The Disciples are Called
Mark 3:1-19
Introduction
- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”
-- He is the ultimate servant; giving Himself clearly for all who will receive
-- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Jesus is the ultimate example of servitude and something we must learn
-- If we are to truly experience Christ’s life, we must be willing to live like Him
-- James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
- Today we continue to follow Jesus’ early ministry
-- From healings, to the crowds swelling, to the disciples called one thing remains:
-- Jesus, is still demonstrated as a servant showing us how we should live
- Read Mark 3:1-6
∆ Point 1 – Change brings Rebellion (1-6)
- This man’s appearance under Jewish law means there is an affliction due to sin
-- His not being able to use his hand is obviously a punishment from God
-- There is a calling out to this man to come forth; because Jesus sees the need
- The scribes and Pharisees have one role, again, to accuse
-- However, their place here means that they knew Jesus could heal someone
-- They aren’t admitting He is God (not by far); but admitting He can heal
- What they are doing is using religion as a weapon: it’s the ultimate set up
-- They aren’t wondering if he could, but if He would, therefore sin to them
- They are not looking for reasons to glorify God, but to shame someone else
-- IMP: Legalism does this very thing to all who stand against rules
-- Christ’s freedom is bigger than this … sadly most people miss it
- V3 asks this man to stand; to be recognized; to admit He needs something
-- APP: Jesus asks us to do the same thing: to identify that we are NOT perfect
-- When we shame people who admit they need help WE become the Pharisees
-- This is probably why MOST will never respond to an altar call publicly
Then, in v4, Jesus asks them to clarify the Law, again turning it back on them
-- “Which is lawful …” – Is it right to do something good on the Sabbath?
-- Their silence must’ve been deafening, because it would expose their heart
-- “We cannot answer without saying that God’s day is NOT for God!”
- The Pharisees are so concerned with appearance they forgot what God is
-- God is a God of mercy, love, grace, and forgiveness
-- To them, God is a god of rules, strict adherence, and no room for grace
-- This heart attitude is what exposes them, and angers (v5) Jesus
- v6 shows their true heart: “After Jesus heals the man … He needs to die”
-- If EVER there was an opportunity to check ourselves, it is right here (Ready?)
- IMP: When something new happens in the church, what’s your response to it?
-- Anger? Frustration? Rage? Deception? Bitterness? Strife? Gossip?
-- The Messiah is healing and showing grace … we don’t like it - let’s kill him!
- TRANS: One would think that this would end His ministry, but it doesn’t!
- Read Mark 3:7-12
∆ Point 2 – Jesus Continues On (7-12)
- Jesus leaves the synagogue, probably to be able to handle larger crowds
-- Rather than stay and fight the Pharisees, He continues onto other towns
-- Why? Because He has come to save what has been lost
-- APP: If He had stayed in one place the affect might’ve been small
- We see that people are hearing about Him, and they are flocking to Him
-- However, they weren’t coming to see the Lord, but a miracle worker
-- v10 shows the intention: “I need to get to Him because He can do for me …”
-- It is almost a perfect example of what happens today …
-- APP: What we need to be careful of is that people see Jesus, and not us
- Even when Jesus confronts those of a demon possession they recognize it
-- Their terror of who He is represents His authority
--- Going back to first sermon in series: The name of Jesus has power
--- James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.”
-- When these testify He orders them to remain silent (v12)
- APP: Jesus wants us to realize who He is, not have it pointed out
-- How? By showing us the Father, through the works God has sent Him to do
- TRANS: As the journey continues, Jesus calls 12 men to lead with Him
-- IMP: His ministry will be to pour into these men who change the world
-- It is the example of servitude that we see here in action
- Read Mark 3:1-13-19
∆ Point 3 – Calling the Twelve (13-19)
- From the very beginning of this chapter, what we see is a plot to kill Him
-- Jesus knew that eventually something would happen
-- He calls 12 men to be part of His inner circle
-- Gave them the ability to heal and perform miracles
-- Trusted to them the Gospel message knowing they would continue on
- Simon (Peter)
-- He became the rock that the church would be built on
-- We see him in action clearly in Acts 2, 3, and 4
- James
-- One half of the “sons of thunder”
-- Probably was very boisterous (loud) and had a temper when angered
-- Luke 9:54, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
- John
-- He was a follower of John the Baptist
-- Referred to as the beloved disciple, or the “disciple that Jesus loved” (Jn 21:20)
-- Probably very young (teenager) when he was called
-- Wrote Gospel, three letters, and Revelation
- Andrew
-- He was a follower of John the Baptist
-- He evangelized Peter and introduced him to Jesus
-- Andrew also was the one with the boy who had 5 fishes and loaves
- Philip
-- He was an early evangelist in the church
-- He was the one to tell Nathaniel about Jesus and His authority
- Bartholomew
-- Not much is known about this man, he is not listed outside of the 4 Gospels
- Matthew
-- Also known as Levi, a tax collector that Jesus called in Mark 2:14
- Thomas
-- Referred to “doubting Thomas” because of his questioning resurrection
-- He was the apostle willing to die with Jesus (John 11:16, “Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him.”)
-- He was brave, yet shy; bold, yet cowardly: He represents you and I perfectly
- James (son of Alphaeus)
-- Is probably the same person as “James the younger” at the cross in Mark 15:40
-- His mother was at the cross when Jesus was crucified
- Thadaeus
-- Has diff names and is referred to as Judas, not Iscariot or Judas, son of James
- Simon the Zealot
-- Zealots were totally opposed to anything that represented order/rule
-- They stood against Rome 100%, would prob be seen protesting publically
-- Perfect example that when Jesus changes a life, it is changed TOTALLY
- Judas Iscariot
-- His last name probably came from original word of: “ish sakariot”
-- Meaning, “man of payments” which would be logical since he was treasurer
-- He was an Apostle but the only one not from Galilee
-- Represents the sin that love of Christ can’t overcome: an unregenerate heart
-- One who won’t repent will not be won to the Kingdom
- Jesus’ calling of these represents our need to see that companionship is needed
-- We are not islands to ourselves, and we need to have others around us
-- In times of sadness and even in joy, having others around is important
- These men were companions bent on strengthening one another for Him
-- IMP: If we are not being disciple or discipling, we are missing something
-- We are missing the chance to serve one another like Christ served them
∆ Big Ideas
- This is our challenge for tonight:
-- If we are to be LIKE Jesus … shouldn’t we live and act as He did?
- Pray
