Where Do You Go When You've Really Blown It? Series

Mark 14:27-31; 66-72 (p. 711) May 4, 2014

Introduction:

[I was 19 years old and I’d been a Christian for a little over a year. I’d finished my first semester at Johnson Bible College and I had driven down to Florida to work at my sister & Brother-in-law’s church for Week of Evangelism (this was Johnson’s answer to Spring Break...work at a church, or Christian mission for this week).

I was heading up to Stuart Christian church’s VBS called “Bullfrogs and Butterflies.” (Sing a little of the song).

I’d met Kari six months earlier...but honestly folks that had absolutely nooooo influence on me going to Florida for Week of Evangelism.

But that’s not what I want to tell you about in this message, called “Where Do You Go When You’ve Really Blown It?” I want to tell you about the day I drove over to Gator Trace Golf Course...back then I loved golf. I was a really good golfer then, and on this day they matched me up with 3 young guys from Boston (Baaastin). I liked those guys...they were a little older than me, they were also really good golfers. They kidded around, cussed like sailors, had a cooler on their cart. We talked about sports, our girlfriends, and one of them asked where I went to school. I said, “Knoxville...and he said, U.T....and I mumbled “yes.” Another guy asked my major and I think I said “Counseling” or something like that. I’m not completely sure why I did that as a new Christian. Maybe being “cool” overcame my desire to witness. Maybe I knew it would absolutely change the interaction we’d have from then on. They wouldn’t have beat me with golf clubs, or thrown me out of the foursome. Nobody held a gun to my head, but I chose self and fun on the golf course over my relationship with Jesus.

So, when I threw my clubs in the back of my truck and sat down behind the wheel I remember this feeling of failure. I could taste the shame...no one knew but me and Jesus, but that was enough as I cried my eyes out. I’d really blown it.]

But, maybe that’s why God’s Word paints its Heroes, with warts and all. Adam does nothing to protect his wife...except fold like a bar lawn chair. Noah gets drunk after the flood. Abraham lied about Sarah. David...adultery and murder. Moses...murder. James and John...power hungry. Peter...over-confident and denies he even knows Jesus.

Peter’s my favorite of all the disciples because he lived his life like an open book. He didn’t hide his emotions well. He wore his feelings on his sleeve. Reactionary, speaking before he thought sometimes...all the time.

His life is a great answer to the question: Where do you go when you’ve really blown it? We learn this first important lesson:

I. BE CAREFUL OF TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE

Let me give you some background to our text. Mark 10:32 says that as Jesus and the disciples entered Jerusalem...He took them aside and privately tells them...”We’re going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him and spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. 3 days later He will rise.” (Mk. 10:33-34)

It’s not some off the cuff remark...It’s a private look me in the eye moment where the Messiah reveals prophetic truth.

And what happens immediately after this encounter?

MARK 10:35-45 (p. 707)

What do James and John want? For Jesus to do what they ask...What do they ask? Give us the best seats at the inaugural dinner...and the top cabinet positions.

Jesus says, “My Father has prepared these places...they’re not mine to give.”

But when the 10 hear about this request they become indignant with James & John. Why, because they all wanted those places of honor...It’s why Jesus explains so clearly the difference of leaders in the Kingdom and the world.

I’m not sure they’re still indignant with each other as they celebrate the Passover Seder in the upper room. But none of them has volunteered to take the place of the servant who washes feet. Proud hearts, laying around a table...with dirty feet.

John 13 says “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God”...so,”

So? What does the world do with its power? It demands others serve them. What does God’s so do with all power and authority?

“He takes off His outer garment...wraps a towel around himself...and with a basin of water...he begins to wash the disciples feet (including Judas). And when he comes to Peter...Peter says, “Lord! Are you going to wash my feet?”