Give Me Jesus: Jesus As The Salt: Mark 9:42-50

I. Don’t Live Like A Stumbling Block vs. 42

A. This was actually a punishment for insurrectionist in Jesus’ day. In essence Jesus is saying that when we are living like a stumbling block, we are living as an insurrectionist of the kingdom of God!

B. Untold multitudes have been hurt by a Saturday Satan Sunday Saint! And many if not most have never recovered.

C. Let us make sure that we aren’t living two faced lives. James 3:13-18 “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

II. Don’t Live With Temptation vs. 43-48

A. Jesus here isn’t talking about mutilation but doing away with the temptation.

B. Your hand represents what you do. If you are tempted to sin, stop putting those vices where you can’t reach them.

C. The foot represents where you go. Don’t go to those places anymore.

D. The eye represents what you look at. Don’t look at that stuff anymore!

E. It is better to go through the heartache, pain, and awkwardness of cutting the sinful habits out of your life.

F. No one can do it for you, only the Holy Spirit can overcome through you. It not pray it away, and have more faith. There are very practical steps to accomplish this.

G. And don’t blame other people, you are responsible for you.

III. Don’t Live A Saltless Existence vs. 49-50

A. In the Old Testament you salted the sacrifice. Lev. 2:13 “‘Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.”

B. This means we all are to live a sacrificial life! Rom. 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

C. People shouldn’t be stumbling over us, but thirsty because of us! “You can lead a horse to the water, but you can’t make him drink. But you can feed him salty peanuts!”- Mrs. Rogers.

D. This is shown by how we live in peace with one another. If the other party refuses peace, then avoid them. If avoidance isn’t an option, then pray, and refuse to stoop to their level. Rom. 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”