Jesus had just taught a lesson on ambition and service. Now He teaches a lesson on tolerance.
Tolerance is often misunderstood. Some believe that every person should be received and accepted' no matter their beliefs or behavior.
Others are convinced that beliefs and behavior matter;
In other words, if a person's beliefs and behavior are damaging to the welfare of others, then that person should not be received and accepted (for example Hitler, agnosticism, humanism, atheism).
When Jesus said what he did in v.37 it caused John to share about a man ministering in Jesus' name.
John saw immediately that Jesus seemed to be saying that people were to be accepted and cared for in His name--no matter who they were.
Jesus took John's account of rejection and laid down the conditions of tolerance and I want to share with you, today, 3 conditions of tolerance that Jesus spoke of. But first…
1. 9:38-39 John felt guilt because he had rejected a man.
Jesus had just said, in v.37, that His followers were to be open-armed in receiving people.
The words of Jesus stirred up some guilty feelings within John.
He and the other apostles had seen a man ministering in Jesus' name, and they had stopped him…Why?
Look at John's words: "because he does not follow us."
The disciples stopped him because he ... was not one of them…a part of their group.
BUT let’s think about the man that John rebuked.
a. He had somehow been influenced by the Lord.
b. He knew about the Lord.
c. He had a strong faith in the Lord's name.
d. He had given himself to the ministry and was ministering to people.
In fact, he was ministering to the most difficult cases, to the demon-possessed. And we understand that ministering to the demon-possessed was the ministry which was difficult for the disciples to perform. Remember what we saw in Mk.9:14-29?
There are several reasons why people oppose others, why we are not often tolerant.
1. Loyalty to an organization or to a leader can cause intolerance.
If a person does not stand for our organization or leader, he is often unacceptable.
2. Conviction of our own position and belief can cause intolerance.
If a person does not agree with our position or belief, he is often unacceptable.
3. The need for unity can cause intolerance.
If a person questions or opposes us or our organization, he is often unacceptable.
4. A sense of authority and self-exaltation can cause intolerance.
We can think too highly of ourselves, feeling that we are the great defenders of the truth and so, if a person questions or opposes our position, he is often unacceptable.
5. Jealousy and envy can cause intolerance.
Who a person is (spiritually, physically, mentally) and what he has (position, gifts, recognition) are often secretly desired or coveted. Therefore, the person is often unacceptable.
6. A sense of pride and arrogance, of being better than others can cause intolerance.
A person can be poor, disadvantaged, unemployed, uneducated, single, or a million other conditions and be unacceptable.
This man, although professing and ministering in the name of Christ, was rebuked and stopped by the apostles. What he was doing was unacceptable to them.
BUT: John sensed enough guilt over the matter that he became honest enough to confess his intolerance and ask Jesus about what he thought about the issue.
What did Jesus say? Very simply, "Do not forbid him. Receive him. Let him minister."
After saying this Jesus laid down the conditions of tolerance. Here’s what happened to the disciples and can so easily happen to you/me and other believers/churches and ee run the risk of making the same mistakes the disciples made.
1.They set themselves up as judges of others…2.They were too narrow, too exclusive…3. They denied another the right to serve…4. They wrecked a servant's ministry…5. They kept many from ever being helped…6. They taught intolerance.
Intolerance has wrecked many lives and multitudes churches. Intolerance causes strife and division, hurt and
pain.
It shames…it ruins and paralyzes both individuals and churches.
2. v39 the first condition is, Be tolerant: If the person/church is not speaking evil of Christ.
The emphasis of this point seems to be on the phrase "speaking evil of Christ."
A person who truly ministers "in the name of Christ" will most likely not speak evil of Christ. If
But the opposite is also true. The person who speaks evil of Christ shows that he is an enemy of Christ.
The first is to be accepted. The last one who speaks evil of Christ is not to be accepted.
Ph.1:15-18 “15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
16The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
3. V.40 The second condition is, be tolerant if a person/church is not against Christ and His disciples.
**Two things I want you to see.
1. Jesus used the word "us."
"He that is not against us is on our part [for us]." (Cp. Mt.12:30.)
A person's attitude toward both Christ and His disciples (church) is to be observed.
My attitude towards other believers reveals my attitude toward Christ. In Christ's eyes He and His people are one. a. To stand against His followers is to stand against Him.
b. To mistreat His followers is to mistreat Him.
c. To speak evil of His followers is to speak evil of Him.
John 10:16 “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
2. Only the actions of a person are to be looked at.
Nothing else is to be used: not their appearance, education, or even their credentials.
If a person has a spirit of faith, love, joy, peace, forgiveness, oneness, and worship, he/she is to be accepted.
Because they do not stand against Christ.
But if a person has a spirit of unbelief, disturbance, unforgiveness, divisiveness, self, and sin, then that person is against Christ and His followers.
This person's behavior should not be accepted. He is "against us."
Luke 11: 23 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Luke 16:13 ““No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.””
4. v41 The third condition is, be tolerant if a person shows kindness to the followers of Christ.
Giving a cup of water in a hot country like Palestine was a common sight. But we need to understand that Christ is talking about giving "in His name."
If a person does something for a believer "because he belongs to Christ," then that .person shall be rewarded.
And the idea is that he will be rewarded greatly.
There are three points I need to make here.
1. Many people help 'and give to others.
They help and give because it IS the custom and practice.
it is the respectable thing to do…they want recognition and honor…they would be embarrassed not to give.
they are touched by the need.
2. The reward is promised for a specific act, the act of helping a person because he "belongs to Christ."
3. The reward is given for the most simple and humble of acts, the giving of water to a thirsty believer.
Anyone would give a drink of water, yet so simple an act done for one of Christ's followers will be greatly rewarded.
No gift, no service is too small. God notices all. What an encouragement! What a challenge to use what we have and all we have for Christ and His followers!
"We can not lose our reward" (1Cor.15:58; 2Cor.5:10). Our reward is guaranteed!
