.  The other disciples were indignant or mad that James and John had beaten them to the punch.  Certainly, they too wanted positions of privilege.

 

However, Jesus reminded them that His kingdom would not operate like the kingdoms of the world.  His kingdom would not be a kingdom of authority and force and domination like they knew to be true with Gentiles or lost people.  In other words, don’t be bossy like the world. 

 

Instead, this recipe for prosperity includes a paradox to remember, Mark 10:43-44.  If you wish to be great, you must be a servant or a table waiter, literally a deacon.  If you wish to be first, you must be a slave.

 

This paradoxical truth of greatness being found through serving others can tremendous application for EBC.

 

Think about what that would mean for husbands to serve their wives instead of trying to boss them.  Think about what that would mean for wives to serve their husbands instead of trying to boss them.

 

What about at your jobs?  Instead of bossing the other employees, what would it mean for you to serve them? 

 

In our church, instead of bossing others and only thinking about you, serve others with where you park, where you sit, what songs we sing, and serving in ministries like our Sunday morning nursery workers.

 

Furthermore, later this month, you are going to hear testimonies of three deacon candidates as we consider these men officially serving EBC from that office. 

 

The way of the world is bossing others.  The way of Christ is serving others. Don’t be bossy like the world.

 

• A Ransom for People, Mark 10:45

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 

This verse is the summary verse for the entire book of Mark’s gospel.  Here we see that Jesus came to accomplish two goals: He came to save, and He came to serve.

 

He came to pay the ransom to God for the souls of sinners.  He died in our place so that we would not have to die.  He was our substitute. 

 

He came to serve.  He came to serve humanity rather than being served like any other king.   He did this for His entire earthly life.

 

 

Conclusions

You might respond to today’s message in one of at least two ways:

 

1. Since Jesus died on the cross for your sins, you can receive Him today as Lord and Savior by believing in Him and repenting of your sins.
2. You can begin serving your fellow church members as was Jesus’ example to us.

 

Regardless, Jesus came to serve rather to be served.  As His followers, we must do the same!

 

What is the Gospel?

If you have your Bibles this morning, I invite you to find two texts: Mark 10:32 and 1 Corinthians 15:1.  Today, I want to ask you this question, “What is the gospel?”  If you were asked this question, what would you say?  If you had to share the gospel, what would you share? 

 

I did a word search this past week for the word “gospel,” and in the NKJV of the Bible, you will find that word 101 times in the New Testament.  However, you will only find it defined in one text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.  Let’s look at that text first.

 

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.  3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…

 

Now, let’s look at Mark 10:32 and see if Paul’s words match those of Jesus.

 

In Mark 10:32, Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, their final destination.  As they were on their way, Jesus was lead the pack as was according to rabbinic tradition.  Mark says they were going up to Jerusalem because the city is almost 3000 feet above sea level. 

Verse 32 indicates that His disciples were both amazed and afraid.  It seems that they were amazed perhaps at Jesus’ courage and determination.  However, why were they afraid?

 

Even though they didn’t understand fully, the language of the NT indicates they could tell or feel that something was not right.  There was tension in the air. 

 

At the end of verse 32, Jesus pulled the twelve aside and reminded them of what would happen in the very near future.  In verses 33-34, Jesus used eight future tense verbs to describe the end of His time on the earth.

 

This was the third time in Mark’s gospel that Jesus would do such.

 

Mark 8:31, 31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

 

Mark 9:31, 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”

 

However, before we look at verses 33-34 and answer, “What is the Gospel,” let me answer another important question that will help us in the end.

 

First, what is not the gospel?  The gospel is not feel-good sermons that say: we are all okay and just need some positive therapy.  The gospel is not that God is only love.  The gospel is not that Jesus wants to be our friend or co-pilot, and the gospel is not that God has a wonderful plan or purpose for our life as often quoted from Jeremiah 29:11.

 

Second, the gospel is not churchy experiences.  The gospel is not walking the isle or coming forward.  The gospel is not praying the sinners’ prayer.  The gospel is not joining a church.  The gospel is not even being baptized.

 

Third, the gospel is not simply positive emotions such as peace, happiness, fulfillment or satisfaction, positive self-esteem, or love.  When something other than the gospel is proclaimed, churches just like ours can see false conversions and meaningless church membership lists.

 

 

Therefore, what is the gospel?  First, the gospel begins with Holy God.

 

Leviticus 11:44, 44 For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.

 

Psalm 99:9, 9 Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the Lord our God is holy.

 

Isaiah 40:25, 25 “To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One.

 

John 17:11, 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

 

1 Peter 1:15-16, 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

 

And when the Bible says that God is holy, that does not mean that He is sometimes holy and sometimes not holy.  That does not mean that He is 50% holy or 75% holy or 99.9% holy.  When the Bible says that God is holy, that means He is completely holy all of the time.

 

 

Second, the gospel includes sinful humanity.  We are sinners because of who are parents were.

 

Genesis 3:1-7, Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”  2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”  4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

 

However, we are also sinners because of the choices we make each and every day.

 

Romans 5:12-19, 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)  18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

 

The sinfulness of humanity applies to every person who has ever lived, every person who has breathed the breath of life because of who our parents are and what we have done.  Man’s sinfulness created a divide between a holy God and sinful.  We desperately needed a solution or in other words a Savior.

 

 

Third, the gospel includes a perfect Savior named Jesus.

 

Mark 10:33-34, 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

 

Jesus died on the cross and in our place and for our sins.   

 

In Jesus, we have the solution.  We have a perfect Savior.  This is the heart of the gospel.  This is the doctrine of justification.  This is substitutionary atonement.  The heart of the gospel is Jesus dying in our place. 

 

However, do not forget about the resurrection.  Jesus dying and being resurrected are equally important.  If He did not die, He could not have been resurrected.  If He was not resurrected, it would not have mattered that He died. 

 

The gospel can be defined as Holy God, Sinful Man, and Perfect Savior!

 

 

Conclusion

What then do we do with the gospel defined?  If you have never received it as truth and applied it to your life, you can do that this morning through faith and repentance.

 

John 1:12, 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

 

Mark 1:14-15, 14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

 

If you have already received the gospel, your job now is to share it.

 

George W. Truett, “The supreme indictment that you can bring against a church…is that such a church lacks in passion and compassion for human souls.  A church is nothing better than an ethical club if its sympathies for lost souls do not overflow, and if it does not go out to seek to point lost souls to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.”  A Quest for Souls, 1917, p. 67.

 

 

Invitation

Today, will you receive the gospel and Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and eternal life in heaven?

 

Today, will you commit to sharing the gospel with that neighbor and co-worker and friend and family member?

Can A Rich Man Be Saved?

This morning, we are back in Mark 10, and God’s superintending of the Scriptures is absolutely amazing to me as we ask this question, “Can a Rich Man Be Saved?” 

 

Today’s text is often entitled “The Rich Young Ruler.”  Where does that title come from because we don’t find that title in Mar’s gospel? 

This story is not only in Mark 10 but also in Matthew 19 and Luke 18, and that description comes from facts from all three.

 

We know this man is rich or wealthy or financially prosperous because Mark 10:22 says he had great possessions. 

 

We know he was young because that adjective is used in Matthew 19:20.

 

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

 

We know that he was a ruler of some sort because of Luke 18:18…most likely in the local synagogue. 

 

18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

 

Therefore, can this rich young ruler or any rich man or woman be saved?  I hope the obvious answer to that question is “yes,” but I must say that it is often difficult, and I think you will agree with me as we look at this well-known story.

 

As we begin, please understand some foundational truths about this text.  First, Jesus did not teach that wealth is evil.  Second, He did not teach that poverty is better than riches.  Third, He did not teach that only the poor can be saved.

 

As I said previously, the placement of this story is so appropriate after last week’s message about children and their helpless dependence.  God in His infinite wisdom putting the Scriptures together now follows that up with this man who definitely thought his morality would impress God if not his riches too.

 

Today, I want to show you three related conversations found in Mark 10:17-31.  I now invite you to stand in honor of God’s Word.

 

 

1. Jesus’ Conversation with a Genuine Guy, Mark 10:17-22

17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”  18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”  20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”  21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”  22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

 

Notice the rich young ruler’s genuine character displayed in the following ways:

 

First, he was gracious in Mark 10:17. He ran to Jesus.  He knelt before Jesus.  He called Jesus a “good teacher.”

 

Second, the rich young ruler was a morally good man.  Look at Mark 10:18-20.  After reminding the young man of who He truly was, Jesus challenged him to take a serious look at his own life. 

 

He challenged him to compare his life to the second five of the ten commandments.  Do not commit adultery.   Do not murder.  Do not steal.  Do not bear false witness or lie.  Do not defraud, and honor your father and mother.  Not in sequential order, these were commandments five through ten with do not defraud being an application of do not covet.

 

For the most part, this young man lived a good life.  However, he wasn’t as good as he thought because this young man was trying to earn his way to heaven.  Remember what he asked back in verse 17, “what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 

 

Please understand, the only way to earn heaven is to live a perfect, sinless life, never having broken one, single commandment, and no one has yet to achieve such outside of Jesus. 

 

Third, he was grieved in Mark 10:21-22.  Verse 21 tells us that Jesus heard the young man’s own evaluation of his life and loved him still.  Please understand this morning that just as Jesus loved this man, He loves you, but this rich young ruler was resting in his morality rather than trusting in Jesus.

 

Jesus then challenged him at point of weakness, his wealth.  Jesus knew that he was guilty of breaking the first four commandments by worshipping wealth and possession instead of God. 

 

Jesus said go.  Sell everything you own.  Give all the proceeds to the poor.  Come and follow Me.

 

At Jesus’ words, the young man was crushed.  Verse 22 tells us that he was grieved or sorrowful because he had great possessions.  He owned much property.  Luke tells us that he was very rich. 

 

 

1. Jesus’ Conversation with a Confused Crowd, Mark 10:23-27

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”  27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” 

 

When the rich, young ruler ran up to Jesus, His disciples were close by.  They saw and heard all that transpired.  As a result, they were confused or confounded or according to 10:24 astonished and according to 10:26 greatly astonished.  Why?

 

Notice what Jesus said in verses 23-25.  In verse 23, He said, it was hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God.  In verse 24, He said it again but a little differently.  How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God.

 

Then in verse 25, Jesus illustrated this difficulty with a common, first-century Jewish proverb. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Jesus was saying that the wealthy can be saved, but it was going to be hard or difficult. 

 

This was a counter-culture statement and led to the Twelve’s confusion.  In the Jewish culture, the wealthy and rich were seen as already having the blessings of God on their lives.  If God had blessed them in this life, why would it be hard for them to go to heaven?  The disciples then asked if the wealthy can’t be saved, then who can. 

 

Jesus responded with probably the most important words in this story.  “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

 

He was saying that it is impossible for any man or woman to earn salvation.  It can’t be done.  It is impossible. 

 

Salvation cannot be achieved.  However, it most certainly can be received by surrendering your life to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

 

• Jesus’ Conversation with a Distraught Disciple, Mark 10:28-31

28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”  29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

 

A part of this confused crowd, was Peter, a distraught disciple.  Notice what he said in 10:28, “We have left all and followed you.” 

 

Let me translate.  “We thought we were following you to be saved, but if the rich aren’t saved, then surely we aren’t saved, and now I have nothing.”  I gave up my business and my possessions and even left my family behind to some degree.

 

Jesus tried to reassure Peter.  He said you have left everything, and you will get back everything plus when we get to heaven.

 

This story concluded with a summary statement in 10:31, “Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

 

 

Conclusions

The main point of this story is that anyone can be saved: male or female, young or old, black or white, rich or poor.  However, anyone can only be saved by God and not self. 

 

Morality does not save.  Sincerity does not save, and prosperity does not save.  Anyone can only be saved when they come to Jesus with helpless dependence on Him and Him alone like a little child. 

 

If you’re here this morning, and you have been trusting in any other thing but God’s grace through Jesus to save you, to give you eternal life and forgiveness of sins in the kingdom of God, I invite you to trust only in Jesus this morning. 

 

That can happen to you by admitting your guilt as a sinner, believing that Jesus died on the cross and in your place for your sins and He is the only way to heaven, and then calling on Him to save you.

 

A secondary point is for those who are truly saved already.  You will never regret following Jesus.  I don’t think I have ever had a genuine follower of Christ say to me, “I’ve obeyed too many times,” or “I’ve attended church too much,” or “I’ve given too much money,” or “I’ve shared the gospel one too many times.”  Jesus was absolutely right when He said to Peter that following Him is the greatest and most rewarding decision that you will ever make.

 

If you’re tired and weary this morning, be encouraged because the Lord knows your toil, and your reward in heaven is certain.

 

Can a rich man be saved?  Absolutely he can if he recognizes that salvation can never be achieved and only received by trusting in

Child-like Faith

This morning in Mark’s gospel, we are picking up in chapter 10 where Bro. Ronnie left off on December 29 when Jesus answered the Pharisees and taught the Twelve on the issues of marriage and divorce. 

 

This account in Mark 10:13-16 is also found in Matthew 19 and Luke 18.  It also has been used throughout 2000 years of church history to justify infant baptism even though there is absolutely zero reference to baptism in this passage.

 

I want to make three observations with you this morning and then make three applications of this text in a message simply entitled, “Child-like Faith.”

 

 

1. The Request of the People about Children, Mark 10:13a

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them.

 

The “they” in this verse seems to refer to mother, fathers, older children, and others who were bringing their children to Jesus for Him to bless them.  Luke 18:15 says these were babies and could range in age from newborns all the way up to twelve years of age. 

 

Why were they doing this?  These people wanted God’s blessing on their children from a “holy man.”  This was a long-standing Jewish tradition that can be seen as far back as Genesis 48:14. 

 

14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

 

The Patriarch Israel or Jacob laid his hands on the heads of Ephraim and Manasseh and blessed them. 

 

Do we see anything like this today?  This practice closely resembles our parent/child dedications.  It is not a requirement, but simply an opportunity for the church and the pastor to pray for parents and their children and to commit them to the Lord.

 

Some have pointed to this passage of Scripture as including infant baptism.  However, as I said previously, I personally think this is a stretch since no mention of baptism, sprinkling or pouring is found anywhere in this text.

 

 

1. The Rebuke by the Twelve about Children, Mark 10:13b

13…but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

 

The Twelve saw all these people and all these snotty-nosed kids, and they got real protective of their Jesus.  They didn’t want to share. 

 

More than likely, they thought Jesus was too busy to deal with children.  Apparently, they saw children as unimportant and insignificant as was common in first-century Judaism.  After all, in their eyes, children couldn’t contribute much to culture and society.  The disciples simply wanted to send these people and their children on their way so Jesus could get back to more urgent matters.

 

 

• The Response from Jesus about Children, Mark 10:14-16

14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

 

In these three verses, we see that Jesus was angry.  He was welcoming, and He was joyful. 

 

In verse 14, Jesus was angry or “greatly displeased” with the Twelve turning families away.  The NASB and NIV says indignant.  The KJV says much displeased.  The NLT says angry.  In the language of the NT, this is actually a compound word from “much” and “to grieve.”

 

At the end of verse 14, I think we have good reason to believe that God has a special grace that He provides for infant or children or mentally handicapped individuals who die before they reach an age where they recognize their need for a Savior and exercise such faith.  Jesus said for such is the kingdom of God.

 

In verse 15, we see Jesus as welcoming or any receive the kingdom of God as a little child.  What does that mean? 

 

Does it mean as adults or students that we must come to Jesus humbly?  I think it can although all children aren’t humble. 

 

Does it mean as adults or students that we must come to Jesus with simple trust?  Again, I think it can.  However, all children aren’t trusting. 

 

More than anything else, I think Jesus means that we as adults or students or children must come to Jesus for salvation with empty hands.  In other words, with a helpless dependence. 

 

You must realize that your morality does not impress God.  Your family tree does not impress God.  Your church attendance or baptism or membership or tithing record does not impress God. 

 

God receives those that acknowledge that you have nothing to offer to Him.  All you can do is trust in the grace and mercy of God to save you by receiving Jesus Christ into your life as Lord and Savior.

 

In verse 16, we see Jesus as joyful, when He took all those children in His arms and laid hands on them and blessed them.  Jesus loves the little children of all the world. 

 

 

Applications/Conclusions

First, we see from this text parents and families bringing their children to Jesus for His blessing.  This morning, we are going to observe the same.

 

Secondly, this text shows us the importance of evangelizing children from a church’s perspective and a parent’s perspective. 

 

If you were saved as an adult after age 18, please stand.  If you were saved between the ages of 13 and 18, please stand.  If you were saved at age 12 or younger, please stand.  Brothers and sisters, this simply illustration should remind us that Children’s Sunday School is vital as are ministries like GNC, VBS, Preteen Camp, and Fall Festival.

 

Furthermore, moms and dads, seeing what I you just saw, why would not make sure that your children are in Sunday School every Sunday and in RA’s and GA’s and here on Wednesday nights and at GNC? 

 

Finally, regardless of your age, if you have never received Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life like a child with helpless dependence, this morning, I invite you to call on Him to save you for the very first time.

Your Greatest Need in 2020...Our Greatest Need in 2020

The Big Picture of Christmas...

Descending Into Greatness...

If you have your Bibles, please take them and turn to Mark 9:30.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Descending Into Greatness…”

 

Beginning in Mark 9:30, Jesus and the Twelve left Caesarea Philippi and passed through Galilee.  The end of the verse says He didn’t want anyone to know it.  This is because His public ministry had now ended.  His remaining time on earth would be devoted to teaching and training the Twelve.

 

In verse 31, we see Jesus predicted His death and resurrection for the second time.  The first was in Mark 8:31.

 

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

 

The third time will be in Mark 10:33.

 

33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles.

 

Did you notice the slight difference in His first announcement and His second?  In Mark 9:31, He included the idea of betrayal.  The Son of Man was being betrayed into the hands of men. 

 

This word in the language of the NT literally means delivered over to and is both bad news and good news.  The bad news was that Judas was betraying the Lord.  If you have been betrayed by a good friend, a close acquaintance, you’re in good company.  Jesus was as well.

 

This was also good news in that it was God’s plan.  See Acts 2:22-23.

 

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.

 

Even in bad times, in difficult times, in times suffering and tragedy, God has a plan, and His plan is for your good and His glory.  Be encouraged. 

 

However, verse 32 says the Twelve didn’t understand what He meant in this death prediction, and they were scared to ask.  Maybe they were afraid to rebuked as Peter was.

 

Why didn’t they understand?  After all, they heard Him previously in Mark 8:31.  Had they forgotten?  I would say it maybe because we often forget the bad.  Yes, we remember when people do bad to us, but we often forget when we do bad ourselves.  Regardless, they didn’t understand.

 

Now, Jesus is about to teach again on the meaning of discipleship after this death prediction.  He did this back in Mark 8. 

 

After Mark 8:31, He then told the Twelve that His disciples, anyone who would follow Him, should be characterized by self-denial, submission, and showing off the Savior.  Remember, that is not about clothing or jewelry or bumper stickers but attitude, behavior, and thinking.

Jesus is going to tell the Twelve how to be great, but His recipe is not what you would think.  Listen to my sermon title again, “Descending Into Greatness.”  Does it strike you as odd? 

 

Descending means to go down.  Down is a word reserved for losers and cowards.  It is a part of words like downfall, downsize, downhill, and down and out. 

 

Furthermore, the opposite of down is up.  Up is associated with the up and coming, the upper class, the upper percentile, and upscale. 

 

Generally speaking, to go down is negative.  To go up is positive.  To go down is bad.  To go up is good. 

 

However, all of this logic and thinking is the way of the way of the world.  It is not the way of the Lord Jesus.  This morning, you will see that the Lord Jesus calls His disciples to go down, to descend, and as a result, they will descend into greatness.

 

 

1. The Examination of Greatness, Mark 9:33-34

³³ Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest

 

9:33 tells us that Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum and went into the house.  More than likely this was Peter’s house.  Evidently, Jesus knew they had been discussing something rather significant.  Maybe this was because of the volume of the discussion.  Perhaps voices were being raised so He asked, “What were you discussing on the way?”

 

They were silent.  Why?  They were probably embarrassed and ashamed of the shallowness of their debate.

 

They wanted to know who was the greatest among them.  This was a common question in the Jewish culture and maybe originated with Jesus taking only Peter, James, and John up to Mount Transfiguration.

 

 

1. The Explanation of Greatness, Mark 9:35

³⁵ And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

 

As the rabbi/teacher, Jesus took His formal place for giving instruction and sat down and called the Twelve to Himself.  He said, “Gather around boys.” 

 

He said if you want to be first, you must be last of all.  Who doesn’t want to be first?  We want to get our food.  We want to be first to get our seats and first to get our tickets. 

 

However, if you’re going to be first in the Kingdom of Heaven and as a follow of Jesus, you must be last and last of all.  Ironically enough, this way of thinking was counter to everything the Twelve knew and counter to everything we know.

 

This mentality is counter-natural.  As I said previously, we like to be first because first often means best and or most important. 

 

This mentality is counter-cultural.  In our culture, being first doesn’t mean going down but up.  Go up in sales.  Go up in revenue.  Go up in points.  Go up in GPA.  To go down is to lose.

 

Thirdly and unfortunately, this mentality is too often counter-Christian.  Jesus’ way is not the way of Christians and the way of the Church, but it should be.   If you want to be first, we must become last.

 

 

• Epitomization of Greatness, Mark 9:36-37

³⁶ Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

 

Perhaps this was Peter’s child since they were more than likely in Peter’s house.  Jesus sat the child on His knee with His arm around him.  Literally, this was a toddler, an infant. 

 

Children were the lowest of stature and status in the Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures.  Jesus called His disciples to receive those like this child in His name. 

 

To receive means to welcome, to show kindness, to serve.  When we serve the least, we demonstrate our relationship with Jesus, and we also demonstrate our relationship with His Father. 

 

 

Conclusions/Invitation

First, we learn from this passage the value and significance of children and serving children.  A church full of children is a church full of life.  Please don’t be disturbed by children crying in church.  You don’t even have to be disturbed if children were to play in the pews.  Is that best?  No, it’s best, but it’s ok.

 

Also, if children are significant and serving children is good, why is it a struggle to get more nursery volunteers?  Church, we need you, and men, we need you.  You can demonstrate your relationship with the Father and salvation through Jesus by serving children at EBC.

 

Second, generally, we should be about serving others.  Jesus said that and demonstrated that best in John 13:1-17.

 

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.  2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”  7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”  8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”  Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”  9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”  10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”  12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

 

Finally, Jesus served all of humanity by dying on the cross for our sins. See Mark 10:45.

 

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 

Greatness in the eyes of God is not measured in status but in service!

 

An Honest Confession of an Unbelieving Believer

Three Tabernacles or One?

In the recent Sundays, we have been learning a lot about discipleship from Mark’s Gospel. 

 

When Jesus healed a blind man, we learned that salvation and spiritual maturity and discipleship is a process, and we learned that obedience is the key to that process.

 

When Peter made his great confession that Jesus was the Christ, we learned that the first step in the discipleship process is being saved.  Disciples must declare that Jesus is the Christ.

Last week, we learned that disciples of Christ should not think like the devil.  Instead, they should deny self and demonstrate their submission to God and let Jesus be on display in their attitudes, thinking, and actions. 

 

Today, I want you to understand what you bring to the table in this discipleship process.  In other words, how can we help Jesus. 

 

 

Exposition

In verse 1, Jesus offered for His disciples a sneak peek into heaven.  He assured them that some of them would not taste death or physically die before they saw the kingdom of God present with power. 

 

What was Jesus talking about?  What was the kingdom of God present with power?  First, some have thought to be Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.  Second, others have said this is the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Third, others have said this is the second coming of Christ. 

 

However, the immediate context tells us that this sneak peek would be accomplished in the Transfiguration and would be a foreshadowing of His future earthly and heavenly kingdoms. 

 

Beginning in verse 2, this Transfiguration event begins to unfold.  Now six days later, Jesus took His inner circle with Him up to a high mountain.  John was Jesus’ closest disciple, and Peter, James, and John were the inner circle. 

 

Some say this mountain was Mt. Tabor.  Others say it was Mt. Hermon.  Regardless, it was a place where they would receive special revelation from God.

 

The word “transfigured” literally means the figure is transformed.  Our English word is metamorphosis.  Jesus was changed from the inside out into a heavenly state.  It was such that He became shining and exceedingly white.  His clothes were so white that a launderer on earth couldn’t get them any whiter. 

 

With Jesus appeared Elijah and Moses.  By the way, God spoke to Elijah and Moses on Mt. Sinai in the OT just like we are going to with Jesus here. 

 

See Exodus 24:12-18 and 1 Kings 19:8-18.

 

 

We believe that Moses symbolized the OT Law and was the great lawgiver, and Elijah symbolized the OT prophets and was the restorer of Israel.  Luke 9:30-31 tells us that they were talking about to Jesus about His departure. 

 

Luke 9:30-31, 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

 

In 9:5, Peter offered to make three tabernacles or tents, one for each man: Elijah, Moses, and Jesus, but his plans were interrupted as 9:6 tells us that he and James and John were overcome with fear.

 

Verse 7 says a cloud from heaven came forth along with a heavenly voice making a bold declaration.  In the OT, clouds were a symbol of God’s presence.  In the NT, they are associated with Christ’s return. 

 

Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”  Obviously, this was God the Father saying to obey Jesus, and then all of a sudden, the transfiguration was over, and the only one left was who?  Jesus!  The prophets weren’t left.  The law wasn’t left.  Only Jesus alone was left standing.

 

By the way, if the Transfiguration was a picture of Christ in heaven, could it also be a picture of who will be in heaven?  Some have thought that Moses represented the OT Saints or those who died before Christ.  Peter, James, and John would be representative of the NT Saints or those who die after Christ.  Then Elijah would represent those Saints who would never taste death but, like Elijah, will be raptured to heaven.  Perhaps. 

 

On their way down from the mountain in verse 9, Jesus gave Peter, James, and John strict orders.  His order was not to tell what they had seen until after the resurrection.  This is the first time that Jesus told the disciples to keep quiet for a specific period of time.  Why?

 

Peter, James, and John still didn’t fully understand all of what Jesus was about and was going to do.  We know that because Peter wanted to build three tabernacles instead of one, but they would all get it after He was crucified and resurrected, and they did.  Dense disciples became powerful and passionate preachers on the pages of the Acts of the Apostles because eventually, they got it.

 

We see again in 9:10 that they hadn’t yet got it as they were confused about Jesus’ comments regarding the resurrection because they still didn’t understand that their Messiah was going to have to suffer and die.

 

In 9:11, with Elijah fresh on their minds, the Big Three made reference to Malachi 4:4-6 which talks about Elijah coming before the Second Coming of Christ.  In 9:12, Jesus affirmed that truth.  Indeed, Elijah will come and restore all things. 

 

Furthermore, not only will Elijah come, but Elijah or a type of Elijah had already come.  Most certainly, the Lord Jesus had John the Baptist in mind. 

 

Now the question comes, “Was John the Baptist a type of Elijah coming in the spirit of Elijah or was he Elijah reincarnate?”  Regardless, at the very least, he was a type of Elijah, if not Elijah himself, and he did do some, but not all, of the work of Elijah.

 

 

Conclusion

So there is one big idea, one main point of this story about Jesus and its application to Christian discipleship.  How can we help Jesus?  In absolutely no way.

 

We are prone to think very highly of ourselves.  However, when it comes to the act of salvation and the process of salvation, Jesus stands alone by Himself. 

 

We think He needs our help.  We think we can add something to Him like works or baptism or performance.  Jesus doesn’t need one single thing from you to save you, and He doesn’t need one single thing from you to keep you saved. 

 

Therefore, just build one tabernacle because only one deserves it.  His name is Jesus.

 

Don't Think Like the Devil!

Introduction

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Mark 8:31.  One of my goals this morning is for my sermon title to shock you to some degree, “Stop Thinking Like the Devil!”

 

Beginning with today’s text, Jesus is going to announce God’s plan for Him, specifically related to His ultimate mission.  This first of three announcements take place in 8:31.

 

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

 

It happens again in Mark 9:31 and for a third time in 10:33-34.

 

31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”

 

33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

 

Again, I said this was God’s plan.  That may sound weird to you, but it is undeniable in Acts 2:23 from the mouth of Peter.

 

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

 

Every time Jesus made this prophetic announcement regarding His death and resurrection, He followed it with a lesson on discipleship. 

 

Here’s today’s lesson on discipleship: the disciple of Christ should set his or her mind on the things of God rather than the things of men.  In other words, a disciple of Jesus should stop thinking like the devil, and start thinking like God.

 

 

Main Point

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” 

 

Look again at verse 31.  That’s were see this first announcement from Jesus of His death and resurrection.  Specifically, He said He was going to experience persecution, execution, and resurrection.  All of this would be at the hands of the Jewish Religious Leaders: the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes.  Verse 32 is where we see this is the first time that He spoke openly, plainly, and clearly about His death.

 

Peter wasn’t thinking like God, and when Peter heard this announcement, verse 32 says he took Jesus aside and rebuked Him.  So Peter did understand that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but he didn’t understand fully yet.

After Peter rebuked Jesus, Jesus rebuked Peter, and notice verse 33 says all of the disciples too.  He said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan.”  Does that mean that Peter was filled with Satan?  No, but it does mean that Peter was listening to Satan allowing Satan to speak through him.

 

What was Peter’s problem?  He was not mindful of the things of God but the things of men.  In other words, Peter was thinking like the Devil instead of like God and Jesus. 

 

Peter’s mistake applied to his attitude, his desired actions, and the timing.  Peter’s attitude was one of wanting to be delivered from Roman oppression.  His actions including the promised Messiah doing just that through force, and he thought the timing should be sooner rather than later.

 

Beginning in verse 34, Jesus went on to further explain what thinking like God meant, and I want you to notice that was His expectation for all followers of Christ not just the Twelve.  Notice verse 34 says He called all the people to Himself, with His disciples also, and His invitation is “For whoever.”

 

Sometimes there is a false dichotomy in the minds of the Christians thinking that all followers of Christ are Christians, and those more mature followers of Christ are disciples.  Again, that is false dichotomy or division and cannot be justified biblically.  What Jesus is about to say applies to the Twelve and to everyone in this room who is a follower of Christ. 

 

 

1. Thinking like Jesus means denying self.

 

This invitation to follow Jesus begins in verse 34 and relates back to not thinking like the Devil.  Followers of Jesus and thinking like Jesus means denying self. 

 

What does it mean to “deny himself?”  It does not mean to deny your personality.  It does mean that your world needs to stop revolving around you.  You need to stop thinking about you all the time.  It means to turn away from self-centeredness and egocentric living.

 

In Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life,” the very first sentence says, “It’s not about you.”  For the follower of Christ, you must deny self.   You must move from being self-centered to being Jesus-centered and others-centered. 

 

Think about what that would do for your marriage if spouses denied self.  Think about what that would do for finances if you denied self.  Think about what that would do for your health if we denied self.  Think about what that would do for our church if we denied self. 

 

If you denied self, you wouldn’t worry about what I’m wearing.  If you denied self, you wouldn’t worry about my facial hair.  If you denied self, you wouldn’t be worried about kind of songs were singing. 

 

 

2. Thinking like Jesus means demonstrating submission.

 

What does it mean to “take up his cross?”  We often use the cliché “my cross to bear,” and we use it incorrectly.  A hard-nose boss is not your cross to bear.  An unfair teacher is not your cross to bear.  A certain illness or handicap or financial setback is not your cross to bear. 

 

The cross was a tool for execution.  It was a sign of death.  Paul understood that from Galatians 2:20. 

 

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

However, it was also an acknowledgment of submitting and being obedient to the authority over you.

 

When Jesus was required to carry His cross through Jerusalem, He was demonstrating His submission to the Romans. Today, followers of Christ must think like Christ which means demonstrating our submission as well.

 

First, we must submit to God.    See James 4:7.

 

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

 

God or Jesus has to be the single authority in your life.

 

Second, we must demonstrate our submission to one another.  Instead of being concerned with you and your preferences, it is imperative that as a follower of Christ, we need to be thinking about and submitting to our neighbor and what is best for them.  See Ephesians 5:21 and 1 Peter 5:5.

 

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

 

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

 

Third, we must submit to government.  Please understand that the Bible says this doesn’t apply when the government requires you to do anything contrary to this book, but generally speaking, followers of Christ should demonstrate their submission to the government.  See Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13.

 

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

 

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,

 

 

3. Thinking like Jesus means displaying the Savior.

 

How do we display the Savior?  We display the Savior by losing our life and confessing Jesus in this world…at home, at the office, in the classroom, in the locker room, and at the restaurant. 

 

Please understand, I’m not talking about bumper stickers on your car or t-shirts or jewelry.  I’m talking about actions and lifestyle and responses and attitudes. 

 

I often hear folks say their faith is private.  That might sound good to some, but it is not biblical.  Your faith is always personal, but it is never private.  On the contrary, biblical faith is personal and public.  That is what it means to display the Savior.

 

If we choose not to display the Savior in this world because we are ashamed, Jesus is going to be ashamed of us in heaven. 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

So are you thinking like the devil, if you are, you need to make some changes if you’re going to live your life as a follower of Christ by denying self, demonstrating submission and displaying the Savior. 

 

For some of you in the room, you have never started following Jesus.  Would you do that this morning? 

 

For our guests, one way that you can display the Savior is by uniting with a local church, the bride of Christ.  If God is leading you to EBC, we’d be glad to welcome you.