5_12_2024 - Mark 3:13-30 - “Which Team Am I On?”

(Opening Prayer)

(Sermon Introduction)

Today we continue the gospel of Mark. We are planning to spend almost 2 years in the gospel of Mark. We are going to have mini-series to help break up our time in Mark and help us focus on the journey on both a macro and micro level. We want to understand what it truly means to “Build the Kingdom One Disciple at a Time.”

Today we begin our “Questions” series in the gospel of Mark.

(The Gospel of Mark Context)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke, make up what is referred to as the Synoptic Gospels.

The word Synoptic means “together they see.”

The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to in this manner because of their likeness, and similar content.

They record many of the same teachings, stories, and accounts from different perspectives.

The gospel of John is not considered a Synoptic Gospel primarily because it was written years later and recorded things that the other writers did not include.

The gospel of Mark is understood to have been written between 54-60 A. D. prior to the writing of Matthew, Luke, and John.

Scholars believe that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a guide as they wrote their gospels.

This is called the Priority of Mark.

The gospel of Mark was written by John Mark who was not one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

However, it is believed that the Apostle Peter is the source for the material for the gospel of Mark as Peter discipled John Mark.

(Disciple Definition)

The word disciple refers to a learner, a pupil, or a student.

3101. μαθητής mathētēs, math-ay-tes´; from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil:— disciple.

James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

(“Questions” Series Set Up & Tension)

Our first series in the book of Mark was our “Follow” series that we finished just before Palm Sunday.

Today we begin our “Questions” series.

How important are questions?

Much of the information we gather in our everyday lives begins with questions.

Unfortunately, when it comes to our faith there can be a culture that promotes a lack of curiosity.

Over the years, the Church culture has shifted into a culture that discourages questions and questioning.

Sometimes we act as if asking questions will somehow water down the strength of our faith.

The Jewish culture of Jesus day was built upon questions.

In fact, Rabbi’s were known for teaching with questions rather than answers.

Over time the Church has developed “answers” to be disseminated among those who would claim belief in Christ.

In the American Church we can put more emphasis on teaching people all the right answers instead of cultivating a spirit of adventure that draws us to experience the God who is the answer to question that He encourages us to ask.

(Coaching and Powerful Questions)

Recently I completed the necessary training to become a Certified Christian Leadership Coach.

As part of the training I have received, I learned the importance of what we call, “powerful questions.”

Powerful questions are questions that cause us to pause, reflect, and respond with a greater understanding than we have before due to the nature of the question and the state of our cognitive awareness at the moment.

(Jesus and Questions)

Jesus was a master coach and asked questions to cause understanding and provoke transformation in those He was ministering to.

Numerous times in the gospels we see Jesus ask questions that confounded His hearers.

He also encouraged questions from His followers.

His questions are meant to unlock awareness and transformation in us.

(Scripture Reading)

Watch for the questions of Jesus as we read Mark 3:13-30 together today.

Mark 3:13–30 (NLT)

13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him.

14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,

15 giving them authority to cast out demons.

16 These are the twelve he chose: Simon (whom he named Peter),

17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”),

18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot),

19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.

21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.

22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked.

24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.

25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive.

27 Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

28 “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven,

29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”

30 He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”

(Synoptic Perspective)

Matthew and Luke’s account is very similar to that of Mark’s account.

However, the gospel of Matthew records some valuable perspective on Jesus understanding of fasting.

Matthew 12:22–37 (NLT)

22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see.

23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?”

24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.

27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.

28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.

29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.

32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.

34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.

35 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.

36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

(Sermon Title)

Today we have entitled the sermon “Which Team Am I On?”

(Coaching Angle)

Text

1. Text

Luke 9:49–50 (NLT)

49 John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.”

50 But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Mk. 3:29/Mt. 12:32)

In light of the context this refers to an attitude (not an isolated act or utterance) of defiant hostility toward God that rejects His saving power toward man, expressed in the Spirit-empowered person and work of Jesus. It is one’s preference for darkness even though he has been exposed to light (cf. John 3:19). Such a persistent attitude of willful unbelief can harden into a condition in which repentance and forgiveness, both mediated by God’s Spirit, become impossible. This person is guilty (enochos, “liable to, in the grasp”) of an eternal sin (sing., the ultimate sin because it remains forever unforgiven; cf. Matt. 12:32). Judas Iscariot (cf. Mark 3:29; 14:43–46) proved the reality of these words.

NLT Fire Bible Study Notes (Mk. 3:29/Mt. 12:32)

In

The religious leaders of the day were notorious for adding requirements beyond what Scripture actually said.

2. Text

(Obstacles to Transformation)

3. Text

(Pastor Stephanie on Keys)

(AgapeHOPE Family Systems)

(Reframe Me?)

As

(Sermon Recap)

“???”

1. Text

(Connection Card)

(Response)

(Invite Altar Team)

(Closing Challenge)

If you want to know more about repentance, water baptism, or the baptism in the Holy Spirit, please connect with us.

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (CSB)

24 “May the Lord bless you and protect you.

25 may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

26 may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” ’