Running And Serving With Passion Series

Mark 8:1-9

Running and Serving with Passion

In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat,

Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “I have compassion (óðëáã÷íίæïìáé the bowels or viscera to be the seat of love and pity; strong desire to alleviate the pain & remove the cause) on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint (as a bowstring goes limp when unstrung) on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”

Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy (÷ïñôάæù to fatten as cattle) these people with bread here in the wilderness (ἐñçìίá an uninhabited region, a waste)?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks (åὐ÷áñéóôέù to be grateful, feel thankful), broke them and gave (kept giving) them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small fish; and having blessed (åὐëïãέù pray God to bless it to one's use) them, He said to set them also before them. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets (óðõñίò a plaited basket, hamper) vs. (êόöéíïò a basket, wicker basket Mk 6:43) of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand.

Intro – Eric Liddell “Chariots of Fire” 1902-1945

Chariots of Fire is the true story of two British runners competing in the 1924 Olympics. Eric Liddell is a devout Christian and one of the finest runners in the world. Eric's sister, Jennie, wants him to leave competitive running to join the family on the mission field in China. Jennie feels Eric is putting running ahead of serving God, and she questions his commitment.

In one scene, Eric attempts to help his sister see his point of view. Eric announces with a smile, "I've decided I'm going back to China. The missionary service has accepted—"

Jennie interrupts him. "Oh, Eric, I'm so pleased." Eric continues, "But I've got a lot of running to do first. Jennie, you've got to understand. I believe that God made me for a purpose, for China. He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure. To give it up would be to hold him in contempt. You were right; it's not just fun. To win is to honor him." “We are all missionaries. Wherever we go, we either bring people nearer to Christ, or we repel them from Christ.”

"I believe that God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. When I run, I feel His pleasure."

“Those who honor Me I will honor” 1 Sam 2.30

Jesus walked among those who were rejected by the religious leaders of their day. He walked in Decapolis and the gentiles. God walked among His creation for He loved them all.

On the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus ministered to the people of the Decapolis. It was here the gentiles had the hand of God touch them to heal them. It was here they witnessed…

A Divine Presence 1a

Wherever Jesus went, people followed. They were drawn to Him. These unclean and filthy gentiles were healed, cured and cleansed by the hand of Jesus. He is the

A church will grow if they sense the Presence of Jesus in that place. People want spiritually what Jesus has to offer. The problems are generally the way Christians behave. Why? People act out what they really believe about God.

His Inconceivable miracles (source)

His Incredible lessons (substance)

His Incomprehensible character (spirit)

Illustration - Winning in Losing: Indianapolis Colts Lose in Miami, Win in Haiti

Both teams that play in the Super Bowl think they will win, so both teams have special t-shirts and hats designed that declare them the victors. It costs about $2 million to have the apparel made—which means for the losing team, $2 million goes to waste, right? Wrong. A recent article on ChristianPost.com points out that the items are "sorted and shipped to various countries where World Vision workers distribute them to needy children and families, many of whom have never owned new clothing in their lives." So, this year all the Colts apparel is heading to Haiti. I'd say this a good look at how a loss can become a victory.

A Divine Passion 1b-3

Jesus was concerned about their Spiritual misery

They were lost and living in darkness

He was affected by their Physical afflictions

They were suffering in very real ways

He identified in their daily, Practical burdens