Mark Series
Intents of the Heart
Mark 3:1-6
October 18, 2015 AM
Introduction: Once again we find Jesus teaching to the people with the Pharisees standing by listening for an opportunity to find something wrong with His teaching.
In this instance it is on the Sabbath day. Jesus is going to heal a man with a withered hand.
The miracle of the healing is quite amazing, but I want to concentrate on something else from this narrative. I want to look at the intentions of both Jesus and the Pharisees.
PRAY
READ Mark 3:1-6
I. The Setup
A. In the synagogue.
1. We’ve seen him at home, in Levi’s house, in a grain field.
2. It was Jesus’ manner to attend synagogue.
3. He would often teach if given the opportunity.
4. Many times while visiting other churches, I’m given the invitation to preach. I come prepared with a sermon or an excuse.
B. The audience
1. Pharisees
2. Normal people. Like a man with a withered hand.
C. On the Sabbath day (Saturday)
1. The Jews had all kinds of made up rules about Sabbath keeping.
2. These made up rules were not in God’s word.
3. We must be careful when churches make up rules. We must not go beyond what the Bible teaches.
II. The Intents of the Heart
A. Jesus intended to teach
1. You go to the synagogue to worship God.
2. A Rabbi goes to teach and lead in worship.
3. This day a man with a withered hand would be an object lesson for other teachings and revealings.
B. Jesus intended to heal.
1. Jesus loved people.
2. He came to heal. Here was someone needing healing, yet there was tension in the air.
3. Have you ever struggled to do good works? Was there opposition?
4. When faced with opposition, do what Jesus did. Confront!
D. The confrontation
1. Jesus asks a question and then stares down the audience and waits in the awkward moments of silence for someone to speak.
2. As the silence progresses, the anger on His face increases.
3. Hardness of heart will keep someone silent.
a. Your hard heart might be keeping you from getting right with God.
b. Your hard heart might be keeping you from victorious living.
c. Your hard heart might be keeping you from manifold blessings.
d. Your hard heart might be keeping you from being complete in God’s will.
e. Your hard heart may be keeping others out of God’s kingdom.
1) The tension caused by the Pharisees made it so no one wanted to answer Jesus’ easy question.
4. The contrast
a. Lawful to do good or harm
b. Lawful to save life or kill.
c. In the rabbinic traditions, one could be treated on the Sabbath only if his life were in danger; otherwise, ministering to the sick had to wait until the Sabbath was ended.
E. Jesus intended to do good.
1. Healing the man of his withered hand is good in my book.
2. Most would agree that this was a good act.
3. Jesus came to do good for people, not harm.
4. The Sabbath was made FOR man, not to harm him.
5. Jesus wants to do good to people.
a. He called the man and he came.
b. Jesus is calling, but are you coming?
c. Do you feel his tugging at your soul? Why do you delay?
d. The man by faith believed Jesus could heal so he stepped forward.
e. Do you believe that Jesus can forgive your sins? If yes, salvation is not far from you today.
6. The Pharisees intended to do harm.
a. They were looking for ways to harm his reputation and character.
F. Jesus intended to save life
1. A withered hand in not a life threatening injury.
2. A soul unsaved is destined to the second death.
3. Jesus did more that heal the physical, but saved people from their sins, thus saving life…eternal life.
4. The Pharisees intended to kill.
a. If you hate your brother you are guilty of murder.
b. The Pharisees hated Jesus, their only Messiah.
III. Intents Lead To Action
A. Jesus intended to heal, do good, and save life.
1. He did all these things and more.
B. The Pharisees intended to do harm and kill.
1. They harmed Jesus and murdered him on a cross.
C. What are your intentions?
1. What you think and dwell upon steers the course of your life.
2. Thinking about what is good and pure and holy leads to a good and pure and holy life.
3. Dwelling on sin leads to a life of despair and heartache.
4. We generally don’t sin unless we’ve thought about it.
5. Get your mind off of sin and look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
IV. Conclusion
The intents of our heart steer the course of our lives.
Don’t get caught up in the petty bickering of the Pharisees. It is lawful to do good and to save life on the Sabbath and every other day of the week.
How about you. Will you be saved today? Ask god to soften your heart so you can hear His voice today.
