They're Not Against Us

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Jesus rebukes his disciples for having an exlusive attitude and thinking anyone beside them has no right to Jesus or truth.

Notes

Transcript

I. Mark has “sandwiched” this discussion

A. This occurrence is between two statements about “little ones” in vv. 37 & 42

This identifies the pericope as parenthetical

B. This is part of the larger context on greatness, following the discussion of the disciples (cf. 34)

C. This discussion happens as a result of John responding to Jesus’ statement to receive the little child of v. 37

i. The issue being addressed is not the condition of the person in question, but of the disciples attitudes about themselves and others

John wants to know, “How should we treat others claiming to be part of you, but are not with us?”

II. We stopped him

A. He was doing things in your name

i. They imply that he had no right to be doing things in Jesus name, so they stop him

Did the disciples think that only they alone possessed the truth?

B. He is not one of us

i. He’s not part of our group

ii. He is supposed to be one of us

iii. Only we have the right to be doing things in your name

Did the disciples think that only they alone possessed the truth?

Were they jealous for Jesus’ sake or their own?

The enemy was no longer the demons, but those who weren’t part of their group

I.

III. Do not stop him

A. If the work is in my name, it can’t be done in opposition to me

B. If he is not against us, then he is for us

Conclusion

i. This is the maxim Jesus offers for situations like this, if someone is not actively against us, then they are with us.

C. The issue isn’t if the man should follow with them or not, but their attitudes toward him and concerning themselves

"Christians should rejoice in all the good done by others, whether they agree in all things or not. We ought to accept all teaching and practice by others that are authorized by Christ." (C.E.W. Dorris, Mark)

D. Things done in the name of Jesus will be rewarded

IV. Relation to other texts; we have to balance everything Jesus has said about things like this