Cut It Out

Cut it Out!

Mark 9:38-50

Do you remember when you were a kid and would tell other kids on the playground, “My daddy is bigger than your daddy”?

A Bronx Tale is a film about a young man named “C”, who is growing up in the 60's, as he is guided by two father figures; one was his own father and the other was a gangster named Sonny.

There is a scene where “C’ is at confession at church and is having a discussion with a priest about a gangster named Sonny.

The priest said, “Don't be afraid, my son. No one is more powerful than God.”

'C' replied, “I don't know about that, father. Your guy may be bigger than my guy up there, but my guy is bigger than your guy down here.”

While this statement about this gangster may be cute for a movie; we know the Lord is Sovereign, Almighty and nothing can thwart the plans of our God!

Because God is our Father, our Dad is bigger than any other.

Please open your Bibles to Mark 9, as we continue in that study.

Last week, Jesus settled an argument among the Disciples about who the greatest was, within Jesus’ kingdom.

Jesus told His Disciples about His upcoming Death and Resurrection and how He would be betrayed; yet His Disciples were disputing over who would be the greatest in His Kingdom.

If you want to know who the greatest in the Kingdom is; it is Jesus Himself, the argument is settled.

We also learned, if we only seek to get near to those who are “great” by man’s standards; we are not living like our King, nor are we becoming the Kingdom citizens He has called us to be.

Molly Howard has said, “Having faith like a child means we should have confidence in the promises of Christ and faith even in situations where we cannot see.”

Jesus exposed the Disciples’ ambition and called His Disciples to receive Him and the Father, by receiving humble children.

Now today, Jesus will warn against offending His Children and also teach on the importance staying away from sin, as His followers are to be like Salt to a lost and dying world.

I. Exclusive followers.

Read Mark 9:38-41

Jesus exposed the ambition of the Disciples and He spoke about receiving a child in His name; in vs. 38 notice the timing, “Now”

“Now” John spoke up and said…“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”

Instead of being happy that someone was healed,

John basically said, “Only we can perform healings in Jesus name; because this man was not a part of their inner circle.”

BTW: Adam Clarke believes the man in this narrative who is casting out demons, was one of John the Baptist’s disciples.

The Disciples were frustrated and jealous because they couldn’t cast a demon out earlier; but this guy is now casting out demons.

Remember from a few weeks ago in Mark 9:17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.

Mark 9:18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." NKJV

This guy was setting human beings free from being tormented and destroyed by demonic entities; but, John is concerned that this man is not a part of their group.

The enemy of our soul hates the Lord and he hates God’s creation as well; so he wants to rob, kill and destroy us.

But Jesus, cares for His creation and His masterpieces.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV

The Apostle John sees this man casting out demons and instead of celebrating; he becomes petty about the man not being part of their group.

William Lane said, “The Twelve had an unduly narrow perspective toward the work of God.”

We have to be careful not to place the Lord in a box of our small thinking; but, we also have to be very careful to test all things by the Word of God and hold fast to that which is true.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. NKJV

When testing a ministry, first we consult the Word of God, and then we should ask: Are the people involved genuine believers and do they love the Lord?

We must remember, there are no denominations in heaven.

Notice Jesus’ statement to John in vs. 40 he who is not against us is on our side.