September 15 2019 My Devotion

September 15 2019 My Devotion Mark 3 OT Psalm 125:1-5 NT 1 John 2:15-17 The idea of devotion – Mark chapter 3 – Jesus casts out evil spirit – heals many people –preaches everywhere – heals leprosy – heals the paralyzed – explains questions asked such as fasting and the Sabbath – to this point in chapter 3 Verse 8 - The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. The same at the end of chapter 1 – he couldn’t be in public because of popularity Sometimes it is very easy to make the mistake of our desire over devotion. Some came even to the point where there needed to be a boat on stand by because the crowd which began to press in on Jesus would be so much it would crush him. They eagerly pressed forward to touch him. We too can be found acting the same way with eager desire – O Jesus this is my problem – it is so great – I need you now. I desire you to take care of this and I will come from far and wide to you until you meet my need. Early in the writings of Mark there is an interjection within the stories – people desire something from Jesus and then Mark writes chapter 1:23 23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil[h] spirit cried out, 24 “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. 26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. The same 1:34 But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. Mark 3:11  11 And whenever those possessed by evil[a] spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” 12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was. Can you name the 12 disciples? 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.[b] 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”[c]), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot[d]), 19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Jesus and the Prince of Demons 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,[e] 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.” Think about it – Family in this part of the story – it seems they may be looking out for themselves. But it also seems that Mark is setting up where true devotion lies with all individuals including family in devotion to Jesus. Jesus in the desert could easily be the strong man plundering the house of Satan. Satan easily tied up with the word of God as he tried to tempt the strongest of strong men Jesus. The True Family of Jesus 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers[f] are outside asking for you.” 33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” For generations we have been called for complete devotion to God and Jesus Joshual 24:24 16 The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. 17 For the Lord our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. 18 It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.” 19 Then Joshua warned the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you abandon the Lord and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you.” 21 But the people answered Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!” 22 “You are a witness to your own decision,” Joshua said. “You have chosen to serve the Lord.” “Yes,” they replied, “we are witnesses to what we have said.” 23 “All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God. We will obey him alone.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to follow the decrees and regulations of the Lord. 26 Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the terebinth tree beside the Tabernacle of the Lord. 27 Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the Lord said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.” 28 Then Joshua sent all the people away to their own homelands. We all have desire – where is the devotion Devotion in attending - press forward Devotion in prayer – what are you specifically praying for – do you have others joining you in those prayers Devotion in fasting – are you giving up which gives to time to hear and receive from God Devotion to supporting the work of the Savior in connection to the church Devotion to doing the will of God