Women's Group - Mark 12:35-13:13

Introduction

Introduce myself

2 mins, ask me any question about myself and I will do my best to answer.

How this time will go

Background

Section by section of Jesus Teachings

Quick explanation

Easy Takeaway

Then we will dive into the last section of the reading for this week. It is probably the part that I assume is the most difficult to understand so I am going to try to break it down.

This is going to seem a little segmented and disconjointed because this section

Background

Triumphant Entry has happened.

Being asked tons of questions by the scribes, pharisees and spiritual leaders of the time.

Great Commandment.

Who’s Son is the Christ?

Mark 12:35–37 (ESV)

And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’

David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.

This comes right off the heels of Jesus just shutting the mouths of these religious leaders of the time. After he answered the last question, it says in verse 34, And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. So Jesus just keeps teaching!

This is Jesus proving that he is fully God and fully man. Using David’s own words to prove the scribes wrong. He is correcting their view of Jesus being fully God and still in the lineage of David.

He does it using the very words that all of these religious leaders know so well. These scribes, pharisees and spiritual leaders of the time, are all scholars of the Old Testament.

Here is one big application of this section: Jesus used the words of the bible to answer questions, so should we.

We need to know our bibles inside and out in order to be prepared to answer all of the questions that life throws at us. This is a lifelong process that never ends. I recently was reading a book called Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, he says this, If reading the bible can be compared to cruising the width of a clear, sparkling lake in a motorboat, studying the bible is like slowly crossing that same lake in a glass-bottomed boat. The point he is making is that when we slow down and really get to know the words of the Lord, there is so much depth to it, depth that helps teach us, correct us, and help us walk through the Christian life. 1 Timothy 3:16 says,

English Standard Version (Chapter 3)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

So if we want to be equipped to answer life’s toughest questions, just like Jesus, we need to be students of God’s Word.

Beware of the Scribes

Mark 12:38–40 (ESV)

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

In the temple, in what should be the house of God, the scribes have turned into a place that honors them. Jesus does not hold back. He speaks truth, the truth that those who claim to be spiritual leaders of this time are going to receive a greater condemnation if they live a life of selfish deceit and manipulation.

Here are two takeaways from this passage:

1. We need to examine the church leaders in our lives.

Now, I am not saying that they are these leaders are bad, or that they are living in sin like these scribes were. But what I am saying is that they are human. These scribes know the bible like the back of their hand and they teach it all the time, and still they live in this despicable way. So we need to be mindful of those teachers and leaders in our life. The New Testament, especially Paul’s letters, consistently preaches that we need to beware of false teachers and how big of a deal that it is that they know and preach the Word of God, but not only that, live like it.

2. We need to examine our own hearts.

We are all leaders, whether you think of yourself as a leader or not. We all have some area in life that we lead others, work, church, home, clubs, schools, you name it. We all lead in some way or another. Do you lead like a disciple of Jesus? Or do you live a life of self serving pride like the scribes?

It is so easy to point out the faults of the scribes and say, “wow, look how terrible they are. They are the worst.” But in reality, we are all sinners with a sinful nature. So we need to heed the warning that Jesus says here and examine our own hearts.

Here are two takeaways from this passage:

1. We need to examine the church leaders in our lives.

2. We need to examine our own hearts.

The Widow’s Offering

Mark 12:41–44 ESV

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

This whole section could be a sermon. In the temple, they were taking a tithe to support the church. There are many rich people who are putting in large sums, which is great. But there was one person that really stood out to Jesus. This poor widow who has given everything, everything that she has, she gave to the Lord. AND it is next to nothing compared to what the rich were given.

Some of the takeaways are obvious. Like that the Lord cares more about our heart while giving then the amount that we give. Or that we should give with all we have, not just when its easy. But I think the biggest thing that sticks out to me is the trust that she has that the Lord and His People will take care of her. This widow obeys the Lord, without second guessing, gives all that she has.

This incredible act of trust is one that is inspiring to me. One that convicts my own heart when I am greedy, but also encourages me when I look at this beautiful building, being able to get paid to reach students for the gospel, and even the generosity of those around me. Like the house I get the opportunity to live in, shout out Stephanie, the car I get to drive, the food I get to eat, everything is a blessing from the Lord. So we need to give it all back to the Lord, because it is all His anyway.

Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age

So we are going to move back into our last section, can someone read Mark 13:1-13?

Mark 13:1–13 ESV

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 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.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 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. “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. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 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. 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. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

So this is a fairly intense passage that sets up a whole section of Jesus speaking about His second coming. Now, I want to preface this section with this, I do not have the answers, I do not know for sure when Jesus is coming, I do not know if we are currently in a tribulation period, or if some of the seals that are stated in Revelation are open. Here is what I do know, I trust in Jesus. I trust in the words of Jesus and that his plan will one that is good for those who trust in Him to be the leader and forgivers of their life.

v 1-2

Mark 13:1–2 ESV

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 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.”

So the disciples say to Jesus, look how sweet this temple is! Look at how well built and pretty they are, so awesome right. And Jesus responds, When I come back? There will not be one bit of it left. Well okay then Jesus, show them who is boss. So the disciples, specifically Peter, James, John and Andrew follow up on this statement.

v 3-4

Mark 13:3–4 (ESV)

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”

So they ask a question that we have all asked since this time 2000ish years ago. So, when is this gonna happen? Like how are we gonna know when you are coming back?

Jesus answers them quite indirectly, but he gives them some very important instructions to follow as we wait for the second return of Christ. These instruction are incredibly important for us today as we still patiently wait for the Lord’s coming.

Jesus says,

Do not be deceived.

Do not be alarmed.

Do not be surprised.

Do not be anxious.

v 5-6 - Do not be deceived.

Mark 13:5–6 ESV

And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.

Do not be deceived! Just like he has said in the beginning of our reading today, there are so many religious leaders who are deceptive. They read and preach one thing, but live a life a self service. But more specifically, Jesus says that there will be more that come and say that I am Jesus. That they are the second coming. And that they will be influential, and they will lead many astray. So, followers of Jesus, sisters in Christ, let us not be deceived.

How are we to not be deceived? There are 2 ways.

1. Know who God is.

2. Know who your leaders are.

Just like we were talking about earlier, the way we are to know who God is, is to read His actual words about Himself. To study the bible. If you know Jesus, if you’ve studied the word, know his character, know the signs of his second coming.

And then secondly, we need to know who are leaders are. Do the spiritual leaders that you follow or listen to listen to God’s word first? Are they submitting to God’s will and commands, or are they self serving? We need to think deeply about the heart of those in leadership and examine them against God’s word, so we are not deceived.

Jesus continues,

v 7-8 - Do not be alarmed.

Mark 13:7–8 ESV

And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 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.

There are wars, there is famine, there is killing, there is natural disasters, there are nations that are feuding, the news is depressing and disheartening. But Jesus says that these are just the beginning of the birth pains. Now, I have never given birth, nor do I have any children. I probably do not have a full view of what that means, that this is just the beginning of these birth pains. But if this current world is just the beginning, oh boy. I do not have time to dive into Revelation today, nor is it a study on Revelation.

But here is what we do have to stand on for today. If Jesus says, Do not be alarmed, If the one who is coming and has planned all of this says to us as disciples of Christ, do not be alarmed. I am not going to be. Now, I realize that that is significantly easier said than done. We are surrounded by the terrible things of this world all the time. We carry it in our pocket, we talk about it with friends and family, and sometimes these bad things hit too close to home. But Jesus says, Do not be alarmed, trust me, I will take care of you.

He continues this caring posture through the rest of our reading for the day.

v 9-10 - Do not be surprised.

Mark 13:9–10 ESV

“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. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

He tells us to be ready, to be on our guard. Persecution will come, and is coming. But we need to be prepared. We can not be surprised when Jesus comes back.

In fact, he ends verse 10 by saying that the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. This is one of the only things that Jesus says to actually answer the question that the disciples asked about when he will return. And that is when the gospel has been proclaimed to all nations. There are 7 billion people in the world. Almost 3 billion people fall into the category of unreached, meaning that less than 2% of the population in their respective groups are Christians. Furthermore, there are over 3,000 Unengaged unreached people groups, meaning they have no churches, no believers, no missionaries and no one actively engaging them.

Romans 10:14–17 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

We need to go to those who have not yet heard. (repeat) Because if we do not go, who will. And how can they believe if we do not tell them. There are so many different groups of people that need to hear about the name of Jesus, so we have to go and tell them.

We want to be prepared for the Lord’s return, not surprised, so we need to get ready. We need to do that by going, praying, and giving towards mission work.

v 11-13 - Do not be anxious.

Mark 13:11–13 ESV

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. 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. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Lastly, Jesus tells us to not be anxious. This passage though, is filled with many anxiety inducing things. Persecution, children killing their parents, being hated by everyone, all terrible horrible things. But Jesus says what in verse 11, 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.

The Lord will take care of us because the Lord is in us. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave, if you are in Christ, lives in you.

So as you head into your groups today, I want you to not be focused on the details of when and where and how Jesus is going to come, because those answers are not here, not even his closest disciples knew. But what is important is to head the instructions of the Lord Jesus.

Do not be deceived.

Do not be alarmed.

Do not be surprised.

Do not be anxious.

But instead,

Trust God’s Plan

Be Prepared

Be Confident in the Power of the Holy Spirit

Lets Pray