The Lord of Worship - Mark 11:27-33

Mark 11:27-33 The Lord of Worship 2020-02-23 Walk in the truth and worship Jesus A home without a blueprint. Even the most able craftsmen, working independently, cannot build a proper house, unless they follow a master plan. Even the most structured and rigid class, placed into the hands of a fumbling substitute, will be slow to progress at best, and chaotic at worst. Scripture Passage: Mark 11:27-33 Last week Jesus walked into the classroom of religion and found it in chaos. He came to the house of worship and found disorder. Instead of true religion he found robbery. Instead of genuine worship he found deception. And it all comes down to a matter of authority. What plans are being followed? What rules have been established? What outline has been given? Rightful authority doesn’t hamper or hinder our worship, but enables and enhances our worship. It sets forth what is acceptable to the one being worshiped The Question of Authority (vv.27-28) 1. v.27 “And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him…” - This group makes up a representative group of the Sanhedrin. Whether this was an official delegation or not, we’re not told. But even if unofficial, these men still carried the weight of their rank and position. The Sanhedrin was the religious council of Israel, and they also carried political and social sway among the people. They were the recognized authority when it came to matters of worship. They ordered the Temple worship and decided the boundaries. 2. v.28 “…and they said to him, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?’” - Jesus, just a day earlier, had effectively established himself as a force to be reckoned with when he came in and cleansed the Temple. 1. Their question is a question of authority. Authority, as they use it, means not only having the permission to do something, but the power to carry out that right. Maybe you’ve raised a puppy, and when they were young you permitted them to playfully bite on your hand. But then the day came when you realize they’ve grown and they have great power, and so you change the rules. No longer does the puppy have permission to bite. It’s the combination of permission and power. 2. Jesus came in and made clear that the worship in the Temple was unacceptable worship. So he exercised his authority to put a stop to the wayward worship. They were worshiping their wallets, making the Temple a den of robbers instead of a house of prayer. They worshiped convenience and control instead of the Lord of glory. Not all that is dressed in robes of worship is acceptable worship. 3. The chief priests and scribes and elders recognized something about Jesus. Notice that they weren’t necessarily asking if he had the authority. There was really no debating or denying that Jesus had the power. Their question was what type of authority this was; where did it originate from? Who gave him permission? And understand that their asking wasn’t out of a sincere desire to submit, but a sinister desire to destroy him (Mark 11:18 “And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.”). 1. Mark 1:21–28; 2:5–12 Authority of Jesus 4. There was undeniable evidence that Jesus had a great deal of authority. All of the prophecies and teaching and healing were like a connect the dots picture, and they didn’t like the form it was beginning to take. It pointed to him being the Messiah, but he was too disruptive and too contrary to their system of worship. They knew the answer to their own question, but refused to submit to the authority of the truth. The Possible Answers (vv.29-33a) 1. v.29 “Jesus said to them, ‘I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you…’” - Jesus responds to them in such a way that, by asking them a question, he exposes them. 2. v.30 “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” - This wasn’t a diversion tactic by Jesus. If they would rightly answer this question, then they would have the answer to their own question. Why is John’s baptism important in answering the question of Jesus’ authority? All of John’s ministry was in preparation for Jesus and was pointing to Jesus as the Way. Then, when Jesus was baptized by John, Mark 1:9–11 “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”” 3. v.31 “And they discussed it with one another…” - The answer was really more straightforward than they would have us believe. The fact that they need to huddle and discuss this isn’t indicative of the answer being unclear, but rather it shows how clouded their vision was and how hard their hearts were. This type of discussion wasn’t a faithful seeking of truth; instead it was a way of negotiating around a direct question so they wouldn’t be be skewered by the truth. 1. Mark 8:16–17 “And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?” 2. Mark 9:33–34 “And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.” 4. Option 1 - v.31 “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’” - Some Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized by John at the Jordan River. There was a lot of evidence that this was the correct answer. But they weren’t concerned with getting the answer right, only with protecting their position. This answer wouldn’t do that. 5. Option 2 - v.32 “But shall we say, ‘From man’? — they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.” - Again, they knew the truth, but refused to submit to the authority of the truth. They only wanted to protect their position, and this answer wouldn’t do that either. Instead of submitting to the truth, they submit to the fear of man. Instead of speaking what they knew was right, they suppressed the truth. 1. Have you considered if or how the fear of man is influencing you? On a recent camp trip with Joel I was convicted about not speaking as boldly as I want because of habits formed by the fear of man. When I’m wearing a t-shirt on the side of a snowy mountain in February, and someone we pass on the trail commented about what a beautiful day it was, my reply was, “Oh man!” In my heart and mind is praise to God, but out of my mouth comes stupidity. It wasn’t a conscious effort at that moment to suppress the truth that this beautiful day was a result of a gracious God, but long-formed habits made this the knee-jerk reaction. I want to form new habits, God-glorifying habits, where my words express my grateful heart for God’s goodness. 2. I think that one of the clearest indicators of whether or not we operate from a fear of man is in how we answer questions. Do we give the answer we think they want, or that will satisfy them, or do we answer with truth? The greatest antidote to the sickness of the fear of man is to trust the Lord. Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” 6. v.33 “So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’” - This is not open-mindedness, in the best sense of the word. GK Chesterton said, “Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of the opening of the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.” The Forfeit of Knowledge (v.33b) 1. v.33b “And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’” - The answer was really quite clear. It was only the hope of the religious leaders to have Jesus say it clearly at this point in time and walk into their trap, so that they might be able to proceed with their plans to destroy him. But this wasn’t the time the Father had appointed, though that day was very quickly approaching. Conclusion: Rather than submit to Jesus, they chose instead to try and protect their position in society. In trying to keep a place of prominence on earth, they gave up a greater position in the heavenly places. In trying to be safe they missed salvation. In denying his authority, they condemned the Lord of glory. This day, as we have examined God’s Word, you’re left with a decision - will you resist his authority, or will you recognize his authority and come under his authority, worshiping him by a life lived for him and in obedience to his will, revealed in his Word? y l i m Fa Table Talk GOD’S TRUTH February 23, 2020 Walk in the truth and worship Jesus! Family Discussion ?s 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Authority. Do you know what it means? If you’re not sure, look it up in the dictionary. Look at the Key Verse>>>>>>>>>> This religious counsel recognized Jesus’ authority, but didn’t want to acknowledge its source as being from God. They were threatened by what it might do to their position among men. What does this reveal in them? If you said fear, you are right! But dear Christian, we should not fear men, but worship and obey Jesus! His authority should be a welcomed gift to us. What role does authority have in your life- meaning, in whom do you recognize authority in your life, whose authority do you submit to, whose authority most influences your decisions? Does the authority in your life bring you peace or fear? Ultimately, where does authority come from? Read the Scriptures in the Table Reading. How does this inform or change your view and understanding of authority. Praise God together for His loving authority that protects, guides and blesses us continually with peace and hope; and in whose power we, too, are equipped to do mighty works in His name! Key Verse “…and they said to him, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?’” (Mark 11:28 ESV) DING A TABLE RE Go d’s ther into r u f s id r k Lead yo u Word... ; 28:18-20 2; Matthew 5-23 -1 0 :1 4 1 n 1:1 s 13:1; Joh Ephesians 1. Roman rk 2:5-12; a M ; 8 -2 1 Mark 1:2 Scripture Memory: Philippians 2:9 “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” - Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV) www.pillarhoodriver.org