Jesus is Amazing! So What?!

Title: Jesus is Amazing! So what?!

Text:

Series: Book of Mark

Introduction:

The human penman

The irony of a servant/authority, especially for the original readers

Illustration:

Author Tara Campbell sets forth a character by the name of Charlie Reardon who has been marred to Alice for 20 years but now wants to end the marriage, but Charlie doesn’t want to lose anything in the divorce.

Charlie’s elaborate plot involves Harry Munson (security company individual)

Charlie comes home the night he should find his wife dead

Only to have Harry attack and stab him

The plot of his wife with Harry

Similarly to this twist, this Servant is the central figure of the account in Mark and he has a unique authority.

Note the amazement of the people -

If Jesus is who you say He is, what does He deserve? Are you amazed about who Jesus is?

Proposition: If Jesus, as a servant, possesses unique authority, then we must obey Him.

When we are given commands, we have a few options:

(a) we can disobey

(b) we can blindly obey

(c) we can reasonably obey -

Illustration:

I was with friends not too long ago, and one of the parents said to the young child, “It’s time to go to bed.” What did the child ask, “Why?” The parent proceeded to give the child several reasons.

Here, in this passage we are not called to blindly obey. The reason for obedience is clearly given.

Are you willing to obey Jesus, if He really proves Who He is?

The unique Servant & His authority is displayed

(1.) The calling of the disciples - the cost of obedience (v. 16 - 20)

(a) The uniqueness of this approach - Master to disciples (v. 16 - 17)

(b) The increasing weight of Christ’s expectation - nets, Father & servants (v. 18 - 20)

Their response tells us something of the authority of Jesus.

Application:

Consider the cost of obedience to Jesus Christ. ,

Illustration: [PICTURE ON OVERHEAD] 63 years ago on Jan. 8, 2019, Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian went through The Gates of Splendor as missionary martyrs for Christ!

Is this the Jesus you followed when you were saved or was He just someone keep keep us from Hell?

Transition: Jesus displayed His unique Servanthood and authority in the calling of the disciples.

(2.) The commanding of the demon - the contrast with human dominance (v. 21 - 28)

(a) The authority of Jesus doctrine (v. 21 - 22)

(b) The recognition by the demon (v. 23 - 24)

(c) The focus or temperance of Jesus (v. 25 - 28)

Jesus was on unique mission (to fish for men) that engaged certain aspects of his authority and not others.

Illustration: I have had the privilege to go on two different kind of deep sea tours. The first was a deep sea fishing trip. The second was a whale watching trip. Could you imagine if I got things reversed. If on the fishing tour I brought binoculars for watching and on the watching tour I brought equipment to fish.

Jesus was really clear on His mission in this endeavor. While he could have done one thing, He opted for precision.

Application:

Contrast this with human dominion.

Transition: Jesus displayed his unique servanthood and authority in the calling of the disciples and in the commanding of the demon....

Jesus displayed his unique servanthood and authority in the calling of the disciples and in the commanding of the demon....

(3.) The care for the diseased - the cause for deliverance (v. 29 - 34)

(a) Peter’s mother-in-law

(b) All others

Application:

Why was she delivered? To enable her to serve.

Transition: Jesus displayed his unique servanthood and authority in the calling of the disciples and in the commanding of the demon, the care for the diseased....

The unique Servant & His authority obeyed

(1.) The meaning of obedience must be examined

Obedience is the test of faith.

* There is obedience to the call in salvation

* There is obedience to the call in service

FCF - “Is He really worth it all? ---> Get to Christ and how through Him we are able.

(2.) The mastery by the Savior must be evaluated

There is a discipline or a temperance that should characterize the follower of Jesus Christ. We say no to certain things, even good things, for the sake of the priority that Christ has for us.

FCF - “Can this really work? ---> Get to Christ and how through Him we are able.

(3.) The ministry to others must be enacted

By love we are to serve one another.

FCF - “Am I really able?” ---> Get to Christ and how through Him we are able.

Conclusion: