Beware the Wiles of Worldlings! Mark 12:13-27

Text: “And they (religious rulers) send unto Him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.”

Mark 12:13.

 Good morning, besieged Christian!  Because the Lord God has blessed you with His gift of faith to believe (trust) in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the great forgiveness of our vile sins; and the wonderful Eternal Salvation He alone can give us – you are often besieged by worldly, unsaved, detractors; unbelieving detractors whom, because of their total inability to believe the Gospel, would dearly desire to ruin your true belief, and your trust in the risen Christ Jesus.  There are none as ruthless in irreverence than those that do not, and indeed just will not, believe the Gospel truths.

I well remember my own personal experiences when just a ‘babe in Christ’, a young believer just saved from my vile catalogue of serious sins – the questions worldlings put to me were continuous and at times premediated carefully.

“Oh yeah.  You’re a Christian now then? Okay, well tell us, how did this Noah guy get dinosaurs into the ark he built?”  Or, “You believe that old Bible, do you?  Okay, where did Cain get his wife from?”  And, “How can you believe in a God you cannot see, feel, touch, or taste?”

Of course, of myself, I had no answers to such well premeditated and anti-Christian questions – but some of the answers I gave these ‘wise guy worldlings’ went like this: “Dinosaurs? Went into the ark two by two!” (Genesis 6:19) “Cain got his wife ‘in the land of Nod’”. (Genesis 4:16-17) And then I asked them did they believe in electricity and of course, they said they did.  So, I then asked them the question that they had originally asked me, “How can you believe in something that you cannot see, feel, touch, or taste?”  They answered, “Because we see the effect of electricity, we can feel its warmth, we can believe in its power.”  I would then smile at them for a moment, and say, “You and I can see the effect that God has had in my life, a man you guys were once afraid off. I can feel the warmth of Christ’s all-encompassing love, forgiveness, and Presence each and every day; and His power to transform an evil, murdering UFF terrorist like me is presented to you guys every day here in this maximum-security political prison.” 

Most of my detractors and would-be tormentors would then slowly drift away, unable to deny my Christian conversion – but some would never allow themselves to even believe the proof of their own unbelieving eyes.  God had not given many of them Spiritual eyes to see.

“…The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned.”                 (1 Corinthians 2:14)  

It is not, primarily, that the reprobate mind/heart will not want to believe – it is the FACT that they cannot believe, due to their being rejected (reprobate) of our Sovereign Lord God. Unpopular teaching in this apostate day, but true to God’s own infallible Word.

“No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him/her: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44) 

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us observe in the beginning of this passage, how men of different religious opinions can unite in opposing Christ. We read of “Pharisees and Herodians” coming together to “catch our Lord in His words,” and perplex Him with a hard question. The Pharisee was a superstitious formal­ist, who cared for nothing but the outward ceremonies of religion. The Herodian was a mere man of the world, who despised all religion, and cared more for pleasing men than God. Yet when there came among them a mighty teacher who assailed the ruling passions of both alike, and spared neither formalist nor worldling, we see them making common cause, and uniting in a common effort to stop His mouth.

“It has always been so from the beginning of the world. We may see the same thing going on at the present day. Worldly men and formalists have little real sympathy with one another. They dislike one another’s principles, and despise one another’s ways. But there is one thing which they both dislike even more, and that is the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. And hence, whenever there is a chance of opposing the Gospel, we shall always see the worldly man and the formalist combine and act together. We must expect no mercy from them: they will show none. We must never reckon on their divisions: they will always patch up an alliance to resist Christ.

“Let us observe, for another thing, in this passage, the exceeding subtlety of the question propounded to our Lord. His enemies asked him, “Is it lawful to give tribute to César, the Roman emperor, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?” Here was a question, which it seemed at first sight impossible to answer without peril. If our Lord had replied “give,” the Pharisees would have accused him before the priests, as one who regarded the Jewish nation as under subjection to Rome. If our Lord had replied, “Do not give,” the Herodians would have accused him before Pilate, as a seditious person who taught rebellion against the Roman government. The trap was indeed well planned. Surely, we may see in it the cunning hand of one greater than man. That old serpent the devil was there.”  (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)

“Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not.”  (John 8:44-45)

Thought: Stand fast then, Christian! No matter how besieged you are by unbelieving tormentors, detractors, or those set on ridicule.  You have the Eternal Victory – in Christ Jesus.  It is FINISHED!  Victory is ours through the shed Blood of Christ.

Fruit from the Vineyard Mark 12:1-12

Text: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us Eternal Life, and this Life is in His Son.  He that hath the Son hath Life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not Life.”

1 John 5:11-12.

Good morning, Christian landowner!  Praise God for He has made you a steward of His possessions - “...the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein...”           (Psalm 24:1)

Therefore, take heed how you use the land, beloved possessor, God requires good fruit from all parts of His planted vineyard.  (Matthew 25:19-21)

Today’s Bible reading focuses on the parable of the vineyard, and the serious Bible student must dig deeply into such parables if the fruits of Truth are to be safely harvested and shared with other truth-seekers.

The Vineyard: (V.1) The vineyard of our parable is, of course, God’s Creation - the Lord Created all, and gave it to mankind in His love for us.  We can claim no credit for God’s Creation.  (Genesis 2:1-3)

God’s Messengers: (Vs.2-5) Let us cast our minds back through the ages and the pages of the Old Testament history accounts of God and our forefathers; meditate on Moses' ministry; the many God-sent Judges; Samuel’s searching for Godliness among the people; and the faithfulness, foolishness; and renewed steadfastness of that shepherd boy turned king, Jessie’s son, David.

Let us remind ourselves of the prophets, major and minor, yet all mirroring the same scene of God’s faithfulness in sending them to us, and our utterly predictable abuse of the messengers sent.  It’s all here depicted in Christ’s parable.  Nothing has changed today.

The Beloved Son: (Vs.6-8) What love the Owner/Father had for His labourers, that He would send them his only beloved son to collect from these hirelings the fruits of their reasonable duties.  What infinite love indeed!  (Romans 12:1-2) (John 3:16-17)

Yet again, mankind revealed only the fruits of Adam’s fall - the total depravity of human nature within us.  The Owner’s son was thus slain and cast out of the vineyard.   (Hebrews 13:11-13) (Jeremiah 17:9)

The Hirelings Rejected: (V.9) What a vengeance rested in this father’s soul for those who had slain and rejected his only son.  The Jewish Nation rejected its Messiah (Jesus Christ) - and thus, Salvation was offered to us, the Gentile Nations of the world.       (Acts 28:23-28) (Ephesians 2:11-13)

J.C. Ryle’s Comments:

“Let us be thankful for our mercies, and know the hand from which they come. Let us not be high-minded, but humble, lest we provoke God to take our mercies away. If Israel had peculiar national privileges, so also has England. Let English­men mark this well, and take heed, lest that which happened to Israel should happen also to them.

“Let us observe, in the second place, God’s patience and longsuffering towards the Jewish nation. What is their whole history as recorded in the Old Testament, but a long record of repeated provocations and repeated pardons? Over and over again we read of prophets being sent to them, and warnings being delivered, but too often entirely in vain. One servant after another came to the vineyard of Israel, and asked for fruit. One servant after another was “sent away empty” by the Jewish husbandmen, and no fruit borne by the nation to the glory of God. “They mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets.” (2 Chronicles 36:16) Yet hundreds of years passed away before “the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” Never was there a people so patiently dealt with as Israel.

“And we too, who dwell in Great Britain, have we no longsuffering of God to be thankful for? Beyond doubt, we have abundant cause to say, that our Lord is patient. He does not deal with us according to our sins, or reward us according to our iniquities. We have often provoked Him to take our candlestick away, and to deal with us as He has dealt with Tyre, and Babylon, and Rome. Yet His longsuffering and lovingkindness continue still.

“Let us beware that we do not presume on His goodness too far. Let us hear in His mercies a loud call to us to bear fruit, and let us strive to abound in that righteous­ness which alone exalteth a nation. (Proverbs 14:34) Let every family in the land feel its responsibility to God, and then the whole nation will be seen showing forth His praise… 

“Prophet after prophet was sent to them in vain. Miracle after miracle was wrought among them, without any lasting effect. The Son of God Himself, the well-beloved, at last came down to them, and was not believed. God Himself was manifest in the flesh, dwelling among them, and “they took Him and killed Him.” There is no truth so little realized and believed as the “desperate wickedness” of the human heart. Let the parable before us this day be always reckoned among the standing proofs of it.”  (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)

The Hypocrites’ Reaction: (V.12) This parable, as we see, was told to the religious rulers of the day, hypocrites who hated Christ’s truth.  Has anything really changed today?  When we speak Bible truth, we also shall find ourselves rejected by the unbelieving and the hypocrite.  Yet, praise God, the Son stands with us to give Life Eternal indeed - outside the camp of the world – and any place that Christ condescends to dwell is truly Heaven indeed.

Thought:   Only God the Spirit can produce Spiritual fruit in such a carnal and hard Vineyard.  Only Christ Jesus can grant Eternal life and forgiveness of our sins.

“On What Authority?” Mark 11:27-33

Text: “...From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...”

2 Timothy 3:15-16.

Good morning, Christian speaker!  You speak well, but on what authority does your utterances and preaching, teaching; or simple witnessing stand?  This is the real question to be asked in the ministry of any mere mortal who had been saved by God’s free grace.

Your personal opinions on Eternal matters, like mine, might be quite interesting to hear - but they have no Spiritual authority whatsoever.  Thus, a look at true Spiritual authority is crucial to any lesson on Christian doctrine, principle; practice; or ministry unto others.  It is not in any light manner that the Lord God commands us to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15)

My humble dictionary defines the concept of authority as follows: Power to compel obedience; person or group of persons having such power; power of influence; book or document giving trustworthy information and reliable opinions.

Therefore, to have authority means one has the power to compel obedience to that authority; the blueprint from which one can authoritatively direct how things are to be done.

To work outside the blueprint of authority is thus to err from the truth, and in the Spiritual realm this is, of course, fatal - Eternally fatal!  (John 8:31-47) (Revelation 21:8)

For Christians, our Eternal blueprint of absolute authority is the Bible - God’s own Word of authority, given to mankind by God the Holy Ghost. 

We KNOW how we should seek to live our lives, establish our thoughts; and worship God in the manner He demands, because we have His instructions written in His Book.  (2 Peter 1:21)

Stealing:  Christians know authoritatively that they must not steal.  How?  Because God’s Word forbids it.  Thus, we forbid stealing by God’s own authority and power.   (Exodus 20:15) (Leviticus 19:11)

Murdering:  How do we KNOW it is wrong to murder another human being?  Why, Gods Word clearly teaches us that this is so.  We therefore forbid murder on the authority of God’s Word. Simple, is it not? (Exodus 20:13) (Romans 13:9)

Homosexuality:  How do we KNOW homosexuality is unnatural and a perversion of God’s will for the human species?  God’s Word clearly teaches us that it is indeed so.  We must therefore condemn it and flee from such a sinful practice.  (Romans 1:18-27) (Jude 7-13)

Mariolatry: How do we KNOW that praying to, worshipping and exulting Mary, the mother of Jesus, is forbidden? Because the Bible teaches us that it is forbidden.  We can’t be Christians and refute the teachings of Christ! (Exodus 20:3-6) (Jeremiah 44:2-8; 17-19; 25-27)

God’s Word, contained in the 66 books of KJV Canonical Scripture is our only true Authority for believing, receiving Christ’s Salvation, practicing and teaching, genuine Christianity to our hearers.

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“The first lesson here is the uselessness of a mere outward profession of Christianity. Not everyone that saith “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Not all that profess and call themselves Christians shall be saved.

“Let us take notice of this. It requires far more than most people seem to think necessary, to save a soul. We may be baptized in the name of Christ, and boast confidently of our ecclesiastical privileges; we may possess head knowledge, and be quite satisfied with our own state; we may even be preachers, and teachers of others, and do “many wonderful works” in connection with our Church: but all this time are we practically doing the will of our Father in heaven? Do we truly repent, truly believe on Christ, and live holy and humble lives? If not, in spite of all our privileges and profession, we shall miss heaven at last, and be for ever cast away. We shall hear those awful words, “I never knew you: depart from Me,”

“The day of judgment will reveal strange things. The hopes of many, who were thought great Christians while they lived, will be utterly confounded. The rottenness of their religion will be exposed and put to shame before the whole world. It will then be proved that to be saved means something more than “making a profession.” We must make a “practice” of our Christianity as well as a “profession.” Let us often think of that great day: let us often “judge ourselves, that we be not judged,” and condemned by the Lord. Whatever else we are, let us aim at being real, true, and sincere.”  (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition on Matthew’s Gospel.)

From our study today, therefore, we learn that God’s Word is our ONLY final authority for speaking and teaching on these and all other Spiritual matters.  Either we believe and obey God’s instructions or we run on headlong into gross error, perversion, and even idolatry.  Mankind’s wisdom and all the human reasoning in the world is foolishness when compared to the authoritative wisdom of God, as found in our KJV Bibles. (1 Corinthians 1:17-20)

Speak on then, faithful Christian, teach on in that faithful way; witness at every God-given opportunity - but speak ONLY by the final authority of the infallible written Word.

Thought:  If you seek to do what’s right by God - read and obey God’s righteous Instructions for doing so.  We speak, live, and teach in the authority of God’s Word.                                                    

Figs, Fruit, Faith and Forgiveness Mark 11:12-26

Text: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not everyone that saith to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven.”

Matthew 7:19-21.

Good morning, fruitful Christian!  Despite your many human failings, weaknesses and faults, you are persevering in the faith and bearing good fruit for Christ Jesus.  At times you may not see your own fruit; at times you may not feel you are winning the race; at times you shall feel like shrivelling up and fading away - but yet you continue on.  Praise God you do!  Hallelujah!  What a witness to the power of God the Spirit!  (Psalm 1:1-3) 

Figs: (Vs.12-14) The fig is, of course, a soft, pear-shaped, pulpy fruit.  It is filled with tiny seeds; sweet to the taste; and full of juice.  Probably all of us have had some figs at some time, perhaps as an after-dinner dessert.

Thus, it was such a refreshment the Lord Jesus hungered after in our chosen passage of Scripture reading for today.  A living practical faith in God is what refreshes Christ the most - but He found only the fig-leaves of profession upon the hapless tree.  Perhaps this is a reminder of the original sins of Eve and Adam in that perfect garden so very long ago.  (Genesis 3:6-8)

False professors may seem to flourish in this life, but sadly, they shall perish when the Lord brings in the timeless era of Life Eternal.  They shall be, “...hewn down and cast into the fire.”.  What a waste of potential!  (Luke 13:3)

Fruit: (Vs.15-19) Figs are fruitful in that they bear so many seeds.  Consistent study of God’s Word fills the would-be fruitful Christian with the seeds of life, yeah indeed, the seeds of Life Eternal.

If, on the other hand, we are found to be just like the money-changers in today’s passage - using religious practice for wrong, selfish, ends - the Lord will utterly detest the bitter fruit that we bear and God’s Eternal curse upon sinfulness shall remain on us.  God’s Way is perfect.  “Ye must be born again!”  (Luke 8:11) (1 Peter 1:23-25) (John 3:3-8) Hallelujah!

Faith: (Vs.20-24) Where does one find faith - faith to be saved; faith to be sanctified daily from sin; faith to be fruitful followers of Christ the Lord?  (Romans 10:17)

Yes, indeed.  By their fruits ye shall know them.  Good faith stems from sound Scriptural doctrine and inspires an earnest attempt to practice such doctrine in one’s life.  Those who would be fruitful are consistent in Bible studies, and in daily Christian practice - to the very best of our ability.  (1 Timothy 1:8-11) (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Forgiveness: (Vs.25-26) Forgiveness is a fruit of Christian faith - faith to forgive is a gift to us from the Lord God.

However, we mere sinners cannot forgive sins!  Only God can forgive sins.  But we can be WILLING to forgive trespasses against us, IF the offender willingly and sincerely repents, and seeks our forgiveness!  (Mark 2:7b) (Luke 17:3-5) (Matthew 18:15-17)

If we do not repent of our sins against God, God will not forgive us until we do.  Therefore, fellowship with God will be broken by our sins.  (Isaiah 59:1-2)

However, the moment we sincerely repent of our daily sins we find forgiveness from a compassionate Lord God. (1 John 1:6-10)

Similarly, the moment others seek our forgiveness for deeds done against us - NOT deeds committed against God - we must be willing to forgive them and to resume good relations, or fellowship, with them.  (Matthew 6:14-15)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“There was a voice in the fig-tree for all the branches of Christ’s visible Church in every age, and every part of the world. There was a warning against an empty pro­fession of Christianity, unaccompanied by sound doctrine and holy living, which some of those branches would have done well to lay to heart. But above all there was a voice in that withered fig tree for all carnal, hypocri­tical, and false-hearted Christians. Well would it be for all who are content with a name to live while in reality they are dead, if they would only see their own faces in the glass of this passage.

“Let us take care that we each individually learn the lesson that this fig tree conveys. Let us always remem­ber, that baptism, and church-membership, and reception of the Lord’s Supper, and a diligent use of the outward forms of Christianity, are not sufficient to save our souls. They are leaves, nothing but leaves, and without fruit will add to our condemnation. Like the fig leaves of which Adam and Eve made themselves garments, they will not hide the nakedness of our souls from the eye of an all-seeing God, or give us boldness when we stand before Him at the last day. No! we must bear fruit, or be lost for ever.

“There must be fruit in our hearts and fruit in our lives, the fruit of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and true holiness in our conversation (entire lifestyle). Without such fruits as these a profession of Christianity will only sink us lower into hell.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark.)

Go to then, fruitful Christian, learn the lesson of the fig tree - bear good fruit; increase in faith; be ever willing to forgive those who sincerely repent.  Become more like Christ Jesus.

Thought: God detests the fig-leaves of false religion - their fruits are not to His Holy taste. (Matthew 7:18-20)

“…What do ye, Loosing the Colt?” Mark 11:1-11

Text: “And certain of them that stood there said unto them, ‘What do ye, loosing the colt?’” 

Mark 11:5. 

Good morning, once wild Christian!  Once you were the wildest child in your community; now you are gloriously at peace.  Once you were trammelled by ambition, gambling, violence and lust – now, you are unfettered within and at rest.  What Person and power has made this great and evident difference?  Who has dared to ‘…loose the colt…’ of your old carnal nature and set you Spiritually free?  Praise God, only One Person can - Jesus, the risen Christ.  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!

“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)

However, knowing Who it was that ‘…loosed the colt…’ of our old natural passions, lusts and sin still doesn’t fully answer the question initially posed by the owners of this young, frisky, unbroken horse in today’s Bible reading: ‘… ‘What do ye, loosing the colt?’ (V5)

Verse six of our selected Bible passage gives us the answer: “And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.”

Praise God.  We Christians and mankind in general have all the questions.  But God’s Word alone holds all the correct answers.

The young, frisky, unbroken colt horse, ‘…whereon yet never man sat…’, was loosed and brought to Jesus because the Lord had need of it. 

We unbroken, wild sinners were also ‘…loosed…’ by the Spirit of God in order that the Lord Jesus might use us in His service.

“And you hath He quickened, who were DEAD in trespasses and sins…Even when we were DEAD (Spiritually dead) in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1;5-6) (Ephesians 2:10)

What a privileged calling to service this is, my friend!  We are chosen of God Himself, saved and sanctified, and made fit to serve His Son, Christ Jesus.  Now, this is something for us to get excited about!  Bless the Lord oh my soul!  Thanks be to God, amen.

“Ye have not chosen Me (the Lord God), but I have chosen you (once wild sinners), and ordained you (loosed you?), that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name (the Name of Jesus), He may give it you.”  (John 15:16) Glory to God Almighty!

From the very moment we Hell-deserving sinners are Spiritually regenerated by the grace of God, ‘…loosed…’ from the bondage of our natural and inherited sin - we are inspired and empowered by God the Spirit to commence a life of Christian service. 

There are no secret Christians in Christ’s Kingdom.  There are none saved by God that are not immediately called to be soldiers in the Spiritual Battle.  We are saved to serve the risen Christ.

“Then said He (the Lord God) unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain (dead in sin), that they may live.  So, I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great Army.”  (Ezekiel 37:9-10)

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that thou hast heard of me (Paul) among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men/women, who shall be able to teach others also.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man/woman that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he/she may please Him (Christ Jesus) Who hath chosen him/her to be a soldier.”          (2 Timothy 2:1-4)

To the question posed, ‘What do ye loosing the colt?’, we can now clearly see the answer Christ gave His disciples to impart – “…Because the Lord hath need of him.” (Luke 19:31)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us observe…in this passage, the voluntary poverty which our Lord underwent, when He was upon earth. How did He enter Jerusalem when He came to it on this remarkable occasion? Did He come in a royal chariot, with horses, soldiers, and a retinue around Him, like the kings of this world? We are told nothing of the kind. We read that He borrowed the colt of an ass for the occasion, and sat upon the garments of His disciples for lack of a saddle. This was in perfect keeping with all the tenor of His ministry. He never had any of the riches of this world. When He crossed the sea of Galilee, it was in a borrowed boat. When He rode into the holy city, it was on a borrowed beast. When He was buried, it was in a borrowed tomb.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark.)

The Lord Jesus Christ loosed you and I, Christian, to permit us the utter privilege of serving Him and furthering His Spiritual Kingdom, He borrowed us from the world, the flesh, and the Devil – and re-created us ‘new creatures’ in Himself, in order that we might take a stand for Him. What are you and I actually doing for Christ today?  Are we serving Him at all? Ladies and gentlemen of the true Bible-believing Christian faith, we are at Spiritual war!  Let us acquit ourselves bravely in every Spiritual encounter.  The Ultimate Victory is already won at the place called Calvary.  Glory to the Lamb Who has ‘…loosed…’ our sinful souls!

Thought: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” - Christ has wrought the Victory.  All glory to the King of all kings!