Thinking Biblically

Helping renew your mind with God's Word

Author: Matthew Wilson (Page 6 of 14)

Matthew Wilson is a pastor at FBC Harrisburg, AR. He is married to Bethany and has five children.

When to Fast – Mark 2:18-22

April 4, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Jesus’ reputation and popularity continued to grow after his time in Galilee, but since the beginning of Mark 2, there is an escalating conflict between he and the religious leaders.

In Mark 2:1-3:7 Jesus has five conflicts (four with the religious leaders).

  • 2:1-12 – Jesus heals a paralytic and forgives his sin.
  • 2:13-17 – Jesus calls a tax collector to follow him and then shares a meal with tax collectors and sinners. Last week, we saw that Jesus extends an invitation to sinners, but he rejects the self-righteous.
  • 2:18-22 – In today’s text Jesus is asked about fasting.

Sermon Text: Mark 2:18-22

Jesus came to bring joy, not sorrow (18-20)

18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.

Jesus is asked a question, probably by those who saw or heard that Jesus had dined with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:15-16): “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

The question seems to imply that to be a spiritual Jew, you need to regularly fast. To the onlookers, Jesus’ lack of concern for the practice of fasting was disturbing.

In the Old Testament, the only mandatory fast for all of Israel was one day of the year, the Day of Atonement (Lev 16). This was the day that the high priest entered the holy of holies in the temple and made sacrifices for the sins of the entire nation. The Day of Atonement was a very solemn day.

The disciples of John the Baptist were probably fasting because John the Baptist had been arrested (Mark 1:14) and possibly killed (Mark 6:14-29).[1]The time of John the Baptist’s death isn’t certain to my knowledge.

The Pharisees fasted twice a week as an expression of their religious piety. They thought that fasting was one way that they could earn God’s favor. In Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18, the Pharisee boasted about his fasting (Luke 18:12). In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned against this kind of external self-righteousness.

Matt 6:16-18

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Verses 19-20 provide the first part of Jesus’ response. Jesus’ response probably surprised, confused, and annoyed his questioners.

Jesus likened his disciples to guests at a wedding banquet. Jewish weddings were a big-time celebration. When a man and woman got married, rather than going on a honeymoon, they had a weeklong celebration where they visited with guests and had joyous meals together. For many, this was the happiest week of their lives. For a wedding guest to fast during a wedding would have been offensive because the guest was rejecting the hospitality of the host.

Here, Jesus says that it doesn’t make any sense for his disciples to fast, because the king is with them! Remember the message of Mark 1:15 – “The kingdom of God is at hand…”. Just as one wouldn’t fast at a wedding, his disciples shouldn’t fast while the bridegroom is with them.

In the Old Testament, God is the bridegroom and Israel is the bride. Here, and throughout the rest of  the New Testament, Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is the bride (Eph 5:22-31).

Thus, Jesus is saying that the coming of the bridegroom and salvation should lead to celebration, not mourning. The kingdom of God is at hand!

The Pharisees believed that religion was a solemn and joyless practice. In their minds, Jesus and his disciples were having too much fun. Jesus and his disciples were not serious in their religious practice because they refused to fast.

There are some people who claim to be Christians who live like the Pharisees. While they may not fast twice a week, they have no joy in their lives. They think that God is a cosmic killjoy that wants to deprive them of joy.

There are people who claim to be Christians, but they find no joy in reading His Word, prayer, singing God’s praises, hearing God’s Word preached, giving and sharing with others, or gathering with other believers to worship Christ. However, God commands for Christians be people that rejoice at all times (1 Thess 5:16-18; Phil 4:4).

Instead, Jesus says, that the time to fast and mourn is when the groom has been taken away (v. 20). Then his disciples will fast. Here, Jesus alludes to his arrest and subsequent crucifixion and death. And it should be the same with us. We don’t fast during joyous times but rather during times of mourning or great spiritual need.

Examples of when to fast:

  • Praying for a lost family member, etc.
  • Praying for someone or yourself with a serious health issue.
  • Praying about a big decision in your life.
  • Practicing repentance from a certain sin.
  • Mourning the state of our world as we yearn for Christ to return.

It’s important to note that Jesus does not condemn the practice of fasting itself (Matt 6:16-18). Fasting is a good thing at the appropriate time. Let’s talk about fasting for a moment:

Fasting is not focused on our hunger but should be done out of a hunger for God and his presence. Fasting reminds us to focus on spiritual needs rather than physical needs. When we eat, we are fulfilling a physical need.

The main biblical purpose of fasting is to strengthen prayer. Other purposes include expressing grief, seeking God’s guidance, seeking deliverance or protection, expressing repentance and more.

If you would like to learn more about fasting, I recommend to you Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

In this passage, we see that the way to God is not through religious practices, but through joyful association with Jesus.

The way to God is not through religious practices, but through joyful association with Jesus.

Jesus came to bring new life, not to perpetuate religion and rituals (21-22)

21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

Jesus provided two examples to illustrate the newness of his ministry.

The first is a new cloth on an old garment. Everyone that sews understands this example. If you have a garment that has been washed several times and has dried, then it has shrunk. If it gets a tear in it, then you cannot use a new piece of fabric. If you do, then when the new piece of fabric is washed and dried, it will rip and cause a worse tear than before. To patch up an old garment, you have to use an old piece of cloth.

The second is putting new wine into old wineskins. Wineskins were made from the hides of sheep, goats, or camels. When wine ferments, it releases gases. If you used an old wineskin, the expansion of the wine during the fermentation process would bust the wineskin and you would lose both the wine and the wineskin. Thus, the softer leather of the new wineskins had to be used for new wine so that it could withstand the fermentation process.

With these metaphors, Jesus was saying that what he was doing would not fit into the old structures because these old structures couldn’t bear it. He was not condemning the Old Testament law but rather the traditions of men that that the Pharisees had added to the law.[2]R.C. Sproul, Mark, 48.

Judaism had become a religion of works and external self-righteousness and Jesus was saying that the external traditions of self-righteousness and ritual would make it impossible for people to receive him.

Jesus had not come fit into the mold of external Judaism. Instead, he had come to provide salvation by grace and to give us a new heart.

Listen to the words of Jeremiah that speak of the new covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he said this in Luke 22:20.

Luke 22:20

“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

The Pharisees had had their skin circumcised, but their heart was still a heart of stone. They needed the heart of flesh spoken of in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 36:25-27

25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Do you see the difference? In the Old Covenant, every male Jew was physically circumcised but that didn’t change their hearts. In the New Covenant, God’s law is written on the heart of every believer (Jer 31:33). Every true believer has a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone. Every true believer has the Spirit of God living inside them.

Here is what Jesus is teaching: Jesus did not come to patch us up! Jesus doesn’t just patch up your life. Rather, he gives you a whole new robe of righteousness. Your heart that was hardened toward God becomes a tender heart of flesh. You are not driven by your own desires but are led by the Spirit.

When you come to Christ, the Bible says you are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). For gospel joy to ferment, it needs the wineskin of new hearts.

Is that you? Has your heart been made new?

A relationship with Christ will bring joy. Do you have joy in Christ?

Here is how you know. Are the things of God a duty or a delight?

  • Is it a duty or a delight for you to read the Bible?
  • Is it a duty or a delight for you to sing God’s praises?
  • Is it a duty or a delight for you to listen to the preached Word of God?
  • Is it a duty or a delight for you to give to God’s kingdom work?
  • Is it a duty or a delight for youto share the gospel with the lost?
  • Is it a duty or a delight for youto gather with other believers to worship Jesus?

Friends, if you have no joy in your spiritual life and no desire to please Christ with your life, then you need to trust in Christ. He is the Bridegroom that will ultimately gather his people to feast with him.

References

References
↑1 The time of John the Baptist’s death isn’t certain to my knowledge.
↑2 R.C. Sproul, Mark, 48.

Jesus Calls Sinners to Follow Him – Mark 2:13-17

March 28, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Today’s text answers a question. Who can and who cannot be forgiven by Jesus? That is, who can receive the grace of Jesus? Contrary to popular opinion, there are some people that Jesus will not forgive.

We are in the second of five controversies between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders (Mark 2:1-3:6).

Last week, we saw that Jesus, as the son of God, has authority to forgive sins. As you recall, in Mark 2:1-12, a paralytic, carried by his four friends, approached Jesus in faith, hoping that Jesus would heal him. Indeed, Jesus healed the man physically, but he also forgave his sins. Jesus was teaching those present (and us) at least two things:

  1. That we should approach Jesus in faith.
  2. That spiritual healing is more important than physical healing.

We see both of these truths again in today’s text.

Sermon Text: Mark 2:13-17

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus extends an invitation to sinners (13-15, 17)

In vv. 1-12, Jesus was teaching in a home. In v. 13, we see that Jesus was teaching the crowd by the sea. Jesus was just outside Capernaum along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The crowd was listening to Jesus because they believed they could learn from him. Remember, Jesus taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes (Mark 1:22).

14

As Jesus made his way back to the city, he saw Levi, a tax collector, sitting at his tax booth. To understand the significance of Jesus’ call to Matthew, you need to know some things about tax collectors.

Tax collectors were despised by Jews for two reasons. First, tax collectors worked for the Roman Empire. Second, they extorted their fellow Jews to pad their own pockets. They would often collect more taxes than were required and then skim some off the top. They were seen as traitors to their own people.

No one liked tax collectors. No one talked to him. No one named their kids after him. He was never invited to anyone’s wedding.

Jesus likened tax collectors to unbelievers:

Matt 5:46

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Matt 18:17

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.“

Matt 21:31-32

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Tax collectors were cast out from society. They were disqualified to serve as a judge or witness in court, were excommunicated from the synagogue, and were considered to be a disgrace to their families.[1]William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 101–102.

In spite of all this, Jesus’ extends an invitation to Levi: “Follow me.”

For the reasons I just mentioned, Jesus’ act of inviting a tax collector to follow him was as scandalous as touching a leper.[2]Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 48. In fact, the religious leaders taught that tax collectors were unclean.

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

  • Learn from his teaching (v. 13).
  • Acknowledge your sinfulness.
  • Repent of sin and self-righteousness.
  • Trust Jesus.
  • Obey Jesus’ commands.
  • Be willing to count the cost and forsake everything (Luke 5:28)

Levi (Matthew) counted the cost of following Jesus and turned his back on his former way of life.

Also notice that Jesus called Levi while he was sitting in the tax booth. Some people think you have to clean up before coming to Jesus. This passage shows us that instead you come to Jesus and he cleans you up.

If you’re you’re waiting until you can quit watching porn, quit sleeping with your girlfriend, or quit cheating on your husband before you can come to Jesus, then you’re wrong. Come to Jesus and follow him and he will make you clean (1 Cor 6:9-11).

15

Luke 5:29

And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.

It seems that Levi was ready to begin a new life with Jesus. He called all his friends and had a party at his house. This was no average dinner. It was a feast, probably even a celebration. The guests were not just sitting, but reclining at the table. Levi was the host and Jesus was the guest of honor.

There are three things for us to note here. First, Jesus spent time with tax collectors and sinners. Second, a shared meal is a great way to introduce people to Jesus. Third, following Jesus will make  you want to reconcile with those who have wronged you.

The company that Jesus kept often drew the ire of the religious leaders, but Jesus knew that it was the spiritually sick who needed to be tended to (v. 17). As Christians, our main friends should be other believers, but we should also seek to spend time with lost people in order to share Christ with them.

One great way to do this is by having a meal with someone. I think the very best way to get to know someone is by having them into your home. If you would rather start with a meal a neutral location, that is fine, too. Jesus often had meals with people in order to spend time with them and teach them. We should do the same.

One more thing. Did you notice the location of Levi’s tax booth? Levi was sitting at a tax booth that was somewhat close to the sea. Some of Levi’s tax revenue came from fishermen. Remember, Jesus’ first four disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) were all fishermen (Mark 1:16-20). That means that it’s likely that Levi had extorted and wronged these men. I’m quite sure that these four fishermen were not thrilled with Jesus’ choice of Levi. However, when you follow Jesus, you are to seek to be reconciled with those who have wronged you.

Jesus loved sinners. Jesus loved them where they were, but he also loved them too much to let them continue to live in their sin (John 8:1-11).

You may remember Zacchaeus, who was more than a wee little man. He was not just a tax collector but a chief tax collector. Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and from that day forward was never the same (Luke 19:1-10). After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus decided to give half of his money to the poor and to make amends to anyone he had defrauded.

In vv. 13-15, we see that Jesus extends an invitation to sinners. In vv. 16-17, we see that Jesus rejects the self-righteous.

Jesus rejects the self-righteous (16-17)

The scribes of the Pharisees were most likely outside the home, possibly looking through the windows. The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ credentials. In their minds, surely Jesus couldn’t have any religious authority, for he eats with sinners and tax collectors. Doesn’t he know what kind of people they were?

How could Jesus eat and fellowship with tax collectors? Jesus was eating with people whom the Jews considered political and economic traitors.

Sometimes that’s how church people can be as well. We might think, that person doesn’t look like us, dress like us, and uses colorful language. That person uses words that we don’t use.

All too often like these religious leaders, we can be self-righteous. At times, we lose our wonder at God’s grace towards us. The more we realize how indebted to Jesus we are for his grace, the more we will be able to extend grace to others.

We forget that God’s amazing grace has saved wretches like us.

We forget that God’s amazing grace has saved wretches like us.

Jesus rejected the Pharisees because they were trusting in their own righteousness. They trusted in their obedience to the law, their circumcision, and their Abrahamic lineage instead of trusting in him to save them.

What does this look like for us? At times, we think that God loves us or impressed by us because:

  • we faithfully attend church

  • we faithfully give to the church

  • we read out of a certain translation of the Bible

  • we abstain from alcohol

  • we have shared the gospel with this many people

  • we are better than the sinners down the street and don’t struggle with the same sins they do.

Self-righteous people desire other people’s praise more than holiness before God. They see the sins of others, but never their own. They judge others more harshly than they judge themselves. They trust in themselves and their behavior and look down on others.

Friends, the reality is that were it not for the grace of Christ we would be in hell with tax collectors, prostitutes, homosexuals, adulterers, terrorists, and any other sinner you can think of. We all deserve God’s wrath but there is grace. Look at v. 17.

17

You must know you are spiritually sick before you can be spiritually healed.

Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Have you ever been around someone that refuses to go to the doctor even when it’s obvious that they’re very sick? Unfortunately, I have a personal reminder of this. My grandpa had chest pain and didn’t go to the doctor. He eventually had a stroke in his early fifties and suffered for about 30 years before his death. It’s awful for someone to have a premature death or to suffer for many years because he or she refused to get help. Friends, it’s infinitely worse to refuse to seek spiritual healing and to be healed by Jesus.

Consider that when a person goes to the doctor, he is acknowledging that he has a disease that someone else must treat. In the same way, we can only be cured of the disease of sin when we go to the Great Physician.

Conclusion

As I come to a close, I want to ask you some questions.

Are you depending on your good works to save you like the self-righteous Pharisees?

Or, are you like Levi, well aware that you cannot be saved from your sin without Jesus?

When you consider your sinfulness, are you comparing yourself with other sinners or a perfectly holy God? It’s easy to measure up with your sinful friends and neighbors, but God is perfect (Matt 5:48).

Is there someone you know that needs Jesus but you have not shared the gospel with them because you thought they were too far gone? Remember, Jesus calling a tax collector was scandalous.

And finally, are you willing to eat with sinners so that you can bring them to Jesus’ table?

In today’s culture, relationships are so important in evangelism. I would encourage you to be hospitable and have people into your home. I would say shoot for at least once a month. Maybe, you could have a church family into your home one month and an unchurched family the next.

We must seek to introduce people to Jesus. We must speak of Jesus. We need to quit being so self-absorbed. We need to create some time in our schedules. The only way that we can change Harrisburg (my town) and the world is to introduce people to Jesus and that takes time and sacrifice.

Are you willing to introduce sinners to Jesus?

Are you willing to associate with people that don’t look like you, talk like you, or shop in the same places you do?

BIG IDEA: Jesus calls sinners to follow him but he rejects the self-righteous.

References

References
↑1 William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 101–102.
↑2 Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 48.

Desperate People Desperately Need Jesus – Mark 2:1-12

March 19, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Desperate times call for desperate measures. What do you do in times of desperation? Where do you turn? In our text today we see a man that was desperate. In his desperation, he and his friends resorted to desperate measures.

As I’ve said previously, Mark is building the case for his readers that Jesus has authority. Jesus is the authoritative Son of God.

  • 1:14-15 – Jesus preaches that the kingdom of God has come near.
  • 1:16-20 – Jesus calls his first disciples.
  • 1:21-28 – Jesus teaches with authority.
  • 1:29-34 – Jesus heals the sick and delivers the demonized.
  • 1:35-39 – Jesus was sent to preach by the Father.
  • 1:40-45 – Jesus cleanses a leper without being made unclean.

Mark 2 begins a section of five controversies between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders (Mark 2:1-3:6).

Sermon Text: Mark 2:1-12

1

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

Jesus is back in Capernaum after preaching throughout the region of Galilee (1:39). See this map.

2

And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

The house was filled to capacity. The crowd gathered around Jesus like Black Friday shoppers trying to get in Walmart. They were gathered because Jesus was “preaching the word to them.” As I mentioned last week, Jesus came to preach the gospel (Mark 1:38, 15). While Jesus healed the sick and exorcised demons, his primary purpose was to save people from their sins through his preaching and his death on the cross.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man came…to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus’ miracles served as evidence that he had authority to forgive sin, as we will see in v. 10. In other words, Jesus’ miracles were not the focus of his ministry. Rather, they reinforced his preaching ministry.

Jesus’ miracles were not the focus of his ministry. Rather, they reinforced his preaching ministry.

So, Jesus is in the house preaching the word and people are hanging on every word.

3-4

And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

Four men show up carrying a paralytic so that the man can be healed by Jesus, but they cannot enter through the door (v. 2). So, they climb up on the roof by using the stairs on the side of the house. The roof was made from wood beams and cross laid with branches and packed with a thick layer of grass, mud, and clay. Such roofs were stable enough for walking, but one could break through them by digging. These men literally dug through the roof and showered those under the hole with dirt and sticks. Then they lowered him through the roof.

This man was desperate. The paralytic was desperate because he recognized the seriousness of his physical condition.

Many people today recognize have physical conditions and they are often defined by them (paralysis, blindness, deafness, cancer, chronic pain).

Oftentimes, however, people fail to recognize the seriousness of their spiritual condition. While physical problems are not to be minimized or ignored, our biggest problem is that in our natural condition our hearts are desperately wicked, and we are spiritually dead. We are all sinfully sick and we need heart surgery; what we need most is a new heart.

In verse 5, Jesus addresses the paralytic’s greatest need.

5

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

When Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic and his friends, he forgave the paralytic’s sin. This man needed physical healing, but Jesus saw the bigger need – spiritual healing. As I’ve already said, Jesus came first and foremost to preach the gospel and to forgive sin. That was his primary mission (Mark 1:15, 38).

As you read this, if you’re not a Christian, that is, you’re not a follower of Jesus, then any physical condition that you have doesn’t come close to your grim spiritual condition. While your physical condition may bother you the rest of your life, your spiritual condition will affect you for eternity.

Physical maladies are not as important as spiritual ones. Physical maladies make for a difficult life. An unrepentant heart makes for a difficult eternity in hell.

When Jesus said, “your sins are forgiven,” this would’ve shocked his listeners. And we see that in vv. 6-7.

The religious leaders knew that only God could forgive sin (6-7)

6-7

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

The scribes (Mark 2:16) are of course right that only God can forgive sins. We know this because when we sin it’s God’s law that we’ve broken. We have violated his perfect standard. Even when we do something that hurts another person, ultimately, it’s God we’ve sinned against. It is his law that has been transgressed.

In Psalm 51, David penned a psalm of repentance after his adultery with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah. He wrote in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” Of course, David had sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, but this verse shows us that sin is first and foremost against God.

Mark 2:7 is a verse to remember when considering the Catholic idea of  the priesthood. Priests have no authority to forgive sin. Only God can do that, and he does it based on what Christ has done for us on the cross and our response to Christ’s atoning work.

The scribes assert that Jesus is guilty of blasphemy, which was punishable by death (Lev 24:16). They are correct when they said that only God could forgive sin, but they are in error when they assert that Jesus is blaspheming. Of course, if Jesus wasn’t God, then they would be correct. But, as they did not realize yet, Jesus is God and thus has  the authority to forgive sins.

John 5:27

And he [the Father] has given him [Jesus] authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

Jesus demonstrated his authority to forgive sin (8-11)

8

And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?

Jesus knows the thoughts of the scribes (v. 6) and asked them why they are questioning these things in their hearts. To know someone’s thoughts is itself an act of God. I rarely know what my wife is thinking much less a total stranger. Friends, this is a frightening thought—that God knows our hearts. God doesn’t just know what we do or say. God knows our very thoughts and we will be judged for them. You can fool your spouse and family. You can fool the preacher. But you will not fool God. If you have not trusted in Jesus and submitted to his authority, then you need to do that.

The scribes believe Jesus is guilty of blasphemy and Jesus knows what they are thinking. Look at verses 9-11.

9-11

Jesus said to the scribes:

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

To prove he has authority, Jesus asks the scribes, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? He then proves his divinity and thus his authority to forgive sins by showing his authority over paralysis and disease. He tells the paralytic to “rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Jesus is showing the scribes that because he can do the visible miracle of healing the paralytics that this is evidence that he also has the power to do the invisible miracle of forgiving sins.

Jesus is showing the scribes that because he can do the visible miracle of healing the paralytics that this is evidence that he also has the power to do the invisible miracle of forgiving sins.

Also notice a phrase in v. 10. Jesus says that he has authority “on earth” to forgive sins. When we believe in Jesus, we have forgiveness here and now. Our forgiveness is based on what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. There is nothing for us to do to earn our salvation. We don’t have to be anxious about losing our salvation. Jesus’ death on the cross and our faith in his completed work is all that is necessary for salvation. Yes, should take up our crosses and follow Christ, but that is a result of salvation, not the cause. If you have trusted in the person and work of Jesus, then you can have full assurance this morning.[1]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 158.

In verse 12, we see the response of those present.

12

And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

“We never saw anything like this.”

That’s because there was never anyone like Jesus before and there hasn’t been anyone like him since. Jesus is the Son of God who came in the flesh, lived a perfect life of obedience to God’s commands, and died a substitutionary death on the cross. We respond by repenting of our sin and trusting in the finished work of Christ (John 19:30).

Conclusion

In Mark 1, we saw Jesus’ authority in his teaching, Jesus’ authority over demons, and Jesus’ authority over disease. In our passage today, we have seen we see Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. Soon, we’ll see Jesus’ authority over nature (Mark 4:35-41).

We should do four things in response to our text today:

  1. We should recognize that only Jesus has the authority to forgive sin (Mark 2:5).
  2. We should submit to Jesus’ authority in all of life.
  3. We should seek to bring desperate people to Jesus who can forgive their sins and make them clean (Mark 2:5; 1:41).
  4. We should bring people to Jesus in faith, believing he can make them clean. (Mark 2:3-5).

BIG IDEA: In your desperation, trust in Jesus, the one who has authority to forgive your sins.

References

References
↑1 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 158.

Three Priorities of Jesus’ Ministry – Mark 1:35-45

March 14, 2023 /

Sermon Video

What are the priorities of a healthy church? Jesus said that he will build his church (Matt 16:18). It follows that if we believe Jesus is going to build his church and we want to be used by him, then we need to do what Jesus did. We need to prioritize what he prioritized.

In the last two posts, we’ve seen Jesus call his first disciples (Mark 1:14-20) and the authority of Jesus in his teachings, his healings, and his exorcisms (Mark 1:21-34).

The first thing we see in our text is that Jesus prioritized prayer.

Jesus Prioritized Prayer (35-37)

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Jesus prioritized prayer by eliminating distractions.

The text says, “rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he went out to a desolate place and there he prayed” (v. 35). Jesus got up before anyone else and he went to where no one else was (“to a desolate place”). Jesus knew that after the previous day that many people would be seeking him (v. 37). Remember, the “whole city” had come to Peter’s house the night before (vv. 32-33).

So, Jesus knew that to make prayer a priority, he needed to eliminate distractions. Personally, I have to get away from my computer and cell phone in order to pray well. Jesus prioritized prayer by eliminating distractions.

Jesus prioritized prayer by disconnecting from others.

Verse 36 says that Simon and the other disciples searched for him. The reason that they were looking for him was that Jesus had disconnected so to speak. If Jesus would have had a cellphone, he would’ve powered his off. Jesus knew that time with the Father was more important than checking Facebook, Instagram, or email.

Sometimes we need to disconnect with other people so that we can connect with God through prayer. It is okay to unplug from others. We sometimes think that we must be available to everyone 24/7. If we’re honest, some of us have a savior complex. A mentor of mine once said that a man that’s always available isn’t worth much when he is. The reality is that if the true Savior of the world had to disconnect from others to spend time alone with the Father, how much more do we need to?

Well, look what happens. When they find him, Peter and the disciples rebuke Jesus for ignoring the crowds (v. 37). Essentially, they say, “Jesus, what are you doing out here? Everyone is looking for you.”

In Peter’s mind, he wanted Jesus to return to Capernaum and capitalize on the excitement generated by the previous night’s healings.[1]John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Mk 1:37. We are often like Peter. We want crowds and numbers whereas Jesus was content to minister to one person at a time (as we will see in vv. 40-45). At this point in time, Peter didn’t understand the priority of prayer. And the reality is that many of us don’t value prayer as highly as we ought.

I thought about prayer this week and I think that one of the reasons that we don’t prioritize prayer is that we are not attempting anything supernatural. We are not attempting to further God’s kingdom. You don’t have to pray to eat a meal. You don’t have to pray to get dressed. You don’t have to pray to accomplish many of the things we do from day-to-day. But there are things in this life that you will never accomplish apart from prayer. Without prayer, you won’t understand parts of the Bible. Without prayer, you won’t be effective in evangelism. Without prayer, you will not be successful in overcoming temptation.

If the Son of God prioritized prayer, how much more should we prioritize prayer? We need to know the will of the Father. We need to be empowered by the Spirit.

For us as Christians, prayer should be like breathing. Just as breathing enables every activity that we do, so should prayer.

For Christians, prayer should be like breathing.

Prayer humbles us and reminds us that we need God’s help. Prayer reminds us that we don’t live for ourselves, but for God’s glory.

What if we started every day like Jesus? What if our prayers expressed the heart of Jesus?

Matthew 6:9-10

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.”

Here are some things we should pray for:

  • Your local church. Pray that your church will be faithful to the Great Commission. Pray for unity, your pastoral leadership, preaching of the Word, and physical and spiritual needs of other church members.
  • That specific lost people to come to faith in Christ.
  • Personal holiness, confession of sin, and repentance
  • Personal material and spiritual provision (our daily bread)

As a church, we must realize that we will not be effective without the fuel of prayer.

“Prayer is the pump at the gas station that connects us to the fuel for faithful evangelism.” (John Onwuchekwa)

When you go to the gas station, you fill up your vehicle with gas because without gas, it’s not going anywhere. The motor can’t run without fuel.

Similarly, when we pray, we get fuel for evangelism.

  • We connect our hearts with the heart of God and his love for the lost.
  • We feel empowered for the task because we understand it’s God’s job to save people, not ours.

In vv. 35-37, we see that Jesus prioritized prayer. In vv. 38-39, we see that Jesus prioritized preaching.

Jesus Prioritized Preaching (38-39)

38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus prioritized preaching:

  • “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (38)
  • “And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues.” (39)

What does Jesus mean by came out? Did he come out of the house, out of Capernaum, or did he come from God? Luke’s parallel (4:43) helps us see that this text means that Jesus came from God to preach.

Luke 4:43

but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent [from God] for this purpose.”

People were coming to Jesus for physical healing, but he came to bring spiritual healing. There is often a difference between what people want from Jesus and what they need from him. People want material blessings and physical healings but what they need the most is to have peace with God through the forgiveness that Jesus offers.

Today, churches do many things.

  • They share fellowship meals together.
  • They have men’s and women’s fellowships.
  • They give to the poor and needy.
  • They have special song services.

But friends, the church’s primary task is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus didn’t go town to town making friends. Jesus didn’t go around and hang out at community events and hope that people got saved. Jesus loved people, but he loved them so much that he told them they were dead in their sin and that they needed to follow Him.

In short, Jesus explained the Scriptures and preached the gospel!

Shared meals, fellowships, giving to the needy, and special singings can all be good things. But none of those things save people from God’s wrath. The only way for someone to be saved from God’s wrath is for us to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This morning if you’re here and you’re not a Christian, you need to know that you are a sinner that is destined for God’s wrath because of your sin. Because God is perfectly holy, there is nothing you can do to earn God’s favor and forgiveness. You need a substitute to pay the penalty for your sin. That’s why Jesus came – to preach about the forgiveness of sins and then to become sin for us on the cross and die for our sins in our place so that we can be reconciled with God (2 Cor 5:21). The response that saves you from God’s wrath is to turn from your sin and put your faith in Jesus and his finished work.

Also, notice Jesus’ evangelism strategy. He went from town to town throughout the region of Galilee. Jesus didn’t invite the lost people to the synagogue. Instead, Jesus went to the lost. What if instead of inviting people to church we went from one area of Harrisburg (my local town) to another sharing the gospel? From area to area, person to person? We must, like Jesus, go to the lost (Luke 19:10).

It’s so tempting to think that if we have a nice building and the right programs that people will come. That used to be the case but it’s not any longer. Many people have a less than favorable view of Christianity and the church in general. Now, more than ever we must go to the lost.

When is the last time that you shared the gospel with someone?

When is the last time you shared a meal with a nonbeliever?

When was the last time you asked someone their name?

When did you last take cookies to your neighbor?

Are you, like Jesus, seeking to preach the gospel to the lost?

Jesus prioritized prayer. Jesus prioritized preaching. And finally, Jesus prioritized people.

Jesus Prioritized People (40-45)

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

40

Leprosy was a skin disease that in its worst form led to the loss of fingers and toes. Lepers were considered ceremonially unclean and unfit to worship God (Lev 13:3). Anyone who came into contact with a leper was also considered unclean. Because of this, lepers were to stay at least 50 feet away from others (think extreme Covid social distancing) and would cry out, “Unclean” if someone got too close.

Warren Wiersbe notes, When you read the “tests” for leprosy described in Leviticus 13, you can see how the disease is a picture of sin. Like sin, leprosy is deeper than the skin (Lev. 13:3); it spreads (Lev. 13:5–8); it defiles and isolates (Lev. 13:44–46); and it renders things fit only for the fire (Lev. 13:47–59). Anyone who has never trusted the Saviour is spiritually in worse shape than this man was physically.[2]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 114.

This man had at least heard of Jesus’ healing power but had probably witnessed it as well.

Instead of the leper keeping his distance from Jesus (as the law directed), he came directly to Jesus, fell on his knees, and cried out for Jesus to make him clean. This man was full of faith. He was desperate and believed that Jesus could heal him. In the same way, we must come to Jesus as sinners who believe that he can cleanse us from our dirty sin.

41

If anyone else had the power to heal, he would have healed the man first and then touched him. But not Jesus. He knew this man had not felt human touch in a long time, so he reached out to touch him first.

In Luke 5 there is a parallel account of Jesus cleaning this leprous man. Luke wrote that this man was “full of leprosy” (Luke 5:12). It is reasonable to assume that he had not been touched by another person in years.

Can you imagine not embracing your spouse or children for years? This man longed for human touch.

Jesus was moved with pity. Jesus cared for people.

When was the last time you were “moved with pity”?

When was the last time you prayed for someone?

When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone and told them that “Jesus can make you clean”?

42

Notice what happens. When Jesus touched the leper, Jesus did not become unclean. Rather, Jesus made this man clean.

This is exactly what happens in salvation. We bring our dirty sin to Jesus, but he doesn’t become dirty. Rather, he gives us his righteousness and makes us clean (2 Cor 5:21).

2 Cor 5:21

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

In this context, Jesus physically healed this man. Even if we cannot physically heal someone, we can share the good news of Jesus who makes people clean! When someone is born again, this is the greatest miracle!

43-45

“See that you say nothing to anyone”

Jesus did not want people to love him for his miracles. He wanted them to embrace his teachings and his call for them to deny themselves and follow him. Many people want God’s blessings, but they don’t want to embrace the cross that Jesus calls them to carry (Luke 9:23-24).

Jesus told the cleansed leper to do “what Moses commanded.” This refers to two sacrificial offerings. After the offerings, the diseased individual would be considered clean and could be reintegrated into the community (Lev 14). Though Jesus had already cleansed the man, the priest would directly examine him to certify that the source of uncleanness was gone.

As I’ve said, to touch someone with leprosy violated OT law and rendered a person unclean. Nevertheless, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, and healed the man immediately.

When Jesus makes you clean, it should be easily recognized by others! No one that truly encounters Jesus can leave unchanged. Notice what happens. Even though Jesus commanded this man to keep quiet he could not keep the good news to himself (v. 45).

This morning, if you’re here and you are not a Christian, you need to cry out to Jesus, “If you are willing, You can make me clean.”

Leprosy was a condition that defined someone. Some of you in this room feel like sin and shame defines your life (user, addict, alcoholic, divorce, pornography, abortion, etc.). Here’s the good news of this passage. After this man encountered Jesus, that’s what defined him.

Conclusion

Through prayer, Jesus communed with the Father and stayed focused on His mission.

Through his preaching, Jesus proclaimed the message that saves for all of eternity.

Through his miracles, Jesus displayed his power and showed his care for people.

References

References
↑1 John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Mk 1:37.
↑2 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 114.

Jesus has Authority – Mark 1:21-34

March 7, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Last week, we looked at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus called his first four disciples in Mark 1:16-20. In our text today we will see that Jesus has authority. The world rebels against authority. Before following Jesus, I enjoyed listening to rock music (I still do, but there are many songs I won’t listen to anymore).

Rage Against the Machine was a band that railed against government authority. Metallica had a song called, “Don’t Tread on Me.” I certainly would love it if the federal government would be less obtrusive. The point I’m trying to make is that in our natural state, we rebel against authority–especially God’s authority.

As we turn to our text, I want you to think about what source of authority is loudest in your life. Some people live according to reason. They base their thinking on their own knowledge and value scientific, observable evidence. Others live according to their feelings–if it feels good, do it. Still others live according to tradition (this is what I’ve always done). Followers of Jesus should live according to God’s special revelation given in God’s Word.

As we look at Mark 1:21-34 I want you to consider these two questions:

Why should Jesus have absolute authority in your life?

Are you submitted to Jesus’ authority in your life?

Sermon Text: Mark 1:21-34

The first thing we see in this text is that Jesus has authority in his teaching.

Jesus has authority in his teaching (21-22, 27)

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

After calling his disciples while they were fishing, Jesus and his four disciples go back to Capernaum. Capernaum was a fishing town with a population between 1,000-2,000 people.[1]Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 1685.

Jesus taught in the synagogue on the sabbath (v. 21). The synagogue was a local place of worship for the Jews. Synagogues began to be used after Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Communities of all sizes had synagogues as long as there were 10 Jewish men in the area.

Synagogues had to be located close enough for faithful Jews to attend without breaking the sabbath by exceeding the distance the rabbis allowed one to walk on the sabbath day. Jesus regularly taught in synagogues, and he often encountered opposition. The modern-day equivalent of a synagogue would be a local church building.

The text says that Jesus taught on the sabbath. The sabbath was the day when all work ceased. It was a time for sacred assembly and the worship of God. The fourth commandment is to keep the sabbath holy (Exod 20:8-11). The sabbath took place from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.

As Jesus taught, those present were “astonished” at his teaching, for he taught as one who had authority, in contrast to the scribes (v. 22).

Scribes were men trained in writing skills. They recorded events and decisions. Eventually, scribes became the experts in God’s written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it. Most scribes became Pharisees (Mark 2:16) and interpreted the law, taught it to disciples, and were experts in cases where people were accused of breaking the law of Moses.

While scribes relied on the work of previous scribes, Jesus, as the authoritative son of God, had no reason to do this. Jesus had authority in his teaching. His words confronted the congregation with the absolute claim of God upon their lives.

It’s important that you are very careful about what kind of teaching you place yourself under. There are many false teachers within the church today. Jesus told us how to identify false teachers in Matthew 7:15-20 – by evaluating the fruit of their words and the fruit of their lives. If you think that every person that is a preacher is speaking the truth, then you are disillusioned. We should make sure that every person’s teaching that we listen to lines up with Scripture (Acts 17:11).

So, Jesus has authority in his teaching. Second, he has authority over demons.

Jesus has authority over demons (23-28, 32-34)

In vv. 23-28, Mark refers to demons as unclean spirits. In vv. 32-34 he uses the word demon. So, what is a demon (or unclean spirit)? They are fallen angels that joined Satan in his rebellion. They have some authority and work to promote disunity, disseminate false doctrine, inflict disease, and  hinder Christian growth. They may oppress (but cannot possess) Christians.[2]Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 27.

23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In v. 23, we read that a man with an unclean spirit was in the synagogue. Of all places, the demon-possessed man was in a synagogue! We don’t think of demon-possessed people in church, but there he was. We know that Satan and his demons will always seek to thwart the church’s mission of making disciples (1 Pet 5:8).

In Jesus’ early ministry, the demons recognized Jesus before anyone else. They knew who he was (vv. 24, 34). The demon recognized both Jesus’ humanity (“of Nazareth”) and Jesus’ deity (“the Holy One of God”). The demon recognized that Jesus was a threat to his authority and power.

Some people are like this demon-possessed man. They attend church, but they don’t want Jesus to have any authority in their lives.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian. Demon-possessed people can attend a worship service and even affirm who Jesus is. You can come to church every week and look good. You might even smell good if you wear perfume and brush your teeth. You can even know who Jesus is. But if you do not live in submission to the authority of Jesus then you are not living like a disciple. You are living like a demon.

If you do not live in submission to the authority of Jesus then you are not living like a disciple. You are living like a demon.

There is a difference between someone who merely professes faith in Jesus and someone who actually possesses faith in Jesus. The difference is one of authority. Those who merely profess faith never really submit to Jesus’ authority. In contrast, those who truly possess true faith gladly submit to Jesus as the supreme authority of their lives.

Do you want to know if you are really a Christian? If you are truly in Christ, your life will not just be marked by a profession of faith, but a faith that is willing to obey Christ in every area of your life for the rest of your life.

Do you want to know if you are really a Christian? If you are truly in Christ, your life will not just be marked by a profession of faith, but a faith that is willing to obey Christ in every area of your life for the rest of your life.

A simple test for judging your faith: how do you respond when shown that you are living in disobedience to the Word of God? Do you conform to God’s Word or rebel against it? A child of the devil consistently rebels against God’s Word (John 8:31-47). In contrast, a child of God obeys God’s Word (Rom 12:1-2).

Interestingly, though demons hate Jesus, they must submit to Jesus’ authority when commanded to do so (vv. 25-26, 34). In biblical times, people often tried to expel demons through incantations or strong odors. In contrast, Jesus spoke and the demon came out. Just as God spoke creation into existence in Genesis 1, Jesus spoke and the demon had to obey. This was extraordinary and invited amazement (v. 27).

David Garland writes, “Jesus’ healing miracles do not simply remedy human physical maladies; they represent a war against demonic forces.”[3]David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 71. Jesus’ exorcisms were proof of the truth in Mark 1:15 – that indeed the kingdom of God had come near. Jesus’ authority over the demon reinforced the authority of his teaching (vv. 27-28).

Jesus has authority in his teaching. He has authority over demons. Third, he has authority over sickness and disease.

Jesus has authority over sickness and disease (29-34)

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

We see in vv. 29-31 a couple of things. First, contrary to the prosperity gospel, even Jesus’ disciples are affected by sickness (vv. 29-30). Peter has just committed to following Jesus. He just got home from church. And we see that his mother-in-law was “ill with a fever.” This was probably a severe fever, perhaps even life-threatening. Following Jesus does not mean that our lives will be without trouble.

Following Jesus does not mean that our lives will be without trouble.

Second, we see the appropriate response to Jesus’ grace (v. 31). Peter’s mother-in-law did nothing to earn Jesus’ healing. Out of gratitude for what he had done she went about serving him. In the same way, we did nothing to earn our salvation, but out of gratitude for the salvation we have because of Christ, we serve him in loving obedience!

We see that Jesus cares for the sick. Notice that a distinction is made between those who were sick and those who were demon possessed (v. 32). All sickness and disease is a result of sin as a consequence of the Fall in Genesis 3, but not all disease and sickness is the result of a demonic attack or someone’s sin (John 9:1-2).

We see in this text that Jesus is not detached and distant. Jesus is willing to love the unlovables and touch the untouchables in society. We have a tendency to build privacy fences and seal ourselves off from the world. It is much more comfortable for us to quarantine ourselves from the world rather than engaging the darkness as Jesus did.

I want to wrap up with a few words on healings. I want us to notice some things about Jesus’ healings:

  • Jesus did not ask for money.
  • Jesus did not have to promote himself – people came to him.
  • Jesus did not do the miracles in a showlike atmosphere. No tickets were sold.
  • Jesus was not seeking selfish gain.
  • Jesus’ power was not thwarted because of anyone’s lack of faith (this does not undermine the importance of faith).

Contrast Jesus’ techniques with modern-day “faith healers”[4]See God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel by Costi Hinn.:

  • Faith healers ask for money.
  • Faith healers advertise and promote their events.
  • Faith healers “perform miracles” to make money.
  • Faith healers seek selfish gain.
  • When faith healers are questioned because the miracle failed, they blame the victim’s lack of faith.

Conclusion

In our text today, we have seen that:

  • Jesus has authority in his teaching.
  • Jesus has authority over demons.
  • Jesus has authority over sickness and disease.

Together, these three manifestations of Jesus’ authority provide a glimpse of Jesus’ absolute authority over all of creation.

Every person that was healed during Jesus’ ministry is now physically dead. Sickness, disease, and death remind us of our own mortality and our need to seek healing that will last beyond our time here on earth.

Like those who were diseased and demonized, our only hope is to come to Jesus.

As you read this, you have a choice. You can continue to live as if you are your own authority. If you do, you will incur God’s wrath for all of eternity (John 3:36). Or, you can acknowledge that Jesus is who he says he is – the perfect Son of God that came to give his life so that we could be reconciled to God and spend eternity with Him.

To be reconciled with God, you must turn from your sins and place your faith in Jesus and his death, burial, and resurrection and follow him as Lord. For more, click here.

For those of us who have trusted in Jesus, I also want to ask you a question: Is there an area(s) of your life are you not willing to submit to Jesus?

If so, repent and give this area of your life to Jesus.

References

References
↑1 Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 1685.
↑2 Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 27.
↑3 David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 71.
↑4 See God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel by Costi Hinn.

True Disciples Follow Jesus – Mark 1:14-20

February 27, 2023 /

Unfortunately, there is no sermon video due to technical problems.

So far in Mark, we’ve looked at Mark’s introduction to Jesus. Mark introduced us to John the Baptist, who himself pointed to Jesus. Where John baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).

Jesus was baptized by John. Jesus’ baptism was a kind of commissioning service. The Spirit descended on Jesus, a sign that the Spirit would empower Jesus during his ministry. The Father declared his approval of the Son.

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to do battle with Satan. While in the wilderness for 40 days, Jesus overcame Satan where those before him had failed. Jesus proved to be the new and better Adam – the true Son of God (see Rom 5:12-21).

In our text today, Mark tells us that John has been arrested (Mark 1:14). We know from Matthew 4:13 that Jesus is living in Capernaum.

Jesus’ Early Ministry – from the ESV Study Bible

Sermon Text: Mark 1:14-20

Mark 1:14-15

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

These verses are a summary of Jesus’ ministry. Verse 15 is the core message that Jesus preached during his earthly ministry; that the kingdom of God is at hand and to repent and believe in the gospel.

The kingdom of God is the new age that began when Jesus came. While the Jews were expecting a Messiah who would liberate them from the rule of the Romans, Jesus came as a preacher. Later in his ministry, Jesus would say that his kingdom was not of this world.

The kingdom of God represents God’s rule on earth. It was started when Jesus came, and it will be consummated when he returns. Jesus gave us a glimpse of what the kingdom of God looks like during his ministry. He healed the sick, delivered the demonized, and brought the dead back to life.

In the present dimension of God’s kingdom, we are called to repent of sin and believe in the person and work of Jesus. In the future dimension of God’s kingdom, we will live with Jesus in the New Creation after he comes again.[1]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 145-46.

In my first sermon in Mark, I said that Mark wants us to know who Jesus is, why he came, and what that means for us. Today’s message focuses on who Jesus is and what that means for us.

Mark 1:16-20

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

I live in the southern part of the United States. If I was to talk to someone in my community that professed to be a Christian and ask them how they know that they are a Christian, I might get answers like this:

  • I have been baptized.
  • I am a member of a church.
  • I regularly attend church and faithfully give.
  • I believe in God.
  • I believe in Jesus.

Of course, all Christians should be able to affirm those statements. I will argue later that if belief merely constitutes intellectual assent (believing a fact to be true) then that does not constitute saving faith. In America, we usually use the words Christian or believer to describe a Christ follower. Those are okay words to use, but by far the most popular word in the New Testament to describe a follower of Christ is the word disciple.

In his book Spiritual Discipleship, J. Oswald Sanders notes that the New Testament knows nothing of a Christian that is not a disciple. The word disciple is used 269 times while the word Christian is only used three times, and the word believer only twice![2]J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Discipleship, 8.

What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner, follower, or apprentice. In our culture, we think of prospective doctors working a residency, a student teacher spending time with a veteran teacher, or an aspiring plumber working under a master plumber.

Something that is interesting about Jesus’ call to these first disciples is that he called them. In biblical times, it was normally the students that would choose a rabbi to follow. Instead, Jesus called his disciples. Notice that he does not call them to a vocation or a particular teaching. Rather, the disciples were called them to model themselves after Jesus himself. It should be noted that this was not the first time that these men had encountered Jesus (see John 1:35-51).

In today’s post, I want to talk about what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus. The bottom line is this: true disciples follow Jesus!

Disciples of Jesus recognize the true king (15)

The first mark of a disciple is that they recognize the true king. They recognize Jesus as the true Son of God. Sure, at this time these early disciples didn’t fully understand who Jesus was. But by the end of their time spent with him, they knew that Jesus was truly God in the flesh. A true disciple of Jesus must recognize him for who he is – the perfect Son of God who became a man in order to save his people (John 1:14; Matt 1:21).

Disciples of Jesus practice repentance (15)

What is repentance? Repentance is not just feeling bad or guilty about our behavior. Rather, repentance is a reorientation of worship from our idols to God. An idol is something you cannot be fulfilled without. It could be money, other’s opinions, security, comfort, children, sports, or many other things.

1 Thess 1:9

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

That’s what repentance looks like. Disciples turn from worshiping themselves and idols to worshiping God. God gives us a new heart, resulting in a transformed life. Paul Washer says it this way: when you become a Christian, you hate the sin you once loved and love the righteousness you once hated.

Disciples of Jesus believe the gospel (15)

What is belief or faith? Biblical faith is not just intellectual assent to facts. For example, there are many people that would affirm that Jesus is the Son of God and he has died for their sins. Biblical faith doesn’t just mean knowing something with your head. It means that you know it in your heart – so much so that you’re willing to build your life upon the words of Jesus (Matt 7:24-25).

By way of example, if I asked you to go skydiving with me, you can say all day long that you believe in parachutes. But the moment that you truly show your belief to be true is when you jump out of the plane! At that moment, you are trusting in that parachute to keep you alive. It’s the same with biblical faith. When Jesus says that we must believe in the gospel, he means that we are trusting in his life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor 15:3-4) rather than our good works.

True faith will be evidenced by a continuing obedience to the words of Jesus (John 8:31-32; Jam 1:22; 1 John 2:3-6). Jesus doesn’t say that we should trust a prayer, a baptism, or church membership as evidence of true faith. Rather, true faith is evidenced by a life of obedience (Jam 2:14-17).

Disciples of Jesus are from every walk of life (16, 19)

Jesus was living in Capernaum (Matt 4:13). In verses 16 and 19, Jesus calls his first disciples. These disciples were fishermen. But Jesus also called a tax collector (Mark 2:13-14) and a zealot (Luke 6:15). Tax collectors were seen as traitors to their own people while zealots were Israelite patriots who resented the Romans. However, Jesus brings them together. You see, Jesus calls rich people and poor people to follow him. He calls the blue collar and the white collar. He calls people from cities and the hills. He calls black people, white people, Hispanics, and Asian people. He calls people from every tribe, nation, and tongue to follow him (Rev 5:9; 7:9).

Disciples of Jesus count the cost of following Jesus (14, 18, 20)

Disciples realize that they must count the cost to follow Christ. Jesus only began his ministry after John was arrested (v. 14). Simon and Andrew “left their nets and followed him” (v. 18). James and John “left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” James and John left a profitable business (they had hired servants) that they stood to inherit from their father. And yet, these disciples recognized that following Jesus was ultimate.

This text and other texts such as Luke 9:57-62 and Luke 14:25-33 indicate that Christ demands that being his disciple is the primary commitment in one’s life. Following Christ is more important than our family and our vocations. This doesn’t mean that our families or jobs are unimportant. It means that we must be loyal to Christ even if our families reject us. We are to be loyal to Christ even if means that we are persecuted for our beliefs (for instance, read this article about Jack Phillips, a Colorado cake baker).

Several years ago there was a study done to see what Christians in America believed. The findings were summarized in a term called moralistic therapeutic deism. In short, most people believe that (1) God exists, (2) God wants me to be a good person, (3) God makes me feel good about myself, (4) God is not really involved in my life.

This is not biblical Christianity. Christianity is not something we just tack on to our lives. Jesus demands that we follow him with everything (Mark 8:34-36). We worship Him above all else. We are given a new identity (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus doesn’t just make us nice people. He makes us new people! We abandon our life without Jesus for a life with Jesus.[3]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 146.

Jesus doesn’t just make us nice people. He makes us new people!

Disciples of Jesus make disciples (17)

From the beginning of his call, Jesus intended to mold his disciples for the mission. Notice, he says to his first disciples: “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Jesus called these men for a purpose – to follow him and to make more followers.

Jesus made this even more explicit in the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). Jesus told his followers to go with the gospel, baptize those who respond, and teach them to obey him in all of life for the rest of life.

The message has not changed in 2000 years. We preach Christ and him crucified (1 Cor 2:1-2). When we fish, it kills the fish. When we fish for men, we are seeking to hook them with the gospel. We want to see people die to their sins and become alive to Christ and his mission.

This passage describes Christianity in a nutshell – King Jesus has come, and he demands that we turn from our sin and believe in him, and follow him. But it doesn’t stop there – we are also to help others know and follow King Jesus.

As you read this post, I want you to consider – are you living as a disciple of Jesus?

  • Have you recognized Jesus as your true king? Is he the lord of your life?
  • Do you practice repentance? Do you hate your sin?
  • Do you believe the gospel – not just with your mind but your heart?
  • Are you dying to yourself and following Jesus?
  • Are you seeking to make disciples and to fulfill the great commission? 

Being a Christian is not just attending a service and believing the right facts about God. Being a Christian means that I am a slave to Christ that seeks to honor him with my whole life (1 Cor 6:19-20).

References

References
↑1 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 145-46.
↑2 J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Discipleship, 8.
↑3 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 146.

Thinking about Revivals

February 23, 2023 /

I was asked at church last night to share my thoughts on the Asbury revival. I have not personally attended Asbury. So, rather than share about Asbury specifically, I want to share some general principles for how to think about revivals in light of God’s Word.

1. Be hopeful. We should always be hopeful when multitudes of people want to worship. We should not be averse to God’s work.

2. Be discerning. We are told in Scripture to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). As Christians, we should always test things according to God’s Word. Anything that violates God’s Word is not Christian worship. Also see Matthew 7:15-20.

3. Be patient. In the parable of the sower (or the soils), Jesus said the seed of the gospel is sown but it only takes root and bears fruit when it falls on good soil. If you read the parable (Mark 4:1-20), you’ll see that some people may look like they have been converted but in reality they have not. When persecutions or prosperity come, their true spiritual state is revealed. If someone has truly had an encounter with God and has been converted, then there will be radical life change (Gal 2:20). The way to evaluate whether revival has occurred is if people are living lives of obedience to Christ (Luke 6:46). Also see Acts 5:38-39.

4. Be prayerful. We should pray for those who attended. We should pray that God would help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6). Pray that the gospel would bear fruit in the lives of those who participated (John 15:8).

5. Be intentional. If you know someone that has participated in a revival, then pray for them. Seek to disciple them. Help them grow in spiritual maturity. Make sure they get plugged into a healthy local church.

6. Be faithful. You do not have to travel to a college campus to experience revival. If you are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit within you. You have God’s Word that is living and active. God’s Spirit uses God’s Work to do God’s work. Read God’s Word. Practice family worship. Be a committed church member of a healthy church. In so doing, you are being faithful to God. Seeking emotional experiences with no desire to live a holy life is idolatry.

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Thinking Biblically

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑