Sunday Sermon
sunday morning sermon 21st March 2010
Mark 9v14-29
Intro : this is the 4th and last case of exorcism that Jesus performs in Marks Gospel.
The scene is set v1 – post mountain experience, back to disciples arguing with scribes.
The scribes were experts in Jewish Law. What would they have been arguing about?
Simply taking the opportunity to muddy the waters over a seeming failure in the disciples work, thus bringing the whole ministry of Jesus into disrepute.
The theme that dominates the whole picture though is the Presence of Jesus.
So the question we will ask is how can we live in that Glorious presence.
1) the amazing and attractive Presence of Jesus v14
a) they are greatly amazed at Him!
Was there something more to Jesus on this occasion – did he still have the afterglow of Transfiguration?
The only other place where the word is used is in MK16v5.
Or was it simply that his presence was amazing? Or was it the perfect timing of his appearing? Whatever the case they are amazed at Him!!
b) they run to him! (Mk 10v15)
his appearance is utterly attractive, the crowds run to him!!
App
Our aim must be to make the glorious presences of Jesus a reality in our own lives so that the world will be attracted to him and run to him.
So how can we live in the glorious presence of Jesus?
1) V19 the first thing we need is faith! We need to believe He is here!
And if He is here, then everything we do is worship in His presence.
That is we do all that we do, for him! That’s worship.
2) Living in such a way will also help us in our fight against sin, for we cannot easily sin, if we are worshipping – doing all things for Him.
As we seek to cultivate that in a disciplined manner then we will live in his presence constantly! But it will take great effort of will to keep remembering him, and doing everything, for him, as worship!
So why?
Apart from the obvious personal benefits, others will be drawn to the Jesus they see in us.
We will be evangelising!
And that is why we are here, that’s why we are left on the earth, to spread the Good News.
2) the father and son
Jesus wants to know what the argument is about, so the father steps forward.
Obviously they were arguing about the particular case!
V17-18 the father describes the case and the fact that the disciples could not help!!
The situation prompts the scolding word, most probably directed at the disciples v19.
He is not wishing to leave but longing that they would be quicker to learn!
V20-22 then the boy is brought forward for his consultation with the Lord.
The father then challenges the Lord – v22!
I picture Jesus being quite amused at this question!!
He responds v23, if you believe! Not, if Jesus can, but if you can!!
All things are possible for those who believe!
The father responds well - I do believe, come to the aid of my unbelief!!
Then the healing is given v25-27. The boy is raised to life – resurrection picture.
App
Again let’s ask how can we live in the presence of Jesus?
· Bring everything before Him. Live conversationally before Him!!!
That is pray (1Thes5v17). Prayer is: Phil 4v6, Eph 6v18 etc.
1) all our problems are issues for prayer
The man’s son was obviously his problem.
Everything is an issue to be worked out before the Lord in prayer.
2) as are all our loves.
The man’s son was obviously his love.
We have loves and good things in life, all have to be prayed over.
3) all our failings too are for prayer.
The man’s lack of faith he brought to the Lord!
Why bring everything before the Lord?
Because we can always expect his compassion to be shown towards us as we pray.
And as we pray, conversationally before the Lord, we will experience his closer presence in our lives.
3) the Debrief : disciples and Jesus v28-29
The disciples are in confusion over this case!
They don’t understand why they could not do the business! Why they couldn’t cast it out!
The reason was that this was an unusual case!
This kind could not be cast out in the usual way – which was by simply commanding in the name of Jesus.
This kind could not be approached directly but only by going through God, in prayer!!
App
Again how can we live in God’s presence?
a) by seeking to learn from our experiences
we do that by going through a daily debrief with the Lord.
By asking Him why such and such happened.
At the close of the day seeking to reflect on how we have lived in his presence.
All for the sole purpose of growing and cultivating a close walk with the Lord.
We don’t need to worry about rebuke either – if we are to face discipline it is for our good!
But even here in a case of seeming failure there is no obvious rebuke.
b) by waiting patiently on Him for the work to be done.
Some situations require prayer and waiting for God.
The disciples could not cast out the evil spirit on this occasion, it was a special case!
Sometimes after we have done all we can, we simply have to pray and wait for God to act.
And what a great relief this is too much of our situations in life today!
How we would long for greater gospel impact in our society today. How we would love for a resolution to many of our problems but we can’t seem to do anything!
We are stuck, impotent in the face of great problems!!
What are we to do, what can we do – talk to God, pray.........
And the effect of that is that we will be living in his presence!
His glorious irresistible presence!
sunday evening service 21st March 2010
Mark 9 v30-50
Following the amazing exorcism and symbolic raising of the boy from the dead in v14-29, Jesus then goes on to teach the disciples more about his mission. and in turn we will look at how we are to live on our mission, our life "on the way".
1) the work of Christ is our inspiration for life “on the way”. V30-32.
Jesus moves into private teaching sessions with his disciples.
And he teaches them about his death again!
Already they have been introduced to this teaching but they did not take it too well.
This time the teaching seems to focus more on the resurrection : and when he is killed after three days he will rise!!
But alas the disciples did not know what he meant and they were to afraid to ask!!
Previously Peter was emboldened to rebuke the Lord, but following his rebuke, “get behind me Satan”, no one is willing to speak up.
App
The Saviour came to die for us!
During our life on the way we need to keep coming back to this story.
· Jesus was killed!
Life for his followers will not be a bed of roses!
There will be troubles, temptations, persecutions!
· After three days Resurrection!
But following the trials there will be resurrection!
2) the shape of discipleship “on the way” v33-37
the disciples slowness to learn, requires that Jesus gives further teaching about true discipleship!
“on the way”! the new image for Jesus heading to Jerusalem!!
In this road, this path, this way, the disciples were engrossed not in the meaning of Jesus teaching but, in arguing who was the greatest v34!!
But Jesus knows, so he sits down and starts to teach them: another Kingdom Inversion.
The greatest is the person, who puts himself last, who serves all.
Just like before when Jesus spoke of losing yourself to save yourself!
The kingdom of the world and the Kingdom of God work in the exact opposite of ways!!
The example Jesus gives is the receiving of children:
In receiving a child with love and affection, for Christ, you receive Christ and God!
The child was the symbol of lowliness, of unimportance!
To serve the unimportant and overlooked is the true way of the disciple.
Not bickering about who is the best and the greatest!
App
What shape is our discipleship to take “on the way”:
The life of the disciple is all about serving in “Christ’s name” v37
Meaning that we do everything for him! On His behalf. We are in the Kings service.
Our lives are to be channels through which Jesus communicates to the world.
The greatest hindrance to this privileged work comes when we take our eye off the ball:
the core issue – the statement of v31.
The disciples lost the plot discussing greatness because they had taken their eye off the story! They were afraid and did not understand, but instead of trying to find out, they go off on a fantasy, a power trip!
The moment we take our eyes of the Cross and Resurrection, trouble will come!
3) how we are to view others “on the way”v38-41
John noted that they had stopped someone casting out demons in Jesus name because they did not think he was a follower.
But Jesus say’s let them carry on, for only mighty works can be done by real followers, they will not be able to speak against the Lord. If not against us for us!
Whoever helps a disciple because he is a follower of Jesus will not lose the reward.
Points to the generosity of the Giver!
App
Life on the way is open to all who want it!
This living for the king is open to all who so desire it!
We are to encourage everyone who is seeking this life “on the way”
The person who was casting out demons was not one of the 12 disciples.
But that did not matter. Whoever is not against us is for us!
· That is the gospel – do you want Jesus? He is freely available to you.
We are to have this magnanimous spirit towards others as we walk on the way!
4) Sin “on the way” has to be dealt with decisively 42-50.
a) if you cause a believing child to stumble there will be terrible judgement v42
the other side of that of course is that we should do all we can to encourage the faith of those who believe at a young age!
b) all causes of sin should be dealt with drastically and severely!!
sin is in fact terrible and requires drastic action:
· cut off hand...foot...eye... v43-48.
Why should such drastic action be taken?
It is better to lose parts of the body that cause sin than to lose your whole self in hell.
Better to sacrifice in this life than suffer hell in the next!
c)The work of judgement is after all a good work: v49.
(V49-50 are probably the hardest to interpret in Marks gospel, commentators give all kinds of ideas!)
Everyone will be judged, disciplined – salted. But that brings purity and flavour and preservation to life. Salt is good.
Fire purifies and gets rid of all the imperfections, salt preserves what is good.
App
We need purity on the way, we need holiness on the way.
But how?
We are to strike at the causes of sin, before we sin.
Mainly look for the physical causes – e.g. how we use our bodies, where we go with our bodies, what we watch with our bodies ....... don’t put yourself in the place where you will be tempted to sin! This self discipline may require drastic changes to our lifestyles but its worth it:
Because where there is a seeking after holiness there God will dwell.
And without holiness we will not see God! Heb12v14.
