Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro: After our flashback we now come to the return of the disciples from ministry.

What we see here in Mark is Jesus has discipleship plan in action:

Teach them

Send them

Have them Return

Report and evaluate

we see his plan in action throughout Mark, what we find here in our text is phase 4 of that plan.

Mark is also preparing us for the cost of discipleship by bracketing the story of John the Baptist between the disciples going out and the disciples returning he is linking mission & martyrdom, discipleship and death which is just a glimpse of

Another interesting thing we see is a comparison.

If you remember, two weeks ago we were given a glimpse into a palace party into the self proclaimed king Herod Antipas, at Herod’s party we see

a distinguished guest list

party is held in a palace

a lustful and lavish party

The selfishness of people

The pridefulness of people

The death of the greatest man to be born

I find it interesting that Mark places the feeding of the 5000 right here, right after Herod’s grand banquet.

I think Mark is trying to get us to see is you have seen how a self proclaimed king, Herod Antipas holds a banquet, let me invite to see the Banquet of God and let us learn from the Master.

We learn the master

places importance on rest

We will learn that Jesus is compassionate and we should be too.

Finally we will learn that Jesus is the Great Provider, but he also invites his children to participate.

I.Jesus Places Importance on Rest

Jesus has a specific discipleship plan for those who are his disciples, we see his plan throughout the book of Mark.

Teach Them

ShowThem

Send Them

Report & Evaluate

A. They Shared their stories

To report

Done

Teaching

To Learn

B. Jesus Now Teaches The Importance of Rest

Mark 6:31-

i. Fact #1 in this world the work will never be done

a. many were coming & going

b. no leisure even to eat

ii.

Fact #2 After a time of ministry/work Jesus says rest anyway

a. Come away

b. by yourselves

c. desolate place

d. rest

iii.

What does this mean for us?

a. Work is important, even values in the KOG.

There is no room for laziness.

b.

The same is true for the flip side, being a workaholic is a sin, even if it is ministry.

You are not God, you do not hold the world, the church or even your workplace in your hands.

There are times when we need to let go and rest.

c.

Rest is best with solitude and companionship.

Last week Nomi and I went out for our anniversary, it was just me and her solitude and companionship.

It was needed and restful.

Sometimes companionship is you and the Word, or you and a edifying book, or you and some other believers.

d.

In this world rest is not permanent.

e.

While you are resting be ready for ministry.

II.

Compassion

Mark 6:33-37

A. Compassion For Their Spiritual Need

Recognized & Ran

They Recognize Jesus & the disciples and run to catch him.

They are seeking Jesus right?

Do you only recognize Jesus and run to him for what you think he can give you?

Is your relationship with Christ more about what he can give you, than obedience and submission to the Lord of all things.

When they arrive to the shore Jesus sees them has compassion

like sheep without a Shepherd

We see this term in the OT

1 kings

Ezek 34:1-12

b.

Used when the people have no leader or inadequate leadership.

c.

Jesus comes and recognizes the void of leadership in Israel

Matt 23:37-

d.

Jesus has compassion on them because they have inadequate leadership

He began to teach

Notice the importance of Shepherding/teaching

the paralytic “your sins are forgiven”

Here again we see Jesus began to teach them

He places a priority on their spiritual need over the physical need

B. Compassion For Their Physical Need