“If Jesus was only born and died, Christmas is merely inspirational, but because he was resurrected, Christmas is transformational.”
The resurrection story feels a lot like Christmas…
Mark 16:1–8 (ESV) 16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Resurrection feels like Christmas 1. A Joseph and Mary 2. A repurposed place 3. Surprises -A Full womb -An Empty womb 4. Angels are present 5. Fear and Assurance Angel comforting Mary: Luke 1:30–33 (NIV) 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Angel comforting Mary’s Mark 16:6 (ESV) He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.
6. The Good News Spreads Luke 2:17–18 (NIV)17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Mark 16:7-8 (ESV) But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:15(ESV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Our Response: 1. Believe the news: the best gift we can receive. The message of Christmas: Incarnation: “The eternal takes on mortality only to reclothe himself with immortality so that mere mortals can take on immortality.”
2. Spread the News: the best give we can give.
————— Additional Reading: The Resurrection of Jesus:Matt. 28:1–8; Luke 24:1–9 The Appearances of Jesus:Luke 24:13–48; John 20:1–10 The Ascension of Jesus:Luke 24:49–53; Acts 1:9 The Christmas Story: Matthew 1&2 Luke 1&2
5 points of suffering Jesus faced. 1. Bound Mark 15:1–5 (ESV) And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. 2. Rejected Mark 15:12–15 (ESV) 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
3. Mocked Mark 15:16–20 (ESV) 16 They called together the whole battalion. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
4. Condemned Mark 15:24–32 (ESV) 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.
5. Felt Abandoned Mark 15:33–39 (ESV) 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” How is his suffering Good, Good News? 1. Because he was bound, we can experience freedom. 2. Because he was rejected, we can experience acceptance. 3. Because he was mocked, we are affirmed. 4. Because he was condemned, we can be saved. Mark 15:31–34 (ESV) 31 The chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying,“He saved others; he cannot save himself.32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him
“He could have come down and saved himself; instead, he remained on the cross to save us.” John 3:16–18 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
5 . Because he experienced abandonment, we have access. Mark 15:37–38 (ESV) Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Jesus provided full access.
Romans 5:17 (NLT) For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Additional Reading: Pilate Tries Jesus: Matt. 27:1, 2, 11–23; Luke 23:1–5, 13–23; John 18:28–19:15 Jesus is Beaten: Matt. 27:26–34; Luke 23:24–32; John 19:16–22 Jesus is Crucified: Matt. 27:35–56; Luke 23:33–49; John 19:18, 23–30 Jesus is Buried: Matt. 27:57–61; Luke 23:50–55; John 19:38–42
Mark 14:3–9 (ESV) 3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that?5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
Mary’s Offering... 1. Pure. 2. Costly. 3. Broken. 4. Poured out. It didn’t just cover Jesus it filled the room.
It was Beautiful
It was Remarkable
It was Memorable
Fragrant offerings are often criticized. “There will always be somebody who will say your offering to Jesus should be spent in another way.”
“In her offering, she was preparing a place for his purposes to be carried out.”
Mark 14:32–42 (ESV) 32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Jesus’ Beautiful Offering 1. Pure 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2. Costly Destiny ain’t always easy. Jesus paid full price.
1 Peter 1:18–19 (NLT) 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
3. Broken The garden prepared him for the grave.
4. He was poured out.
Mark 14:22–25 (ESV) 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Mark 13:1–13 (ESV) 1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Mark 13:19 (ESV) For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.
Exhortations in this age and in the age to come. 1. Be Watchful Mark 13:28–37 (ESV) 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
There is a difference between being awake and being alarmed.
Stay awake and you won’t be alarmed.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 (NLT) You aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
2. Stay Faithful Mark 13:13(NIV) You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
“If God’s Love can’t motivate you now, fear won’t sustain you then.”
Faith-Full not Fear-Full. “ Any Eschatology that is rooted is fear is pathetic not prophetic.” Romans 14:23 (ESV) Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
“God I want to be found faithful in this hour and in the hour to come.”
3. Live Hopeful For those who are His, The End is good, good news!
Mark 13:24–27 (ESV) 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NLT)16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. Mark 13:31(ESV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
His Words:
To be with us always (Matthew 28:20)
To comfort us(Matthew 11:28)
To resurrect us(John 11:25)
John 16:33 (NLT) Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Additional Reading: Questions from the Disciples: Matt. 24:1–3; Luke 21:5–7 The Abomination of Desolation: Daniel 9, 11, 12) The Tribulation: Matt. 24:4–26; Luke 21:8–24 The Second Coming: Matt. 24:29–31; Luke 21:25–28 Parable of the Fig Tree: Matt. 24:32–35 Exhortation to Watch: Matt. 24:36–51; Luke 21:34–36
1. Jesus rebukes a fruitless tree Mark 11:12–14(ESV) 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
We are not called to a fruitful season but a fruitful life.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT). 7 “Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Our fruit is not dependent upon our season but on our depth.
2. Jesus cleans a fruitless temple Mark 11:15–18 (ESV) 15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.
Prayer had been replaced with profit. Jesus is re-establishing purpose!
3. Jesus teaches on fruitful prayer Mark 11:19–25 (ESV) 19 And when evening came they went out of the city. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Fruitful Prayer 1. Have Faith in God
The lack of fruit from prayer is often the lack of root in prayer.
John 15:4–7 (NLT) 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
Fruit is not forced; it is yielded. 2. Say to this mountain -Identify mountains: Distractions / Hindrances.
We focus on hindered prayer, but What is hindering you from prayer?
Jesus identifies the mountains of Doubt and Unforgiveness.
- Speak to the mountain
We don’t ask mountains to move we tell them to move
Mark 10:17–22 (ESV) 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 1. He had good intentions 2. He was asking the right questions 3. He was doing all the right things 4. He lacked one thing 5. He went away sad.
Surrender is a great idea until it actually costs us something. How often do we treat requirements like requests?
Mark 10:23–28 (ESV) 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, “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.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”
Mark 10:46–52 (ESV) 46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Learning from the least Mark 10:31 (ESV) Many who are first will be last, and the last first.
1. Listening is critical.
Listening to Jesus is hearing and heeding.
2. Hunger is everything, so get it right.
3. Everything is a small price to pay What I have isn’t worth keeping if it costs me more than I am lacking!
Mark 9:14–10 (ESV) 14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” The environment…. 1. Drama 2. Demons 3. Disappointment
Other things going on with the Disciples in Mark 9 The Disciples Dilemma 1. They were powerless Mark 9:28-29 (ESV) His disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” They were powerless because the were prayerless. “You are only as powerful as your prayer life.”
2. They were promotion conscious Mark 9:31–32 (ESV) 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and we’re afraid to ask him.
The main mission was death and resurrection.
Mark 9:33–35 (ESV) 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” “If serving is below you, then leading is above you.” “It’s God’s job to promote; it’s our job to give ourselves fully to whatever He places in our hands.” James 4:10 (ESV) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. “Sadly, for most being great in God's eyes is simply not enough.”
3. They were partial/ tribal Mark 9:38–40 (ESV) 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us.
4. They lacked pruning Mark 9:43–48 (ESV) 43 if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
... Mark 9:20–29 (ESV) 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Encountering Interventions 1. Ask. 2. Believe the impossible. “Yes must become our default when mentioning the impossible.” 3. Position your trust. Vulnerable trust is bold faith 4. Pray Again.
Ministry:
Additional Reading: The Transfiguration Lk 9:28–36 Mt 17:1–13 Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit: Mt 17:14–19; 22,23; Lk 9:37–45 Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time: Mt 18:1–5; Lk 9:46–48 Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us Lk 9:49,50
Mark 7:7–9 (ESV) 7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!
Jesus is exposing motivation.
They were honoring tradition over people.
They were honoring tradition over God
Jesus was saying “You have clean hands but your hearts are filthy.”
“Being traditional doesn’t make you moral.”
Mark 7:14–23 (ESV) 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Matthew 12:35 (NLT) A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
They had made up their mind about God….based upon their tradition.
You may not have methodical practices or rituals but you have trending mindsets—predetermined ways of viewing the world, viewing others, of viewing God.
Reforming our inner-man 1. Re-think thinking
“Having a strong mind is not the same as a stubborn mind.”
A weak mind is one that is un-willing to change. “Hard-Hearted”
“We must unlearn what we have learned.” -Yoda
“In the Kingdom, repentance is always at the threshold of what we are coming into.”
Think about your thoughts….
Don’t dismiss all your thoughts, ask questions about them.
“Why am I thinking this way?”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2. Renew & Reform patterns Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
"That the way that you feel is determined by how you think."
3. Re-learn what you have leaned
4. Reconnect and realign Encounters will reconnect and realign our inner-man. Mark 7:31–36 (ESV) 31 He returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
Ephphatha: What comes into man, the way we hear. What comes out, the way we speak.
Ministry: Ephesians 3:16–17 (NLT) 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Mark 3:7–15 (ESV) 7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him.9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. 13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. …
1. Jesus had circles. -Community: Knew Jesus publicly. -Crowd: Knew Jesus socially. -Committed: Knew Jesus privately. -Core: Knew Jesus intimately
2. Intimacy is his highest value. “He is a relational creator.”
John 15:15–16 (NIV)15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
3.Relationship > Assignment Mark 3:15 (ESV) 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach...
“Working FOR God typically involves working apart from God.”
John 6:28–29 (NIV) 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” “In the Kingdom, relationship is the greatest accomplishment.”
4. Some won't stick Mark 3:20-22 (ESV) 20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
John 6:66–68 (ESV) 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…”
Are you with him? You are as close to him as you want to be. “Following Jesus closely is costly.”
Mark 3:25 (ESV) If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Jesus desires undivided devotion.
Mark 3:31–35 (ESV) 31 His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
——————— Additional reading:
Crowds Follow Jesus: Mt 12:15,16; Lk 6:17–19
Jesus Appoints the Twelve: Mt 10:2–4; Lk 6:14–16; Ac 1:13
Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law: Mt 12:25–29; Lk 11:17–22, Mt 12:46–50; Lk 8:19–21
Mark 2:1–11 (ESV) 2 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
“Jesus was doing more than performing a miracle, he was making a statement.” “Jesus is always making a statement.”
Jesus is revealing his identity. 1. The discerner of hearts
2. The forgiver of sins “Jesus turns sinners into sons.”
3. The Son of Man Daniel 7:13–14 (NLT) 13 I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
“Only 1/3 of those that identify as Christians affirm that Jesus is God.” - Lifeway research March 2020
“If you don’t believe Jesus is God, then you are serving a different Jesus, one that is unable to save you.”
Jesus is one who with two whats. A Human Nature & A Divine Nature
4. The great physician Sickness is not always the cause of personal sin but is a result of original sin. John 9:2–3 (NIV) 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
5. The rewarder of faith Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Mark 2:27–3:6 (ESV) 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” 3 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
……………………. Jesus heals and forgives a friend: Mt 9:2–8; Lk 5:18–26 Jesus on fasting: Mt 9:14–17; Lk 5:33–38 Calling of Levi, a friend of sinners: Mt 9:9–13; Lk 5:27–32 Lord of the Sabbath: Mt 12:1–9; Lk 6:1–11
Mark 1:1–11 (ESV) John the Baptist Prepares the Way 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The Baptism of Jesus 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
"Before Jesus preached a message, produced a following, or performed a miracle, He was affirmed and approved by his father!”
Mark 1:14–15 (ESV) Jesus Begins His Ministry 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus comes preaching “Before he brought a work or a wonder, He brought a word.”
1. The time is fulfilled Mark 1:14–15 "The time promised by God has come at last!”
2. The Kingdom of God is at hand “The Kingdom is here because the KING IS HERE!” Matthew 20:28 (NIV) The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
How do we respond to it? How do we receive it? 3. Repent Matthew 4:17 (NLT) Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” A Deep and a fundamental shift in thinking.
“Change your mind, change your life.”
Matthew 3:8 (NLT) Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
4. Believe Put faith in: Entrust. John 3:15 (ESV) Whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
5. The Gospel. “Evangélion” “Jesus didn’t just preach the gospel He is the Gospel!”
Mark 1:35–42 (ESV) 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. 40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
Additional reading:
John The Baptist: Mt 3:1–11; Lk 3:2–16, Isa 40:3
Jesus Baptism: Mt 3:13–17; Lk 3:21-22
Temptation of Jesus: Mt 4:1–11; Lk 4:1–13
Jesus Calls the Disciples: Mt 4:18–22; Lk 5:2–11; Jn 1:35–42
Jesus drives out an unclean spirit: Lk 4:31–37
Jesus heals a man with leprosy: Mt 8:2–4; Lk 5:12–14
