The Great Multitudes
Notes
Transcript
Prayer Requests/Announcements
Prayer Requests/Announcements
Bill Sturgis had an angiogram done on his right leg. They found 90 percent blockage. They placed a stent. His other leg is in the same condition and they will address it at a later date.
Tana Christian has had an upcoming surgery postponed until May.
Pray for the family of Pastor Sean Wylon (from Pastor Scott). Their 17 year old son unexpectedly passed away last Wednesday.
A “Thank You” to all those who have participated in the lunch delivery program with Pineville Neighbors Place!
Pray for Mrs. Elenor Herlong (friend of Bill Sturgis). Her son took his life on Friday morning.
Thank you note from Litchfield’s.
“Goodbye” from Rick Foster.
Make a difference spiritually; give the Gospel! Make a difference physically; give blood!
The Great Multitude
The Great Multitude
Turn to and read Mark 3:6-12.
At this point, Christ’s ministry is well underway. Because of His continued miracles and powerful preaching, the crowds continue to gather and grow. But opposition to Christ continues to grow as well.
This great multitude, as vs. 7 calls it, is made up of people from:
Galilee
Judaea
Jerusalem
Idumaea
Beyond Jordan
Tyre and Sidon
Not only was this great multitude was made up of people from around the nation of Israel and beyond but it was also made up of people from all different walks of life!
Within this great multitude there were three distinct groups of individuals which, in the next verses, God “singles” out for our benefit.
The Twelve
The Twelve
Turn to and read Mark 3:13-15.
In the verses that follow, Mark records for us the names of the twelve disciples.
Peter - the most outspoken of them all. The leader of the 12 if you would.
James, the son of Zebedee - He, along with his brother John and Peter, made up Christ’s “inner circle.”
John, the brother of James - It is believed that he was the only one of the twelve to have died a natural death.
Andrew, brother of Peter - He was a “bringer.” He brought Peter to Jesus. He brought the lad with his lunch to Jesus. He brought Greeks to Jesus.
Philip was the analytical one in the group. While Peter went into action without thinking, Philip was the one who thought about things.
Bartholomew (Nathaniel) - Jesus, in John chapter 1, said that Nathaniel was sincere, and without guile.
Matthew - He worked for Rome.
Thomas - He was the “doubter.”
James - he is also, in other places, called James the less, which likely refers to either his size or his age and not to be inferior to the other James.
Thaddaeus - This is the Judas of John 13:22. Martin Luther called him the “good Judas.” This is the author of the book of Jude (from which comes the title of our new Bible study which begins tonight at 6 PM)!
Simon - Luke calls him “Simon the zealot.” He was a revolter against Rome! (I wonder how he and Matthew got along?!)
Judas Iscariot, the traitor!
Isn’t it amazing that Jesus Christ could take 12 of the most unlikely individuals - individuals who, under normal circumstances would have had nothing to do with each other - and put them together into a close, cohesive group? A group that would eventually turn the world upside down?!
What made the difference? Christ made the difference.
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Isn’t it amazing that God can take a group of people and form them into the local church that we know of as South Charlotte Baptist Church? What has made that possible? Jesus Christ.
At times we can take our local church for granted; we can take our church family for granted. Right now is when we should be most thankful for our church family.
Let me challenge you to reach out to someone - today - in our church family, check on them, and encourage them!
I would also encourage you to join us tonight, at 6, for the start of a new Bible study, “Making a Difference.” We can learn much from this group of people - the first century church - about whom it was said, they “have turned the world upside down.”
The second group that our attention is drawn to in this chapter is...
The Scribes
The Scribes
Turn to and read Mark 3:22-30.
In this great multitude were scribes - we do not know how many - who had come all the way from Jerusalem to check out who Jesus Christ was. They had undoubtedly heard of Christ’s miracles. When they approach Him, they make an outrageous accusation:
And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
The reason that I find this accusation so outrageous is because of what we are told in vs. 11:
And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
It’s “funny” to me how that these unclean spirits knew more truth than did these “religious” individuals.
Anyway, Christ refutes this accusation by giving three examples of the impossibility of their accusation:
A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (vs. 24)
A house divided against itself cannot stand (vs. 25)
Satan’s kingdom divided against itself, cannot stand (vs. 26)
Then, in vs. 27, Christ makes a very bold claim: not only was it ridiculous to think that Christ was on the same side as Satan; He also declared that He was stronger than Satan.
No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Then, speaking to these scribes, Christ makes several, very bold statements:
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
The unpardonable sin. What is the unpardonable sin?
To be able to understand the unpardonable sin, we must first understand who it was that Christ was speaking to.
He was speaking to those scribes which had come from Jerusalem (vs. 22) and had accused Christ of casting out devils through the power of Satan. They were accusing Him of being a demon Himself!
These scribes had the Old Testament Scriptures. They knew the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. Of any group of people in Israel at that time, it should have been the scribes who most readily understood Who Christ was - the Son of God!
These scribes had seen the miracles which Christ had done which authenticated His ministry.
These scribes had heard the very words of Christ.
Also, think for a moment about the significance of their sin:
It was a sin of the heart. It was a sin against their own conscience.
They totally rejected the privilege that they had been given.
They attributed all of Christ’s goodness to Satan
While these scribes had not yet “crossed the line,” they were in danger of doing so!
Their conscience was in danger of being seared.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
To these scribes there would be no hope of salvation if they rejected the only means of salvation.
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
While I do not fully know what God is doing through this COVID-19 pandemic I am certain of this: He is seeking to draw men and women to Himself. Don’t reject the convicting work of God in your life.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.
This, now, leads us very appropriately to the last group of people in this chapter that we will look at this morning...
The Family
The Family
Turn to and read Mark 3:31-31.
In this interaction, we need to understand that Christ was not rejecting or turning His back on His earthly family.
Instead, He was broadening His family.
For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Anyone can become a part of the family of God. In fact, God desires that everyone would become a part of His family.
Turn to and read John 1:11-13.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
I'm so glad I'm a part
Of the family of God-
I've been washed in the fountain,
Cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus
As we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The family of God.
Are you a part of God’s family?
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
The nation of Israel - as a whole - rejected Christ.
The scribes, which we learned of in this chapter, rejected Christ.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Don’t reject Christ!
The old Gospel hymn says,
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Some day your heart will be asking,
“What will He do with me?”
This morning, what are you going to do with Jesus? Reject Him or Receive Him?
If you would like to speak with someone about receiving Christ, Please call (704) 542-5536.
We have individuals who would love to show you, from the Bible, how you can receive Christ as your Savior.
Closing Announcements
Closing Announcements
Continue to give. Go to www.southcharlottebaptist.org/giving. You can give online or you can give via text.
Continue to make your Faith Promise Missions Commitments for this coming year. We will send out the online commitment form again this week.
Tonight, at 6 PM, we will begin a new Bible study, “Making a Difference.” Information will be sent out, via email, later today with instructions on how you can join that Bible study. If you are not on our regular email address, please call our office at (704) 542-5536. We can send you the information you need to join tonight’s Bible study.