The Privelage of Partnership: Mark 9:38-41

Introduce

Beloved of God, last week we discussed the problem of pride and what we must do about it. Jesus’ response to his pride plagued disciples possibly prompted the discussion that we find in our text. Within this discussion we given a glimpse of one of the great privileges and task of Christian discipleship.

That is the privilege of partnership. I’m using partnership as a synonym for the more common church term fellowship. However, the term fellowship has been reduced to by some to mean little more than eating together. Fellowship is Scripture really means partnering together for the common purpose of worshiping the triune God through our union with Christ. It is partnering together to glorify the name of God through the proclamation and celebration of the gospel in its saving and uniting of sinners belonging to every stripe of people.

Before I apply this principle to us in detail, let’s review the story to ground our applications in the text.

Retell

To begin with, behold the privilege of partnership denied: 38

There is thematic overlap between the story last Sunday and this one. Pride lead to the incident that John describes to our Lord. Look at verse 38: “John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’” John was one of Jesus’ inner circle with Peter and James. He is the writer of the Gospel of John, three New Testament letters, and the book of Revelation. At this point though, John like the rest of the twelve had much to learn in Jesus’ school of discipleship.

John says he and others saw a man successfully casting out demons in the name of Jesus. They tried unsuccessfully to stop him. John gives their reason for trying to stop him. The exorcists was not a part of the twelve or even the larger crowd that followed Jesus from place to place. There is some irony here. The disciples not long ago failed to cast out a demon from a child. This “outsider” could consistently do what was inconsistent to them.

We might liken it to a scenario in our context. Say a group of us is eating at Smith’s. While eating, we overhear and see a Christian sharing the gospel with group of people. We notice the people listening are hanging on the Christian’s every word. Indeed, we may even be a little jealous that He speaks the gospel so clearly and powerfully. We proceed to interrupt and try to stop him because He is not a member of Vista Baptist Church. Such an event and our reasoning would be similar to what John describes.

We don’t know much about this man. It seems to me that he was a genuine believer in Christ. Perhaps he was a disciple of John. Maybe he was one from the crowds who had given his heart to the Lord, but hadn’t yet established a close relationship with Jesus and His disciples. Regardless, as Jesus’ response to the story will show, the John and whoever were wrong to try to stop the man. Their reasoning was also flawed.

Christian, do not be quick to dismiss another follower of Christ because you do not know them or they are not a part of your tight nit group or clique. Instead, assume the best until proven other wise.

In addition to beholding the privilege of partnership denied, behold the privilege of partnership affirmed: 39-41

Jesus’ reply is straight forward enough. Look at verse 39: “But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him.’” He then gives three reasons:

Jesus says, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty deed in my name will be able soon to speak evil of me.” If this man did speak poorly of Christ, then he would delegitimize himself. It would be like a man successfully pounding in nails with a hammer and then say that hammers are useless.

Jesus says, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against us is for us.” There is no neutrality when it comes to Jesus Christ. You are either for or against him. Thus, if you are not against Him, then you must be for Him. The exorcist was not Switzerland in World War Two. He was actively combating the enemy of Christ and His people.

Jesus says, “Do not stop him, for truly, I say to you whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.” Those who do even the smallest acts of service to Jesus’ people because the belong to Him, will most certainly be rewarded. Jesus so identifies with His people that an act of kindness towards one of them is an act of kindness towards Him. What reward will such a person receive? They will receive:

Peace of mind now (Matt 10:13): They are no longer at war with God. Instead ,they are one of His people.

Public acknowledgment of Christ at His return (Matt 25:34): They will not be cast off to eternal judgement at the return of Christ. Instead He will acknowledge them as His sheep.

Promised eternal inheritance for eternity (Col 1:12): They will not receive the just commendation they deserve for their sin. Instead, they will share in the eternal inheritance Christ earned as true and perfect Son of God. This inheritance includes: communion with God, eternal life, and a removal of all the effects of the false.

Transition

You have beheld the privilege of partnership denied and affirmed. As I said in the beginning, one of the great privileges of Christian discipleship is the privilege of partnership. Consider three applications of this principle.

Apply

1. Christian, you have the privilege of partnership, so be openminded.

A person may not look or think exactly like you and still be a faithful disciple of our Lord. Take care not to dismiss or shame a professing believer because they do not belong to your church or denomination. You should be able to not only to accept them when they are kind to you but also celebrate the fact that they are furthering the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Perhaps there some in this church now that you have closed yourself off to because they either don’t share or do share your last name. Maybe their is a history of bad blood.

Perhaps there are some in this church who do not share your political or economic beliefs.

Perhaps there are some who have some differences in their doctrine from you, while still holding to the essentials of the faith.

Christ breaks down all the divisions we put up. The Church, that is every believer, is a part of His body. A hand wouldn’t dismiss another hand or a foot of the same body. We shouldn’t be se so quick to dismiss another brother or sister in Christ.

As Christians, we should think the best of other Christians until proven otherwise. Jesus doesn’t call us to ignore sin or false doctrine. He calls us to be charitable or open minded.

Paul even writes:

“15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”

If Paul can celebrate that the gospel is preached even by those who do it out of envy or rivalry, you can certainly extend charity to other believers who are not identical to you.

If someone, professes, loves, and proclaims Christ and hold to the infallible Word of God as their source of knowledge and rule of life, then extend the hand of fellowship, while maintaining doctrinal and moral purity in your local church.

Christian, you have the privilege of partnership, so be openminded.

2. Unbeliever, you don’t have the privilege of partnership, but you can join.

A part from Christ you are an enemy of God and His people. You are condemned to death and eternal judgement. You are on the side of Satan. You are without hope. There is no genuine partnership in sin. Enemies of God may be partners for a time but the lust of power or wealth often lead to betrayal. How many tyrants have been betrayed by their closest friends who likewise wanted power?

Do you want partnership with God and His people? So long as you are still breathing, their is opportunity to join the family of God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Jesus is a gentle and lowly savior. He never turns away or dismisses anyone who comes to Him in faith. You are not too sinful. You are not too far gone. Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus is God the Son Incarnate and the promised Messiah of Old. He lived in perfect obedience to God’s Law. He willingly underwent God’s just judgment in the place of all who believe in Him. He rose from the grave on the third day as testimony to the acceptance of His sacrifice for His people. He ascended to God’s right hand where He sent His Spirit to call, equip, and empower His people and He intercedes for them. He will return to judge His enemies and deliver His people from death and judgment.

Child or adult, you must trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. He will not turn you away. Neither will we.

3. Christian, you have the privilege of partnership, so be hospitable.

Jesus promised a reward to those who show even a little hospitality to His people. Jesus welcomed you by giving His life in your place for your sins. You should at the very least extend hospitality to others who belong to Jesus.

Do you want the peace of mind now, public recognition from Christ at His return, and promised eternal inheritance for eternity? If so, then trust Christ and love His people. Scripture is clear that if you truly belong to Christ, then you will love His people.

What are some ways to be hospitable?

Join a local church.

Gather regularly with the saints.

Invite believers to your church.

Invite believers into your home.

As it relates to this community, my wife and I are outsiders. That is not the case when it comes to this church. Indeed, our church has many who are transplants to this community. The community may never accept them fully. May that never be true of the congregation. Whether someone joined decades ago or today, they are to be treated as family. Be diligent to welcome and show love to your fellow church members and all who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclude

Christian, you have the privilege of partnership, so be openminded and hospitable. Unbeliever, you don’t have the privilege of partnership, but you can join. I have used partnership as a synonym for fellowship.

Fellowship in Scripture means partnering together for the common purpose of worshiping the triune God through our union with Christ. It is partnering together to glorify the name of God through the proclamation and celebration of the gospel in its saving and uniting of sinners belonging to every stripe of people.

You all have beheld the privilege of partnership denied by John and affirmed by Jesus. Partnership is one of the great privileges of Christian discipleship. Have you experienced it? If so, then extend it to other believers. Do you desire to experience it? If so, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

May Jesus grant you such trust and partnership. Let’s pray.