SF642 - THE JESUS MODEL FOR MINISTRY - HE LOVED UNBELIEVERS (Mark 1 40-45)

SF642

THE JESUS MODEL FOR MINISTRY...

 HE LOVED UNBELIEVERS

Mark 1:40-45

INTRODUCTION

We are commanded to love 55 times in the NT

(1 John 4:8)  "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Jesus was constantly reaching out in love to sinners

(Luke 7:34)  "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."'"

It is easy to love Believers... How do you love Unbelievers?

Let’s look at our Model...

1A.       WE MUST LEARN TO ACCEPT UNBELIEVERS WITHOUT APPROVING OF THEIR SIN

1B.       Realize that Unbelievers are Corrupted (40)

Leprosy corrupted the entire person...

Physically - he would have been disfigured and diseased

Socially - he was an outcast from everyone

Spiritually - he was not allowed to worship in the temple

(James 1:14‑15)  "...but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. {15} Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full‑grown, gives birth to death."

2B.       Recognize that Unbelievers cannot Change Themselves

Leprosy was incurable

(Luke 5:31‑32)  "Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. {32} I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.""

3B.       Rely on the Holy Spirit to Convict and Convert

What drew the man to Christ was conviction and hope!

Mark 1:37-39 - God’s Spirit and the hope that He brings drew crowds to Jesus

2A.       WE MUST DO THE REACHING - THEY MUST DO THE RECEIVING

1B.       Notice Jesus’ Motive - Compassion (41)

When Jesus felt “compassion”

(Matthew 9:36)  "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

When people were without a leader

(Matthew 14:14)  "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

When people were sick and hurting

(Matthew 15:32)  "Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.""

When they were hungry and destitute

(Mark 9:22‑23)  ""It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." {23} "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes.""

When people were in spiritual danger

(Luke 7:13)  "When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry.""

When people suffered great loss

2B.       Notice Jesus’ Method - Contact (41b-42)

Where others withdrew Jesus reached out

Healing only came after Jesus touched the untouchable

3A.       WE MUST INSTRUCT NEW CHRISTIANS ABOUT HOW TO ACT

1B.       Jesus Instructed Him to Show His Faith (43-44a)

Faith that is proven is faith that is possessed

The first step of faith for this man was formal, public confession and confirmation!

2B.       Jesus Commanded Him Share His Faith (44b)

It was not that Jesus did not want this man to testify, He wanted him to testify in the proper way!

He needed to prove his healing!

We need the Show it before we try to Share it!

4A.       WHEN WE EXPRESS THE LOVE OF CHRIST WE WILL EXPECT THE SAME RESPONSE TO CHRIST

1B.       Contagious Christianity (45a)

This man could not help but tell what Jesus had done!

(Luke 4:43)  "But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.""

2B.       Crowded Conditions

Mark 2:1-2; 2:13; 3:7; 4:1

(Mark 9:14)  "When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them."

When Jesus’ love is present you cannot keep people away!

APPLICATION

Ask God to help you “love” unbelievers without approving of their sins - this will take maturity and patience on your part.

Do not expect unbelievers to act like believers!

Write down the name of at least one “unbeliever” that you can reach out to and how you are going to reach out to them.

Commit yourself to disciple a new Christian - write down their name and contact them this week!

Commit to becoming a Contagious Christian and Trust Christ to draw the Crowd through your witness!

You have my permission to “talk freely, spreading the news!”