Emory Baptist Church

The Calling of EVERY Follower of Christ...

It's Hard to Go Home!

All Interruptions Aren't Bad!

If you were here last Sunday morning, you’ll remember that we saw Jesus raise a twelve year-old little girl from the dead.  Jairus was her dad, and she was his only child and on death’s doorstep. 

 

In an act of desperation, Jairus, the Jewish religious leader, remembered possibly what he saw and definitely what he heard about and came and fell at the feet of Jesus begging Him to intervene in his crisis, and Jesus did.

 

In the face of laughter and doubt, Jesus raised the girl who had died.  She stopped breathing.  Her heart stopped beating.  Her spirit had departed.  Yet, Jesus performed a miracle and brought her back to life. 

 

Jesus has proven Himself as more powerful than disasters and more powerful than the demonic and more powerful than death.  Today, we will see that He is more powerful than disease.

 

However, from Jairus’ perspective, it almost didn’t happen.  It almost didn’t happen because of an interruption that takes place in Mark 5:25-34.

Generally speaking, I don’t like interruptions.  They catch me by surprise and throw of my schedule, and as you know, I’m a very scheduled person.  However, all interruptions aren’t bad.  This is one in which a life is changed forever.

 

If you look at today’s miracle along with last week’s miracle, there are three primary characters.  All of them deserve our attention today: this woman, Jesus, and Jairus.

 

 

1. A Desperate Situation, Mark 5:25-26

25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.

 

This woman was diseased.  She had been hemorrhaging internally for 12 years.  Let that sink in.  Most commentators believe this was some type of ongoing bleeding in her uterus.  She was suffering physically.

 

She was also suffering emotionally.  She sought treatment for 12 years, and after every treatment she thought this was it.  I have been made well, but instead, she hadn’t.  She suffered many things from many physicians, and she was only getting worse. 

 

She also suffered emotionally because she was defiled.  Because of her bleeding, she was unclean according to OT Law and separated from the nation of Israel.  No one could be around her or risk defilement as well.

 

Leviticus 15:25, 25 ‘If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. She shall be unclean.

 

Finally, she was suffering financially.  Mark 5:26 says she spent all that she had on her medical condition and to no avail.  

 

This woman found herself in a desperate situation.

 

 

2. A Determined Aspiration, Mark 5:27-28

27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 

 

In our next two verses, we continue to see this woman determined or decide that she needs something different.  She aspired or hoped that her situation would change. 

 

Notice she heard about Jesus.  Then she acted on what she had heard, and she believed not in herself but in Him.

 

Today, I am telling you about Jesus.   Therefore, you are hearing.  You will then need to recognize the need for change in your life or the need to be saved from your sins, and my invitation to you this morning is going to be to put your faith in Jesus to save you rather than self to save you.

 

 

3. A Definite Modification, Mark 5:29-34

29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”  31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”  32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

 

These last several verses speak mostly about Jesus.  Jesus is omnipotent or all-powerful.  Just by touching the fringe of His garment, she was healed immediately.  Jesus was fully man and fully God.  Even during His earthly ministry, He could do whatever He chose to do, and the same is true today.  He is still all powerful.

 

Jesus is omniscient or all-knowing.  Jesus knew someone had touched Him.  I would even say He knew who touched Him.  He simply wanted this woman to acknowledge her faith publicly.  Peter didn’t think it was possible to know who touched Him, but Jesus did because He is omniscient.

 

By the way, just as Jesus desired this woman to come forward to confess her faith in front of this crowd, Jesus wants you to confess your faith publically this morning as well.  Faith is certainly personal, but you never see faith in the NT as private. 

Thirdly, Jesus is omnibenevolent or all good.  Jesus didn’t try to embarrass this woman, but wanted her to confess Him publicly.  When she did, He told her that faith had made her well, and blessed her to go in peace. 

 

 

Jairus

Now, don’t forget about Jairus.  As far as we know from the pages of Scripture and maybe even differently than I speculated last week, he was composed.  As far as we know, he was waiting patiently on Jesus while all of this was happening.  He didn’t interrupt.  He didn’t pull Jesus through the crowd. Yet, his daughter is dying.  He was composed.

 

Jairus was also committed.  Even after he got word that his daughter had died, Jesus spoke to him and reassured him that everything would be fine.  Therefore, he remained committed to his belief that Jesus could help.

 

Jairus was cared for.  I believe that as a result of his composure and his commitment, Jesus cared for Jairus and his family by bringing his daughter back to life.  When you’re faced with an interruption, remember that all interruptions aren’t bad. Stay composed. Stay committed.  Trust that you will be cared for.

 

 

Application/Conclusion

We can all find application in this story today and allow me to close with several.

 

First, Jairus teaches us how to handle interruptions.  Stay composed.  Stay committed. Trust that you will be cared for.

 

Second, from the woman, she acted on what she heard and believed that Jesus was more powerful than disease.  See James 5:13-18.

 

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

 

Finally, in the last verse of today’s text, we find something very interesting.  In the entire Bible, Jesus used the title of “Daughter” one time. It is here.  He called her daughter because she now had a heavenly Father.  If you will let Him save you this morning, you too can have a heavenly Father who will call you by name.

 

You can be at peace with God, see Romans 5:1, and Jesus will also demonstrate His power of your disease of sin like Paul wrote about in Romans 6:1-14.

 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

At Death's Doorstep...

In January 1989, Don Piper was on his way back to Alvin, Texas from a church planting conference at Trinity Pines Conference Center around Lake Livingston.  Don was an associate pastor at South Park Baptist Church in Alvin and was considering starting his own church.  Instead of the normal way home from Trinity to Alvin, he decided to take Hwy. 19 out of Trinity through Huntsville, and on the old Trinity Bridge, his 1986 red Ford Escort was hit head on by an eighteen-wheeler operated by the Texas Department of Corrections.  This bridge was well known for being long and having no shoulders.  The truck sandwiched his small car between the bridge railing and the driver’s side of the truck.  All those wheels went right on top of his car and smashed it.

 

The accident report stated that the impact of collision was about 110 miles an hour.  The semi was traveling 60 miles an hour, and Don was traveling 50 miles an hour.  The truck driver didn’t have a scratch on him.  However, Don was killed instantly.  In one powerful, overwhelming second, he died.

 

Those were his words that he wrote on page 20 of his book “90 Minutes in Heaven.”  That’s right.  For 90 minutes, Don Piper was dead, but today, he is alive after two resuscitations, 34 surgical procedures, and $6 million dollars in medical bills.  He is living proof that Jesus is the master over death.

 

On the pages of the NT, we find another story reminding us that Jesus is master over death as well.  We have seen in recent weeks that Jesus is master over disasters like the storms of life.  He is master over the demonic like Bro. Ronnie preached last week.  Next Sunday, we will see that Jesus is master over disease, and today, we are reminded that Jesus is master over death.

 

Remember that in May, we saw what Jesus said.  In June, we are seeing what Jesus did.  In May, we saw His words.  In June, we are seeing His works, and He is master over all.

 

This morning, let’s make five observations in this story about Jairus’ daughter. 

 

 

1. A Petition that was Urgent, 5:21-24

21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him

 

Jesus and His disciples had now crossed back over the Sea of Galilee after calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee.  Like before, the crowds found Him and wanted to be around Him. 

 

In verse 22, we are introduced to Jairus.  He was a ruler of the local Jewish synagogue, probably in Capernaum. 

 

This meant that he took physical care of the synagogue and planned the worship services.  This was more of an administrative role rather than a priestly role. 

 

He probably was present for Jesus did back in 3:1 and came to Jesus with an urgent petition or request.

 

Mark 3:1, 1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.

 

Verse 23 tells us that Jairus begged Jesus earnestly to save his little daughter.  He didn’t just ask once.  He asked again and again and again.  I can’t even imagine being in Jairus’ shoes in this situation. 

 

Luke 8:42 tells us that this was Jairus’ only daughter, and she was about 12 years old.  Mark also tells us that she was at the point of death, close to death, knocking on death’s door.

 

In verse 24, Jesus appears to oblige Jairus’ request.  Jesus headed with Jairus back to his house to physically heal his daughter.  As He went, Jesus was surrounded or thronged by the massive amounts of people.

 

Then, the unthinkable happened.  When time was of the essence, Jesus got delayed in the crowd.  People wouldn’t let Him through.  Can you imagine what Jairus was thinking? 

 

Come back next Sunday as we look at this divine interruption sandwiched between two scenes with Jairus and his daughter.  Not only is Jesus master of disasters and demons and death.  He is also master over disease.

 

 

2. A Perception that was Usual, 5:35-38

35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”  36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.

 

 

According the story, it seemed that the unthinkable had happened.  Jesus didn’t get to the girl in time.  She had died or at least that was the report that Jairus received in verse 35.  I can’t even imagine. 

 

Once Jairus’ daughter died, the rest of the family gave up, and you and I would have also.  That was usual or normal.  There was no reason to bother Jesus any longer.

 

In 5:38, the professional mourners had already arrived, and they were making plans for burial.  Verse 38 would be the equivalent of our visitation at the funeral home.  The girl had died and now the people and family were coming to pay their last respects.

 

When Jesus suggested that the girl was not really dead, those gathered at the house laughed at Him.  Verse 40 literally says they laughed in His face because of His stupidity.  Of course, the girl was dead and there was nothing that could be done now.

 

Everyone in attendance knew that this girl had died.  There was no breathing.  There was no pulse.  She was dead.

 

Those trying to discount the miraculous and the supernatural have said that she just slipped into a coma.  Notice 5:23 when Jairus said she was at the point of death or literally at death’s door.  Matthew 9:18 records Jairus as saying she has died.

 

Matthew 9:18, 18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”

 

In 5:35, the report from Jairus’ home was that she had died.   In 5:38, it is obvious that her family thought she had died. 

 

In Luke 8:55, when Jesus healed her, it says that her spirit returned.  Undoubtedly, she was dead.

 

Luke 8:55, 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

 

 

3. A Prescription that was Unheard Of, 5:36

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

 

5:36 carries the idea that Jesus heard the report from Jairus’ house, and He ignored it.

 

He then did the unthinkable.  He said to Jairus something we heard Him say previously after calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee.  He said to Jairus, “Don’t be full of fear.  Be full of faith!”

 

Jairus had believed enough to come and find Jesus and beg him to come to his house in 5:23. Jesus encouraged Jairus to keeping believing, keep having that faith.  This story wasn’t over yet.

 

 

4. A Proclamation that was Unorthodox, 5:37, 39-42

37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”  40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 

Jesus was about to do the supernatural.  He was about to perform a miracle.  He was about to show that He was the master over death.

 

In 5:37, for the first time, we see the inner circle of Peter, James, and John, and Jesus wanted them to be on hand for what was about to take place.  Maybe the others had to stay back for crowd control.

 

These three would have also satisfied Deuteronomy 19:15.

 

Deuteronomy 19:15, …by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

In 5:39, Jesus entered the house and asked about all the commotion and the weeping and the wailing.  He then made the unorthodox proclamation that the girl was not dead but sleeping.

 

Remember we looked a moment ago at the reality of her death.  More than likely, Jesus was not speaking absolutely but from His own perspective.  To everyone else, she was dead.  To Him, who was able to make her alive again, she was not dead but only sleeping.

 

5:40 says they began laughing at Him.  They began laughing in His face.

 

But He made them leave the room and brought in the three disciples and her parents.  They were about to witness a life restored.

 

5:41 says Jesus took her by the hand said to her, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”  Immediately she did.  Luke tells us that they gave her something to eat.

 

Luke 8:55, 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

 

 

5. A Prohibition that was Understandable, 5:43

43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

 

In verse 43, we may not initially understand what Jesus did, but think about it.  Jesus wanted protection from His enemies.  Jesus wanted protection from the crazies.

 

Therefore, He tried to slow the hysteria. 

 

 

Conclusion

First, Jesus is the master over physical death.  It happened here in Mark 5.  It happened with Lazarus in John 11.  It happens in hospitals all over.  It happened with Don Piper.

 

Second, Jesus’ timing is perfect, and ours is not.  We may be frustrated with what we think is God’s inactivity or failure.  However, it may simply be that His time hasn’t come yet, and His is always better than ours.

 

Third, Jesus is the master over spiritual death.  Because He is the master over physical death and was resurrected, He provides mastery or victory over spiritual death.

 

You must realize that if you have never received Christ as your personal Lord and Savior that you are spiritually dead.

 

Ephesians 2:1-4, And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

 

If you are spiritually dead, the only way to eternal life is through personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

1 Corinthians 15:54-57, 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  55 “O Death, where is your sting?  O Hades, where is your victory?”  56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

Fear or Faith?

In the recent weeks of our study in Mark’s gospel, we have seen much of Jesus’ words or what Jesus said.  Beginning today and for the month of June, we are going to see Jesus’ works or what Jesus did.

 

Today, we are going to see that Jesus is Lord over disasters, natural disasters.  When I say that He is Lord over, I mean that is stronger than or more powerful than.  In the coming weeks, we will also see that Jesus is Lord over demons and death and disease. 

 

As it relates to today’s text, Mark 4:335-41, the Bible uses stories of storms to encourage the body of Christ about difficulties of life.  Storms of life may include marital problems, problems at work, with your employer, with your employees, with coworkers; problems with family, children at home, children who are grown; loss of a loved one; loss of a spouse; physical ailment; major decisions to be made or financial struggles.

 

A fact of life is that every person in the room is currently in one of three situations.  You are in a storm.  You just came out of a storm or you’re about to go into a storm. 

 

I believe today’s text is from an eyewitness to the situation.  More than likely we are hearing from Peter as he saw all of today’s events unfold.  Only Mark, with Peter’s testimony, tells us about these other little boats in verse 36 and this pillow in verse 38 and includes this verbal rebuke of Jesus at the end of verse 38.

 

 

Exposition

We see from this text that Jesus is 100% human.  4:35 tells us that when evening came, He wanted to take a little trip.  He wanted to go to the other side of the lake.  This is the Lake of Galilee or the Sea of Galilee.

 

4:36 tells us that He and His disciples left the crowd behind.  Why did He want to leave the crowd?  I would say that He was just worn out!  His day had consisted of the following:  3:20-30 says that He was accused of being demon possessed; 3:31-35 was the attempted kidnapping by his mother and brothers; 4:1-34 was His all-day teaching and explanation of five parables: the parable of the soils, the lamp, the measure, the mysteriously growing seed, and the mustard seed.

 

4:36 also tells us that after He was finished with the parables, they didn’t go back to shore.  They went as He was to the other side. 

 

Once they got the boat to the other side, Jesus immediately went to sleep.  Jesus slept.  Jesus got tired, and He slept.  How tired and exhausted was He?  He was so tired and so exhausted that the storm that erupted in 4:37 didn’t even wake Him.

 

 

We see also from this text that Jesus is 100% God.  Let’s look again at this great windstorm in 4:37. The Lake of Galilee or Sea of Galilee is almost 700 ft. below sea level and surrounded on all sides by mountains and cliffs.  Therefore, large and violent storms were common.

 

The NASB says fierce gale of wind.  The KJV says great storm of wind.  The NIV says a furious squall.  Literally, this was a storm of hurricane or earthquake proportions.  The waves were breaking over the bow of the boat to such a degree that the boat was filling up with water.

 

All this time, Jesus was asleep because He was physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted, but He wasn’t asleep for long.

 

4:38 says that the disciples woke Him and rebuked Him.  Did He not care that their lives were in danger?  Did He not care that they were afraid of dying?  Why had He deserted them?

 

4:39 says Jesus got up and demonstrated that He was 100% God by rebuking the wind and saying to the sea, “Peace, be still.”  He literally said, “Be muzzled.”  This is actually the same word He used in Mark 1:25 when He spoke to a demon.  Therefore, this storm may have been a demonic attack.

 

Notice what happened.  Instantly, the wind stopped and the waters became perfectly calm.  Jesus performed two miracles not just one.

 

Then Jesus had some words for His disciples in 4:40. He asked them two questions.  Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you no faith? 

 

After all what had they already seen?  A demon was cast out in 1:25-26. Peter’s mother-in-law was healed in 1:31. There were other numerous healings in 1:34.  A leper was healed in 1:41.  A paralytic was healed in 2:11. A man with a withered hand was healed 3:5. 

 

They had seen no less than six miracles in two days, and yet these fishermen were scared for their lives out on the Sea of Galilee when this vicious storm came up.  By the way, when Jesus asked about their faith, His implication was not that more faith would have removed them from the storm.  His implication was that more faith would have reminded them who was in the boat with them.

 

 

Application & Conclusion

All across the room this morning, there are countless individuals and families experiencing their own storms of life. 

 

Let me share with you two invitations.  First, make sure that Jesus is in your boat.  If Jesus is in your boat, I can promise you that your boat won’t sink.

 

Second, stop being afraid and remember what Jesus promised.  That command not to fear or don’t fear is the most prolific command in the Bible with some 63 occurrences. 

 

Replace your fear with faith in Jesus’ promise not take you out of the storm but never to leave you or forsake you while you’re in the storm. 

Mustard Seed Future

Today, we come to the last of Jesus’ parables in Mark 4 and in Mark’s gospel.  Mark only included a relatively few parables compared to Matthew and Luke. 

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and we are reminded of Jesus’ scope and purpose of His parables found in Mark 4:33-34.  Their ultimate purpose was to reveal or explain the Kingdom of God to those inside the Kingdom. 

 

Parables also served to conceal or confuse the truths of the Kingdom of God to the outsiders, those who willfully, intentionally, and purposefully rejected the Lord Jesus.

 

This morning’s parable is that of the mustard seed. I hate to take for granted that everyone understands the size of mustard seed.  Therefore, take a look at this.

 

Jesus spoke about the mustard seed on three different occasions.  In Matthew 17:14-20, He spoke about mustard seed faith.

 

Matthew 17:14-20, 14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”  17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.  19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”  20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

 

Jesus spoke about the mustard seed again in Luke 17:3-6.  This time, He spoke of mustard seed forgiveness.

 

Luke 17:3-6, 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”  5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”  6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

Here in Mark 4, we are going to look at mustard seed future as it relates to the Kingdom of God.

 

 

Earthly Story

1. The mustard seed, 4:31a
   1. Not the Gospel like it has been in some previous parables
   2. The seed here is the Kingdom of God
      1. Eternal life in heaven
      2. Jesus’ earthly reign when He returns

• But also God’s presence in the life of Believers here and now on earth

1. This seed is the common black mustard seed
   1. Comparable to a fleck of black pepper or a grain of sand
   2. Takes 725-760 black mustard seeds to equal one gram

 

1. Was sown, 4:31b
   1. The black mustard seed was sown in the soil and began to grow
   2. In the same way, the Kingdom of God in Jesus had its own beginnings with His birth in Jerusalem

 

 

1. Smaller than all of the other seeds, 4:31c
   1. Again, the black mustard seed was extremely small.
   2. Jesus said that the black mustard seed was smaller than all the seeds that were upon the soil. It was the smallest seed His audience knew.
   3. He was not giving a lesson in botany
   4. He was not making an absolute statement
   5. He intended to speak comparatively

 

 

1. Even though it was small, it grew and became superior, greater than all herbs 4:32a
   1. When the black mustard seed was planted, it grew to into a shrub or tree that could be measured anywhere between six and fifteen feet tall
   2. Jesus said when it grows it becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large braches that provide shade for the birds of the air

 

 

1. The birds of the air find shade in this tree, 4:32b
   1. Who are the birds of the air?
   2. Even though the birds in previous parables, represent Satan, I think these birds are simply the insiders who find shade and comfort and rest in God’s Kingdom

 

 

Heavenly Meaning(s)

First, as I just said, in God’s Kingdom, in Jesus Christ, you can find shade and comfort and rest.  You don’t have to work any longer for God’s approval when you are in Christ. 

 

Second, bigger isn’t always better.  However, that is how we think.  We think a bigger house is better.  A bigger car is better.  A bigger truck is better.  A bigger church is better, and a bigger budget is better, and a bigger children’s ministry or youth ministry is better.

 

In this parable, smaller is superior. 

 

Third, it isn’t how you start as much as it is how you finish.  The mustard seed started small, but finished large and well. 

 

When these first century hearers heard “kingdom,” they had visions of grandeur in their eyes. 

 

However, let me remind you how Jesus began.

 

Luke 2:1-7, And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

And don’t forget how Jesus will finish.

 

Revelation 19:10-16, 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”  11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  The seed is the kingdom of God, and even though it starts out small, when it is sown on the soil, it grows to be more than we could ever imagine.

 

Therefore, be encouraged brothers and sisters.  Find rest in Jesus Christ, God’s Kingdom in the flesh.  Bigger isn’t always better when smaller is superior, and it isn’t how you start but how you finish. 

 

Can We Believe When We Don't Understand?

This morning we continue to look at the parables of the Lord Jesus at the beginning of Mark’s gospel, and we have seen in recent weeks that parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings.  Jesus used parables to reveal truths about life in the Kingdom of God to those who were insiders and to conceal truths about life in the Kingdom of God to those who had willfully and intentionally rejected Jesus’ calling on their life for salvation.

 

So far, we have heard the parable of the soils and the parable of the lamp and the parable of the measure.  Today, we will see another agrarian parable as Jesus often taught His people using these very familiar stories about farming. 

 

In Mark 4:26-29, I want to show you the parable of the growing seed.  However, let’s add mysterious to that to make it the parable of the mysteriously growing seed and answer this question.  Can you trust what you don’t understand?

 

This parable is again about life in the kingdom of God, and that what Jesus said in verse 26.  Let’s see this parable in three scenes. 

 

 

1.     The Sower Sows, Mark 4:26.

26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground…

 

Again, this parable revealed truths about the kingdom of God, which is not just heaven, but the invisible of here and now.  Jesus has done this previously, and we will see it again next Sunday.  See 4:11, 4:26, and 4:30.

Mark 4:11, 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God…

 

Mark 4:26, 26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground…

 

Mark 4:30, 30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?

 

In this first verse of the parable, we see the sower or the farmer who faithfully sowed or scatter seed in broadcast form on the ground. 

 

I would say that the sower represents every Christian, every follower of Christ, and the seed is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is the good news of how to be saved, and we should regularly and continuously be sowing and scattering the seed of the gospel.

 

 

2. The Sower Waits, Mark 4:27-28.

27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.

 

After the sower sows, he or she goes about his daily life.  He goes to bed at night.  She gets up in the morning.  He goes to work.  She goes to school. 

 

The something very strange happens.  The seed sprouts and grows.  This happens mysteriously.  The sower doesn’t even know or understand how this happens.

 

Verse 28 says the seed and the soil bring forth growth without any outside force.  The soil produces crop by itself or on its own.  The language of the NT uses the word that gives us automatic.  The crops come up automatically. 

 

The same word is used in Acts 12:10 to describe the gate that opened by itself in releasing Peter from prison.

 

Acts 12:10, 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

Let me let you in on something.  God opened the gate in Acts 12, and God makes the seed grow in Mark 4.

 

1 Corinthians 3:6-7, 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

 

 

3. The Sower Harvests, Mark 4:29.

29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

 

When the crop ripens or brings forth fruit or is ready, the sower puts in his sickle and harvests the crop.  The phrase “puts in his sickle” is used in John 4:38 to describe reaping a harvest of souls through witnessing.

 

38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

 

 

Conclusions or Heavenly Meaning

As it relates to life in the kingdom of God, obeying is essential.  Witnessing is expected, and trusting is eminent.  By eminent, I mean of the utmost importance. 

 

We are trusting the Lord to sovereignly accomplish His purpose.  We must do our work, and trust God to do His.

 

The sower went about his daily life going to bed at night and getting up each day, and James 5:7-8, tells us to trust God by being patient.

 

James 5:7-8, 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

 

Lamps, Baskets, and Beds

This morning, we continue looking at the parables of the Lord Jesus here at the beginning of Mark, and we will continue to do so for the next three Sunday mornings including today.  Today, we will look at the parable of the lamp and the parable of the measure.  Next week, we will look at the parable of the mysteriously growing seed, and the last Sunday of May, we will look at the parable of the mustard seed.

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and parables have two purposes.  Their first purpose and ultimate purpose is to reveal truth about the kingdom of God to the insiders or to those who are saved.  Their second purpose is to conceal and confuse and bring judgment on the outsiders or those who willfully, purposefully, and intentionally reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

 

Today our text is Mark 4:21-25.  There are many who would consider these five verses to be just one parable, the parable of the lamp.  However, I would say there are two parables here.  The first certainly is the parable of the lamp in 4:21-23.  The next is the parable of the measure found in 4:24-25.  I believe these to be two separate parables because of the phrase used in 4:21, “Also He said to them…” and that same phrase used again in 4:24, “Then He said to them…”  This morning we will consider both.

 

I normally don’t take the liberty of looking at verses in a different order than they were written, but I am going to do that today.  I think it will benefit you and me both to consider verses 24-25 first and then verses 21-23.

 

 

25. Accepting the Word is Essential, 4:24-25.

24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

 

Here we have the parable of the measure, and Jesus began with the caution to be careful in to what we listen.  Without saying it directly, His encouragement is to listen to the Word.  Listen to the Word of God.

 

Be careful about listening to the thoughts of men.  Be careful about listening to those who are supposedly God’s men, but what they teach isn’t exactly Scripture.

 

The remainder of 4:24 basically says the more an insider listens to the Word and receives it, and distributes it, the more truth about Jesus will be revealed to him and or her.

 

Verse 25 offers even more insight.  Remember, these are insiders that to which Jesus is talking.  They are His disciples.  God will give more understanding to the man or woman who wants more of it. 

 

We have as much of Jesus as we desire.

 

On the other hand, if you have been given a little bit of revelation and understanding and you don’t use it and share it, that little revelation and understanding will be taken away. 

 

That doesn’t mean that anyone has lost his or her salvation.  However, let me ask this.  Who kind of person has terminal cancer and finds out the cure but doesn’t want to share the cure with others in the same condition? 

 

It means don’t expect to get more revelation if you aren’t going to share what you have been given.  Use it or lose it!

 

For some of you here this morning, you are blowing and going in your walk with Jesus.  You are meeting with Him daily.  You are taking in every sermon and every Bible study, and you are then turning around and sharing what you have been given.  You are ministering to those God has given to you.

 

On the other hand, some of you are as stagnate as you can be in your walk with God because you once were given guidance or direction or an assignment from God, and you didn’t do anything, and you are still aren’t doing anything and yet you wonder why things are so dry in your relationship with Christ.  They are dry because you never acted on what you had been given.  Use it or lose it.

 

Remember what Jesus said in John 14:15.

 

John 14:15, 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

 

Accepting the word is essential to salvation and essential to receiving more.

 

 

2. Agreeing to Witness is Expected, 4:21-23.

21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

 

Notice again, Mark began this parable of the lamp with “Also He said to them…”

Think about this lamp.  It was a lighted wick in a shallow clay bowl full of oil.  It was normally placed on a shelf on the wall.  However, sometimes it was placed in the center of the house on a stand to light the entire home at night if it was a wealthier family.

 

Think about the basket.  It was used to carry flower or grain.  It didn’t have any holes in it.

 

The bed was literally a dining couch.  People reclined on them for eating purposes.

 

Jesus asked His first question in verse 21, and the right answer to the first question is “No.”  A lamp is not brought to be hidden under a basket or under a bed.  To hide it under a basket would put it out.  To hide it under a bed would risk catching the bed on fire.

 

Jesus then asked a second question in verse 21.  Also, the right answer to the second question is “Yes.” 

 

A lamp is brought to be put on the lampstand.  A lamp is brought to shine light.

 

Verse 22 has the heavenly meaning of this second parable.  Nothing is hidden except to be revealed.  Everything that is secret will come to light.  The ultimate purpose of parables is to reveal the kingdom of God to insiders.

 

In verse 23, Jesus summoned the insiders to hear and take it to heart.

 

The first application is that as an insider, you are expected to witness to your saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  It should not be an option.  I would even go so far to say that if a Christian is silent, there must be a question of whether he or she is truly saved.

 

A lamp is not brought to be hidden under a basket or brought to be put under the bed.  It is brought to be put on the lampstand.

 

The great commission is found in every gospel and from the words of Jesus our Lord.

 

Matthew 28:19, 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

 

Mark 16:15, 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

Luke 24:46-48, 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.

 

John 20:21, 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

 

The second application is that if you are really a Christian, it will be obvious.  Some commentators say the “lamp” in verse 21 is Jesus.  It certainly could be. 

 

If Jesus is the lamp inside of you, there will be no such thing as keeping my faith from my politics.  People should know if you are a Christian president or lawyer or teacher or coach or doctor or small business owner or whatever. 

 

Agreeing to witness is expected.

 

 

Conclusion

First of all, accepting the word is essential.  That begins with accepted the word that Jesus is the only way to peace with the Father.  See Romans 5:1.

 

Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Then, if you are going to grow as a follower of Christ, you must accept and obey the word of God, and then God will give you more and more to accept and obey.

 

Consequently, if you aren’t going to accept and obey what He has already given you, don’t expect Him to give you more when you’re not following what you have.

 

Secondly, agreeing to witness is expected.  If you have accepted the word, it is expected that you will be a witness to the life-changing message of the gospel.  Anything else is unthinkable.

 

 

Good Dirt for Listening Ears

Why Parables?

I want to begin by saying that our text for the morning is a rather difficult text even though it is only three verses.  Therefore, I need you to really pay close attention.  I am not going to be long this morning, and I am going to try to be as simple and plainspoken as I can be.

 

In May, we are going to look at four parables in Mark’s gospel starting next week with the Parable of the Sower or the Soils and the Parable of the Lamp and the Parable of the Growing Seed and the Parable of the Mustard Seed.  However, before we get to May and those parables, I want to try and explain what is a parable and explain why Jesus used parables.

 

Therefore, I want to pray for clarity on my part and understanding for you.  Then, I am going to answer five questions that I think you might have regarding this passage.  If you have more or one that I don’t address, talk to me afterward or email it to me.

 

 

Exposition

1. What is a parable? Mark 4:10

10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.

 

Dr. Jimmy Pritchard has said for years and years that “a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”  Next week, you’re going to hear an earthly story about a farmer sowing seed into various kinds of soils.  These first century hearers would have completely identified with such.

Jesus would use these common stories about everyday objects or activities that His audience would know or recognize, and these earthly stories communicated or illustrated or explained a heavenly or spiritual meaning. 

 

His parables could also be seen as analogies, and His parables often contained similes.  A simile is a comparison using like or as.  In May, you will hear Jesus say, “The kingdom of heaven is like…”  That wording will introduce a parable.

 

In the parable of the sower and the soils, that sower is a symbol.  The seed is a symbol.  The four different types of soil are symbolic.  Jesus evens explained the meaning of that parable, and it has a heavenly meaning. 

 

So again, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 

 

 

2. What is a mystery and what was the mystery of the kingdom of God? Mark 4:11a

11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God…

 

A mystery can be something that will never be explained or understood.  However, in the Bible, it is something that can only be communicated through special revelation.    

 

The mystery of the Kingdom of God here in Mark is not a mystery in the sense that it can’t be understood, but it is a secret that not everyone yet knew.

 

The mystery of the Kingdom of God is that Jesus Christ was and is the Messiah.  He is the Son of God.  He is the Savior of the world.  The Kingdom of God is only accessed through Him. 

 

There are also others mysteries of the kingdom of heaven that are revealed in the New Testament.  First, 1 Corinthians 15:51 says believers will have glorified bodies in heaven. 

 

Second, Ephesians 5:32 says that the relationship between Christ and His Church is a mystery in that Jesus, a Jew, is in an intimate relationship with anyone who would surrender their life to Him including Gentiles. 

 

Third, Colossians 2:2 says the Trinity is a mystery.  God the Father is God, and Jesus Christ, the Son, is God. 

 

Finally, 1 Timothy 3:9 speaks of the mystery of faith.  That is a person can be and is saved by the grace of God through personal faith in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, again, Jesus used and uses parables to reveal mysteries to His disciples.

 

 

3. Who were the insiders? Mark 4:10-11a

10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God…

 

That is not a word that you find in this verses, but the idea is here.  The insiders were His disciples.  The NASB actually uses the word “followers.”  This was a large group that included the smaller group of the twelve. 

Today, the insiders are those who are saved.  They have received Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  They have understood the mystery of the Kingdom God through recognizing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

However, being an insider doesn’t mean you never have questions.  Next week, the insiders won’t understand the parable at first, and they will need further explanation.  An insider is one who is willing to ask questions and go to Jesus for the answers and accept His answers in faith.

 

 

4. Who were the outsiders? Mark 4:11b

…but to those who are outside, all things come in parables…

 

In the second part of verse 11, Jesus mentioned “those who are outside.”  Presumably, that is outside the Kingdom of God.  Therefore, an outsider is one who purposefully and diligently rejects the gospel of Christ. 

 

In this context, the scribes who came down from Jerusalem who accused Jesus of being demon-possessed were outsiders.

 

Today, lost people are outsiders, and they don’t understand the ways of God, and they don’t understand what it means to be lost and in need of a savior.  They don’t understand many, if not all, of the things that you I know but take for granted in being saved.

Remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

 

1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”  20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 

 

5. What are the purposes of parables? Mark 4:12

12…so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.’”

 

In 4:12, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10.  The context is the call of Isaiah.  The Lord let Isaiah know that even though he was called to preach to Israel, many Jews would not listen, and therefore, show that they don’t care.

 

In this verse, Jesus basically said that even though lost people see the gospel and hear the message, they don’t get it.  They don’t understand.  They don’t comprehend because they have rejected the grace of God in their lives.

 

Therefore, the parables of Christ have two purposes.

 

First of all, they reveal more of Christ and His kingdom to those who are saved.  If you are saved, the parables in the four gospels give us phenomenal insight into the mysteries of His kingdom.

 

Secondly, they confuse.  When people see yet choose not to understand or hear and choose not to listen, God uses parables as a kind of judgment on those who are outsiders.  They remain confused until they decide to surrender to Jesus.

 

Just as there are today, there were plenty in the first century who did not follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.  In other words, they rejected Him and His claims and works.  Therefore, Jesus used parables to conceal or hide truth from them and also to judge them.  He used parables like a door.  You can see through a window and to what is on the other side.  You can’t see through a door.  Their inability to understand was a judgment for their initial unbelief.

 

 

Conclusion

Now, let me close with two applications.  Relating to parables, Jesus said in Matthew 1312 for whoever has, to him more will be given.  However, whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.  In short, you have to act on what God has given you or told you. 

 

If you are here today and you have heard they gospel and you a refusing to answer the call to salvation, your time to be saved is drawing to close.  Every day, you get one day closer to the end of your life.  Eventually, God’s chances for you are going to run out.  Call on the name of the Lord today.  Be saved today.  Surrender your life to Jesus today.

 

Another application is for those who have been born again.  When God tells you to do something, if you do it, God will continue to lead you and guide you.  However, if God gives you instruction and guidance and you don’t do it or you reject it, God will eventually stop giving you wisdom and guidance.

 

Allow me to illustrate.  Let’s say a husband is having an affair with his secretary.  He then is given an opportunity to relocate his family to another location of the company for more money but it would mean moving to another state in another part of the country.  If he were to ask God in prayer what he should do, I think God would remind Him to stop the affair first, and wouldn’t give any further guidance until that was obeyed.

 

Let’s say a wife and mother is asking God to protect her and her family from rumors at school and in the community.  However, she is right in the middle of the gospel circle at her Thursday night Bunko Group.  I don’t believe God will answer her prayer for protection until she stops the gossiping that she is doing.

 

My final example is for teenagers.  I think it is futile and a waste of time for teenagers to ask God where to go to college when those same teenagers are sleeping with their boyfriend or girlfriend. 

Act on what God has already told you.  Then after you do that, more understanding and guidance will be given to you.  If you refuse to act on what God has already said, don’t expect God to continue to lead and guide your life.

 

Therefore, parables can do one thing for believers and a completely different thing for lost people.  How will you respond today to God’s Word?