Working for Jesus Mark 9:38-42

Text: “...Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy Name, and he followeth not us; and we forbad him...Jesus said, ‘Forbid him not...for he that is not against us is on our part.’”

Mark 9:38-40.

Good morning, Christian worker!  The moment you sought to serve the Living Christ Jesus; oppositions flooded in from every direction.  The world; the flesh; and the Devil were all immediately up in arms against you.  Yet, this surprised you not.  For the Scriptures had already warned you of all these ungodly oppositions.  Praise God! 

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-20)

The full armour of God is not supplied for a false battle.  Thus, you set forth aware of these dangers and were well prepared to cope with them.

“The Lord is my light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”  (Psalm 27:1-3)

However, there were also oppositions set before you which surprised you in their intensity - and these oppositions nearly broke your faithful heart.  (Matthew 5:10-16)

The Bigots:  True bigots are beautiful people, doing all things to the best of their ability, BY GOD: that’s what the word ‘bigot’ is thought by many to have derived from, two German words which translate ‘by God’ (i.e., bi Gott).  The early Bavarian Christian believers sought to do all things by the Word of God, or by God’s Word.  That’s why unbelievers ridiculed them and labelled them ‘bi Gotts’, which became ‘bigots’.  (Psalm 119:105)

However, the ‘bigots’ which oppose God’s workers are the sectarian, parochially-minded, members of so-called Christian congregations who see their duties extending only to ‘members’ of their own denomination - deluded people whose activities work in opposition to all other regenerate Christians that do not adhere STRICTLY to their man-made creed; or their man-made confessions of faith. (Colossians 2:20-22) (Mark 7:7-9) (Isaiah 29:12-13)

These are dangerous enemies of the Cross of Christ Jesus, and of any genuine work for Christ being done by sincere, Bible-believing Christians.

In their attempt to adhere to the letter of their professed confession of faith, they stray subtly into a rigid form of LEGALISM and place their souls, and the souls of all who are deceived by them, in danger of Hell’s fire. (2 Timothy 3:5)

Love for all regenerate (born again) brethren is absolutely essential to a true Christian profession, as taught by Christ Jesus Himself.  (John 15:13) (1 John 3:10-18) (1 John 4:7-8)

So, let each of us ask ourselves the question:  Does my love for my sisters and brothers come up to this required standard?  Or am I relying on the letter of the law?  (Philippians 2:12)  (2 Corinthians 13:5)       

The Labellers:   Labellers place a label - usually a derogatory one - upon a Christian worker because he/she doesn’t hold rigidly to the same secondary doctrines or method of practice, as the labeller’s own parochially-minded little group.

Soon, a campaign of back-biting and slanderous gossip is waged against the targeted Christian worker - making his/her labours and ventures for Christ extremely difficult, if not almost humanly impossible to achieve.  (Romans 8:31) (Luke 6:26)

This should not be, beloved Christian!  Denominational envy, like Satanic oppositions, are anathema to the Lord Jesus.  Therefore, let all regenerate Christians, true children of the Most High God, work together in harmony.  Let not the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ be weakened by divisions.  “Two are better than one…”  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“We see in these verses, the mind of Christ on the great subject of toleration in religion. The apostle John said to Him, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.” The man was doing a good work without doubt. He was warring on the same side as the apostles, beyond question. But this did not satisfy John. He did not work in the company of the apostles. He did not fight in line with them. And therefore, John had forbidden him. —But let us hear now what the great Head of the Church decides! “Jesus said, forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us, is on our part.”

“Here is a golden rule indeed, and one that human nature sorely needs, and has too often forgotten. Men of all branches of Christ’s Church are apt to think that no good can be done in the world, unless it is done by their own party and denomination. They are so narrow-minded, that they cannot conceive the possibility of work­ing on any other pattern but that which they follow. They make an idol of their own peculiar ecclesiastical machinery, and can see no merit in any other. They are like him who cried when Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp, “My lord Moses forbid them.” (Numbers 11:28)” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

Thought:  A house divided against itself shall not stand.  (Matthew 12:25)

 

Ambition! Mark 9:33-37

Text:  When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2.

Good morning, ambitious Christian!  You aim at success in your service for the Lord; your conscience is clear as to why, and for what reason, you desire the position, the goal, you seek.  Thus, as a consequence, the Lord God gives your ventures His blessing, and you achieve your desired goal.  Praise and thank the Lord for your success!  Amen. 

“I am the Vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do NOTHING.”  (John 15:5)

But not all ambition is worthy ambition - pride lurks at every corner in this fallen life we live.  Beware!  Even the anointed cherub, Lucifer, “...the son of the morning...”, was cast down from God’s Holy Mountain for harbouring proud ambitions in his magnificently created breast. 

Check out God’s Word on the matter: (Proverbs 16:18-19) (Daniel 4:30-33) (Ezekiel 28:11-19) (Isaiah 14:9-19)  

Let we who are called to be Christians beware that we fall not in some similar manner.  May the Lord God keep us from this sin of ambitious pride.

“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord?  Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the Name of my God in vain.”  (Proverbs 30:8-9)

Our Bible reading for this morning reveals how ashamed the disciples of Christ were after ambition to be greatest was disputed among them. (V.34) When the Lord Jesus inquired about their dispute, the disciples “...held their peace...”.  The Master’s enquiry was enough to bring them to their senses. 

The Lord knows our hearts and minds better than we will ever know ourselves.  He sees what we successfully conceal from each other, and what’s more, He sees what we quite successfully hide from our very selves!  (1 Samuel 16:7b) (Acts 1:24) (Jeremiah 17:9)

My humble dictionary defines ambition as: strong desire to achieve success; the object of such a desire.

Therefore, it is not a sin to be ambitious - not in the least!  But it becomes sin when the success sought is sought at any cost to others, or any detraction from our witness for the Lord Jesus.  If it is not of Christian faith, it is sin. (Romans 14:16-23)

Success, on the other hand, is defined as: the attainment of what is desired; that which succeeds; triumph. 

Right Motivation: Therefore, it follows that, Christian ambition is succeeding in the achievement of some purpose or venture entered into, according to right motives, in the service of the Lord God, and to the greater glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer king.  As we are taught: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.  Amen!

Such successful goals and achievements should, of course, be every Christian’s chief aim in life, and God blesses all such ventures. 

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” (Colossians 3:17-23)

In our reading today, Christ taught the disciples that, if a person desired to be first, or best; or most successful - for the wrong motives - then that person would indeed be last of all.  Pride comes before a fall.

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us mark, in the second place, in these verses, the ambition and love of pre-eminence which the apostles exhibited. “By the way they disputed among themselves who should be greatest.”

“How strange this sounds! Who would have thought that a few fishermen and publicans could have been over­come by emulation, and the desire of supremacy? Who would have expected that poor men, who had given up all for Christ’s sake, would have been troubled by strife and dissension, as to the place and precedence which each one deserved? Yet so it is. The fact is recorded for our learning. The Holy Ghost has caused it to be written down for the perpetual use of Christ’s Church. Let us take care that it is not written in vain.

“It is an awful fact, whether we like to allow it or not, that pride is one of the commonest sins which beset human nature. We are all born Pharisees. We all naturally think far better of ourselves than we ought. We all naturally fancy that we deserve something better than we have.”  (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

If our motives for achieving success honour God, or provide the necessary resources for our families, our community; our fellowship group; the disadvantaged; or the Church at large, etc. - then we are assured of the success we seek according to God’s own will and Eternal Purpose.  Hallelujah!  What a gracious Lord God!  (Luke 6:38)

Let these ambitions be our primary objective and let our first ambition be to glorify God in obedience to His own revealed Word.  Amen and again, Amen!  Let it be unto us, oh Lord God, for Thy glory.

Thought:  If our ambitions are God-honouring - they shall be forever God-blessed.

Naked Truth! Mark 9:30-32

Text: “For the Word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12. 

Good morning, truth-bearing Christian!  When you address a church meeting, you come there bearing the naked truths of God’s all-powerful Word.  When you quote your King James Version Bible verses, you are wielding the almighty sword of God’s Holy Spirit.  When you open your mouth wide, in obedience to Scriptural instruction, you are pouring out the greatest power mankind has ever known – the inspired and written Word of God.

God’s truth is evidenced in the transformation of dead spirits into living spirits; valleys of dried bones, into exceeding great armies for Christ; Hell-bound souls transported to be Blood-bought citizens of a Holy Heaven – and all through the full Atonement Sacrifice of King Jesus Christ!   Glory to the Lamb Who was slain, but Who now lives forever!

“The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully.  What is the chaff to the wheat?  Saith the Lord.  Is not My Word like as a fire?  Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock (of unbelief) in pieces?”  (Jeremiah 23:28-29)

This morning’s three-verse Bible selection from our March in Mark’s Gospel, sees with the eyes of faith, THE TRUTH, Christ Jesus, speaking nothing short of naked truth to His close disciples; THE WORD incarnate, speaking the pure and powerful Word of God to those He had chosen out of the world to serve Him as ministers of His all-powerful truth.  Wow!

“Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”  (John 14:6)

“In the beginning was THE WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And THE WORD was made flesh (the incarnation of Christ Jesus), and dwelt among us (John and the disciples), (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  (John 1:1;14)

See how the inspired Scriptures of God all dovetail together, to give you and I, God’s elect, Divine encouragement and faith to trust all that is written therein?  What a blessing!

Note in verse 30, how the Lord Jesus led His trusted disciples out of Galilee; and “…would not that any man should know it.”  He had something naked, vital, and powerful to impart to them, and His Words were for their elect ears only.

Note also the reason for taking His disciples apart from all other hearers: “For He taught His disciples, and said unto them…” (V.31) What He wanted, in this instance, to teach His disciples, turned out to be NAKED TRUTH that was only for their ears to hear at that point.

Naked Truth:  There would be no parables uttered on this solemn and shocking occasion.  There would be no ‘Earthly stories with Heavenly meanings’; no illustrations or Old Testament TYPES of things to come: only the imparting of absolutely NAKED TRUTH.

Try to imagine for a moment, Reader, how the disciples received the naked truth which the Lord Jesus imparted unto them that day.  The disciples were, by this time, totally convinced that their Master, Jesus Christ, was in fact the Son of God; the Chosen One; the long-awaited Jewish Messiah prophesied for the past hundreds of years.  They had actually seen with their own eyes the Supernatural miracles that Jesus had performed for three years, as they ministered in close-association and fellowship with Him, throughout the land!  Now, He is teaching them this NAKED TRUTH – and it cuts, just like that two-edged sword, right down into the very depths of their loving hearts! “The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him; and after that He is killed, He shall rise the third day.” (V.31)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us mark, in these verses, our Lord’s renewed an­nouncement of His own coming, death, and resurrection. “He taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.”

“The dullness of the disciples in spiritual things ap­pears once more, as soon as this announcement was made. There was good in the tidings as well as seeming evil, —sweet as well as bitter, —life as well as death, —the resurrection as well as the cross. But it was all darkness to the bewildered twelve. “They understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask.” Their minds were still full of their mistaken ideas of their Master’s reign upon earth. They thought that His earthly kingdom was immediately to appear. Never are we so slow to under­stand, as when prejudice and preconceived opinions darken our eyes.

“The immense importance of our Lord’s death and resurrection comes out strongly in this fresh announcement which He makes. It is not for nothing that He reminds us again that He must die. He would have us know that His death was the great end for which He came into the world. He would remind us that by that death the great problem was to be solved, how God could be just, and yet justify sinners. He did not come upon earth merely to teach, and preach, and work miracles. He came to make satisfaction for sin, by His own blood and suffering on the cross. Let us never forget this. The incarnation, and example, and words of Christ are all of deep importance. But the grand object which demands our notice in the history of His earthly minis­try, is His death on Calvary.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

Thought: The only Divine reason for Christ coming to our sin-sick and fallen world, was to suffer in our place and to die to pay the just penalty for our sins.  This is naked truth indeed.  This is the truth that sets souls free from our Hell-deserving sin.

“Help Thou Mine Unbelief!” Mark 9:14-29

Text: “Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him/her that believeth (believes, and continues to trust/believe).’”

Mark 9:23.

Good morning, Christian racked by unbelief!  Think not for a moment that you are alone in your dilemma, dear friend in Christ. All who are born again of Christ Jesus, suffer bouts of unbelief during periods in our Christian lives.  No regenerate spirit escapes the torment of doubt.  Hear the plea of Christ’s own chosen apostles - “Lord increase our faith!” 

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”                   (Luke 17:5)

Unbelief, on the other hand, is countered by faith, and faith in turn is found in one place only.  By daily feeding the regenerate (born again) soul on the inspired Word of God, faith is renewed, and the spirit of unbelief is kept cowering in the corner of one’s old carnal nature, hardly daring to show its traitorous face.  (Romans 10:17)

The new nature given us by the Lord God is continually strengthened by faith and we live victorious Christian lives by the help of God the Holy Spirit.  Praise God for His constant help!

“These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome he world.”  (John 16:31-33)

Let us try to empathize for a moment with the poor distraught father portrayed in today’s Bible passage.  Let us try to feel just a little of his feelings for his stricken son; bear momentarily, a small portion of his great burden of anxiety; suffer in sympathy with him.                  (Romans 12:15)

What a terrible burden to bear! How horrible - to watch a loved one suffer so much day by day. Surely our sympathies lie with those thus afflicted; with the carers of stricken loved ones? God bless those called to serve God in this vital manner! (Isaiah 41:10) (Galatians 6:2)

Yet, as our Bible reading reveals, the Lord will never leave us comfortless, nor without His help.  He is only a prayer away from coming to our aid, and healing our every ailment - according to His own will and purpose, and timing.  (James 5:13-18) Amen.

Scribes, Pharisees, doctors of the day, family, and friends could not help this poor demented boy.  Even Christ’s own earthly disciples could do nothing to cast out the disablement of the stricken child.  But Christ could - and He did!  Praise the Lord for His Almighty compassion and power!  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!  (Luke 1:37)

How often each of us allow unbelief to keep us from God’s throne of grace! Instead of fervent prayers, we seek medical specialists and psychiatrists to take away the illness!

Let’s not lose our perspective, beloved Christian friend.  We believe that medical science is a gift from God, and has its proper God-ordained place in the healing of the sick.  Yet, we must not let unbelief in God’s power to heal be reinforced by God’s grace given via medical science.  No!  Let us get our priorities right:  God’s throne of grace in prayer comes FIRST.  Then we take our long-term sick to the medical specialists.  God guides the surgeon’s hands, and gives wisdom to the doctors.  “To God be the glory, great things He hath done!”   (Hebrews 4:12-16) (Romans 16:27)

Now let us return to the father racked by doubts; understand some of what he was suffering through his son’s predicament; and see how honest his plea was to the Lord.  In tears, he cried out, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.” (V.24)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us learn from these verses, how dependent Christ’s disciples are on the company and help of their Master.

“We see this truth brought out in a striking manner in the scene which meets our Lord’s eyes, when He came down from the mount. Like Moses, when he came down from Mount Sinai, he finds his little flock in confusion. He sees His nine apostles beset by a party of malicious Scribes, and baffled in an attempt to heal one who had been brought to them possessed with a devil. The very same disciples who a short time before had done many miracles and “cast out many devils,” had now met with a case too hard for them. They were learning by humbling experience the great lesson, “without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)—It was a useful lesson, no doubt, and over-ruled to their spiritual good. It would probably be remembered all the days of their lives. The things that we learn by smarting experience abide in our memories, while truths heard with the ear are often for­gotten. But we may be sure it was a bitter lesson at the time. —We do not love to learn that we can do nothing without Christ.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

If you and I can be as honest and sincere to God about our own personal unbelief - will He not help us also?  Praise God, He is more than able, and more than willing to help us.  Let us cry out to Him in true honesty today, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”

Thought:  Let’s not seek to hide from Omniscient Lord God what He already knows.

Christ ALONE! Mark 9:1-8

Text: “But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

Hebrews 2:9.

Good morning, transfigured Christian!  Once you were lost, now you are found; once you were blind; now you can see; once you were robed in the rags of your sins, now you are as one transfigured - suddenly and strikingly changed - and stand before God Almighty in the robes of Christ’s righteousness.  Surely that thought should cause all re-born children of God to sing in praise to Him.  We are Redeemed by Christ ALONE. 

“Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”          (Acts 4:12)

Today’s Bible reading relates the story of Christ’s miraculous transfiguration before Peter, James and John - upon a high mountain somewhere in Israel; as Christ prophesied would take place in verse one of our reading.

“And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power.” (V.1)

God always does what He says He will do - in His own perfect time; according to His own perfect will; and to fulfil His own Eternal Purpose.  What a Lord God!  Hallelujah!  (Numbers 23:19) (Ephesians 1:9-11)

But, why should the Lord reveal such a manifestation of Heavenly things to those of His disciples whom He was teaching the necessity of faith?  (Hebrews 11:1;6) (Romans 8:24) (Hebrews 4:2)

Think about it, my friend, muse upon the lesson Christ was here teaching, for it is an important one for the universal Christian Church today.

Not only does this passage teach us that we shall know each other in Heaven - it teaches us that we shall know each other even in our glorified bodies of sinless purity, as spoken of by the apostle John. 

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”  (1 John 3:1-3) (Romans 8:29-30)

“As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)  

The disciples KNEW Elijah and Moses as they talked with Jesus.  We are not told how they knew them - but know them they most definitely did! (Vs.4-5)

No, the main thrust of Christ’s transfiguration was to teach us that we are to worship God ALONE, in the Person of Christ Jesus, as the Commandments instruct us. (Exodus 20:3-6)

There stood the mighty Moses representing the Law.  There stood the powerful Elijah who represented the prophets.  Yet, God’s Voice from Heaven proclaimed Jesus as God’s beloved Son, and instructed the three disciples to hear Him ALONE. (V.7)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

The last thing which demands our notice in this passage is the distinct testimony which it bears to Christ’s office and dignity, as the promised Messiah. We see this testimony first in the appearance of Moses and Elias, the representatives of the law and the prophets. They appear as witnesses that Jesus is He of whom they spoke in old times, and of whom they wrote that He would come. They disappear after a few minutes, and leave Jesus alone, as though they would show that they were only witnesses, and that our Master having come, the servants resign to Him the chief place.

“We see this testimony, secondly, in the miraculous voice from heaven, saying, “this is my beloved Son: hear Him.” The same voice of God the Father, which was heard at our Lord’s baptism, was heard once more at His transfiguration. On both occasions there was the same solemn declaration, “this is my beloved Son.” On this last occasion, there was an addition of two most important words, “Hear Him.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

Thus, Christ alone is the Word; Christ alone was Crucified for us; Christ alone suffered the penalty for our vile sins; Christ alone died an infinite death in our place; and Christ alone rose again from the dead to justify His elect people, His Bride, the universal Church.  All praise to His Holy Name!  (John 3:16-17) (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) (Romans 5:1-2)

It was surely to this end that the Heavenly Voice was heard, for once God had spoken - the disciples “...saw no man any more save Jesus only...” (V.8) What an altogether lovely sight to see!              (1 Corinthians 3:1-11)

Let us, therefore, look only to the Living Lord Jesus Christ for Eternal Salvation, and live forever for that vital look.  Amen.  So be it, Lord God.

Thought:  There are many mighty Christians - but only One Almighty Christ Jesus.