Thinking Biblically

Helping renew your mind with God's Word

Category: Devotional (Page 2 of 13)

These posts are from my personal Bible study. Some posts are from my own sermons.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem – Mark 11:1-11

December 5, 2023 /

Sermon Text: Mark 11:1-11

Sermon Video

Outline

BIG IDEA: Jesus, God’s Messiah King, comes to Jerusalem in judgment and salvation.

Sermon Notes

As I preach this sermon, it is the beginning of Advent. During the season of Advent, we tend to think of Jesus’ birth. Obviously, Jesus was born. According to Jesus himself, he came to die (Mark 10:45). Mark 11 is the beginning of passion week and an appropriate text to begin Advent season.

Mark can be divided geographically:

  • Mark 1-9 – Jesus’ ministry in and around the region of Galilee
  • Mark 10 – Jesus’ ministry in the region Judea
  • Mark 11-16 – Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem

Mark 11 begins Mark’s account of Passion week. Our text today is about what is traditionally called “the triumphal entry.” As we dig into the text, we will see that the triumphal entry is an unambiguous declaration of Jesus’ kingship.

Big Idea: Jesus, God’s Messiah King, comes to Jerusalem in judgment and salvation.

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. 5 And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. 9 And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

As Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem, there was excitement in the air. Each year thousands of Jews from around the world would descend on Jerusalem in order to celebrate the Passover. During the week of the Passover Jerusalem would swell up to three times its normal size. Though the Passover meal would not be observed until Friday, many Jews would come to Jerusalem early in order to ceremonially cleanse themselves and prepare for the Passover.

This particular year, there was great excitement and anticipation because of the word that was being spread about Jesus—a Jewish rabbi from Nazareth that healed the sick, cleansed the leper, and even raised the dead.

We know from John 11 that Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead. As a result, many had believed in Jesus and had returned to Jerusalem with reports of his power to raise the dead. In fact, Jesus’ raising of Lazarus drew so much attention that he had to leave Bethany (where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived) and went to a small area called Ephraim.

So, on Sunday morning, as Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem, Andreas Köstenberger says it like this: “The Passover crowds in Jerusalem were like a powder keg ready for a spark—filled to the brim with both messianic fervor and hatred of Roman rule.”[1]The Final Days of Jesus, 27.

Jesus approached Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives and Bethphage. Bethphage was located on the slope of the Mount of Olives. Bethany was two miles east of Jerusalem.

In verses 2-3, we see Jesus tell two of his disciples to go into the village in front of you and bring back a colt. The village that Jesus is referring to is probably Bethphage. Notice the detailed instructions that Jesus gives the two disciples

  • As you enter the town, you will find a colt tied up.
  • The colt has never been ridden.
  • You are to untie it and bring it back.
  • If anyone asks you what you’re doing, tell them, “The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.”

One of the interesting things about Jesus’ instructions is that the colt would be tied up. The tied up colt goes all the way back to Genesis 49 when Jacob pronounced a messianic oracle upon Judah.

Genesis 49:10-11

10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
    nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;
    and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
11 Binding his foal to the vine
    and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
he has washed his garments in wine
    and his vesture in the blood of grapes.

In vv. 4-6, everything happened exactly how Jesus said it would. Mark wants us to see that Jesus is in complete control. All of these events are divinely ordered. Jesus’ journey to the cross is no accident.

In v. 7, the disciples brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it. By throwing their cloaks on the colt, the disciples are making a makeshift saddle.

It’s significant that Jesus sits on the colt as he enters Jerusalem. During Jesus’ ministry, He walked everywhere he went except when he was in a boat. This is the one and only time that Jesus rode an animal during his ministry.

Even more specific, this colt has never been sat upon. Animals that had never been ridden were regarded by the Jews as especially suited for holy purposes.

By his actions, Jesus is communicating his kingship to the crowd at least two things.

First, by riding on the colt, he copied Solomon’s entrance into Jerusalem after he was declared king (1 Kings 1:32-40). During King David’s reign, the donkey was a royal animal. After David’s reign, the Hebrew kings switched to horses.

Second, he fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 that Israel’s future king would come riding on the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, had a donkey that was tied up brought to Him, fulfilling Genesis 49:10-11. He rode that donkey into Jerusalem as a king from the line of David, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. By riding a donkey, He presented himself as the new and greater Solomon, identifying himself with the royal line of David.

Thus, the triumphal entry was an unambiguous declaration of Jesus’ kingship.

The triumphal entry was an unambiguous declaration of Jesus’ kingship.

Jesus was in effect proclaiming openly what he has previously told others to keep secret– “I am your King!”

As Jesus entered Jerusalem as a Davidic king, the crowd recognized him as such.

Verse 8 says that the people threw their cloaks and leafy branches on the road. By doing this, the crowd was making a carpet for King Jesus. Today, we might think about rolling out the red carpet for someone of importance.

The crowd, by rolling out the red carpet so to speak, showed that they believed Jesus could be the Messiah. The crowds hoped that Jesus would overthrow Caesar as king!

This is evident by what they proclaimed in vv. 9-10.

The crowd shouted:

And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! comes from Psalm 118:25-26. Psalms 113-118 were sung by Jews during the week of the Passover as well as other religious feasts.

Hosanna is a transliterated phrase of a Hebrew word which means, “save us.” Look at Ps 118:25-26:

Psalm 118:25-26

25 Save us [Hosanna], we pray, O Lord!
    O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
    We bless you from the house of the Lord.

In this context, the word Hosanna means that the crowd was celebrating Jesus as a political, Davidic messiah. The Triumphal Entry takes place at the beginning of Passover week, which brings to mind the Jewish people’s exodus from Egyptian slavery. Just as the Jews were liberated from the Egyptians, the Jews of Jesus’ day anticipated the messianic liberation from Rome’s oppression.

The crowd was crying out to Jesus to save them. The crowd wanted Jesus to save them from Roman oppression.

Isn’t that a temptation for us as well? We think the problems we see in our world are a battle between conservative and liberal, between patriots and globalists. Friends, the Bible says that the real battle is between God and his children and Satan and his children. Ephesians says we do not war against flesh and blood but “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).

To win a spiritual battle, you need spiritual weapons.

By riding on a donkey, Jesus was not entering Jerusalem as a warrior-king to save the people from Roman rule. Instead, Jesus was going to do something far greater than that. Jesus was going to die as a ransom in order to defeat Satan, sin, and death. That is the victory that every person – whether Jew or Gentile needs.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem as God’s Messiah King, the religious leaders were indignant. Matthew and Luke write that they told Jesus to rebuke and quiet his disciples. Jesus refused to do so.

Jesus’ actions on Palm Sunday set in motion a series of events that could only result in either his overthrow of the Romans and the current religious establishment—or his brutal death. He has crossed the point of no return; there would be no turning back. Caesar would allow no rival kings.

After Jesus entered Jerusalem, verse 11 tells us that he went into the temple. The verse says that “He looked around at everything.” What is Jesus doing?

Jesus, as the Messiah, acted as one who had the authority to inspect the temple and to see if the temple was fulfilling its purpose of leading people to true and sincere worship of God. We’ll look at this in more detail next week. Jesus’ inspection of the temple was a fulfillment of Malachi 3:1.

Malachi 3:1-2

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he [John the Baptist] will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.

Jesus had come to his temple and with him the refining fire had arrived to purify, and the fullers’ soap had come to cleanse (Mal 3:2). Jesus would begin his work with the temple on the next day.

Finally, the text tells us that Jesus went out to Bethany with the twelve. Jesus stayed in Bethany during the final week of his life.

Conclusion

Jesus came to Jerusalem as the promised Son of David, the king of the promised kingdom. The people recognized Jesus as God’s Messiah and cried out for salvation. The problem is that the people thought Jesus had come to purge Israel of Roman rule. Instead, he had come but to purge his people of their sin.

Have you recognized Jesus for who he is, God’s Messiah king?

Have you cried out to Him for save you – not from oppression, poverty, or tyranny but your sins that separate you from God? The gospel is not good news of temporal deliverance but eternal deliverance from the penalty of sin and death.

Big Idea: Jesus, God’s Messiah King, comes to Jerusalem in judgment and salvation.

King Jesus has come, and he will come again. The following chart is from Danny Akin’s commentary on Mark.

The First and Second Comings of Jesus (Akin)
The First and Second Comings of Jesus (Akin)

References

References
↑1 The Final Days of Jesus, 27.

Cry Out to Jesus – Mark 10:46-52

November 27, 2023 /

Sermon Text: Mark 10:46-52

Sermon Video

Outline

Our only hope is to cry out to Jesus (46-48)

Jesus responds to those who call upon him (49-52)

Sermon Notes

Our only hope is to cry out to Jesus (46-48)

Verse 46 provides the setting of the story. Jesus ministered in Jericho for an unspecified period of time. Jesus and his disciples are now about 18 miles from Jerusalem. As they left town, they encountered a blind beggar named Bartimaeus.

Bartimaeus woke up that morning just as he did every day. Perhaps he ate a bite of leftover food from the night before and then left his place of shelter to beg beside the road outside the city gate.

We are told four things about Bartimaeus in v. 46:

  1. His name – Bartimaeus. This is the only instance in Matthew, Mark, or Luke that the authors provide the name of a person being healed. Since Mark gives his name, it’s likely that he had become a committed disciple of Jesus (v. 52) and actively involved in the early church.
  2. He was a blind beggar.
  3. He was the son of Timaeus.
  4. He was sitting by the road.

In contrast to the disciples who were jockeying for position (Mark 10:35), Bartimaeus was a blind beggar on a dirt road. He was dirty, unkempt, and hungry. In a word, he was desperate.

By taking the time to serve this lowly man, Jesus was practicing what he had preached in vv. 42-45.

We see in v. 47 that Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by and he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The crowd responds by rebuking him (v. 48). In their minds, Jesus was too important to have time for a lowly beggar. The text tells us how Bartimaeus responded to the rebukes – “he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”

So, the first thing we see in this text is that our only hope is to cry out to Jesus (vv. 46-48).

Bartimaeus was desperate and he knew there was nothing he himself could do to change his life. There was nothing he could do for himself to cure his blindness. I think we can learn some things from Bartimaeus about crying out to Jesus:

First, Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus in faith. He didn’t just see Jesus as Jesus of Nazareth, but as Jesus, Son of David. Bartimaeus believed that Jesus was the Messiah. The OT pointed to the fact that the Messiah would be a descendant of David.

2 Sam 7:12-16

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

Solomon was immediate and partial fulfillment of this prophecy. Jesus would be the final fulfillment.

Notice that Jesus is no longer trying to hide his identity but is willing to be known as the Messiah as he gets ready to head to Jerusalem.

Second, Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus with humility. He didn’t make demands like James and John. Instead, Bartimaeus humbly asked Jesus to have mercy on him. This is how we should approach Jesus – humbly rather than making demands.

In your prayers, do you ever spend time praising God for who he is and thanking him for what he has done? Sometimes we treat God like our butler who is exists to meet our demands. That is, we only spend time with him when we need something from him.

Third, Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus despite opposition. Bartimaeus was not afraid of what others thought of Him. He was desperate because he knew Jesus was his only hope.

Too many people are afraid to live out their faith in front of others. The disciples and the crowd misunderstand Jesus’ love. They rebuked Bartimaeus and told him to be silent. Apparently, the disciples weren’t listening much when Jesus taught them that they should be servants (Mark 10:43-45). The crowd assumed that Jesus was too important or too busy to take the time to care for this blind beggar on the side of the road.

Have you ever thought that God was too busy for you? That He didn’t want to hear you? Jesus was on his way to an excruciating death, and he made time for blind Bartimaeus. Brothers and sisters, Jesus has time for you when you cry out to him.

Fourth, Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus with persistence. Bartimaeus was not dissuaded by the crowd. When the crowd rebuked him, the text says that he cried out all the more. In the midst of the hustle and bustle that can become our lives, we must learn to persistently cry out to Jesus (John 15:1-8).

Maybe you’re not physically blind, but you’re concerned or perhaps even desperate about something as you read this blog:

  • A lost family member
  • The state of our country
  • Your church
  • Your health
  • Someone you love going through a hard time
  • Your job situation

Let’s learn from Bartimaeus and cry out to Jesus in faith, with humility, despite opposition, and with persistence.

Jesus responds to those who call upon Him (49-52)

In v. 49, Jesus hears Bartimaeus and tells the disciples to “Call him.” They go and tell him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.”

Bartimaeus had cried out to Jesus in faith. Bartimaeus had cried out to Jesus with humility. Bartimaeus had cried out to Jesus despite opposition. Bartimaeus had cried out to Jesus with persistence.

And Jesus heard his cry. Unlike the crowd, Jesus was not concerned with Bartimaeus’ social status but the spiritual status of his heart.

Jesus is not concerned with our social status but the spiritual status of our heart.

The good news in these verses is that Jesus responds to those who call upon him.

Bartimaeus called. Jesus responded. Let’s look at v. 50. Notice Bartimaeus’ response to Jesus’ call. He was very eager to speak with Jesus, evidenced by his throwing off off his cloak. He sprang up and came to Jesus. It’s probable that his cloak was his only possession, in contrast with rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22).

This is what we should do when Jesus calls us. We should lay aside whatever is keeping us from Jesus and run to him.

Jesus cares for Bartimaeus. He asks in v. 51, “What do you want me to do for you?” Again, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem where he will be betrayed and killed. On his way, he takes time to talk with Bartimaeus, a blind beggar whom the crowd had rebuked for trying to get Jesus’ attention.

In response to Jesus’ question, Bartimaeus says, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” Bartimaeus asked Jesus to heal his blindness. John and James had asked for extraordinary positions (Mark 10:35). Bartimaeus simply asked for ordinary health.

Finally, Jesus healed Bartimaeus (v. 52). Jesus told Bartimaeus that his faith had made him well. The faith of Bartimaeus was not an abstract faith, but faith specifically in Jesus Christ. Bartimaeus believed that Jesus was the Son of David. He believed that Jesus was the Messiah and that he had the power to heal him.

Many people want Jesus to take care of their needs but few want to follow him with their lives. Most blind people, having their sight restored, would have wanted to live it up, so to speak. Instead, Bartimaeus, as soon as he received his sight, he saw Jesus, and followed him to Jerusalem.

Many people want Jesus to take care of their needs but few want to follow him with their lives.

Bartimaeus is the model disciple:

  • He believed Jesus was the Messiah.
  • He appealed to Jesus for mercy.
  • He placed his faith in him.
  • He followed him.

This is what a Christian looks like.

Many people say, “you just have to have faith. It’ll all work out.” Our faith is not in the forces of nature, karma, or good vibes. Our faith must be in God almighty – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We have a heavenly Father that knows what we need before we ask, a Savior that died on the cross for our sins, and the Holy Spirit that lives within us if we are believers.

Conclusion

This morning’s sermon was simple, but a good reminder.

Our only hope is to cry out to Jesus (46-48)

  • In faith
  • With humility
  • Despite opposition
  • With persistence

Jesus responds to those who call upon Him (49-52)

Jesus was passing through Jericho, never to come that way again. If Bartimaeus had not cried out to Jesus, he would never have had another chance. Figuratively, Jesus may be passing by you today. If you died today, where would you spend eternity?

Do you need to cry out to Jesus for salvation?

Without Jesus, Bartimaeus was physically blind. Without Jesus, we are spiritually blind and dead in our sins. We need the grace of God.

Maybe you are a Christian, but you are burdened by something. Cry out to Jesus, and he will respond!

A Life of Surrender – Mark 10:32-45

November 20, 2023 /

Sermon Text: Mark 10:32-45

Sermon Video

Outline

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others (32-34)

Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness (35-37)

Following Jesus requires us to suffer (38-41)

Following Jesus requires us to serve others (42-45)

Sermon Notes

Jesus is on his way to the cross and he is calling his disciples and the crowds to follow him.

What does it look like to follow Jesus by surrendering to him and serving others?

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others (32-34)

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

This is the third time that Jesus has told his disciples of his impending arrest, death, and resurrection.

Mark 8-10 is the largest text in the New Testament on discipleship. In each chapter,

  • Jesus predicts his death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-32, 9:30-31, 10:32-34).
  • The disciples respond in a foolish way (Mark 8:32-33, 9:32-34, 10:35-41).
  • Jesus gives a lesson on discipleship, service, and true greatness (Mark 8:34-38, 9:35-37, 10:42-45).

Jesus knew what was going to happen to him and he still went to Jerusalem. He loved and served us even when he knew it would cost him his life.

Though none of us can die a substitutionary death on a cross like Jesus, we are all called to sacrifice for others.

  • Are you willing to make sacrifices so that other people can hear the gospel?
  • Are you willing to give of your time to help someone grow in Christ?
  • Are you willing to serve others?
  • Does your life have a kingdom focus?

If we are going to impact our community for Christ, then we must be willing to sacrifice for the good of others.

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others. Second, following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness.

Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness (35-37)

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

The way of the world is self-exaltation. Look at James and John’s demands.
• 35 – “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
• 37 – “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory”

James and John are showing their human nature. Like James and John, we love ourselves and we want others to love and honor us as well. Many of us think way too highly of ourselves. Isn’t it true that we tend to see the faults of others while overlooking many of the same faults in ourselves?

James and John also seem to have already forgotten Jesus’ teaching on what true greatness looks like (see Mark 9:35):

Mark 9:35
“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

While Jesus is talking about all that he is about to give, the disciples are consumed with what they can get. Looking at James and John is like looking in the mirror. We can see our own selfishness, and Mark hopes that we can see how foolish we look.

James and John are making demands of Jesus, the Lord of all creation. When we are self-centered, we are just like James and John.

If you are going to please Jesus with your life, then you must learn to put off selfishness. You must learn to put off selfishness in your marriage. You must learn to put off selfishness within your church family. You must put off selfishness in order to reach the lost.

James and John know Jesus is headed for glory (v. 37), but they don’t have a clue how the glory would come.

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others. Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness. Third, following Jesus requires us to suffer.

Following Jesus requires us to suffer (38-41)

38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.

Jesus’ path to glory was paved with suffering. Read verse 38 above. Jesus says, “You don’t know what you’re asking…”

John and James were very quick to want the benefits of God’s kingdom, but they have not counted the costs of participating in it.

Jesus asks them two questions:

  • “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”
  • “Are you able to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?

Jesus compares His coming suffering and death to drinking a cup and experiencing a baptism. What does He mean by this?

Drinking a cup with someone speaks of sharing in that person’s fate. The cup that Jesus is referring to here is that of God’s wrath. Later, we will see Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. As he prayed to the Father, he spoke these words: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).

When Jesus speaks of His coming baptism, it means that his coming suffering and death were all consuming. Just as baptism is by immersion, Jesus was immersed in the destiny that God had planned for Him. Jesus’ suffering and death were all consuming and he was immersed in his mission.

Luke 12:50
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!

James and John respond that they are able, but their quick response makes it clear that they did not understand what Jesus meant. However, Jesus knows that indeed one day each of them will suffer for the sake of Jesus and His gospel.

  • James was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:1-2).
  • John was exiled to the island of Patmos (Rev 1).

James and John had failed to see that the pathway to glory is paved with suffering. Before we receive the crown of life, we must be willing to drink the cup of suffering and be immersed in living for Christ. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul noted that believers are not called simply to believe in Jesus, but should also be willing to suffer for his sake.

Phil 1:29
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Do we really think that we can follow Jesus and not suffer? Do we think that revitalizing a church will be easy? Do we think we won’t be rejected by others or be persecuted? Do we really think that we won’t be hated for the sake of Jesus

“The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today, ‘the church’ is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”

Leonard Ravenhill

The other disciples were indignant at James and John (v. 41). James and John’s selfish request had strained the unity of the group. Isn’t that what selfishness does? When we seek after power and position at the expense of those around us, others will be indignant at us.

Following Jesus requires us to sacrifice for others. Following Jesus requires us to put off selfishness. Following Jesus requires us to suffer. Finally, following Jesus requires us to serve others.

Following Jesus requires us to serve others (42-45)

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus says that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and that they exercise authority over them (v. 42). People in the world want more power, more position, more fame, and more influence. In the world, the more important you are, the more people you have that serve you.

But Jesus says, “it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (v. 43).

Once again, Jesus has changed the scorecard. The world says that power and authority are to be desired, but Jesus says if you want to be great you must be a servant.

If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.

Think about this in marriage. Men, if you make marriage all about you, then your wife isn’t going to submit to your leadership.

If you’re the boss at work but you’re always making demands but never willing to help, you are not going to be effective.

Jesus says it’s not even enough to be like a servant but you must become like a slave (v. 44). In biblical times, slaves had very little rights and were taken for granted by those that they served.

Who are you more like? Are you more like the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22) and James and John? Are you seeking to exalt yourself or you a servant that is willing to pour out your life for others and to be taken for granted like a slave?

Verse 45 is the key verse of Mark’s Gospel. Mark 1:15 is Jesus’ message. Mark 10:45 is Jesus’ mission.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The reason that service is preeminent in the kingdom of God is because it grows out of a love for one’s neighbor. Service is love made tangible.[1]James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002), 326. If we refuse to serve others it is because we don’t love others. If we don’t love others, then we do not love God.

Jesus has told us his disciples that he is going to Jerusalem and that he will die. Now he tells them why. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Conclusion

Jesus combines the “Son of Man” title from Daniel 7 with the “ransom for many” language from Isaiah 53.

Daniel 7:13-14
13 “I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.

Isaiah 53:12c
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.

This is the Jesus we follow! He came to earth as a baby. He died as a sacrifice for sinners. And one day, he will return as a warrior to mete out God’s judgment. After the final judgment, Jesus will rule his kingdom forever and ever. He will have an everlasting dominion.

That’s the amazing truth of the gospel, that Jesus, the Son of God, became the Son of Man in order to pay the penalty for sin. We needed a ransom for our sin because we had all gladly and willfully sold ourselves into the bondage of slavery to sin. Jesus saves us from God’s wrath and gives us the victory over sin, death, and hell.

By paying the ransom for our sins, Jesus made it possible for the children of man to become the children of God.

Jesus, the Son of God, and the Son of Man, gave His life as a ransom for many.

We respond in repentance and faith. After we come to Christ, we follow Jesus by

  • sacrificing for others (32-34)
  • putting off selfishness (35-37)
  • suffering for his sake (38-41)
  • serving others (42-45)

If we’re honest, many of us have a wrong view of Christianity. We think that Christianity is punching a ticket to heaven. In truth, Christianity is following Jesus, laying down our lives in service to the King who laid down his life for us.

Will we believe the philosophy of the world that life is all about us or will we give ourselves away in service to Jesus, his Gospel, his church, and a lost and dying world?

References

References
↑1 James R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002), 326.

True Riches and Rewards – Mark 10:17-31

November 13, 2023 /

Sermon Text: Mark 10:17-31

Sermon Video

Outline

Eternal life is not the result of moral living (17-22)

Eternal life is not the result of material wealth (23-27)

Eternal life is the result of following Jesus (28-31)

Summary

Last time, we saw learned about children and the kingdom of God. We saw that all must come to Jesus with nothing, in total dependence on him and that the requirement is the same for all: simple, childlike reliance on Jesus.

Today we’re going to look at someone who had in a sense achieved the American dream at a young age. He had riches and influence and was even a very moral man. No doubt he was respected by all. But he missed the most important thing in life.

In Evangelism Explosion, one of the questions that is often asked is this: “If you were to die tonight and stand before God, and He were to say to you, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?’ what would you say?” The person sharing the gospel uses this question because it helps diagnose what the person listening to the gospel message is trusting in to save them. I want you to consider that same question. Answer it in your mind. How you answer reveals what you are trusting in.

As Americans, we desperately need to heed our Lord’s warning about wealth because we are the most prosperous people in the history of the world. Even some who would be classified as poor in America have a better standard of living than some kings did 200 years ago.

Eternal life is not the result of moral living (17-22)

In v. 17, the man asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

The man thought, as many do today that he could do something to earn or inherit eternal life. Most people who believe in God think that one day God will add up their good works and their bad works; and if their good works exceed their bad works, they will get into heaven.

The problem with this approach is that it has a wrong view of:

  • Sin – Sin is rebellion against the holy God. It is not simply the bad things we do, but an inward attitude that exalts ourselves and defies God. We are not sinners because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners by nature (Eph 2:1-3).
  • Man – We are not good people who commit sin occasionally. Isaiah says it this way: “We all like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to their own way” (Isa 53:6).
  • The Bible – The Bible is not just a religious book but the very words of God to man.
  • God – God is perfectly holy and a few good works will not help us to have peace with Him.

See, the problem with this young man is that he actually thought he could do a few religious works and settle his account with God.

18-19

Jesus – “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.” Jesus subtly hints to the man that maybe the man isn’t as good as he thinks. Jesus gives him a test.

Jesus cites the last six commandments, which address our human relationships with one another. “Do not defraud” is substituted for not coveting, because fraud is a concrete example of covetousness and a special temptation of the rich.

Jesus referenced the horizontal commandments. Why? Because obedience to the commands dealing with human relationships provides evidence of someone’s obedience to the commandments focused on God. So, Jesus wants to see how good this man thinks he is. It turns out, the man thinks he has done pretty well. Look at v. 20.

The man claims he has kept these commandments from his youth (likely age 13). From an external perspective, it’s likely that he thought that he had kept the commandments.

In v. 21, Jesus goes to the man’s heart. Jesus moves from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. Having addressed the last six commandments, Jesus now addresses the first (Exo 20:3) – “You shall have no other gods before me.” Jesus knew that this man’s wealth occupied the place that only God should have in his life.

In v. 22, the man was “disheartened” because he had great possessions and left Jesus.

Before we go further, I want us to ask, what can we learn from this story?

  1. Someone can be interested in eternal life without possessing it (v. 17).
  2. Many who claim to have obeyed God have only done so in a superficial sense (v. 20).
  3. The core of Christianity is following Jesus (v. 21). A willingness to follow Jesus was the one thing he lacked.
  4. Jesus does not show partiality to the rich. His call of complete surrender extends to all (v. 22).

We turn from our way of living and we decide to follow Jesus. We don’t just live a moral life, but we live a life that follows Jesus.

A moral life without a love for Jesus leads straight to hell. This man had lived a moral life, but he had not surrendered to Jesus. You’re not ready to follow Jesus until you give Him your heart. You are not a Christian if you are simply living a moral life but do not love Jesus with your heart.

This man that had come to Jesus was full of potential. He was a young man. He was a rich man. He had influence as a ruler. He was a moral man. He was respected by others.

Notice what Jesus didn’t do. He didn’t run after the man and try to make it easier. He did not offer this man a “wonderful plan for your life” or his “best life now.”

We should follow Jesus’ example. We should not tune down the message of God’s Word. Just as a good parent will not give their children a steady diet of sugar, we seek to give people the meat of God’s Word. In our sin sick culture, it is not time to shorten sermons or services. We must not dilute the gospel of Jesus Christ and its demands on our lives.

We must not dilute the gospel of Jesus Christ and its demands on our lives.

Quite frankly, this is a man most pastors would beg to join their church. But Jesus let him simply walk away because he loved his wealth more than Jesus. His wealth kept him from following Jesus because he refused to repent of his love of money that exceeded his love for God. When Jesus addressed the man, he said, “You lack one thing.”

What is your one thing? What area(s) of your life are you refusing to surrender to Jesus? What or who do you love more than God? Will you give Jesus his rightful place in your life?

If you want Jesus to be your Savior, then you have to replace what you have been looking to as a Savior.

If you want Jesus to be your Savior, then you have to replace what you have been looking to as a Savior.

Eternal life is not the result of material wealth (23-27)

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him,[c] “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Why is it difficult for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God? Wealth gives us comfort and security. It allows us to more fully enjoy life. It usually feeds our self-confidence and pride.

The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ words (v. 24). Jesus addresses the disciples as “children” to remind them that they must become like children if they are going to enter the kingdom of God (10:15). Whereas children have little concept of the value of money, adults can easily become deceived into thinking that they can find life in wealth and possessions.

The camel was the largest animal in the area of Judea and the needle is the smallest opening that you could find. Jesus was saying in somewhat of a humorous way, “It’s impossible for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were “exceedingly astonished” and said, “Then who can be saved?” (v. 26). In Judaism, as well as our day, many assumed that wealth and riches were typically seen as evidence of God’s favor (see Ps 128). Surely we can agree that any material provision that we have is a result of God’s care for us. But Jesus also said that God causes it to rain on the just and the unjust (Matt 5:45).

Thus, the disciples wondered: if a moral man who is rich (and thus God’s favor) isn’t going to the kingdom of God, then who can be saved? If there’s no hope for him, then we are all in trouble. The disciples finally asked the right question.

Jesus responded in v. 27: “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Jesus doesn’t answer the disciples’ question about who can be saved but points them to the only one who can do the saving.

In the song “The Death of Death,” there is a line that says, “Man has sinned, but God has saved.”

We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). God sent His Son, who lived a perfect life of obedience, died a substitutionary death, was buried, and rose again (1 Cor 15:3-4). The Father must draw us (John 6:44), the Holy Spirit convicts us (John 16:8). We respond in faith and repentance, submitting to his lordship (Mark 1:15). For more about the gospel, click here.

For a person to be saved, God must work on his or her heart. Thank God for His grace. We are not saved by our good works or our moral living. We are saved because of God’s saving grace through His Son, Jesus.

Eternal life is the result of following Jesus (28-31)

28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Peter realizes that they have in a sense passed where the rich young ruler failed: “We have left everything and followed you.”

29-31

When you follow Jesus, you get a get a new family – God adopts you as His child. When you join this new family, you enjoy fellowship with God as well as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Though Christians may experience hardships and persecutions in the present life, the inheritance of eternal life with God is infinitely better than any material possession.

What counts in eternity is not your moral living or your earthly wealth but your response to Christ.

C.T. Studd famously said, “Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

“Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

C.T. Studd

Conclusion

As I close, I want you to imagine a life without all material possessions. All you have is Christ. Is he enough? That is the question that Jesus put before the rich young ruler and it’s the same question he puts before you and me.

Friends, this man wanted eternal life without having to surrender his kingdom. He would not part with the one thing that he loved the most. I want to ask you once again – What is your one thing? Is there something in your life you love more than God? Will you give Jesus his rightful place in your life?

Remember Jesus’ words from Mark 8.

Mark 8:34-36

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Jesus is the ultimate rich young ruler who gave away the ultimate wealth to die for our sins in our place. To have eternal life, we must be willing to give up anything in order to follow King Jesus.

Children and the Kingdom of God – Mark 10:13-16

October 31, 2023 /

Sermon Text: Mark 10:13-16

Sermon Video

Outline

We should bring children to Jesus (13-14)

We should learn from children about the kingdom of God (15-16)

Summary

Perhaps in your life you’ve been told, “Stop acting like a child.” If someone tells you this, he or she probably believes that you are being selfish. But when it comes to the Kingdom of God, Jesus says that we must become like children. What does he mean? Look with me at Mark 10:13-16.

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

In vv. 13-14, we see that we should bring children to Jesus. Verse 13 says, “And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them.” They probably means the children’s parents. Why were parents bringing their children to Jesus? The text says they were bringing children to him “that he might touch them.”

In biblical times, mortality rates for children were high. Often, people would seek out spiritual leaders to bless their children in hopes that the leader’s blessing would protect them and lead to a longer life.

For Jews, the practice of having a spiritual leader to bless their children was in keeping with a custom that dated all the way back to Genesis 48, when the patriarch Israel laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph’s children, Ephraim and Manasseh and blessed them (Genesis 48:14).

The word translated “children” could refer to any age between infancy and twelve ,but v. 16 suggests that these children were mostly small, since Jesus took them in his arms (also see Luke 18:15). So, people were bringing children, mostly very young children, for him to bless them.

At the end of v. 13 we’re told the disciples responded by rebuking the people bringing the children to Jesus. Why were the disciples rebuking them?

In Jesus’ day, children were usually viewed as a liability until they could contribute to society. In fact, the Romans would set up trash heaps by many homes where people could leave unwanted children. Often, people would pick up the children and raise them to be prostitutes, gladiators, or slaves.

Remember what Herod did when he heard that Jesus had been born: he had all male children two and under in Bethlehem slaughtered (Matt 2:16-18).

In America, we seem to have two extremes when it comes to children. Some people view children like the Romans. They think children are a nuisance that get in the way of how they want to live their lives. They give them to grandparents or other relatives or get an abortion. Maybe they keep their children but mistreat them.

On the other hand, some people make idols of their children. Children, rather than God, become the center of the home. The whole focus of the family turns to giving children their best lives through academics, sports, and recreation. Children are given whatever they want and are not appropriately disciplined.

As Christians, we should have a biblical view. We recognize that children are a gift from the Lord (Ps 127) and are to be raised in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). While we cherish our children, we realize that first and foremost they belong to God.

Verse 14 tells us how Jesus responded to the behavior of the disciples – he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

This statement from Jesus must have surprised the disciples. Remember, children were considered insignificant and yet Jesus said:

  • “Let the children come to me”
  • “do not hinder them”
  • Then he added, “for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

At this point the disciples are really scratching their heads.

The disciples must have been thinking, “Jesus, don’t you have a kingdom to establish? Why are you wasting time on insignificant children?” We know that the disciples were ready to reign with Jesus (see Mark 10:35-37). Thus, the disciples don’t have time for children who have no political power.

While at least some of the disciples were thirsting for political power, Jesus told them that the kingdom of God belongs to those such as children. Jesus was indignant that the disciples were turning children away. This is the only time in Gospels where Jesus was said to be indignant.

When Jesus says that “for to such belongs the kingdom of God,” Jesus is teaching the disciples that those who are seemingly insignificant (in this case, children) are not only allowed in God’s kingdom, but are encouraged to come.

While the world seeks power, prestige, fame, and wealth, Jesus welcomes the insignificant.

Three Beatitudes from Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3-5)

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

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

The more you hurt on this earth, the less attachment you’ll have to it and the more you will long for the kingdom of heaven. Thus, Jesus says that if you’re poor in spirit, if you mourn, and if you are meek, then you are blessed because those traits lead you to make heaven your home instead of this world.

So, we should bring children to Jesus.

Will you seek to bring your children to Jesus?

  • Will you share the gospel with your children?
  • Will you read the Bible with them?
  • Will you be committed to a local church and faithful to bring them to worship?
  • Will you live for Christ in front of them?
  • Will you discipline your children (Prov 13:24)?
  • Will you pray for their salvation and that they would follow Jesus?

We should learn from children about the kingdom of God (15-16)

15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Jesus says that you must receive the kingdom of God like a child or you will not enter it!

What does Jesus mean? Jesus is teaching his disciples that there are qualities that children possess that one must possess in order to enter the kingdom of God.

Here are a few:

  • Children don’t have anything to offer. Like children, we don’t have anything to offer God (Acts 17:24-25).
  • Children receive what is offered to them. They don’t overthink things. Consider how crazy it is that people actually reject the offer of eternal life! Like children, we should receive God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, realizing we are completely dependent on God’s grace.
  • Children desire structure and authority. Like children, we should seek to live under God’s authority. We seek to glorify God with our lives and to seek his kingdom first.
  • Children are totally dependent. Like children depend on their parents, we should recognize that we are totally dependent on our heavenly Father to provide for our physical and spiritual needs.
  • Children have simple faith. Like children, we must believe all of what the Bible teaches without trying to rationalize our disobedience.

To enter the kingdom of God, we must acknowledge our inability to save ourselves. We have have nothing to offer our perfect God! We must humbly receive the grace of God offered to us through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Then, we submit to God’s authority and obey his word for the rest of our lives as we depend on him for our spiritual and material provision.

Matthew 18:3-4:

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Conclusion

Who do you think is insignificant when it comes to God’s kingdom?

  • Those who are of a different political party than you?
  • Those who have a different ethnicity or skin color?
  • Those who do not share your economic status?

As Christians, we should recognize that every person is made in God’s image and that those in this world that are considered insignificant can access the kingdom of God through Christ. If there are people you think are insignificant, will you repent of that attitude and seek to bring them into the kingdom of God?

How are you trying to enter the kingdom of God? Are you seeking to enter by good works? Are you comparing yourself to others? Are you relying on your baptism or church membership?

If so, stop! Every single child in the world when it is born is completely helpless! And so it is with every person who is born again into the kingdom of God.

Look at v. 16.

16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Jesus welcomed these children and blessed them. What a beautiful picture – Jesus embracing these children and blessing them.

We too can experience the same joy these children and their parents did that day. If we seek Jesus with the heart and attitude of a child, we can look forward to the day when he will embrace us in His arms and welcome us for all of eternity.

Jesus on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage – Mark 10:1-12

October 23, 2023 /

Sermon text: Mark 10:1-12

Sermon Video

Outline

The Pharisees Question Jesus on Divorce (1-4)

Jesus Upholds God’s Design for Marriage (5-9)

Jesus Clarifies His Position on Divorce and Remarriage (10-12)

Summary

Having spoken of his impending death, Jesus and his disciples make their way towards Jerusalem. Mark can be divided geographically into three parts. In Mark 1-9, Jesus ministers in and around the region of Galilee. In Mark 10, Jesus ministers in the region of Judea on his way to Jerusalem. Finally, Mark 11-16 covers Jesus’ final week and passion.

While in the region of Judea, the Pharisees sought to test Jesus on the subject of divorce (v. 2). The Pharisees had justified divorce and remarriage based on Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Far from justifying divorce, this passage sought to regulate divorce that was already prevalent at the time of Moses’ writing. The word indecency in v. 1 could not have meant adultery, because adultery was punished by stoning (Deut 22:22).

In Jesus’ day, there were two different schools of thought among the Pharisees regarding divorce and remarriage. There was the school of Hillel and the school of Shammai. These two schools of thought disagreed about how the word indecency in Deut 24:1 should be interpreted. The School of Hillel taught that a man could divorce his wife for nearly anything, even something as trivial as burning supper. Alternatively, the School of Shammai took the word indecency to mean sexual indecency. This would of course include adultery but may have included other sexual acts.

Though adultery was punishable by death in the Old Testament, by this time, the Jews were under Roman authority. They were not as free to enact the death penalty as they were in the previous times. So, some sins that were punishable by death in Old Testament times were no longer being punished that way in Jesus’ day.

The Pharisees likely tested Jesus in order to get him in trouble with Herod. Remember, the Pharisees had sought to destroy Jesus for some time (Mark 3:6). Now, in the area of Herod’s jurisdiction, they hoped Jesus would repeat his earlier teaching (Matt 5:31-32) which would result in Jesus suffering a similar fate to John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29). Thus, the Pharisees tested Jesus.

Jesus responds by upholding God’s design for marriage (vv. 5-9). In v. 5, Jesus says that Moses wrote this commandment because of people’s hardness of heart. Jesus says that divorce happens because of the hardness of human hearts. At least one party in every divorce has to some degree a hard heart (a heart that has not been changed by the gospel). Jesus is in effect saying that, “It’s true that Moses had some words concerning divorce and remarriage. However, those words were to regulate divorces that were already happening, not to endorse or even permit divorce.”

Then in vv. 6-8 Jesus goes back to Genesis 1 and 2. Jesus says that God made them male and female. This goes back to Genesis 1:27. Then he quotes Genesis 2:24, which is the biblical teaching on marriage before the Fall. When asked about divorce and remarriage, Jesus goes back to the beginning, and He reminds them about God’s Word on marriage. I want us to see just a few things about marriage from Genesis 2:24, which Jesus quotes in vv. 7-8.

Genesis 2:24

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

God’s Design for Marriage

  • Marriage is between one man and one woman. (“a man…his wife”) – polygamy, polyandry, homosexuality forbidden
  • The man and woman are to be faithful to one another. (“hold fast”) – adultery forbidden
  • The man and woman are meant to stay together. (“hold fast”) – divorce forbidden
  • The man and woman are to complement one another. The man is the marriage leader, and the woman is a suitable helper (Gen 2:18).

Thus, from verses 5-8, we see that Jesus was not just settling the debate of the two sides. Instead, He rejected the Pharisaical opinions altogether and returned everyone to God’s standard for marriage as found in Genesis 2:24. Notice that Jesus not only goes back to Genesis 2:24. He also adds His own teaching in v. 9.

Jesus says that when a man and a woman marry, it is God who joins them together.

Thus, Jesus says, let no person separate what God has joined together. Notice that Jesus puts an emphasis on the one-flesh union rather than the people (What, not who God jointed together).

In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders permitted divorce for any indecency a man could find in a woman. Jesus raised the bar and said, “You’re wrong! Marriage is a holy covenant that was instituted by God in the beginning!” This teaching of Jesus was radical in the first century. This teaching of Jesus is completely counter-cultural today.

Many in our culture don’t value marriage. People are getting married less and less and if they do get married, they are waiting longer and longer (in 2021, average age = 29.2). Many cohabitate and fornicate as they delay marriage for more important things like education and a career.

Usually when people do marry, they treat marriage like a contract:

“As long as you meet my needs and wants, I will stick with you.” The wife will remain with her husband as long as he makes enough money. Similarly, the husband will stick by his wife as long as she cooks well and meets his physical needs.

In Scripture, marriage is a covenant:

“I’m committing to you for life. For better or worse, I am holding fast to you as my husband or wife as we seek to glorify God together.”

Consider our marriage vows – “I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded wife (husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

Finally, Jesus clarifies his views regarding divorce and remarriage (vv. 10-12). In case there was any confusion, Jesus makes it clear to His disciples what He meant. Look again at v. 9. When Jesus says, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” What are the implications of that verse? Well look at Mark 9:11-12.

Jesus’ words are clear: Every person who divorces a spouse and marries someone else while their spouse is still living commits adultery (v. 11). In v. 11, Jesus elevates the status of women. The Jewish courts of the day always sided with men, which made it very hard on women. When Jesus says that “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her,” Jesus is really raising the bar of what is required of husbands.

Also remember from Matt 5:32 that every person who marries a divorced person also commits adultery.

Why does Jesus say that remarriage after divorce is adultery? It’s because marriage is a permanent union between a man and a woman. This union, in God’s eyes, is only dissolved at death (Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 7:39).

Rom 7:2-3

For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.

1 Cor 7:39

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

People can go back on their vows, marriage can be ended in civil and legal ways, but these things do not and cannot destroy the morally binding one-flesh union that is created by God. If those things destroyed the marriage, then why would Jesus consider remarriage to be an act of adultery?

Since Jesus says that remarriage after divorce is called adultery (vv. 11-12), it is evident that the one-flesh union with the former spouse is not un-created by the act of divorce (Rom 7:3; 1 Cor 7:39).

Upon hearing Jesus’ teaching on this subject, the disciples respond this way:

Matthew 19:10

The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

Right in front of their eyes, Jesus had raised the standard of righteousness regarding marriage and divorce. The disciples reacted accordingly, as they realized that marriage was to be a permanent union and that if they were to divorce their wives, they would need to remain single for the rest of their lives.

CONCLUSION

As I wrap up this morning, I know that probably everyone in this room has been negatively affected by divorce. For those of you that have divorced or those that have married someone who has been divorced, my goal is not to shame you or guilt you this morning. I simply want to explain and apply the truth of God’s Word on this subject.

I want to say just a few more things and I’ll be done.

(1) We must pursue holiness in marriage.

The Pharisees asked if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. We shouldn’t ask that question. The Pharisees were asking, “Is this okay?” Remember, Jesus said that Moses law on divorce was because of people’s “hardness of heart.” We as disciples of Jesus should not have hard hearts. Instead, we should ask, “How can I best love and glorify God within marriage?” The weightiness of marriage is why I always require extensive premarital counseling before I perform a wedding ceremony.

(2) We must obey God’s Word regarding marriage.

Marriage was instituted by God (Gen 2:24). Marriage was the first institution of God – before government, before the church. Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mark 19:9). We should hold to the biblical standard on marriage: one man and one woman who are faithful and committed to one another for life who are willing to forgive one another when they have been sinned against.

(3) We must obey God’s Word regarding divorce and remarriage.

Christians should always seek reconciliation rather than initiating a divorce (1 Cor 7:10-15). There are times when couples need to separate due to physical abuse. This is not the same as pursuing a divorce. If a Christian is married to an unbelieving spouse, he or she may allow the unbelieving spouse to leave the marriage (1 Cor 7:15).

If you are divorced and single, I want to encourage you, based on 1 Cor 7:11, to seek reconciliation with your spouse if he or she has not remarried or to remain single if your former spouse is still living and has remarried. In 1 Cor 7, Paul talks about the benefits of singleness for Christian ministry.

If you have been divorced and you have remarried, seek forgiveness for the sin of adultery and then glorify God in your current marriage. Repentance in this situation does not mean divorcing your current spouse – it means that you acknowledge you were wrong the first time and are now committed to your new spouse.

I know these words are hard words, but obedience to God’s Word is more important than self-fulfillment, or even our own happiness.

(4) We should be thankful for God’s grace.

Even while we proclaim and stand upon God’s Word for marriage, we must also proclaim God’s forgiveness of sin and acceptance of sinners who confess and repent of their sin.

As a church, let’s emphasize the value of marriage and at the same time be careful not to stigmatize and shame those who have divorced and/or committed adultery. Those who have divorced and/or been remarried are not second class citizens in the kingdom of God. Divorce and adultery are not unforgivable sins (1 John 1:9).

As your pastor, I will always encourage you to stay married. As a church, we will always walk with you during difficult situations in marriage with a view towards repentance and reconciliation.

This morning, I’ve done my very best to be faithful to Scripture and the words of Jesus. I know I haven’t exhausted the biblical texts on the topic of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. If you want to read more about divorce and remarriage in Scripture, I encourage you to read the verses I’ve listed on the back of your bulletin as well as the book I mentioned.

Verses Referenced or on Bulletin

  • OT – Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 24:1-4
  • NT – Matthew 5:31-32, 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, 39

Suggested Book

Divorce & Remarriage: A Permanence View by Wingerd, Elliff, Chrisman, and Burchett (Available for free here)

Holiness or Hell? – Mark 9:43-50

October 9, 2023 /

Sermon text: Mark 9:43-50

Sermon Video

Outline

Disciples of Jesus do not treat sin casually (43-48)

Disciples of Jesus will be refined continually (49-50)

Summary

Have you ever invited someone to your church’s worship service? If you have, perhaps you have had a reply like this: I won’t attend that church because it’s full of hypocrites. Whether or not this person’s assessment is accurate, he or she recognizes that Christians should not be hypocrites. Christians should live out the faith the claim to possess. In a sentence, Christians should be holy because God is holy. Jesus addresses this with his disciples in our text today.

Jesus very clearly tells his disciples sin leads to hell. Therefore, his disciples must fight their sin – not because they can earn their salvation but because they are to please God with their lives and have a purifying effect on those around them.

Jesus tells his disciples that if their hands, feet, or eyes cause them to sin then they need to tear them out or cut them off. Of course, the problem is not with our body parts but rather our hearts (Mark 7:20-23). Our hands represent what we do. Our feet represent where we go. Our eyes represent what we see. Jesus is using hyperbole to say that we need to take drastic measures to cut ourselves off from sin.[1]We know Jesus is speaking in hyperbole because the Bible forbids self-mutilation (Deut 14:1; 23:1). If we are not willing to follow Jesus in this way then we are in danger of hell (vv. 43, 45, 48).

Jesus is saying that you must separate yourself from sin or you will separate yourself from him. Jesus is not teaching salvation by works. We are not saved by our holiness. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. However, we must love Jesus more than our sin. We should hate our sin, battle our sin, and make progress against our sin. This is evidence that we truly have been saved from our sins.

Jesus speaks of hell in these verses. Jesus taught more about hell than anyone else in Scripture and he taught about hell more than heaven. Hell is described in v. 43 as a place of “unquenchable fire.” Verse 48 says in hell “their worm does not die and fire is not quenched.”

Elsewhere in Scripture, hell is called:

  • A lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:10, 14-15)
  • An eternal fire (Matt 18:8-9, 25:41)
  • A furnace of fire (Matt 13:42)
  • An outer darkness (Matt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30)
  • An eternal punishment (Matt 25:46)

Hell is a horrible place. If it takes you metaphorically cutting off your hand, foot, or plucking out your eye, then do it! Sin is not worth it the pleasure you receive from it. It may bring you pleasure and glory now, but the pain comes later. Jesus calls us to suffer now and then enjoy the glory later!

Are you willing to do whatever it takes to cut off a sin that you are struggle with? Is your sin worth going to hell over? If you love your sin more than Jesus, that is exactly where you are headed if you will not repent.

Regarding verse 49, I want to point you to Alistair Begg’s explanation. Putting the pictures of salt and fire together, it is through fiery trials (1 Pet 1:7, 4:12) that God would purify his disciples of anything contrary to his will. Through these trials, Jesus’ disciples will be salted with fire.

As the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13), we are to preserve it to some degree. We are to exercise a purifying influence on society. We should add the flavor (or we might say the aroma of Christ). This assumes, of course, that we are manifesting the purity of the gospel in our own lives.

When we live like the world and lose our distinctive qualities as Christians, we become like salt that has lost its saltiness. Salt that isn’t salty is useless. If we as Christians are not pure, how can we help purify our world. How can we help further God’s kingdom when we are giving ourselves to sin?

If we want to change our world through the power of the gospel, we must be marked by holiness.

How is your saltiness? Do you have a purifying effect with those who you come into contact with?

Friends, every day we closer to judgment day. One day we will stand before God and on that day, it will be revealed whether we’ve taken seriously Jesus’ call to discipleship.

Everyone will experience some kind of fire.

Believer, let the trials of this life lead you to God. Let his purifying fires burn away everything that keeps you from living for him.

If you are not willing to submit yourself to this kind of discipleship and holiness then you will experience the fires of hell.

Verses Referenced

Lev 2:13; Matt 5:13; 1 Pet 1:6-7; 4:12

References

References
↑1 We know Jesus is speaking in hyperbole because the Bible forbids self-mutilation (Deut 14:1; 23:1).
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