Features of a Follower Part 1
class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>1) 6-7-09…AM...SBC 2) “Features of a Follower” (Part 1)
Mark 9:14-50
Introduction: Source: More Holy Humor p38
After church on Sunday morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, “Mom, I’ve decided I’m going to be a pastor when I grow up.” “That’s ok with us,” his mother said, “but what made you decide to be a pastor?” “Well,” the boy said, “I’ll have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to sit still and listen.”
Ø to follow someone’s model or pattern of living you must spend time observing that person and their life – just as the little boy observed his pastor standing and yelling he concluded that that is what preachers do
1- Theology simply means “the study of God.”
2- The assumption of theology is that, the more we observe Jesus, the more our lives will be patterned after his.
If our knowledge is going to fuel our zeal then we must learn that…
Proposition: A Christian is one whose life reflects the Redeemer.
Ø In this text we find 4 areas where our lives must reflect our Redeemer: Faith—Humility—Separation—Repudiation
· This morning we want to play a little game called Follow the Leader in the Gospel of Mark. If our life is going to reflect our Redeemer then we must first of all exhibit…
1) Faith v14-32
Summary of the Demon possessed boy
1- Jesus returns from Transfiguration—argument by disciples and religious leaders—lack of healing
2- The Father responds v17-18—Jesus inquires of the boys condition v20-22
A- Jesus makes two statements which are at the heart of his teaching to this crowd and the disciples
1- v19 – “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?”
a- the Father’s response to the disciples to perform this exorcisms is based on Mark 6:7
b- Jesus response emphasizes the characteristic cause of all spiritual failure—lack of faith in God[1]
c- Jesus is not indignant to the disciples but to everyone present due to their lack of faith
d- Jesus demonstrates that in light of His own trust and Faith in God the Father it was painful for Him to “put up with” those who lack this quality
2- v23 – “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.”
a- The text indicates that the disciples’ inability to expel the demon had shaken the father’s faith in Jesus’ ability.[2] – v22
b- Jesus says to the man, “The question is not whether I am able but whether you believe[3]
c- Jesus challenges the faith, because faith sets no limits on the power of God
Application: These two statements show us Christ’s demand for faith in the life of a believer
1- Salvation – faith is and always has been God’s requirement for salvation
· not faith in yourself and your own goodness or moral virtues
· not faith that you are going to heaven because everyone is a Christian and God is a God of love
· faith in the truth of the Bible that you are sinner in opposition to God’s ways of doing things and because of that sin you deserve death
· faith in Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and an unconditional surrender to His Lordship
Ø Maybe you think that that kind of faith and commitment is unreasonable – It is more reasonable than marriage
Ø Marriage is a commitment w/out condition—the love and trust each other in spite of what the future holds
Ø If humans can trust humans like this why can’t we trust God’s Son?
Ø I submit that it is more reasonable to commit oneself to the divine Christ than to the finest of human beings
Ø He will never betray or abuse our confidence and faith in Him
2- Jesus shows his faith in His Father in v19 – He had faith that Father was going to do all He said He would do
3- We are likewise called to Exercise faith in God to accomplish His ministry for His glory
· ministering in this church for years – maybe your discouraged
· maybe we need a good dose of faith - not that those who have gone before us lacked faith
· maybe we need to remind ourselves about what God is in the business of doing – granting faith for ministry
· do not underestimate the power of God – renew your faith in Him and watch ministry flourish
Transition: After teaching on faith and his own death and resurrection Christ goes on to educate the disciples on…
2) Humility v33-37
Summary of the Disciples Argument
1- Jesus and the disciples have now made their way back to Capernaum (Bible Geography)
2- They arrive and were relaxing in a house—Jesus addressed an argument they had along the way
3- As was his custom He used this as an opportunity to teach the disciples what the life of faith looks like
§ He didn’t ask because he didn’t know, but because he wanted to use it to teach them something
A- The disciples kept silent for they knew that the content of their discussion would not please their Lord v34
1- Their discussion was over who was the greatest ranking disciple – Motivation? Selfish Heart!
§ Position of rank were important to the Jews (Lk 14:7-11)
2- That lesson is this: their idea of what it means to be “great” must be changed—radically reversed.[4]
3- To be great is “to be last of all” by deliberate, voluntary choice – diakonos is used here not doulos
4- Christ then uses a child as an acted out parable – v36
§ Children were the least significant people in Jewish and Roman society
§ Jesus told them that they must welcome a child in the same way they would welcome Him as the Son of God is the same way they should welcome a child – the lowliest of people
Application: Jesus’ point was that in the kingdom ordinary human values are reversed. The paradox of the gospel is that the way of service—the way of Jesus himself—is the way to true greatness.[5]
Ø The one who follows Jesus in the way of the cross must live a life of sacrifice and service.[6]
Ø There is no limitation as to how much of a servant we are to be to others – no quota, no metric, no cap
Ø Our Greatness is determined not by status but by service (anonymously)
Ø Pride and Selfish ambition are present in every age – be a servant – no joy in anything else can match it
Conclusion to Part 1 – What does you Christianity look like?
1- Are you exercising faith in the ministries of this church for God to accomplish His ministry for His glory
· have faith that God will accomplish the task that he sent us out to do
2- True greatness is not that from a towering height we, in a self-congratulatory manner, have the right to look down upon all others; but in this, that we immerse ourselves in the needs of others, sympathizes with them and helps them in every way possible.[7]
Are you a follower that looks like a portrait or caricature of Christ?
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[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:144.
[2]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:144.
[3]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 349.
[4]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 357.
[5]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 150.
[6]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 150.
[7]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 357.