We Are The Salt Series

We are the Salt

Mark 9:38-50

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

-- 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.”

- IMP: What God says to us here is critical application for living for Him

- Continuing in our study, we see Jesus performing more miracles/healings

-- His approach is direct, but sometimes the “why” is hidden from us

-- Let’s explore these passages and see if we can discover the “why” for ourselves

- Today we continue to see something very unique to Mark’s Gospel

-- The glory of God is revealed; as is the Christian’s glory in Him

-- In our service to God is where we SEE His glory revealed

- This is actually Jesus’ final ministry in Galilee, and His work is critical

-- From here He continues His journey to places outside Galilee; additional areas

-- Going forth, setting the example of Acts 1:8 (be my witnesses in Jerusalem …)

- Tonight’s lesson is a great encouragement of living fully for Christ

-- We see two things: one, there is communion and fellowship in Jesus

-- And two, it would be better have Jesus than anything else we could imagine

- Read Mark 9:38-50

∆ Point 1 – Is it Us versus Them? (38-41)

- What John seeks to do here is what we’ve done to ourselves quite effectively

-- If you get nothing else tonight … get this right here (v38)

-- John is seeking to divide those on Earth from who he considers saved

-- His view is so worldly that it actually gives us hope for today, 2014

- However, God’s word provides us an opportunity to reconcile itself

-- TURN to Matthew 7 (remember, Matthew was there and saw this personally)

-- Matt 7:22, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?”

- On the surface, it would seem that the bible just contradicted itself, right?

- But if you read the very next verse you see the answer to this:

-- Matt 7:23, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

-- APP: Do you see who answers them? JESUS!

- What is Jesus saying here for us to learn?

- If someone is using my name let me be the judge if they are right or not

-- Let me be the judge on whether they should be condemned

- We are commanded to leave judgment to Jesus!

-- APP: Just because you don’t know them, doesn’t mean they are wrong!

- Let’s just simmer on that for a minute … (pause)

-- There is a bond formed between those who believe in Jesus Christ

-- However, what we do is seek to tear one another down because of theology

-- Most times, it’s over practices and doctrine than anything else

-- EX: KJV is the only way; hymns are God’s true songs to be sung; etc.

- Biblically, the bond is provided ONLY by the Holy Spirit who testifies

-- Romans 8:16, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.”

- What Jesus does in effect is tell John to take a chill pill and relax a bit

-- (v41) In the desert offering a beverage was an incredible act of kindness

-- It meant that you were friends; that you were considered “OK” to them

-- HUGE APP: When you do something in His name, you will be rewarded!

- Earlier tie in: We need to stop trying to do things that lead others to ourselves

-- EX: Do we lead people to worship us … or to worship Christ?

-- Society is not the enemy, but the mission to field to work with others for Him

- TRANS: Jesus then continues on this same train of thought for us (deeper)

∆ Point 2 – To maim … or not to main (42-50)

- On the contrary (Jesus continues) anyone who is a roadblock is in sin

-- Ouch … I mean ouch! If someone is working for Christ and you stop them …

-- This is where we’ve got the challenge for the night (v42)

- Jesus calls all those who are being led to the kingdom little ones

-- This would include the humble, the weak, those less fortunate, those in need

- What we say we are, means WAY LESS than how we act in our lives

-- It’s a “proof is in the pudding” kind of event here that Jesus leans towards

-- APP: If you say you are His, then work for Him and not for yourself