Sunday Sermon
sunday morning service 28th Feb 2010
Mark 5v21-43
Context: Jesus has just ventured over into a region of Gentile occupation and freed the demon possessed man from his captivity to satanic forces, leaving the man behind to witness for Him.
Following this he goes back across the water to the Jews and a large crowd gather v21.
That sets the scene for the events that are about to unfold.
The question that we will be looking at is how is the Christian to live in the face of difficulties:
1) we are to live by looking to Jesus:
a desperate father: “seeing Jesus he fell at his feet” v22-24
This man was an important man.
A synagogue ruler. Well know. He is spoken of by name.
But his importance gives him no protection from the difficulties of life.
His daughter is dying, there is nothing he can do! Helpless.
But! Jesus has just arrived back on shore!!
· Providential timing.
He left the Gerasenes without much delay. As always he was being led by the Spirit in his actions, and here in Gods timing he is met by a man in desperation.
Jairus “see’s Jesus”.
And then falls at his feet and tells of his need.
What a sight this must have been. A respected leader falling at the feet of this radical Rabbi!
But the man had faith. He believed in Jesus v23.
He knew that if Jesus laid hands on her she would be saved and made well.
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a) In Jairus we an example of how we are to live.
We have our problem. Real problem.
We then see Jesus, and fall on our knees before him to express our needs.
We trust him to deal with the situation.
b) In Jesus we see how God responds to our seeking him:
He listens to us and then goes with us in our problems v24.
Our faith gets Gods ear (Ps10v17).
The fact that he listens to us is the first comfort that our faith is rewarded with.
Then God comes with us in our difficulties (Deu31v6):
As we follow Him by faith, His presence is guaranteed.
2) we are to live by seeking Jesus:
a desperate woman: “daughter your faith has healed you” v25-34
As Jesus is dealing with Jairus, a woman comes along in desperate need.
She is at the other end of the spectrum from Jairus v25-26.
Being a woman would have automatically given her less rights.
Having her particular problem would have excluded her from all religious activity.
And on top of all that she was now destitute – having spent all her money.
A woman of no standing, no respect, no name, an outcast!
But she too was a woman of faith v27-28
She believed in Jesus, she knew that even just the touch of his garments would heal her.
Jesus knew that he had been touched too.
He searches for the woman and commends her faith v34
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This woman shows us that we are to live seeking Jesus v27.
The woman has her problem. Again a real problem. Not a passing nuisance.
She heard about Jesus! And goes to seek Him out.
She grabs him by faith. Trusting that just a touch is all she needs to be made well.
And the outcome is she is healed.
Most of us have heard a lot about Jesus.
We are to press on with that knowledge about Jesus to actually bringing our lives to him.
We are to seek Him personally. Get on our hands and knees and grab him!
How will God respond to this seeking?
God opens himself to our faith, he encourages our approach!
He allows our seeking him out and touch him!
No word of rebuke will be uttered towards those who reach out to Him in faith. (Jh6v37b)
3) we are to live keeping the faith!
the dead daughter: “fear not, only believe”v35-43
Following this interruption in the story news comes that the girl has died.
Her time had ended.
With that faith seems to be gone, “why bother the teacher any longer”!
As if death is the end! They think he is good but not that good!!
Jesus hears the news but encourages Jairus to continue in his faith v36.
They press onto the house and clear the area of mourners – would have been many due to the Jairus’s standing.
With the parents and the chosen disciples in attendance he raised the girl from the dead.
Immediately death is overcome and the girl is given back to her parents v42
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Finally we see the Christian is to live displaying Jesus.
We serve the God who has power over death!
Thus, we are called to believe regardless of the circumstances.
Faith will be challenged.
If we are serious in bringing our lives to God, in looking to Jesus and seeking him, then there will come times when our faith is put under pressure.
So how are we to live displaying Jesus to the world in such times of trial?
a) keep focused on Jesus. What he says is all important. v36.
the words of doubt are to be ignored
“Fear not! Just believe” v36
No matter how hellish the circumstance. The request is simple: don’t be afraid, keep believing!
b) then keep following Jesus v37.
All those who believe in death are sent away, only those who seek Jesus can follow.
No matter how grim the situation, faith follows Jesus.
c) And in the end miracles happen v42!
Such things are rare in this world, but we live in hope of Glory, of Resurrection Day!
sunday evening service 28th Feb 2010
Mark 6v30-45
Context:
In 6v1-6 we have Jesus returning to his home town and not receiving a very good welcome. The people are offended at him! They have so little faith that it amazes Jesus!
Yet in this hostile environment Jesus simply carries on with work of telling the Good News.
Then in v7-13 the disciples are sent out on their first ministry practice!
With the simplest of instructions and just the very basic human necessities.
But they go and have success – demons are cast out and people are healed.
However, there is no note of a response to their Repentance message.
Then in v14-29 Mark goes back and tells what happened to John the Baptist.
He tells us now because the work of Jesus and the disciples had created such a stir that Herod thought that it was John the Baptist raised from the dead!!
Then in v30-45 following the disciples ministry they go off to get some quiet time but the crowds follow. Jesus has compassion on them, so he teaches them many things.
Then time passes and the disciples want the crowd to go. Jesus tells them to feed the crowd, then with the 5 loaves and 2 fish, he feeds the 5000. Then forces the disciples away as he dismisses the crowd.
Then in 46-56 Following the feeding of the 5k Jesus goes off to pray. The disciples try to cross the sea. Jesus walk out to them. They are terrified then Jesus courage – I am – fear not!! Then they get back to public life – Jesus heals many. Immediately people come to Him!!
What do we see of Jesus in all of this?
1) we see him as the cause of offence v3
Everyone had an opinion about Jesus whilst he was on earth!
Some loved him, some feared him, some wished him dead!
But when he goes to his home town – literally the home of his father – the people cannot bear him! His teaching amazes them, the wonders he has performed make them wonder but in the end they take offence at him!
They know him and his family so they cannot accept that he is the Messiah!
He becomes the cause of their stumbling! “skandali,zw”
In the end Jesus is amazed at their lack of faith! What a sad reflection.
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Jesus does not shy away from rejection.
We should not fear the various responses that people may have to Him.
But what we need to be careful of is our presentation of Jesus.
We do not want people rejecting Jesus unless they are rejecting Jesus!
Not rejecting him because of some secondary issue.
The gospel itself is to be the cause of offence, not our personalities or attitudes!
2) we see him as the Great Shepherd v34
Following the mission of the disciples and the great response to their work, Jesus takes them away on a nice relaxing sail across the lake again!
But when they get to the other side a massive crowd is there to greet them!
The disciples have not had enough rest. The lessons of their mission had not sunk in, but there is no more time to rest.
Jesus get to the shore and has compassion on the crowds!
He is moved by the sight of all the people!
Why such an emotional powerful response? Because they were lost!!
Like sheep without a shepherd.
And what does he do to solve their lost condition? He teaches them!!
The people are lost because they do not know the truth! So Jesus teaches them.
Then he addresses their physical needs to with feeding of the 5000!
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Our faith is based on knowledge, understanding and fact!
Faith is not mere belief, not a leap in the dark!
Faith grows the more we come to know and understand.
The Great Shepherds role is to bring us understanding, to bring us light and truth!
What are we to do for the great lost world all around us?
Bring them the truth!
What truth? That there is a compassionate Saviour who is moved by their lost state!
And we are to do that in the context we find them.
If there is a physical need that we can address then we must address that too.
Telling about the compassionate saviour and ignoring the physical need just does not work.
That is the kind of thing that creates a stumbling block that is not the gospel itself!
3) we see him as the Great I Am v50
· The great I Am dismisses the crowds v45.
Note the full ministry of Jesus seen here. The small task of turning off the lights as it were! Making sure everyone gets home! And this as the great I Am!
· The Great I Am prays v56
Again a verse that gives an insight into his personal prayer life.
After all the ministering and activity He needs to be alone with the Father!
· He watches v48.
But as he is alone with the Father, he is bringing the needs of the disciples to the Father.
He is watching them struggle at sea!
· He walks on the water and reveals himself v48,50.
Then he goes to them, to at last give a full disclosure of his being to the disciples!!
Previously at sea, when they were about to drown, they asked “who can this be” when Jesus had calmed the seas.
Now he answers that question!!
They are terrified as they see him walk on the water!
The disciples had witnessed and been involved in so much before, even just hours ago!
But the miracle with the bread still did not open their hearts to the truth!
They still could not see the true identity of their Teacher! They were still watching, still unbelieving!
So he says : “courage, I Am, fear not”!
He was not simply saying “it’s only me”! he was revealing his glory to them!
They received the same answer that Moses was given: I Am who I Am!!
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What a Saviour is ours!
He is God, the Great I Am. Yet as God he serves us! He does the small things – dismissing the crowd, he prays for us, he watches us, he comes to help us in our time of trouble!
