A Growing Faith - Mark 6:7 - 31
Notes
Transcript
Is your faith in Jesus growing?
Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
Proposition: The faith of the followers of the Son of God must be a growing faith!
Proposition: The faith of the followers of the Son of God must be a growing faith!
(1) Jesus’ command is for the increase of the disciples faith in Him ()
(1) Jesus’ command is for the increase of the disciples faith in Him ()
(a) They are called, sent, and empowered by Jesus (v. 7)
(a) They are called, sent, and empowered by Jesus (v. 7)
This recognition is important. Could Jesus simply have empowered them without having any kind of interaction with them? Of course, but the call, the command, and the sending points to the mastery of Jesus Christ. Their mission is charted, and their Master has empowered them.
This also exposes the need of the disciples. The task for which they were serving was not one that could be accomplished without Him. They were impotent without Christ.
So it is with the followers of Christ today, it is quite clear that without Christ, we can do nothing; and our faith in Him must be an ever increasing one beginning by understanding that there are no rogue followers of Jesus. They all must first come to him.
(b) They are commanded in a way that they have to trust Jesus (v. 8 - 9)
(b) They are commanded in a way that they have to trust Jesus (v. 8 - 9)
The items listed: the pouch, the belt, the food are all prohibited for the purpose of teaching these disciples that they had to trust the word of Jesus for their provision.
Secondly, the taking of the staff was a reminder that this journey would not be without warfare (though it would be primarily spiritual).
Thirdly, the sandals on the feet was indicative of the transitory nature of their work and there seem to be indication of the Isaianic passage
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; That bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
…a passage that would be fulfilled in Christ’s coming and preaching, but now we see this modeled in the disciples.
So it is with the followers of Jesus who must ever be increasing in faith in Jesus Christ. All that is necessary for living and serving in the kingdom of Jesus has already been provided and now we are in warfare.... Consider
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Lastly, they are not to be weighed down by excess. (v. 9)
(c) Their habitation or dwelling would be decided upon by faith as well. (v. 10 - 11)
(c) Their habitation or dwelling would be decided upon by faith as well. (v. 10 - 11)
This is similar in fashion to Jesus Christ. With whom did Jesus reside? He resided with those who received Him.
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
In addition, those who would not receive them or their message of Jesus were responsible for their own decision. It was not the part of the disciples to bring punishment upon them for refusal of them or their message.
The seriousness of this judgment cannot be overstated.
RECAP: (1) Jesus’ command is for the increase of the disciples faith in Him
(2) Jesus’ disciples obedience is for the increase of their faith in Him (, , )
(2) Jesus’ disciples obedience is for the increase of their faith in Him (, , )
(a) Their obedience involved preaching and working (v. 12 - 13)
(a) Their obedience involved preaching and working (v. 12 - 13)
(3)
Of note, the message sometimes includes solely repentance and sometimes solely faith; but one presupposes the other in scriptures.
When Christ opened his public preaching ministry, we observe both are used here in . Thus, it is not a matter to fuss over. Eternal life is only received by repentance & faith.
There is no question that their obedience and consequent works would have increased their faith in Jesus Christ.
(b) No earthly power or ruler is left without culpability regarding their decision about Christ (v. 14 - 29)
(b) No earthly power or ruler is left without culpability regarding their decision about Christ (v. 14 - 29)
Herod was a king who also heard of Jesus (v. 14-15). The talk of Jesus prophet status could not be overlooked, but Herod had openly refused the condemnation of the law (v. 16 - 18).
Of interest, Herod had an appreciation for John, and he heard him gladly, yet he was perplexed; but the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes (v. 19-23), and the pride of life (v. 24-26) caused Herod to refuse the call of the OT scriptures (v. 27-29).
So it is, one might wonder, why would someone refuse the “good news” of this kingdom that is accompanied by so many works? It is the fact that repentance is required. Repentance requires that we admit our current sinful condition. Repentance requires a humility to accept all that the law says about us is true! Repentance requires we see our treacherous stance towards the kingdom of God. ().
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
We don’t want to miss the importance of verse 29. It would seem that the death of this soldier - John the Baptist - of the kingdom would be a blot against the power of Jesus. Instead, this shows us the cost of serving Jesus Christ and how worthy Jesus Christ really is.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
told us that John preached about one mightier than himself that was to come. As John’s body is laid into a tomb we cannot help but see how this points ahead to the body of the mightier one that would be laid into the tomb in . The mightier one would rise three days later.
In the end, no one is without excuse.
(c) There is an accountability to Jesus as their Master (v. 30 - 31)
(c) There is an accountability to Jesus as their Master (v. 30 - 31)
The sent ones worked knowing that they would give an account for what was done with the power and what was said. It was on the heels of this report that the Lord commended them to enter into rest.
One cannot help but be reminded of the authority of Jesus here, not just within the story but eternally. When the laborers of Christ are done, we will have a day of accounting and beyond that accounting an entering into a final rest eternally.
This, no doubt, increased their faith in Him because there would be the certainty of closure before Him. The NT writers well understood this: ,
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
RECAP: (1) Jesus’ command is for the increase of the disciples faith in Him (2) Jesus’ disciples obedience is for the increase of their faith in Him
(2) Jesus’ disciples obedience is for the increase of their faith in Him
Application:
Application:
Is your faith in Jesus growing?
(1) Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Sent One
(1) Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Sent One
As we consider Jesus as the Giver of the Command here, it is hard to overlook the fact that He is the Sent One from the Father. Consider
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
John
Jesus comes and in his public ministry, he did not have a place to lay his head. He lived an itinerant life, and He came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.
Ultimately, Jesus, on the authority of His Resurrection would give a final commission to his unbelieving disciples:
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
But, in this commission, He would empower them through the coming of the Holy Spirit, and they would go forth to boldly proclaim this truth.
Thus, if you are looking to grow in faith in Jesus, you must see Jesus for who He is.
Are you loving and relishing Him more?
Jesus is the Ultimate Sent One who came and He makes us to be sent ones.
Jesus is the Ultimate Sent One who came and He makes us to be sent ones.
(2) Jesus Christ’s message is clear for all unbelievers: (repent/believe) (v. 12)
(2) Jesus Christ’s message is clear for all unbelievers: (repent/believe) (v. 12)
A casual knowledge about Jesus does not make you one of His sheep. Jesus cares so deeply that you give your life to Him, that He was willing to give His blood.
Repentance means to have a change of heart that results in a true change of life. It is an about face. What is it that you must repent of? Repent of sin. “Sin” encompasses not merely all you have done, but it is who you are. You and I are sinners. This is in our nature.
Repent of your stance towards Jesus Christ. Repent of the fact that you have denied Him His rightful place in your life - that He is God.
You must have faith. Faith is belief. It is resting in the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He alone can save your soul. It is belief that Jesus died for your sins. It is belief that He was buried. It is belief that He was raised from the dead.
Have you repented and believed?
(3) Jesus Christ’s message is clear for all believers:
(3) Jesus Christ’s message is clear for all believers:
(i) our faith in Jesus Christ increases as his power continually reminds us of our need
(i) our faith in Jesus Christ increases as his power continually reminds us of our need
it is good to be reminded that Jesus is our Lord
it is good to come to Him in his word daily
it is good to allow His Spirit to teach us His word
it is good to come together to the place where Christ is lifted up - his church
it is good to come together in prayer
it is good to hear the testimonies of God’s work in the lives of others
it is good to hear the stories of Dvlin being saved and baptized and Ashley Sixt being saved and baptized and little Cameron being saved and baptized
it is good to hear the testimonies of the power of the gospel working in the lives of Christians
it is good to hear of how people within the body have loved one another
our faith in Jesus Christ increases as his power
Why? Because each of these stories show how the Lord is working. Each of these stories are things only He can do. And any time we see what only He can do, we are reminded how much we need Him. Our faith is challenged to continue to trust in Him more and more.
it is not merely a disservice to Christ and to yourself when you are not growing in faith in Christ - it is a disservice to the body.
(ii) our faith in Jesus Christ increases as we obey Him (He works, we see, faith grows)
(ii) our faith in Jesus Christ increases as we obey Him (He works, we see, faith grows)
Does the Lord want His followers to obey? Yes. What we find in this passage is that as they obey, there are wonderful things that take place - all by His power (v. 7). Obedience tests the power of God.
It is absolutely God’s intention that every Christian be living, teaching, preaching the gospel. This should be done as you are part of a team. You are partnering together with other followers of Jesus. It is not just “personal” soul-winning. It is evangelism, and we obey TOGETHER.
Take time to intentionally consider who, in your life, needs the gospel.
Utilize your time and resources for gospel-witness.
Allow your class activities to be places where unbelievers are welcomed and given gospel-witness.
Don’t allow, even the necessities of life, to keep you from this urgent obedience.
When rejected, know and make clear that judgment is of the Lord.
(iii) our faith in Jesus Christ increases as we remember that we must all give an account.
(iii) our faith in Jesus Christ increases as we remember that we must all give an account.
The NT scriptures are full of reminders that we will be with Jesus one day. This is exciting and sobering at the same time. It is good to continually live in light of this truth. This life is not the end. This life is barely the beginning. Remembering that Jesus is returning does three really important things:
(1) this truth comforts those Christians who have been treated unjustly [John the Baptist]
(2) this truth motivates those Christians who have been entrusted with the Holy Spirit and commissioned in Christ’s Kingdom
(3) this truth reminds us that there is a day of final reward and rest.
The faith of the followers of the Son of God must be a growing faith!
The faith of the followers of the Son of God must be a growing faith!
Illustration: Our church has recently been filled with new baby life. As one of the parents placed their 3 month only next to a newborn, they were surprised at how much growth had happened just in three months.
We would expect this to be the case and if not, we would expect that there may be something wrong.
There are those spiritually-speaking who have never been born again. You must come and give your life to Jesus Christ. Our prayer for you is that you would be truly converted. Then, there are those who are born again. Is your faith in Jesus Christ growing? Do you really love Him? Are you obeying Him?
