The Kingdom of Conflict: Mark 2:1-3:6

Big Idea:

The coming of God’s Kingdom requires relationships but invites worldly conflict.

Intro:

Good morning Church Online! Thanks for joining us.

How many of you love food? If you love food, type in the chat “Food is good.”

I love food, which is why I’m currently failing at my 2022 weight loss goals. To my defense, I’ve been on a diet for like 3 years and my body is rebelling against me, like, “Enough is enough. Let’s eat!”

Food is good. Food can even be used for God’s Kingdom. For example, food helps build friendship. Jesus uses this strategy. We’ll see it in today’s passage. There’s just something about a good meal that helps build relationship.

But… food can also create conflict. For example, at our church, deciding the geographic location of where the “best Mexican food” is found will start a fight. There are people, in our church family, that believe that place is Texas. They’re wrong… but they’ll go to the grave believing that. Then, there are others (including myself) who believe San Diego has THE GREATEST MEXICAN FOOD ON EARTH. And though we are a church fully committed to loving one another and the unity of the Spirit, if you press this issue too far there’s gonna be some conflict!

Today, as we continue in the book of Mark, we’re going to discuss a few things:

We’re going to see repeated themes from chapter 1 about the Kingdom of God - that Jesus came with authority to make things right: making right the teaching of God’s word, the healing of our broken bodies, and the understanding of God’s heart. Like food, repetition is good.

Another thing we’ll see is the importance of relationships in the Kingdom - that God’s Kingdom is spread thru relationships!

And finally, we’ll see that with the coming of God’s Kingdom comes worldly conflict.

Picking up where we left off last week, Mark 2 starts off this way...

Mark 2:1–11 ESV

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

The word “impossible” summarizes this story well:

4 friends wanted Jesus to do the impossible and heal their paralytic friend.

In the eyes of the Pharisees (the religious people), Jesus makes an impossible statement by saying the paralytic’s sins were forgiven, because only God can do that.

Jesus does the impossible by reading the Pharisees’ minds and healing the paralytic - which also proved He did the impossible in forgiving the man’s sins.

Then, the people declare, “We never saw anything like this!” In other words, “We’ve seen the impossible!”

I think it’s appropriate to say that when Jesus ushered in the Kingdom, the impossible began to happen. And as I was praying thru this passage, I was asking God what He wanted me to teach, because there’s so much here...

There’s verse 2 that tells us Jesus prioritized the teaching and preaching the Word. And the application is... we should too!

There’s verse 5 that tells us that Jesus wasn’t concerned with just the physical needs, but also the spiritual needs. The man needed physical healing, but Jesus healed him spiritually. We too need to be concerned with our spiritual health!

And there’s the miracle of the paralytic being physically healed and how our faith in Christ can lead to seeing the impossible become possible.

But here’s what I believe God has for us today…

When people hear about a Kingdom- where the impossible becomes possible, where things once deemed hopeless because of sin become hope-filled - it’s only right to ask, “How can I be a part of this Kingdom?”

And this story gives us an answer. One way people enter the Kingdom of God is through relationships; more specifically… friendships! Isn’t that what happened here?

Notice two verses...

Mark 2:3 ESV

And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Mark 2:5 ESV

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

The paralytic was brought by four persistent and committed friends. Additionally, verse 5 says Jesus saw “their” (the friends’) faith and healed the man. Here’s our first point for today… If we want to live in the Kingdom of God...

1) We need friends who bring us to Jesus.

God designed us for relationships. And not just superficial acquaintances, but genuine authentic friendships. God’s word tells us we are made in God’s image. And God is triune - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He, by nature, exists in constant, genuine, and authentic relationship. And that’s the environment we are made for too. We flourish in it, no matter if we are an introvert, extrovert, or anything in between. We need friends!

I know I mention this all the time, but I think it’s necessary because we live in a culture that promotes a different message. Our culture values self and independence; and mixed with our sinfulness, that produces isolation. But, as we see here, the Kingdom doesn’t value isolation, but friendship. And not just friendship, but friendships that bring us to Jesus.

And that’s why at The River Church, Core Value 1 is “We are a warm authentic family that enjoys growing together.” We believe relationships are not optional or a suggestion. They are critically essential to thriving in God’s Kingdom.

And the question for us is, “What kind of friendships do you have?”

…that brings me to a second point:

2) We need to be the friend bringing people to Jesus.

We don’t just need friends who bring us to Jesus, we need to be that friend! True friendships require participation and investment by both parties; otherwise, it’s just consumerism. Just as my friends bring me to Jesus, I need to bring my friends to Jesus.

Let me ask...

Do you bring your friends to Jesus?

Does your faith cause your friends to experience healing in the name of Jesus?

Are you willing to sacrifice - even literally carry your friend - so they can see Jesus?

In the Kingdom of God, that’s true friendship. True friendship brings others into the presence of Jesus, so they can experience the fullness of joy.

But, check out this interesting twist on Kingdom friendships...

Mark 2:13–17 ESV

He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

As Christians, we aren’t called to just bring our Christian friends to Jesus (though we should do that). We need to bring people to Jesus, who really need Jesus, because they don’t got Jesus! Which means… point number 3...

3) We should have friends who need Jesus.

Last week, we talked about Jesus inviting EVERYONE into the Kingdom of God. We see that reality here as He calls Levi (known elsewhere as Matthew) to follow Him. As a tax collector, Matthew was viewed as a traitor and rejected by his community. But Jesus says, “You’re invited.”

And quick mini-lesson for us: There might be someone in your life, right now, who no one thinks would follow Jesus, but the Spirit of God is saying, “That’s the one. Invite him/her.” Matthew went on to write a book of the Bible. What could God do thru your friend? Best way to find out is invite them!

Now, the story gets really interesting once they get back to Matthew’s house...

At the house are a bunch of Matthew’s friends, who were… as you would expect, tax collectors and sinners, since no one else would even think about hanging out with those kind of people. Now, the phrase, “tax collectors and sinners” is used to communicate shock… like, “How dare Jesus hang out with those people!” The NLT says, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

Here’s the good part, at least in my mind, Mark adds, “…many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples...”

At face value, the word “reclining” refers to Jesus having dinner with them. They didn’t use chairs, but couch-like seating where people lied down around the table. But I believe Mark is also being strategic with his words. Because to “recline” was to also have fellowship. It communicates belonging. The sense is, Jesus was comfortable. And... He made sinners feel welcome in His presence.

Furthermore, I believe this because, after this event, people accused Jesus of being a “a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (Matt. 11:19). The word “friend” is the Greek word “Philo” and can also be used for love. One Bible scholar said this phrase, in its context, means “the sinner’s lover.” Jesus was truly friends with these people. People who were sinful and spiritually sick. People who likely acted like they were sick. And when they did, Jesus wasn’t surprised, nor did he leave them in disgust. He sat comfortably with them and invited them into a better way...

…Guys, we need to stop being shocked when people who don’t follow God act like they don’t follow God. I mean, do you go to the hospital and get upset when people cough. This is a key part of learning how to be friends with sinners. Give them grace, mercy, and forgiveness like Jesus did. And then, if necessary, remember that you still sin and you have the Holy Spirit living inside you. So, who’s really got the problem?

I know I have to clarify this too...

I don’t believe Jesus celebrated or participated in any sinful actions. Jesus is holy. He did not and would not approve of sin.

In fact, considering verses 2 and 13, I believe it would be reasonable to assume Jesus was teaching them God’s word, especially since verse 15 indicates they were interested in following Him.

So, when I’m talking about friendship with sinners, I’m not discounting the necessity for holiness or promoting friendship with the world, which God’s word speaks against. I’m not ignoring Paul’s warning to the Corinthians, which says...

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

But what I am saying is the coming of the Kingdom of God also brought forth a mission for its citizens. And that mission is, “Go into all the world and make disciples.” It’s a rescue mission to bring sinners to Jesus. So, we can’t hide in the church. We must be present in the spaces where sinners are, building relationships with them.

So, more tough questions...

Who are your friends? If you only have church friends… that’s a potential red flag. Don’t get me wrong… I already said, we need godly friendships. But we also have the same mission as Jesus… He is sending us out to call the sinners home.

At the same time, Jesus isn’t calling us to act sinful. We are sent “into the world,” but not to be “of the world.” Sorry, I know the Bible says do all things for the glory of God, but there’s no such thing as getting drunk for the glory of God. Hooking up with people isn’t the “love one another” Jesus commands. Your friendships should bring people to Jesus without sending yourself to hell.

This kind of living is not easy. It creates tensions. If you will, it’s messy and creates conflict. And the truth is, we should expect it.

Point number 4...

4) Christ’s Kingdom brings worldly conflict.

For the follower of Jesus, conflict isn’t always the absence of restoration, but many times the proof of it. We see this in the final 3 stories. But it’s important for me to point out the source of conflict because I think it’ll help us apply these passages to our lives. In the stories, unfortunately, the conflict comes from those who are supposed to be God’s representatives.

Story number 1...

Mark 2:18–22 ESV

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

Here’s what’s interesting: The Old Testament (God’s Law) only required one fast a year - the Day of Atonement. It was not the Day of Atonement. The people were fasting for themselves based on tradition. And they created conflict with Jesus because He didn’t conform. Guess what… the Kingdom of God isn’t about conforming to man’s rules, but being flexible to King Jesus’s leading.

Sometimes, faithfully following Jesus creates conflict because it doesn’t conform to man’s traditions.

Story number 2...

Mark 2:23–28 ESV

One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Once again, the religious people created conflict based on traditions and rules. God’s Law said you couldn’t reap (gather harvest aka work) on the Sabbath. It didn’t say you couldn’t pluck a head of grain because you were hungry. The traditions of man added extra rules to ensure people didn’t sin. Sounds like a good idea, but that’s not how the Kingdom of God works. God’s truth sets us free, not makes us slaves.

Unfortunately, the modern church picked up this habit. We develop extra rules based on tradition, which may start with good intentions, but end up creating burdens. But the where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!

For example, you are not less of a Christian if you let your kids play sports on Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we shouldn’t prioritize the gathering of the God’s people for worship. That’s ridiculously important. And a healthy Christian longs for, and prioritizes, that!

But, if you’re in discipleship during the week, attending Life Groups, and spending time with the Lord every morning… you are FREE to skip Sunday for a season, especially if you’re on the sports field building friendships with people that you’re planning on bringing to Jesus! That’s Kingdom of God stuff! But... that also creates conflict with many church people stuck in traditions.

Story 3...

Mark 3:1–6 ESV

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

Sometimes the conflict escalates to hatred. And it creates painful experiences. But Jesus didn’t let people’s hard hearts stop Him from helping others experience the goodness of God. He pressed thru it! We too must be willing to endure conflict for the Kingdom of God.

I am fully aware that The River Church is different. We don’t fit any mold.

We got baptists, charismatics, non-demonationals, sinners, and a whole bunch of other types of people.

It wouldn’t surprise me if we have people who are processing through sexual orientation and gender issues - by the way, if I need to say it, you are welcome here.

We got young and old people.

We got a bunch of different ethnicities.

We play rap music after service. We play worship music before.

People come dressed up and in pajamas.

We do Church Online just because we want to rest.

We don’t use churchy words, but we’re fully committed to the truth of God’s word!

We have Life Group at Hops on the Hill!

I mean what kind of church is this?!?

All I can tell you is we are a people who are trying to love and follow Jesus. And we’re also trying to be friends with people in our community so we can bring them to Jesus too.

And… that can make people - other churches, other Christians - mad. I’ve literally lost friends, been mocked and rejected, and had people leave the church because of our lack of conformity to historic church traditions.

But I’m willing to endure the conflict because I want to see Jesus do the impossible. I want to see God’s Kingdom come to Glastonbury and New England. Will you join me?

Response:

As we close, I have to admit… this is one of those Holy Spirit messages. It’s not a straightforward, clean exegesis of the passage. To the best of my knowledge, I’m not butchering the passage either.

But as I was studying, I asked God, “What do you want to say to us?” And I believe this is it. That if we want to see the Kingdom of God and experience the impossible, then we got to commit to having biblical friendships and press thru the conflict and into the presence of Jesus.

Two quick suggested responses:

Go be a friend that brings people to Jesus.

If today, you’ve heard the invitation to follow Jesus, turn from your sin and put your faith in Jesus. Then, start hanging out with people who follow Jesus. But don’t forget, invite your friends who don’t follow Him!

Also...

This Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. Christians practice Lent in different ways, but here at The River Church, we take it as an opportunity to remove things from our lives (things that may take us away from Jesus) and the fill that space with things that bring us to Jesus. Again, in order for us to experience the impossible, we must be in the presence of the One who can do the impossible.

One option we’re making available is the YouVersion Bible App - Lent Devotional. We’ll be doing this plan together as a church. If you’d like to join us or get more information, send us a message or visit riverchurchct.com.

Finally, let’s end by taking communion to remember the One who did the impossible and saved us from our sins.

Communion:

Church Online family, you should’ve received the communion elements in the mail this week. Go head and take those out so we can take communion together. If you didn’t receive those, but would like to still take communion with us, feel free to grab some bread and juice from the fridge. Also, if you’re new (or have never done so before) fill out a connect card so we can mail you the elements for next time.

Jesus, we love you. Help us to live like you. Help us to bring others to you. We know we this is a part of our culture, we’ll see the impossible happen. We’ll see the Kingdom of God. Give us strength for the conflict as well. Help us to be a people of both love and endurance. In Jesus name, amen.

Thanks for joining us for Church Online. If this was your first time joining us, fill out a Connect Card. We’d love to say hi and send you a gift. Also, if you have prayer requests, would like to know more about TRC, or you decided to follow Jesus today - we want to hear from you. And there’s an easy way to do that on our website (riverchurchct.com), or follow the links in the comments below, or you can text TRCConnect to 94000.