DefiningJesus - Jesus and Relationships
Defining Jesus #1
Jesus and Relationships
Mark 3:8-35
Mistaken Identity
· It can prove embarrassing
· With Jesus, it can prove to be fatal. We want our impression of his identity to be formed by Scripture, not shaped by culture.
Look carefully at…
· What he does
· What he says
· His relationships with others
His interactions in relationships could lead us to ask some penetrating questions.
With the Crowds (7-8) – Why are you following Jesus?
Explanation
· There was a large crowd following Jesus. He was personally magnetic in his draw. They were coming from many regions.
· They were coming because they had heard about his power. Maybe there was some curiosity.
o They were not necessarily coming because of his teaching, although that surely played a role.
· They were coming because of the promise that they might receive.
Do we see that today?
· People hoping that Jesus makes them rich. But, maybe it is more subtle than that. Maybe we think that our belief in Jesus is sufficient to guard us from problems. “I have been trying to do right, and…”
Realization – He might not fulfill your agenda!
· Herod was disappointed, because he didn’t see the wonder of it all.
· Judas was disappointed.
With the Demons (9-12) – What do you really believe about Jesus?
Explanation
· Illness/Disease was often associated with evil spirits.
· Why the SECRECY?
o The goal was for this assessment to be revealed by God on His timetable. The full revelation was going to be on the cross.
o This is the message of the book of Mark. Baptism. Transfiguration. Christ at trial. Centurion. Resurrection. This knowledge comes through attaching the significance of the statement with its rightful demands and conclusions on our life.
Do we see that today?
· Nominally religious person.
Realization – Your knowledge of Jesus may not be enough.
· The person giving verbal and intellectual assessment to the truth of the statement was disconnected from the life transformation the statement demanded.
· Philippians 2 reminds us that while every knee will bow to Christ as Lord, not all will do so as their Savior.
· Do you want your future riding on a nominal belief in Jesus (said prayers, gave to the poor, went to service, etc.)
With the Disciples (13-19) – Are you prepared to be with Jesus?
Explanation
· There is a marked difference here than just a group of enthusiastic followers. The lines are drawn sharply here.
· Notice who is extending the call. John 15:16 says that you have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.
· They are said to…
o Have been with him
o Preached the gospel
o Do works that validate the authority of the message.
o They obviously respond here with obedience.
· Can we RELATE TO THIS?
o In a sense, this is the core group. There are 12, reminding us of the 12 tribes.
o I don’t think it is a stretch to assume that ALL disciples will…
§ Be with Him
§ Preach the gospel (I will be with you – Matthew 28)
§ Do works that accompany and validate the message
Realization – Your security and sufficiency might be challenged.
· They would be on a boat very shortly. They would be with Jesus, and it would be anything but the calm picture of “In the Garden.”
· This is a tough road that we may not be prepared for.
Maybe you are not yet ready to take that step with Jesus.
With his Family (20-21) – Do you fear the radical commitment that Jesus demands?
Explanation
· We will see them remain on the outside.
· It is almost as if they viewed the situation as very embarrassing.
o Jesus was embarrassing himself.
o Jesus was embarrassing the family.
· They realized that his words, his actions, and his associations were not changing.
Where do we see that today?
· Is your faith an embarrassment to you?
Realization – You might not be able to be ‘neutral’ on Jesus.
· No one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit to be my disciple.
· All who live Godly will suffer persecution
· If they hated me, then…
With the Religious Leaders (22-30) – Are you resisting the work of the Spirit?
Explanation
· Jesus questions the logic by using parables
· Serious issue is raised – Issue of the UNPARDONABLE SIN
o My experience with people thinking they might have committed it.
o Look at the GOOD NEWS that frontloads the teaching. This is not an afterthought. This is good news
o Really specific here in the text. (Not just the worst sin you can imagine.
§ Slandering or defaming the Holy Spirit.
o The means of forgiveness is eliminated
§ Jesus says, “I am the way”
§ But, the Spirit makes us see that
§ When we see that we can repent and believe
· The saddest part of this is that while they are trusting in rigorously following religious practices they are in effect resisting the gospel and the Spirit.
Realization – Your continued resistance may have eternal consequences.
· If you are concerned about committing the unpardonable sin, then most likely you have not.
· I don’t want to minimize the threat. There are undoubtedly some in this room that have heard the gospel presented clearly, the Spirit has drawn you to place your faith in Jesus, but you have always found a reason NOT TO DO THAT. Be careful.
With the Crowd (31-35) – Do you desire to be in the family of Jesus?
Explanation
· We join the family again, but this time the setting is with the crowd.
· The family comes to him and are OUTSIDERS. (Obviously, Jesus made it a high priority to care for your family) Could Jesus be saying that something could trump biological blood lines?
· He asks who his family is.
· He answers his own question.
Realization – Your obedience will reveal your answer.
· Do the will of God
o Believe in the one whom God has sent
o Mark 1:14-15 – Repent and believe the gospel
· Imagine hearing that if your family had disowned you.
· Side note here…what Jesus describes is more than a group of people assembled for a cause. This is FAMILY
Conclusion
The question we have to ask today is “What am I going to do with Jesus?” Will I be obedient or will I continue to be part of the crowd, an outsider observing the transformation in others from a distance without fully embracing it myself.
Date Preached:
9/28/08 OBC Sunday AM
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