The Book Of Mark #13

Illus: I do not want to be like the woman who had a cat that she truly loved, named “Pumpkin”. She cherished this cat more than anything in her life. She had to go on a business trip and she had to leave Pumpkin home for her husband to take care of while she was gone. She left Pumpkin reluctantly; because she knew her husband would not give her cat the loving attention she gave her. When she arrived where she was going, she wasted no time calling home to see how her cat was doing. Her husband answered the phone and she immediately asked how her cat was doing. He said, “Pumpkin is dead!” Naturally she was shocked, but as she thought about her husband announcing that Pumpkin was dead she got angry.

She yelled out, “You could have broken this devastating news to me in a nicer way. You did not have to come out and say, ‘Pumpkin is dead.’”

He said, “What do you mean?” She said, “You could have said, “Pumpkin was on the roof one day. Pumpkin was sick the next day. Pumpkin died! You did not have to come out and say, ‘Pumpkin is dead!’”

He apologized and felt bad for being so blunt! She accepted the apology.

Then she said, “How is Mom?” He said, “She is on the roof!”

I want to make this message as clear as I can. I want to be blunt, compassionate and clear, because I know it is important that you get this message.

Let look at several things, such as:

I. THE PLACE

Look at verses 1-2, we read, “And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.”

This is only the third chapter in Mark, and we see that the word “Synagogue” keeps popping up. We saw it in:

• Mark 1:21

• Mark 1:23

• Mark 1:29

• Mark 3:1

The synagogue was a place where God’s Word was taught, and it was a place of worship.

Certain places are important to people, such as:

• A football stadium is important to people who love football

• A restaurant is important to people who love food

• A racetrack is important to people who love racing

But for those who love God, a place of worship is important.

A person who loves football would have a difficult time proving that they love football if they did not have time go watch a football game when they had a chance. If they said they loved football, but every time they had a chance to go see a game they came up with an excuse, they could not convince us they love football.

A person would have an even more difficult time proving that they love the Lord if they never had time to attend the house of God. If every time they got a chance to attend church they came up with an excuse, they could not convince us they love the Lord.

We read in the scripture that when the Sabbath day came, you could find the Lord and His disciples headed for the Synagogue.

Illus: Suppose they had the attitude that some today have; that YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO CHURCH TO WORSHIP GOD!

There are a lot of things we do not have to do:

• We do not have to take our car to a garage when it breaks down, but it is probably something we should do.

• We do not have to go to the table and eat when we are hungry, but it is something we probably should do.

• We do not have go see a doctor when we are sick, but it might be a good thing to do.

Illus: Did you hear about the doctor and his wife who were having a big argument at breakfast? He stormed out of the house saying, "Also, I want you to know you are a lousy kisser!” By midmorning, he decided he'd better make amends for such remarks, and he phoned home. After many rings, his wife picked up the phone. He asked her, "What took you so long to answer?" She said, “I was just spending some time with that good looking doctor that just moved in next door.” The doctor said, "What were you doing with him?" She said, "I was getting a second opinion."

When you are sick, you do not have to go see a doctor but many times it is a good idea.

It is also true that you do not have to go to church to worship the Lord, but it is something that God knew was a good idea, and that is why He commands us to attend the house of God.