Big Brother and a Blow out

The past few days have been pretty full and interesting. On Thursday afternoon, I picked Michael up from the airport (he was coming in for 13 days). He is the older brother of Alex and Isabella we didn't know existed until a few months ago. I previously blogged about this on April 3rd: "We have family in Idaho?" We are excited about getting to know him better, and having Alex and Isabella spend some time with this long lost brother. It is so cool what God has done; and we believe there is much more left of this story...to be continued in the future!


This week, Alex and Isabella have been on their first missions trip (not counting when they went with me as small children). They attended Jr. High summer camp, also doing community projects during the day. We are very thankful for this ministry opportunity they have taken. When Michael's parents (yes - adoptive) heard that they would be at camp, they wondered if Michael might be able to go as well. We were actually thinking that ourselves; and set it all up. I was going to take Michael, on Friday, to spend the last day of camp and the missions trip with Alex and Isabella.


One problem: I was supposed to go on the Father/Son camping trip with our church, with my other son, Caleb. We were really looking forward to it. Caleb is so awesome. He accepted and was genuinely excited about plan B: Take Michael to camp and then spend the day together, camping out there instead. Everything looked like it would work out. So, early on Friday morning, we set out for the camp in the limosine for the day - my baby blue beautiful 1997 Ford Aspire (don't be jealous).


About 30 minutes into the trip, the limo started to rattle and roll (and not from the loud rock music we were playing), make loud noises and then slow down. I pulled off to the side of the road, only to find out that the right passenger side tire had a blow out. The tire was completely off the wheel - not good. I am very thankful, we were all safe; and the limo was in tact. Within the hour, the tow truck was there and he helped me put on the little donut spare (I didn't exactly have the tools needed). At least I had my AAA card and cell phone (with a cell or two left). We found a place to replace the tire (thanks Walmart! - actually replace 2 tires, since they found steel coming through another one!). We were then back on our way, and did make it safely to the camp- before lunch!


Caleb and I had a great time together; and Michael was able to enjoy the final day and night of camp and the missions trip with Alex and Isabella. It has been an exciting few days; but I wouldn't exactly wish for the same circumstances any time soon. Another lesson learned: Many of God's greatest blessings come in the midst of challenges; and need to be received with thankfulness and enjoyed. It is too easy to allow disappointment, discontentment or discouragement to keep me from seeing all of God's blessings.

HEART CHECK

This message was preached on June 22, 2008. An audio version of it can be heard at www.gbcwestlake.org and then click on listen now. This was a good message for me, as I continually have to evaluate myself as I read and study about Jesus and His disciples. When they were in the storm, Jesus said they had hardened hearts because they did not learn from the incident of the feeding of the 5,000. They should have. How many lessons have I learned about my God; and yet, in the midst of difficulty, they seem to "go out the window". I encourage you to also take some time for self evaluation during this message.

HEART CHECK
Mark 6:30-56

Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 6. In the Bible in front of you, it is page 871 or 888.

Video: God is Bigger than the Boogie Man
A few years ago, we loved to watch Veggie Tales with our kids, and this was one of my favorites. I thought you might like it too. Whether it is the fears that little children have, like the ones we just saw, or the grown up fears that we all have, there is an important life lesson here. Regardless of the circumstances that cause you to feel afraid or incapable of handling, God is bigger than it all. It is all about having faith that the God we cannot see is much bigger than the problems we are facing.

In today’s passages, we are going to see more people find out that God is bigger than their diseases and be healed by faith. We are also going to see the disciples continue to struggle as they realize who Jesus truly is and how that should affect how they respond to life’s circumstances. We are going to see them fearful, again today, and trying to learn some lessons from what they had already experienced with Christ.

The challenge for us today, is to look carefully at our own hearts, face our fears and evaluate our faith. Are you willing to plug in what you already know about God, into your everyday life; especially when you are facing fearful or challenging circumstances? Let’s take a look at the lessons they learned some 2,000 years ago; and do our own heart check.

This morning, we are going to do something a little bit different. Because of the way these passages work together and are laid out in Mark 6, I think it would be helpful for us to go backwards: to go to the final passage and work our way back, as we check out our own heart condition.

Mark 6:53-56 – “When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
Jesus and His disciples had crossed the Sea of Galilee once again, this time putting their anchor down at Gennesaret, on the Northwestern shore. It was a beautiful place, known as “the Garden of God” or “paradise”. But, once Jesus and his disciples got out of the boat, Jesus was immediately recognized, and people ran to let everyone know whom had just arrived. Obviously, some of these people had seen Jesus before and knew what He could do. Since there were no televisions or radio or photographs, they saw Him and recognized Him from before. The other thing they had seen and heard was the incredible power Jesus had to heal.

So, the word spread, and quickly. Before you knew it, People were coming from all over to be healed. Friends and family were carrying their loved ones on mats to come see Jesus. There were many in this area who needed healing. Historians tell us that there were several medicinal mineral springs in this area, which made it a resort for invalids. But, now was their chance to walk again, to be healed of their crippling disease. Jesus was coming.

Wherever people heard Jesus was, they took their sick friends to Him. And as He walked from place to place, and through the villages, people would be lying or sitting down, pleading for the opportunity to just touch his garment. Commentators tell us that the fringe of his garment was a border of blue tassels worn by a loyal Jew on his outer cloak. They would touch it and be healed.

But, just as with the woman in Mark 5, who was healed when of a blood disease when she touched Jesus outer garment, don’t get confused. The power was not in the cloth; but in Jesus. And the healing was a response, not to a hand that touched the fringe of the garment; but the healing was a response to a heart of faith. Last week, in the beginning of Mark 6, we saw that Jesus did not do many miracles or healings in his hometown, because they lacked faith.

There is a critical story in the Old Testament book of Numbers, that illustrates what is going on here. The people of Israel had spoken against God and His appointed leader, Moses, complaining about the food that God provided and the lack of water. They actually complained that God had freed them from bondage in Egypt! So, God sent poisonous snakes to bite His people and teach them a lesson. They learned it very quickly and confessed their sins. They wanted to be healed of these poisonous bites. So, God gave Moses a plan:

Numbers 21:8,9 – “And the LORD said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live. So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.”

It wasn’t the looking or the bronze snake itself, as though it were a lucky charm; but the fact that people would look on this snake with faith – believing that what God said was true. This was such a great example of faith, that Jesus used it to illustrate how salvation comes about. Just before the most famous verse of the Bible:

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Just before that, Jesus said this:

John 3:14,15 – “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so mush the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

One day, Jesus would be put on a cross, to die for the sins of the world. And since every single person who has ever lived, had a sin disease and was destined to die apart from God, this was the only solution. If someone would look to Jesus Christ, fully believing that His blood could cover that person’s sins, then they would be spiritually healed – for eternity.

People who looked on the bronze snake, in faith, were healed. And people who touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment, in faith, were healed. The action that delivers is faith; and the object of that faith is Jesus Christ: who He is and what He has done.

The Heart of faith believes in Jesus Christ, and is delivered

That is what the word salvation means: to be delivered. This is true for those of you who need to be delivered from your sins.

Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

God gives you the faith to believe that what He has said is true. That faith allows you to put aside everything else and everyone else you have been trusting in, and to trust only in Jesus Christ for your salvation. But, this is also true of believers. There are continual tests of faith. And just as with these physically sick people who demonstrated their faith by action; so:

SO WHAT?
We demonstrate a heart of faith by action

Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

And Hebrews 11 is full of illustrations of the people of faith, who showed that faith by what they did. It has always been that way; and it continues to be the challenge for us today. Whether it is touching Jesus’ garment or looking at the bronze snake, we demonstrate faith by doing what is consistent with believing every Word God says. When we choose to act on what He says, we demonstrate a heart of faith.

One of my greatest fears is that you would sit here week after week after week, listening to the Word of God, and do nothing with it – no heart change. This is why the Bible says:

James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Let’s move back, now, to the passage before this one. Something significant happened on their way across the Sea of Galilee.

Mark 6:45,46 – “Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.”

Jesus sent His disciples, into the boat, and on their way across the Sea of Galilee. He then went into the mountain to pray. I firmly believe He was praying about what was about to happen. I believe, based on Jesus’ teaching His followers about faith, that He was putting them into a situation that would test their faith; and, eventually, be a part of strengthening it. What was the test?

Mark 6:47-50 – “And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Sometime between 3-6 a.m., Jesus knows it is time for the test. The disciples were struggling against the wind; and so he went to them. He didn’t use a row boat or jet ski. Jesus walked out to them on the water. Another incredible miracle; but for a very important purpose. Jesus walked on the water, in the middle of the night, meaning to pass by them; that is, reveal to them who He was.

In the Old Testament (I Kings 19), when God passed by Elijah, there was a tremendous wind and earthquake. But, God was revealed in a low whisper. So, here, Jesus is going to also reveal Himself, but does it in a way they would never expect.

They, at 4 am., are struggling against the wind. Jesus had sent them out there in the first place. And all of a sudden, there is someone walking by them on the water. Jesus didn’t run up to them, asking how he could help. He was walking by them, as though he was on his nightly walk around the Sea of Galilee!

I remember, as a boy, laying in my bed at night, and looking out into the living room and the corner of the kitchen. Many times, I would see shadows, and begin to imagine that it was a someone in the house, floating toward me, ready to devour. I would scare myself to death, imagining those images to be real and dangerous.

These men saw something they certainly didn’t expect. And as soon as they saw him, they responded: “AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” It’s a ghost! That was their response. They had never seen anyone walking on water. Yes, they should have known who could walk on water; but that wasn’t their response. Verse 50 says: “They all saw him and were terrified.”

But Jesus then speaks to them right away, saying: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus tries to calm their fears with His presence. He identified Himself, and reminded them: there is no reason to be afraid.

Mark 6:51 – “And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded.”

Jesus climbed into the boat, from walking on the water; and immediately, the wind stopped, and it was calm. This should sound a little familiar, because something like this happened back in chapter 4. They were in a boat with Jesus, when an incredible storm came up and water came into the boat. Jesus was sleeping, and they woke him, afraid for their lives, and a little ticked that Jesus didn’t seem to care. He spoke to the storm, and it immediately was silent. They were amazed out of their minds back then, and they were amazed once again. After the first calming of the sea, Jesus had asked:

Mark 4:40 – “He said to them, Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

They had seen Jesus do some amazing things, but they still had fear instead of faith. In this case, in Mark 6, Mark explains to us that there was a more recent event that should have caused them to have great faith, instead of screaming like little girls when they saw Jesus, and being amazed that Jesus had control over nature. The end of verse 51 states their frame of mind: “And they were utterly astounded.” And then verse 52 explains why:

Mark 6:52 – “For they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”

Their hearts were hardened.

The hard heart does not understand how God could do certain things

The disciples could not figure out what just happened; and how in the world Jesus could do what He just did. That misunderstanding is described as a “hard heart”. And as we are about to see, their hard heart is connected to something they should have already learned about Jesus, which should have been applied to this circumstance.
SO WHAT?
We demonstrate a hard heart when we do not apply what we know to real life

There are things you know about God. You would even say that you believe them. But, in the midst of certain circumstances, it is as though you toss that knowledge aside, and act as though you don’t know the truth. When you or I are unwilling to apply what we know to be true about God, and His expectations of us, to real, everyday life, we could be described as having a hard heart.

But what, exactly, is Mark referring to here in verse 52? What in the world does that mean: “they did not understand about the loaves?” What do loaves of bread have to do with faith? What do they have to do with not being afraid when they saw Jesus, and witnessed His power?

I would like the guys to go ahead and hand out the little packages we have prepared for today. When you get them, please take one and pass it down. Let’s come back, now to Mark 6 and this brings us back one more passage, to verse 34:

Mark 6:34-44 – “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. But he answered them, You give them something to eat. And they said to him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat? And he said to them, How many loaves do you have? Go and see. And when they had found out, they said, Five, and two fish. Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.”

This is the story of the loaves that verse 52 was alluding to. It is more commonly known as “The feeding of the 5,000.” There were 5,000 men there, but someone has estimated that with the women and children, there may have been as many as 20,000 people.

Jesus had been teaching the people all day, but it was getting late. His disciples come to him with a huge problem: Hey, Jesus, you had better send these people away so they can get something to eat. You know, it is like the people I have heard of , that set their alarms to go off at a certain time, so the pastor knows he had better stop preaching – they need to go get lunch. Well, the disciples were thinking very practically, but Jesus had something else in store for them. He said, in verse 37: “You give them something to eat.”

Yeah, right, what are we supposed to do? Spend 8 months worth of wages, 200 denarii, to get enough bread for dinner? They said: Jesus, send them away to go have their dinner. Jesus said: you feed them. And they responded: We don’t have the resources to do that! And then Jesus told them (verse 38): Go see what food you can find. So, they go look and come back with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. “This is all we have Jesus.” I can almost hear the disciples’ thoughts: Now, will you listen to us Jesus? We told you that you needed to send these people home. We don’t have the money to buy them food; and now, as you can see we have 5 measly loaves of bread and 2 pathetic fish. This won’t even feed us, the 12, let alone 5 thousand men!

Barclay says: “These were not like English loaves. They were more like rolls. John tells us they were barley loaves; and barley loaves were the food of the poorest of the poor. Barley bread was the cheapest and coarsest of all bread. They had two fishes, which would be about the size of sardines.”

But, Jesus said, have them sit down, in groups of 50’s and 100’s. He took the food, said the blessing (thanking God for the food), looked up to Heaven, as though to say: “Here we go Father”, and then gave the food to His disciples to pass out.

Imagine the ushers coming to me with the offering plates, that had 20 single dollar bills in it. Then, what if I gave it back to them, but instead of 20, the number kept multiplying, as they took plate upon plate upon plate. That is difficult to imagine; but it is what was going on here. In Jesus’ hands, this bread and fish were multiplying and He just kept handing them out to His disciples, who in turn, handed them to the people. And guess what?

Verse 42 – “And they all ate and were satisfied.”

Are you kidding me? All of those people ate; and this wasn’t just a sampling. They were full – they were satisfied. And that is not all! There were leftovers! For the next week or two, as the disciples ate the leftovers, they would be reminded of this incredible miracle. They took up, verse 43 says: 12 baskets of leftover pieces. Do you think that as a coincidence? Or do you think, perhaps, Jesus wanted to them to learn something from the fact that there was 1 leftover basket for each of the disciples.

So, then, let’s come back to Jesus’ statement in verse 52: “They did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”

What should they have understood? What should they have learned from the feeding of the 5,000, so that they could have applied it to their present test of faith?
Let me suggest four lessons they should have learned:

1. God cares for the physical and spiritual needs of people

Many of the miracles Jesus performed were done to take care of people’s physical needs – such as healing diseases. But, we also know, that while he went around healing, he was also teaching people the truth about Himself; and their need to repent and respond in faith. In this case, the end of verse 34 tells us: “…And he began to teach them many things.” He was taking care of them spiritually; but He also was going to feed them, even without the human resources the disciples thought they needed. And we should not overlook the fact that Jesus was caring for people’s needs.

This also takes us back a few more verses. Check out;

Mark 6:30-34 – “The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.”

Do you see Jesus’ care for people, psychically and spiritually, moving into the feeding of the 5,000? After His disciples had been going out 2 by 2, preaching the gospel, Jesus took care of them. He knew they needed rest, and so he made sure they got some. They had not even been able just to relax and eat a meal together. I really appreciate Jesus’ heart for His followers, those who were serving Him. I also believe there is an example here, for us, to remember that as we serve God, we also need times of refreshment and rest. Don’t be fooled into thinking that burning out for God is extra spiritual; that is, if there is opportunity to get refreshed and recharged and you are unwilling to take it. Jesus cared about them in that way.

But, once the people saw them coming, the crowds were ready once again. And notice Jesus response to them, in verse 34: “He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus main concern has always been for the spiritual well being of people. And when He saw this group, His heart went out to them, knowing they needed spiritual guidance. They certainly weren’t getting it from the religious leaders. So, as we have already read, at the end of verse 34: “…He began to teach them many things.”
Take a look at your packet that was handed out. You have the cracker, which represents bread and you have your little fish. The bread and the fish. Whenever you look at this, remember that God cares for the physical and spiritual needs of people.

What else should they have learned from these recent events, from the feeding of the 5,000?

2. God is in control

Whether it was the circumstances of hungry people or spiritual malnutrition, or a windstorm that threatened life, or a disease that caused pain, God was in control. In this case, it was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, who was in complete control of everything that took place. The disciples should have known that. They should have understood it. They didn’t.

Whenever you wonder if God is in control of your tough circumstances, look at this bread and fish, and remember what He did with the tough circumstances of 5 barley loaves and 2 sardines. What else?

3. God performs miracles

How many different miracles do they need to see? He turned 5 loaves and 2 fish into a banquet that fully satisfied thousands. Why was it so difficult to believe that he could walk on water and calm the sea?

Sometimes, you might think solely in human terms, what you are able to do, and you feel defeated. You forget that God is still a God of miracles. He could still do what no one else ever could imagine. When you look at this bread and fish, remember that God still performs miracles. One more lesson they should have learned:

4. God can do a lot with a little

They saw the 5 loaves and 2 fish and thought there was no way it was enough. But, with their own eyes, they saw Jesus feed thousands with it. They should have learned that lesson. They should have known that when he said “you feed them”, he wanted them to understand that they were insufficient in themselves, but that He could do it through them. One lesson they were going to need to learn, which should have been evident from their time out sharing their faith 2 by 2; is that He would use them greatly, even though they were very weak.

When you look at the bread and fish in this bag, remember that God loves to take what seems insufficient and use it greatly for His glory. When you wonder if He could ever use you, be encouraged with what He did here.

Well, we have seen the state of the disciples at this time; but we cannot just stop with an evaluation of their heart condition. We have got to take a few moments here, before we close, to consider whether you have a heart of faith right now, or if you are struggling with a hardened heart.

On the back of your outline, I have included a little test for you. It is a self-evaluative test. This is not for you to evaluate anyone’s else’s heart, but your own.
There is a scale for you to take a moment and really consider this. With Heart of faith on one end and Hardened Heart on the other, how would you grade yourself, right now? The scale looks like this. Circle the number on each statement that reflects where you believe your heart is right now. The closer you mark it to one of the 2 statements, the closer you believe you are to that.

Personal Evaluation
Hard Heart Heart of Faith
You read God’s Word 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 You do not take the time

You are obeying regularly 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 You do not obey

You are not listening 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 You include God in your decisions

You are not trusting 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 You are joyful with ups or downs

You are not acting in faith 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 You are not afraid

This is an opportunity for you to ask God to help you evaluate what is really going on in your heart. If you find that your score on something is closer to the heart of faith, then thank God for that and ask Him to help you keep going that way. If it is closer to a hard heart, then confess your sins, humble yourself and begin to move toward a heart of faith in that area.

Let’s pray.

Lucky numbers? 14,1, 17

This last week, I experienced the numbers 14,1,17 in special ways. No, I didn't win any lottery.
The number 14 stands for my 14th wedding anniversary. Teresa and I celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss on Wednesday. oops: I mean 14 years of wedded bliss! I take the blame for any gaps in wedded bliss during our marriage. Because we still have small children, and neither of our parents live close, I try to make the most of our anniversaries by getting child care and getting out of town. We left Tuesday afternoon and came back Wednesday night. It was a great time to talk, have fun together, and just spend time alone. God has given me an awesome wife. She has a huge job, watching over 5 children; and she does it with all of her heart. It is my pleasure to be her husband.

The number 1 stands for my "near death" esperience. Although I probably was not that near death, it felt like it. We were out to eat dinner, and I began having chills. I couldn't stop shaking and I didn't know why. I put on my jacket, which I hardly ever do. I then went to the bathroom to do some jumping jacks, trying to warm up. Nothing helped. I went out to the car and blasted the heat. Mind you: it was already warm outside, but I was shaking uncontrollably. I could feel the heat on the outside, with the heat on high in the car; but I was still cold inside. We drove an hour to the hotel, with Teresa doing most of the driving, while I laid in the backseat.

When we made it to the hotel, I was having a hard time moving. I got out of the car and was blown off balance by the wind - very wierd. I couldn't carry the bags. There I was, following Teresa into the hotel, while she was carrying the bags! That was a first. When we made it to the room, I could only get myself to the bed and laid with my clothes on, half way on, half way off. Finally, while Teresa went searching for help, some water and deciding whether to take me to the hospital or not, I fell and laid prostrate on the floor. I was very hot and sweating.

We eventually decided not to go to the emergency room (I'm too cheap) but it was a little scary, as I was not able to drink very much without the help of a straw. I went to bed and hoped rest would do it. I woke up at 2 a.m. with my head pounding adn teeth hurting. But, atleast I was alive! I took some aspirin and went back to bed. I woke back up at 6 a.m. and felt pretty good. The fever was gone, the chills were gone, the head issues were gone, and I was still alive! On hindsight, I think I was dehydrated, having been outside all day (and did not drink much water), running home to go through a very intensive workout (without warming up or cooling down) and then packing and leaving quickly with Teresa. I think it all caught up with me and my body broke down. I learned some important lessons, and will hopefully not experience that again. I am very thankful to God for my health.

The final number is 17. The night I felt near death was also the night MY Boston Celtics clinched their 17th World Championship. I can't believe I missed it. That tells you how sick I was. Teresa was flipping channels, and I couldn't even bring myself to sit up and watch the game. I did DVR it at home and was able to watch it the next day; but I missed the moment. I might have missed it anyway since I was there to celebrate with Teresa; and I learned a long time ago what my priorities SHOULD be!

It has been 18 years since one of MY teams (Boston Celtics (NBA); Chicago Cubs; Cincinnati Reds (MLB); Minnesoa Vikings (NFL)) won a championship. It was a big night. Don't you understand? It was a lot of fun to watch. Now its MY Cubs turn.

THE TRUTH REJECTED

For this message, preached on Sunday, June 15th, I made an effort to apply it to myself; and the main application SO WHAT's? came from my own thoughts of how I should apply it. I found that one of the things I struggle with, is being so familiar with Chrisianity, the Bible, God, and the church, that I can stop pursuing Him in an intimate way; and focusing on growing. It is easy to become complacent and comfortable, even in the midst of the active Word of God and the Holy Spirit that uses it to convict, challenge and change us. My prayer is that I will continually be sensitiv to God's Word and Spirit, and always growing in Him. That is my prayer for you as well.

THE TRUTH REJECTED
Mark 6:1-29

Please turn in your Bible to Mark 6.
Mark 6:1 – “He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.”

After Jesus had just performed incredible miracles: He cast out a legion of demons out of a man; He allowed the power to heal to flow through His body and clothing to heal a woman that had a 12 year blood disease; and He raised a 12 year old girl from the dead! He then traveled from Capernaum about 20 miles southwest to Nazareth, his hometown.

I started to daydream about what that might have looked like if it happened today. In a small town like Nazareth, I’m sure the local reporter would have interviewed the homecoming of this, by now, famous healer – Jesus Christ. I wonder what that would have been like?

Drama 1: The reporter and Jesus
Jenn: Well, Good morning Jesus. As I explained through messenger: I am Jenn Johnson, the famous entertainment reporter for our hometown paper: The Nazareth Neighborhood. I’m sure you’ve heard of me or have read some of my prize winning work? Anyway, thanks for being willing to let me interview you for our cover story tomorrow.

There’s been a lot of buzz, here in Nazareth anyway, about you returning to your hometown. We have conducted our own opinion poll. Let me get right to it. Jesus, what is your response to the fact that your approval rating has dropped 25% since you returned to Nazareth? It is currently an alarming low rating of 27%? What do you say to that?

Brian: Jenn, I’m not concerned about my approval rating. I’m only interested in pleasing my Father.

Jenn: Yes, your father. And I think we all know you are not talking about Joseph, but about Almighty God, right?

Brian: Yes Jenn.
Jenn: You may have heard that since you became famous for your miracles in Capernaum, you have been a pretty hot topic here in Nazareth. And the issue of your birth has come up again. Do you still claim that your mother, Mary, didn’t have relations with your dad, and that it was the Holy Spirit that conceived you?

Brian: Yes Jenn.

Jenn: You do realize that no one is really buying that. The opinion polls say about 2% of the people think that might be true. So…we have heard all the talk about how you calm stormy seas, heal people through your clothing, and raise people from the dead. So, why don’t you do some incredible miracles for us down at town hall?

Brian: Jenn, that is not why I am here. I am here to preach the good news of the Kingdom. But, because I am not finding faith here, I will not be doing many miracles.

Jenn: So, you’re too good for us are you? Why should we believe all the things we have heard then?

Brian: The lame walk, the blind see, and people’s lives are changes. That is living proof.

Jenn: Well, that’s fine for you to say. But, 68% of the people in the opinion poll think you use some type of trickery: slight of hand, planted people who pretended to be sick, black magic, or something like it.

One last question Jesus.: Now that you are back in your hometown, can you tell us how much you love it here, how great the people are and how much you want to stay?

Brian: Well, Jenn… Actually, it breaks my heart to be here. There are people everywhere else who respect my teaching; but here, I only find opposition. Because Nazareth has rejected me, I will not only withhold much of my power; but I will also not becoming back. They have rejected me and the message I have delivered. They have brought condemnation upon themselves.

Jenn: Well, isn’t that sweet? Uh, thank you Jesus for your time, I think. Let’s see: what is my headline for the paper tomorrow? [take a few seconds to think]

[either put your hand up to signal a headline or pretend to write it down]
JESUS CONDEMNS HOMETOWN AS OPINION POLL POPULARITY DIPS TO 13%

[THE END]

Jesus returned to his hometown, with his disciples, the Master teacher with his students. And He went right to teaching the truth about Himself and the need for people to repent (the message He preached everywhere – Mark 1:15).

Mark 6:2 – “And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?

Again, this was not like any teaching they had ever heard. This was not just a rabbi, reading the Scriptures and giving the same old speeches they always heard. This was a man speaking with authority. So much so, they were astonished, amazed, overwhelmed, the word means, at Jesus and His teaching.

They were asking: Where did He get this stuff from? They had never heard this before. Where did He get all this wisdom? He is the local carpenter’s boy for goodness sake! How is He performing all of these amazing miracles, that we have heard about and that we have seen? This was unbelievable to them. They knew there were only two options, as to how he received his power: it was either from God or from Satan. And that is exactly what the religious leaders had accused Jesus of, back in chapter 3. To your outline now:

Jesus, as the prophet of truth, was rejected in his hometown

Mark 6:3 – “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him.”

You are just a carpenter, a regular, common guy, like the rest of us. And we despise that. You are nothing special. People sometimes expect those who become prominent leaders to have a certain background in order to be accepted.

“One of the leaders of the Labour movement in London was Will Crooks. He was born into a home where one of his earliest recollections was seeing his mother crying because she had no idea where the next meal was to come from. He started work in a blacksmith’s shop at 5 shillings a week. He became a fine craftsman and one of the bravest and straightest men who ever lived. He entered municipal politics and became the first Labour Mayor of any London borough. There were people who were offended when Will Crooks became Mayor of poplar. In a crowd one day a lady said with great disgust, They’ve made that common fellow, Crooks, mayor, and he’s no better than a working man. A man in the crowd – Will Crooks himself – turned round and raised his hat. Quite right, madam, he said. I am not better than a working man.”

This was Jesus – God in the flesh – but fully man – relating to the common people – here to save common man. And they hated him for it! He was not the Messiah they expected.

Biblical scholars say that in that day, Jews would not call someone “the son of their mother” (they called Him: the son of Mary), except to use it as an insult. They were all from Nazareth. They probably knew the rumors surrounding his birth 30 years prior. Mary, reportedly, had not had sex with her husband to be, Joseph, and yet was pregnant with Jesus – “uh-huh. You are the son of Mary.”

“We know your family. Here are brothers James and Joses and Judas and Simon. We know all your sisters.” Since Mary was a virgin when she had Jesus, these were the brothers and sisters born to Mary and Joseph after Jesus’ birth.

Their point was: “We know your family, and we know you. So, how in the world are you saying what you are saying and doing what you are doing? We don’t like it. The text says: “they took offense at him.” Most likely, because they didn’t understand and couldn’t get it right in their minds, and so they responded in fear.

They took offense, seemingly for no reason. But, all of us have experienced this, to one degree or another, right? People took offense at you, rejected you, and you’re still not sure why? But, it happens. The words “took offense” mean it “caused them to stumble” or “to be repelled.” They just decided they didn’t like him and they wanted nothing to do with him.

The truth was rejected. And what was Jesus’ response?

Mark 6:4- “And Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

Jesus gave this proverb, that a prophet is not accepted in his own home; but is respected everywhere else he goes. They should have known the stories of the Old Testament prophets who were rejected by the people that knew them the best.

Mark 6:5 – “And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.”

This does not mean that Jesus somehow lost His power, that there was some spell over Him. It means that since He did His work in the midst of and in response to great faith (we saw that several times last week), He couldn’t do much here, where there was complete opposition. He did, however, heal some of the sick: those who had come in faith; but they were very few. He still had the power to do miracles, but He wasn’t going to do it in the midst of rejection.

Margot Asquith tells the story of the death of Neville Chamberlain, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1937-1940… Margot met the doctor of Mr. Chamberlain. She said to him: “You can’t be much of a doctor, as Neville Chamberlain was only a few years older than Winston Churchill, and I should have said he was a strong man. Were you fond of him?” Doctor Horder replied: “I was very fond of him. I like all unlovable men. I have seen too many of the other kind. Chamberlain suffered from shyness. He did not want to live; and when a man says that, no doctor can save him.”

Barclay said: “That is what you can call faith – the will to live – without it, no one can survive.” And without the faith of the people in Nazareth, they would not become well spiritually and they would not see Jesus do much at all in their midst.

In fact, we get another hint of Jesus’ human side here:

Mark 6:6 – “And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.”

He marveled: He was amazed, astonished, because of their unbelief. This was the one thing that could cause Jesus’ power to do the miraculous cease: blatant unbelief. On the human side of things, Jesus couldn’t believe that His hometown people just wouldn’t accept the truth: that He was the Son of God, here to save them. And so, Jesus went to the neighboring villages, and continued to teach the truth to them, looking for those what had “ears to hear”, those who be receptive and respond in faith.

You would think that the people in Jesus’ hometown would be excited about Him being there. They would throw parties and talk about how they remember him running around in diapers. But, instead, they flat out rejected Him, because He didn’t fit what they were looking for. He couldn’t possibly be the Messiah. He couldn’t be the only way to God!

I have met many, many religious people, who do not fully accept Christ for who He said he was; and they are not willing to only trust in Him. They still want to trust in themselves, and their religious efforts, to get to God. They don’t want to believe that the way to God is a narrow way (as Jesus described it); but that there are many ways to God. We don’t want to be preferential you know!

I think we just need to know that most people in our world will reject the full truth about Christ and how they need to respond to Him. So, don’t be surprised. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be fooled. You may even find that those closest to you are your greatest critics and toughest crowd. Some followers of Christ have found that their own very religious families, reject them once they become true followers of Christ. It may happen. Be ready for it. But, don’t let yourself become one of those who reject Him.

There are different ways God’s Spirit may use this passage to comfort or challenge you; but let me just share the main thing God brought to my mind.

SO WHAT? Do not allow your familiarity, with the truth of Christ, to harden your heart.

We could talk about how religious people can even reject the real truth. But, let’s not forget how easy it is for you and I to do the same thing. Even those of us who are believers tend to be so familiar with the stories and teachings of the Bible, that we get bored by it. We think we already know it, so we have stopped listening. Sometimes, we can find ourselves not accepting the truth of God’s Word with open, humble hearts, ready to apply it to every-day life.

The people knew Jesus when he was a boy, and they should have accepted and loved him. We have all experienced that in our families, at one time or another. We live together and we do love one another; but sometimes we are more rude and hurtful to our family members than to strangers. Many of us have known Jesus for quite a long time; and many of us have trusted in him for salvation. But, we can get so familiar with the truth that it no longer penetrates our hearts, and we become cold, ceasing to listen, ceasing to grow. This is the main thing that jumped out to me from this passage.

That bring us, now, to this next passage in Mark chapter 6.
Pay close attention here. Jesus is going to send out His followers. But, we must keep in mind that, He also wants to send us out to spread the truth.

Kourtney: “Yes, that’s me” [gets out of the pew and quickly comes to the front with her backpack] “I’ve been waiting for this” [addressing Greg] “I just knew God was calling me to follow Him, and spread His truth wherever He sends me! I am really… [Brian interrupts]

Brian: [from the balcony wireless microphone] “Kourtney”

Kourtney: “Greg, did you say something?”

Greg: “No, I think that came from above.”

Brian: “Kourtney” [trying to get her attention] “It’s me: God”

Kourtney: [looking up to the ceiling, back not back to the balcony] “Yes God?”

Brian: “I do want you, as one of my followers, to go and spread the truth about me.”

Kourtney: “I knew it, I knew it. Thank you Lord. I have been waiting for this. I am prepared and ready to do what you have asked. In fact, I came prepared today.” [opens backpack and takes things out one by one]

“I knew I would need a few things, in order to serve you effectively, as I travel to tell people about you. I am so excited. Let me show you what I have to take with me!”

[pull out one item at a time, calling it by name, and placing them on the communion table. Some suggested items might be: cell phone, make up items, hairbrush, a large atlas, a compass, a watch, credit cards, a sweatshirt or jacket, a large Bible (I would suggest the one that normally sits on the communion table), etc. Feel free to make some extra comments after some of the items, such as “an atlas – I know you wouldn’t want me getting lost in some dangerous neighborhood”, or “a sweatshirt- for those cold nights” or “make-up – I’ve got to look my best, representing you!”, or “a credit card, in case no one gives us housing” or “cell phone – in case someone doesn’t offer us food, and I need to order pizza really quick” etc.]

[when bag is empty, looking up to ceiling, but somewhat facing the congregation] “I’m ready Lord – What do you think?”

Brian: “Kourtney, listen to me. I don’t want you to take any of those things”

Kourtney: “What, not even my hairbrush?”

Brian: “No. I don’t want you to have all the comforts of home. I don’t want you to have anything you can personally rely on. All you need is your outer garment, your sandals and a staff: no backpack, no food, no money.”

Kourtney: [in shock] “REALLY?”

Brian: “Really! I will provide everything you need. You can trust in me.”

[THE END]

Would God really say this to His followers who were willing to go and tell people about Him? Let’s find out, as Jesus is now ready to give His disciples a taste of what it is like to confront people with the truth:

Mark 6:7-9 – “And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belts – but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.”

Jesus put them in pairs, and gave them authority to cast out demons and, as we will see in a few moments, to heal people (these abilities, from the power of God, would authenticate their message); and then He told them to empty their backpacks. Now…Jesus was not necessarily setting a precedent that all future followers, also sent out by Him, couldn’t take anything with them. But, for this particular mission, they were not to take these things. God would provide for them through the generosity of the Jewish people they would meet along the way.
And then they would later return and report (which we will see next week) about this mission.

Here is one of the major truths they were about to learn. And I believe Jesus did this for a real purpose. He wanted them to experience what He experienced. He wanted to prepare them for the life mission He had called them to:

Jesus’ followers, sent out to spread the truth about Him, would be rejected

Mark 6:10,11 – “And he said to them, Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

It is interesting, that the recorded words here in these verses, have to do with the fact that many would reject His disciples and their message. Just as people in his hometown had rejected him, so many, most, would reject his followers as well. There would be some who would show hospitality and give them a place to stay. But, that would not always be the case.

And once they shared the truth, whether it was at a home, a synagogue, or a in a village; and it was rejected, shaking the dust off their feet would be a symbol of judgment against them. They had rejected the truth. Walvoord and Zuck wrote: “Devout Jews did this when they left gentile (alien) territory to show that they were dissociating themselves from it. This would tell Jewish hearers they were acting like pagans in rejecting the disciples’ message.”

Mark 6:12,13 – So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.”

The disciples were learning something else as well. Even though Jesus was not personally with them at that time, His power was. They were preaching repentance, just like Jesus had; and to authenticate that message, they were able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name; and to anoint the sick with oil, seeing them then healed by God.

They faithfully did what Jesus had asked them to do: tell people they needed to turn (repent) from what they had been trusting in; and turn to Jesus Christ alone, in order to get to Heaven and God the Father.

Again, the Holy Spirit may use this passage to guide your mind to a variety of things; but for me, there is one main application that sticks out:
SO WHAT? As God leads, share the truth, trusting in Him for the results

If you are a follower of Christ, God will guide you to people, with whom you are to share your faith. We are all in full-time ministry and are full-time missionaries in this respect: We have a commission by God, to spread His truth to the world. And that means, that He will lead you to share this truth with people in your life. Your responsibility is to share the truth. God will provide what you need, just as He did for His disciples; and He will do the work on people’s hearts. If people reject you and your message, and they will; then you must put them in God’s hands, and be prepared to share with the next person God leads you to.

The final passage for this morning gives a particular example of someone who prepared the path for Jesus, and at times, was thought to be Him; but was rejected, along with the truth that He spoke. Back in Mark 1:14, we read this:

Mark 1:14 – “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God.”

We are now going to find out why he was arrested, and what happened to him.

John the Baptist, Jesus’ forerunner, spoke the truth, and lost his life

Mark 6:14-16 – “King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him. But others said, he is Elijah. And others said, he is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old. But when Herod heard of it, he said, John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

Although not officially a king, Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great (who had killed all the male boys when Jesus was born) and ruled a part of his father’s kingdom. Walvoord and Zuck explain: “Mark’s use of the title probably reflected local custom in view of Herod’s covetous ambitions.” He ruled a part of Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to 39 A.D. Herod had heard about Jesus and His followers; and all the things they had been doing.

Of course, the main question was: who is this Jesus? Everyone seemed to have a hard time figuring that one out. So, here, we are giving 3 options, based on what people were saying. They were probably reporting these things to Herod. One option is that Jesus was John the Baptist, risen from the dead, and that is why He was able to perform miracles. Others said it was the prophet Elijah risen from the dead, one in whom God also performed miracles. Still others said Jesus was a prophet, continuing the line of the Old Testament prophets.

Herod decided he liked option 1 the most. He believed that Jesus was actually John the Baptist, risen from the dead! This was most likely due to His guilty conscience, based on what we are about to read. We now find out why John the Baptist was dead, in the first place. It was Herod, himself, who had first put John in prison, which we read about in chapter 1.

Mark 6:17-20 – “For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, it is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife. And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.”

Ancient texts back up what Mark is saying here. According to Josephus, the first Century historian, “Herod put John in prison because of Herodias, an ambitious woman was his second wife. Herod had first married a daughter of the Arabian king, Aretas IV. Then he became enamored with hi half-niece Herodias (daughter of his half-brother, Aristobulus) who was married to Herod’s half-brother Philip. They had a daughter Salome. Herod divorced his wife in order to marry Herodias who had divorced Philip. John the Baptist had repeatedly denounced this marriage as unlawful.”

John didn’t just confront Herod once about this – it was continual. Commentator Barclay thought about what that might have been like. Can you imagine John coming into ruler Herod’s home and making this accusation, calling it sinful? Then, perhaps, while Herod was riding in his chariot downtown, there comes John the Baptist, running alongside, denouncing his adultery as sin. Maybe later, as Herod was shopping for his wife, John stood in the middle of the crowd and announced that Herod was living in sin. Herod made sure he was at least put in prison.

As you can imagine, Herodias (Herod’s wife) held a grudge against John and basically wanted him dead. Prison was not enough, as far as she was concerned. But, her husband protected John from death, because he was too superstitious and afraid to get rid of such a godly man. Trying to appease his wife, however, he did keep John in prison. But, he liked to listen to John. He received him into his presence and was puzzled by his teachings. He superstitiously wanted to protect John, but his wife wanted him dead. So what happened?

Mark 6:21-29 – “But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you. And he vowed to her, Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom. And she went out and said to her mother, For what should I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in immediately with haste to the king asked, saying, I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.”

The opportunity for Herodias to have her revenge finally came. At Herod’s birthday party, with all the prominent citizens in attendance (the Who’s Who of Galilee), Herodias made sure that her (probably teenage) daughter, went to dance at the banquet in a way that would get the attention and approval of Herod. She was good and she was provocative in her dancing; and everybody noticed it and liked it.

So, Herod used a proverbial saying, and arrogantly offered up to half his kingdom (although he didn’t really have a kingdom to give) to her for her entertaining them so well. Salome asked her mom what to do, and without missing a beat, she said: “ask for John the Baptist’s head on a platter”. So, Salome rushed back in and made her request: “and do it right now, she said (before Herod could find an escape out of this) Herod could not stop it any longer. He was saddened because he really didn’t want to do that; but he knew he had to now. He had promised in front of all of these witnesses to give her whatever she wanted. He was stuck… and spineless.

So, he ordered for the executioner to take off the head of John the Baptist. And he did. And it was brought to Salome, and she in turn gave it to her mother. It was done. And when the followers of John and his message heard what had happened, they went to get the body and put it in a tomb.

So, this explains what we read in verse 14. Herod heard about Jesus, and what he had been doing, and he also could not accept Jesus for who He was. He must be someone else. He must be John the Baptist risen from the dead.

Here as well, there are different things that may come to your mind when you read this story; but there is one specific application that comes to mine:

SO WHAT? When you speak and live the truth of Christ, you are taking risks

Most of the people you speak to about Christ will reject you and the truth you are telling them. Jesus was rejected and you will be as well. It is a part of what Jesus has called us to. John the Baptist was a great example of that. He spoke the truth, at great risk. When God lays it on your heart to speak the truth to someone, it is not easy. There are risks. You may lose your friendship. You may lose a higher spot on the corporate ladder. You may lose a lot more than that.

But, the follower of Christ trusts that God will make all things right in the end. Our job is to joyfully obey Him, even facing the risks and making the sacrifice. This is something we all face, to one degree or another. When God’s Spirit touches our hearts to talk to someone about truth, what will you do? This is a great time to make the commitment to take the risk and follow Christ.

Will you take a few moments and silently pray about the truth of this message from God’s Word and how you believe God wants you to apply it.

Prayer

THEY CALL ME DADDY

That word: Daddy, must be the greatest word ever created. I love hearing it! Yesterday, I heard it often from my children: Thank you daddy; Daddy, can you get me a drink of water; Daddy! (in response to my teasing); Daddy, can you play soccer with me?; Thanks for coaching my soccer team daddy; daddy, can I have another piece of pizza?

I loved it every time I have heard it. It is definitely a special term of endearment; and there is something special about a child using it to refer to his/her father. It reminds me of how dependent my children are on me: what I provide for them in terms of resources, support, encouragement and example. And although I fail them often, I feel special every time I hear that special "D" word.

I think, today on Father's Day, of my daddy. I just call him "dad" now, but Dale Whiting, still living on the East side of Des Moines, Iowa (where I grew up), still has the special "daddy" place in my heart. My dad was a hard worker, and so I treasured the times he spent with me. I remember certain things, and I am sure I have forgotten many. But, some of those special times I remember include: early morning family devotions, when after the final prayer, my brother or sister and I would grab onto dad's legs, causing him to drag us around the house before he left for work; him taking me to a track some early mornings to run; he waited on the front porch one night for me, as I walked around, trying to come to terms with a difficult break up; he would share bits of wisdom with me at crucial times; he came to my sporting events; he disciplined me (not fun, but bonding, nonetheless); he would call, once I left home for school, to let me know he was praying for me (I have never doubted that).

I'm sure there are many more, but those were closest to my mind today. Thanks, daddy, for your love for God, for mom, and for me (David and Mary as well). I will always cherish my growing up days with you; and I pray that my children will have as good of memories of me as their day some day, that I have of you now.

I am going to enjoy today, seeing my children worshipping God together, eating together, playing together - just being together. I can think of no better gift.

Happy Father's Day!

I DON'T BELIEVE MY EYES

During this message, I used 3 video clips that can be found (or ones like them) on youtube. One of the things these brought out was that our world is obsessed with the amazing things people put on the internet. Some of them do make us say: WOW! I can't believe it. However, we then get desensitized; and when we read the greater things that Jesus did, we struggle to stay awake. I was challenged to take a fresh look at what amazing things Jesus did 2,000 years ago, and how those things changed people's lives for eternity.

If you would rather listen to the message, you can go to http://www.gbcwestlake.org/choose "listen online" and then choose the message you would like to hear. Normally, the morning message is on there by mid-afternoon each Sunday.

This message was preached on June 8, 2008 at Grace Baptist Church in Westlake, OH

I DON’T BELIEVE MY EYES!
Mark 5

Please turn in your Bible to Mark 5. In the Bible in front of you, it is page 869 or 886.

I’m sure you have seen some things in your lifetime that have amazed you. And now, with the millions of options on the internet, there are many more opportunities to see things that might make you say: “I don’t believe my eyes!”

Video: German Hammer

Steve showed this one to me. It is a man from Germany who likes to juggle hammers; but adds a special twist to it. Do you see what he is doing? He is hammering the nail into the wood above him! Don’t try that at home kids! It may be hard to believe something like this; but what you are about to read is much more amazing. It certainly doesn’t get the hype that feats like the German Hammer does, and yet it is much more important, making a real difference in a life – for eternity!

Keep in mind, as we come to chapter 5 this morning, what had just taken place, recorded at the end of chapter 4.They were traveling across the Sea of Galilee, probably about a 5 mile trip from where they were, and the huge storm came up. The boat was filling with water, and the disciples were filled with fear and wondered if Jesus cared, since he was sleeping. Jesus got up and commanded the storm: Peace Be still…and it was! The disciples were utterly amazed. We were told that this was already late in the evening. So, it is likely that the next event we read about as they reach shore, was happening as darkness approached.

Mark 5:1-5 – “They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.”

Jesus and His disciples went over to the East side of the Sea of Galilee and into an area mostly inhabited by Gentiles. As soon as Jesus gets out of the boat, a man meets him who lived among the tombs. It was common, in that time, and in that area, for those considered demented or possessed, to live in rooms that were cut out of rocks in the nearby hills. These were used as tombs for the dead. Who would live there? Can you imagine, in that day, the smell of decomposing bodies?

The word on the street was that this guy was crazy, possessed by evil spirits. In the past, he was contained with chains, and they would just wait for his moments of insanity, as they thought of them, to pass. But, they were no longer able to contain him, even with shackles and chains. This possessed man would take the chains and loosen them. He would take the shackles and break them apart into pieces.

This was the kind of guy, of whom people would say: “He’s insane”. It is the kind of person that parents would warn their children: Stay far away from Him. Who knows what he might do? People saw this man hitting himself with stones, and I’m sure they went away shaking their heads, and feeling there was absolutely no hope for him. People would hear him crying out in the middle of the night, and they just wished that he would shut up.

No doctors could help, no counselors could help; and certainly the religious leaders could no nothing for him and wanted nothing to do with him. Society simply tried to keep him restrained as much as possible, so that he wouldn’t hurt himself; and more importantly, wouldn’t hurt others. But, those restraints no longer held him. Did they have another Samson on their hands – an insane one at that?

But, you know what? He had not yet met Jesus. Believers and non-believers alike were finding out that Jesus was unlike anyone they had ever met before. And many of them found out that once they met Jesus, they would never be the same. That would be the case with this man who had the evil spirit.

Mark 5:6-8 – “And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me. For he was saying to him, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

This demon, possessing this man, knew who He was dealing with. He fell on his knees – not to worship, but to show his weakness before the Christ. He used Jesus’ name to ask for mercy; and he used the title Most High God, noting the superior power of that God over all others. He didn’t believe; but he knew he was at Jesus’ mercy.

He said: “I adjure you”, that is, “I plead with you” – do not send me to my final torment. At another time, the demons asked:

Matthew 8:29 – “…Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

The demons knew, that at some point, they would endure harsh judgment.
Jesus had commanded the demon to come out, and he was concerned about himself.

Let’s be clear. Many people may treat demon possession as sickness or insanity. This man was not just sick. This man was not medically insane. He was possessed by the enemies of God, and as Walvoord and Zuck describe it: this was a “desperate satanic attempt to distort and destroy God’s image in man”.

Mark 5:9-13 – “And Jesus asked him, What is your name? He replied, My name is Legion, for we are many. And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, Send us to the pigs; let us enter them. So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.”

Legion was a term they were familiar with: a legion of Roman soldiers could be up to 6,000 soldiers. So, this name Legion, probably is referring to the fact that there were many evil spirits involved with this man. The Roman legions were cruel, bringing destruction on those they occupied; and it was the same for the evil spirits who possessed this man. They were destroying him. The man, the Legion within the man, begged Jesus not to send them far away out of that region; but asked to be sent into the pigs right there on the hillside.

Jesus gave them permission and they went into the pigs – 2,000 of them- , rushing down the bank and drowning the pigs in the Sea! Now, although pigs were considered unclean to the Jews, the Gentiles living in this area made their living through the pigs, eventually sending them to the meat market in that 10 city region.

Mark 5:14-17 – “The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon –possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.”

Isn’t this interesting? Those in charge of the sheep ran and told everyone they could find about what took place. And people came from all over to see the pigs for themselves. They came to see the one who did all of this – Jesus – and they came to see the guy who they knew as the insane guy who haunted those hills.

Yep – there were the pigs in the sea – drowned. There was Jesus, talking with people, hanging around. And there, sitting down, was the man who they had never seen sitting down. He always seemed to be lying down, or roaming or running around screaming. Not only that – “look – he’s wearing clothes – we haven’t seen that before!” He was normally naked. And stranger than all of that – he was in his right mind. In other words, he was calm, and he made sense when he talked. He sounded like a regular human being. “We’ve never seen that from him before. He was a raving mad man!” And this was so surprising, it frightened them.

Now, it would make sense to me that they would go to Jesus, give him the key to the city, and praise Him for the wonderful work he had done, in releasing this man from multiple demons; and turning his life around. But no – “we want you out of here – NOW!” That was there response. Because of fear, and because he had cost some of them their livelihood (with the drowning of the pigs), they just wanted Jesus GONE! We don’t have record that Jesus ever returned to that area.

There are people who do not want Jesus messing around with their life. They like the comfort of how they have chosen to live. They like their possessions and the pursuit of more; and Jesus might ask them to give some things up. And many people are very comfortable with their religion; and don’t want an intimate relationship with Jesus to ruin their perceptions of how good, religious works makes them ok before God. Because Jesus demands things to change, and we don’t like change. But, those who have experienced a real life change want to be with Christ.

Mark 5:18,19 – “As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

As Jesus was leaving in the boat, the man who had been possessed with all those demons, now in his right mind, went to Jesus. The word for “begged” is the same word used when the demon begged Jesus not to send them to torment. This man, now demon-free, begged Jesus to let him travel with Him. I can understand why. Jesus had completely, thoroughly changed his life. As far as he was concerned, the only thing he would want to do is spend time with His Savior.

But Jesus said: “No. You can’t come.” But here is what He did tell him he could do: “Go back to your home town and tell everyone how much I, your master (Lord) have done for you; and about the great mercy I showed upon you. You deserved to die; but instead I released you from the control of Satan and his demons; and you are free to live for God the rest of your life.

Jesus said: This is my mission for you – don’t just stay with me and enjoy my company. Go and share this good news with all of your friends. Jesus did not restrict him as he does with others, because this man, a Gentile, would be preaching where Jesus was not known or accepted. It was not time for the main Jewish population centers to know that what Jesus was doing was presenting Himself as the Messiah. That time would come. So, what did the man do? Did he jump into the boat anyway and grab Jesus’ leg, telling him he would never let go? No.

Mark 5:20 – “And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

Decapolis meant a “10 city area.” His friends saw the difference. Imagine him coming into a city, back to his relatives, when someone sees him, and tells everyone that the crazy man is back. People scatter into their homes, leaving the streets vacant, locking their doors and closing the windows. But then, someone notices how different this man looks. One by one, the people began to come out of their houses to see this man, who once had been naked and dirty and crazy. Something had happened to him. Something had changed.

So, this man shared his incredible story; and as you can imagine, everyone was listening. Because, they knew exactly what this man was like before. And now, he had definitely changed. So, he shared with them what Jesus had done for him, and what happened to the pigs and that the people basically kicked His personal healer out of the area. And he told them that he wanted to travel with Jesus from then on, but that Jesus sent him back to them, to tell them what Jesus had done – that is to explain that Jesus was who he said he was, proven by his actions.

And what was the response of the people who heard his story? They “marveled.” The word means to “wonder”; by implication “to admire”, to “hold in admiration”. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing from this man they knew as insane. And they couldn’t believe what they were hearing about what Jesus did for Him. They were captivated by this story – this real life change story.

SO WHAT ABOUT JESUS?
He changed a life by casting out demons.

Here was a man without hope. Nothing was able to restrain or help him any longer. And then Jesus came into His life. Jesus didn’t do these things so people would see it on the internet and say – “wow – that’s amazing!” He did them to show that He was, in deed, God in the flesh, and that he was here to change people’s lives for eternity.

SO WHAT ABOUT ME?
I should marvel at what God has done and then tell others about it.

Listen to the stories of those whose lives have been dramatically changed by God; and marvel at how great God is. But, don’t forget, that even if you don’t think your story is worth marveling at, it is. If God changed your heart, your life…if you have seen Him at work in your life – then you have something, not only to marvel at, but to talk about.

This is called a personal testimony. That is what Jesus told this former demoniac to do. Go home and tell your friends what I have done for you. It begins that simply. When the time is right, and God’s Spirit seems to lead you, talk to others about the amazing things God has done in your life.

In our world, we are amazed by things that don’t really matter too much. But we get captivated by them and talk about them. Here is an example of something that seems pretty unbelievable.

Video: Rubik’s cube boy

Have you ever played with a Rubik’s cube? If you have, then you know it is quite a challenge. In fact, if you are like me, it’s not that fun to play with, because I just can’t figure it out. So, this young boy does a pretty amazing thing: in less than 40 seconds!

But, what if you saw someone, with the ability to heal diseases, do it without a word, and without touching anyone? If you were there with Jesus in the First Century, you wouldn’t have believed your eyes.

Like always, with this gospel writer Mark, he quickly moves to more action:

Mark 5:21 – “And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.”

So, they crossed back across to the West side of the Sea of Galilee, and right away, he is again surrounded by a huge crowd of people on the sea shore.

Mark 5:22-24 – “Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live. And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.”

As a synagogue ruler, Jairus was responsible for taking care of the building and ordering its worship services. He would have been highly respected. His young daughter was dead or going to be dead by the time they would get to her. In his mind, as Matthew reports it in his gospel, she was already dead. She was at the very point of death, as her dad explains it here. Imagine being a parent with a young child who is going to die. How desperate would you be to grasp on to any hope? What would you do if you had heard there was someone who might be able to save her life?

Jairus came to Jesus, fell down before Him and pleaded with him: Please, just touch my daughter and I know she will live. We don’t know what Jairus thought of Jesus before; but with his little girl’s life on the line, perhaps he had heard all Jesus had been doing, in healing others. He may have even heard Him teach in the synagogues and cast out demons. Jesus was His only hope. He demonstrated great faith in what he did and in what he said. And Jesus decided to go with him; and as you can imagine, the crowd followed. They wanted to see what was going to happen.

So, get this in your mind now. They are all going to go with Jesus to see what he would do. The text says that there was a huge crowd gathered around him. And Mark jumps right in to another event that would make people say: I don’t believe my eyes!
Mark 5:25,26 – “And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.”

On his way to Jairus’ daughter, we are introduced to a woman who also had a huge problem. She had blood being discharged from her body for the past 12 years! Walvoord and Zuck wrote: “This may have been a chronic menstrual disorder or a uterine hemorrhage.” According to commentator Vines: The word used for her disease, here, “has the connotation of whip. As a whip, this disease drove away her strength as it sapped her life’s blood. It deprived her of motherhood. It was embarrassing socially. It ostracized her from other people. It barred her from worship in the temple.”

She had gone to all the doctors. Anytime she heard that someone might be able to have an answer for her medical problem, she was there. She had tried surgery, drugs, and acupuncture. Whatever was able in that day with the doctors, she had tried it.

According to Barclay: “The Talmud itself gives no fewer than 11 cures for such a trouble [that this woman was dealing with]. Some of them are tonics…and some are sheer superstitions like carrying the ashes of an ostrich-egg in a linen rag in summer and a cotton rag in winter; or carrying a barley corn which had been found in the dung of a white, female, donkey.”

Nothing worked…for 12 years. She had spent all of her money trying to find a cure. Not only did she not get cured, we read that she got worse. She was out of options. Until…

Mark 5:27-29 – “She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, If I touch even his garments, I will be made well. And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.”

She demonstrated faith, by acting on what she had heard, even though she had not yet seen it personally. She had heard others talk about what Jesus could do, what he had done. Hope had risen again. She evidently believed that what she had heard was true: Jesus could heal her. And we are told what she was thinking: If I can just get through this crowd, and touch his outer garment, I will be made well. That is an incredible statement. For someone who had gone to all the doctors and spent all her money for cures, this is a pretty big statement. I guess she could have thought this was another miracle cure; but it seems to me to be a statement of faith. She believed if she could just touch him, her 12 year battle would be over.

So, she waded through the crowd, got close enough behind him, and touched his outer cloak. And as Mark likes to say: “Immediately, the flow of blood dried up; (and she could feel it) – she knew she was healed of her disease.” Jesus hadn’t done anything or said anything; but she was healed.

Mark 5:30-32 – “And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, Who touched my garments? And his disciples said to him, you see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, Who touched me? And he looked around to see who had done it.”

There were people touching him all over the place, because of the crowds; but Jesus noticed that some of His power had left Him. This was the power that healed this woman. So, he turned around and asked: Who touched me? His disciples, who were clueless once again, said: “What are you talking about Jesus? Everybody touched you. The crowds are pressing on you as you are walking. How can you ask: “Who touched me?” But Jesus turned around and wanted to know who he healed. He wanted a personal contact, face to face.

Mark 5:33 – “But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.”

There was only one person who understood why Jesus turned around and was asking this question: “Who touched Me?” This healed woman, knowing that this man had indeed healed her, approached Jesus once again. She came with humility and the kind of fear that is all about awe and reverence; not fear that she would be hurt or that Jesus would be angry or that He would give her back her disease. She was trembling in the presence of the one who had the power to heal her, without a word or a touch from him. She came and said: It was me; and she told him and those around him the whole story. What a testimony, especially to who Jesus truly was.

Mark 5:34 – “And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Jesus, the only time that it is recorded in Scripture, used this affectionate title for someone personally: He called her “Daughter”. He welcomed her into the family of God. Why could he call her daughter, as though she were a part of His family? Remember what he said:

Mark 3:34,35 – “And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

So, Jesus said: “Daughter, your faith has made you well”. This wasn’t about magic cloth. This was about faith…faith in who Jesus Christ was, and in what He could do. Because she believed He could heal her, he did, even through her touch of his clothing.

Jesus said: “Go in peace and be healed of your disease.” This was an assurance for her – that Jesus had completely healed her and that it would never return.

True faith brings true peace. It has always been that way. It was true of this woman, and the Scriptures tell us that it is true of all who trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation:

Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

SO WHAT ABOUT JESUS?
He changed a life by healing a disease in response to faith

Jesus was all about caring for people and healing people. But, He wasn’t healing just for healings sake, to try to keep people healthy. He healed in the midst of teaching the truth about who He was and leading people to God. He changed this woman’s life forever by taking away this blood issue. But, it was her faith that brought His healing and her faith would bring her to God for eternity.

SO WHAT ABOUT ME?
I must move toward Jesus in faith

This is true if you have not yet trusted in Christ alone for your salvation. The only way for you to get to Heaven and to God for eternity is through Jesus Christ – not your good works or any religious efforts. You must place all of that aside and trust only in Christ, committing your life to Him.

But, even for those of us who have already made this decision, we still must keep moving toward Christ in faith. That is what is acceptable to Him. That is what pleases Him. That is what causes Him to respond. Each day, you and I are challenged, given our circumstances, to move toward Him with the faith that believes He is in control, and He will do what is best for us…spiritually.

The USA TODAY story began this way: “They leap across buildings in a single bound, scale walls with bare hands and fly down staircases without touching ground. They flip, spin and glide through the air like trapeze artists without nets. Check out their online videos, and your jaw will drop.”

Video: Parkour

We wouldn’t recommend that you try this at home either; or anywhere else for that matter – without parental permission. It seems pretty dangerous, doesn’t it? It looks crazy. It is something people look at, and they might say: “I don’t believe my eyes! Did you see that?”

Our society thrives on things just like this. We like to see people take risks (especially if it is other people and not us!); and we might say we don’t want to see it; but when we do, it is really incredible. However, if you compare these feats to the ones we are viewing from Mark’s perspective with Jesus in the First Century, there is no comparison. Ok – so we’ve seen juggling hammers hit a nail, a boy wonder work the cube and people moving in ways we are not used to seeing.

But, with Jesus, we have seen Him cast demons out of a man and change his life forever. We have seen Him heal a woman with a 12 year blood issue, just from the power contained in his body, that went out through His clothing. And once again, a life was forever changed – by faith. Let’s keep in mind what is really amazing, and what truly deserves our attention, that should make us say as we read these accounts: “I Don’t believe my eyes!”

And just when you are ready to take a break from all the action in this passage, we are reminded that this woman was healed while they were on their way to deal with this daughter who was dying.

Mark 5:35 – “While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

Jesus is finishing his talk with this woman, and he was interrupted by some men from Jairus’ household. I don’t know what was going through Jairus’ mind while Jesus was supposed to be coming to help his daughter, and then had to deal with this woman who touched Him. We are not told. But, if it was me, I might have been a little impatient.

Those from his household gave the somber news: “Your daughter is dead. Now, don’t bother the Teacher (Jesus) anymore. There is no reason for him to come the rest of the way.” It would be like someone continuing to do mouth to mouth on someone when they have already been declared dead: Don’t bother. He’s gone.

There could have been criticism against Christ, for delaying. When Jesus’ friend Lazarus died, and he arrived “too late”, Lazarus’ sister Martha rebuked Jesus: “If you would have been here earlier, our brother would not have died.” But, we have no record that anyone did that here. Instead, as soon as these guys shared this bad news, Jesus responded.

Mark 5:36 – “But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not fear, only believe.”

Knowing this man had just received the worst news, experiencing the worst nightmare any parent could experience, Jesus looked Jairus directly in the eyes and said: “Do not fear, only believe.” These had to be encouraging, comforting words. He had come to Jesus in the first place because he believed Jesus could heal his daughter. He had just seen him heal this woman with the blood flow problem.

Jesus is now telling him: “Keep believing.” The command “do not fear” could be translated: Stop fearing. So,he may have, and understandably so, begun to fear in unbelief. Perhaps, he wondered why it was taking Jesus so long to get to his daughter. Maybe, when he heard his daughter had died, his heart sank; and perhaps for a moment, he wondered if Jesus could heal his daughter. Jesus let him know that He was still in control.

Mark 5:37,38 – “And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.”

Beside Jairus, Jesus took 3 of his disciples with Him. They have been seen as Jesus’ inner circle because they were the 3 invited to be a part of some of the major things in Jesus’ ministry. They served as witnesses here, at His transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. When they came upon Jairus’ home, Jesus saw the norm: the mourners had gathered, weeping for the loss of life for this young girl.

Traditionally, as soon as death had taken place, the wailing would begin. It would continue at the grave side. According to Barclay: “The mourners hung over the dead body, begging for a response from the silent lips. They beat their breasts; they tore their hair; and they rent their garments.” But once again, when Jesus enters a hopeless situation, everything changes.

Mark 5:39,40 – “And when he had entered, he said to them, Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping. And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.”

Jesus rebuked the mourners and asked: “Why are you making so much noise? Why are you fussing over this girl? Her life is not over. It is as though she were sleeping.” Their response? Not quite one of faith. They laughed at him. And it was the kind of mocking laugh you might do when someone boasts of something that sounds too incredible. It wasn’t that they didn’t want this girl to rise from the dead; but there was no way in the world that she was just sleeping. They confirmed her death. “What are you talking about Jesus?” But this didn’t stop him.

He kicked everybody out; and took his 3 disciples and this girl’s mom and dad and went in to see the girl. It was time to find out if Jesus could do something that would be considered greater and more incredible than any other miracle he had performed. Could he raise this girl from the dead?

Mark 5:41,42 – “Taking her by the hand he said to her, Talitha cumi (koom), which means, Little girl, I say to you, arise. And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.”

Jesus had authority over death. He took this 12 year old girls hand and commanded her to get up. She immediately wakes up, gets up and walks around! And those that saw it were overcome with amazement, the text says. This phrase means that they were “out of their minds” with amazement. “I don’t believe my eyes!”

Mark 5:43 – “And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.”

He first told them to be quiet about this as he didn’t want attention for the wrong reasons. You can imagine what would happen once it got out that he could raise people from the dead! Certainly all the family and friends would know as soon as this girl walked out. I wish I could have seen their faces! The second thing Jesus said was to give her something to eat. He demonstrated care for this girl, beyond just raising her from the dead, and by telling them to give her food, it showed that she was back to good health.

SO WHAT ABOUT JESUS?
He changed a life, showing power over death.

Everyone knows they are going to die and they cannot do anything about it. Only God has the power to raise the dead; and in this case, it was God in the flesh, Jesus, who was demonstrating who He was by what He was doing. It was not His goal to keep everyone from dying; or to raise everyone from the dead. I suppose He could have done that, but He didn’t. His goal was to show that He was who He claimed to be; and that what we are required to do, as we wait to die, is demonstrate faith.

SO WHAT ABOUT ME?
I must keep believing, even when hope seems lost

That is what he told Jairus, remember? When he heard that his daughter had died, he began to fear and doubt; and Jesus looked at Him and said: Do not fear. Keep believing. There are times, because of my circumstances, that I fall into doubt, that I think that there is no hope for something that is important to me. But, I am reminded, from Christ’s example and words here: When all others would doubt, the people of God are to rise up and say: I still believe. I trust God with my life, all I am and have; and everyone I love.

You see: its not about hope that everything goes well for us or that no one we love dies. That is not the application here. It is the sure hope that once we die (if we have trusted Christ) we will be with God forever. And it is the sure hope, that in the midst of our difficult circumstances, whatever a day may bring, God is at work, for our spiritual good; and He knows what He is doing. Keep believing that!

BELIEVING THE UNBELIEVABLE

One of my goals every time I speak is to apply what am teaching to myself before I ask anyone else to do so. For a while, I was talking about my personal application every week. Perhaps I need to start doing that again. At the very least, I can write, here, about my personal application and what I am learning. Then, if you choose, you can read the manuscript of the message provided below.


If you would rather listen to the message, you can go to http://www.gbcwestlake.org/
choose "listen online" and then choose the message you would like to hear. Normally, the morning message is on there by mid-afternoon on Sunday.


The one thing that challenged me the most from this message is the issue of faith. Jesus' disciples continually struggled with understanding who Jesus was and what he was saying. They were supposed to be the ones who had "ears to hear" and yet they needed Jesus to "spell it out for them" most of the time. The final passage dealt with in this message shows that the disciples were not "getting it"...yet. They had seen Jesus heal all kinds of diseases, and cast out demons. But, when they are in the boat and the storm comes, they think Jesus doesn't care about them because he was sleeping. Faith was nowhere to be seen.

It is pretty easy to criticize the disciples, not only for this lapse, but for all the other ones we read in the gospels. Then, I look in the mirror, honestly evaluate my own heart attitude and lack of faith; and I have to admit...I am no different. I have also experienced God doing great things, in my life and in the lives of others. I have seen Him answer prayers and do things no one would expect. But, in the midst of my stormy circumstances, I find that I doubt that God knows what He is doing. I have a different plan, and God usually doesn't choose that one.

I start to worry and try to work things out on my own terms, in my own power. That never turns out well. I have a hard time finding faith even the size of the mustard seed that Christ referred to. In Matthew, He told His followers that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains. I want that kind of faith, even that "small". I believe it is possible, but I know I fail often...especially when things are "rough".

SO WHAT? I am going to take it one day, one circumstance at a time. I am committed to growing in my faith in God; not just in what I "believe" but what I do. I know my God is up for it. I am thankful for the example of the disciples for many reasons. First, even those chosen 12 failed early and often. But also, they eventually did "get it". They never reached perfection; but they understood (mostly after Jesus rose from the dead) what Jesus had taught them and the mission they were called to. God used them to change the world.

Greg

Message preached on June 1, 2008
BELIEVING THE UNBELIEVABLE
Mark 4:21-41

Please turn in your Bible to Mark 4.
In the early 16th century an astronomer named Copernicus made the discovery that the earth is not the center of the universe, that in fact the earth goes around the sun and not the sun around the earth. He was a cautious man and for 30 years he kept this discovery to himself. Then in 1543, when death was getting near, he persuaded a terrified printer to print his great work, Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies. Soon Copernicus died but others inherited the storm.

In the early 17th century Galileo accepted the theory of Copernicus and stated publicly his belief in it. In 1616 he was summoned to the inquisition in Rome and his beliefs were condemned. Judgment was passed. “The first proposition that the sun is the center and does not revolve about the earth, is foolish, absurd, false in theology, and heretical because [it is] contrary to Holy Scripture…The second proposition, that the earth is not the center , but revolves about the sun, is absurd, false in philosophy, and from a theological point of view at least, opposed to the true faith.” Galileo gave in. it was easier to conform than to die; and for years he remained silent.

A new pope came to the papal throne and Galileo thought that Urban the 8th was a man of wider sympathy and greater culture than his predecessor, so once again he came out into the open with his theory. He was mistaken in his hopes. This time he had to sign a recantation or undergo torture. He signed. “I, Galileo, being in my 70th year, being a prisoner and on my knees, and before your Eminences, having before my eyes the Holy Gospel, which I touch with my hands, abjure, curse and detest the error and the heresy of the movement of the earth.” His recantation saved him from death but not from prison. And in the end he was even denied burial in the family tomb.

It was not only the Roman Catholic Church which tried to avoid the truth. Martin Luther wrote about Copernicus: “People gave ear to an upstart astrologer who strove to show that the earth revolves, not the heavens or the firmament, the sun and the moon…This fool wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy; but sacred Scripture tells us that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, and not the earth.”
It took time for people to see the truth. But, for it to happen, someone had to bring it out into the light.

William Barclay, who related this story said: “You can threaten to torture a man for discovering the truth; you can call him a fool and try to laugh him out of court; but that does not alter the truth…Truth may be attacked, delayed, suppressed, mocked at; but [given] time… in the end truth prevails. A man must…care that he is not fighting against the truth.”

This is a good illustration of what is being described here in the book of Mark. When Jesus Christ came, he spoke a message of truth that people were not ready to hear; just like the story of the earth revolving around the sun. What a second: You are telling me that you, Jesus, are the Son of God? You are the promised Messiah from the Old Testament – really? You are the ONLY WAY TO GOD?

This was the light, truth revealed, that most people were simple not prepared for. And not only did they laugh at His news, they got angry. And eventually, they put Him to death for the truth they would not accept. This morning, He continues to talk in parables about these truths.

Mark 4:21-23 – “And he said to them, Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

I believe these parables we read today were given to the larger crowd, not the smaller one of His disciples and closest followers (when he gave them only the interpretation of the parable of the sower, seeds and soils). Jesus’ statement in verse 23: “If anyone has ears to hear” is what he also said in verse 9, following his sower, seed and soils parable- which he had given to the large crowd. Verse 34 will also tell us that these were for the larger crowd, and then he would take his disciples aside privately to explain the parables to them later. Very interesting!

So, what is this parable about the lamp mean? The lamp, back then, was a lighted wick in a shallow clay bowl full of oil. At bedtime, they would put basket, or bowl on it for the night; but that was not the purpose of the light. They might hide it under a bed, or sitting bench; but that was not the purpose of the light. The purpose of the light was to put it out where everyone could see it; so that when it was dark, the surroundings around them would be revealed. That makes sense, doesn’t it?
Jesus came as the light to reveal the truth of God’s Kingdom

How does this parable relate to spiritual things? In context, Jesus was here to bring light to the gospel message of the Kingdom – in the midst of great darkness. Remember, we were told what Jesus starting preaching at the beginning of his public ministry. We were told what Jesus was saying as he went around teaching and healing people of all kinds of diseases, and casting out demons. He was teaching this:

Mark 1:15 – “…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus brought the kingdom of God near because of His presence. He was the good news of the kingdom. He was the only way to get to God in Heaven. And He was calling for people to turn from what they formerly trusted in, including religion and its corresponding works, to trust in Him alone. That was the message of the gospel.

So, with Jesus’ arrival on the scene, and now His teaching about the kingdom of God through parables, these were meant to be a light that reveals truth about Jesus, how to be right with God; and about the hearts of those who were listening. The gospel writer, John, just after John 3:16, talks about how the light of Christ affects those who believe and those who do not. It applies here:

John 3:19-21 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God.”

Those who believed would go toward the light of Jesus and their lives would show it. Those who did not believe would continue to live in darkness and be offended by the light of Christ. We are seeing that played out in these passages in Mark. I think there is also an application for us with this parable:

SO WHAT?
Those who believe will move toward Jesus Christ.

Think about that for a minute. Isn’t it true that those who have decided to go their own way, and trust in themselves, try to stay isolated and away from the light? If they are around Christians who talk to them about Christ all the time or at church where they are hearing the truth of God’s Word applied to real life, it becomes very uncomfortable. Because not only are they living their own way and don’t like to be confronted by God’s Word, they also do not want to change.

Those of you who have a humble heart toward Christ, are willing to admit your imperfections and want to be challenged to live for Him…You want to be around those who are growing in their walk; and you want to be around the light. Just ask yourself this simple question to try and check where you are at: Are my actions consistent with someone who is striving to get closer to the light of Christ?

Sometimes, moving toward Christ and into the light will mean risk, and sacrifice. When Martin Luther decided to take his stand against the use of indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church, he put together 95 theses condemning that practice as unbiblical. He decided to post them on the front door of the Church of All Saints, which was closely connected with the University. This is where many University notices were displayed and even topics of public debate listed. He decided to do it on November 1st, which was celebrated as All Saints Day. He posted them in the most notable public place and on the day when the largest crowds would come to the church.

Luther felt he had discovered the truth and wanted to bring it out into the light; even though that meant going against His own Catholic Church and put his life in danger. God calls us to live in the light as well, living out His truth, which will indeed expose darkness and those who are hiding in it.

Mark 4:24,25 – “And he said to them, Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Jesus explained that those who understood the truth would receive more truth

Jesus gives another purpose for His use of parables here. He had already told His disciples in verse 12, that the parables would not be understood by those who had rejected him; and in a sense, these parables were a sign of the judgment on those non-believers. Here, in verse 24, He gives a blessing to those who do believe and have “ears to hear.”

He was basically saying that “as you receive the truth, you increase your capacity to get more truth.” And those that reject what they hear, will come to a point where they will not have any more opportunities; but the understanding will be taken and given to others who are receptive.

Think about it. Those who believed would keep gaining in understanding; especially after Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Those who rejected Christ would only get more resistant, as they put Jesus to death unjustly; and then would also persecute His followers. Their non-receptive hearts would turn into a desire to wipe out the truth of Christianity and all who followed Christ.

SO WHAT?
Use it or lose it. Live out what you know.

This doesn’t mean you lose your salvation. It means that if you use the knowledge you already have, you will continue to gain; but if you choose not to, you will lose the ability to comprehend. When I was a child, I played the trumpet. As you practice and play, you develop the ability. Your lips get in shape. But, not having played for years, I couldn’t pick up a trumpet right now and play it. It would take a long time to get the skill back. If you don’t use it, you lose it. If you work on it, you gain more knowledge and skill.

Have you ever tried to get through to someone who is giving you the blank stare, and then asked him: “Are you listening to me?” Just because someone is taking in what you say doesn’t mean they are “getting it”. Please don’t just sit here and take in the Word of God, worshipping week after week after week. Being here, singing and listening to God’s Word is great; but it is not what is required. You must not just hear the Word, but do it. You must not just add to your knowledge, but be asking SO WHAT? How does this apply to my life? What difference should this make in how I live this week? Then, leave here determined to live it out. Because, if you make a practice of being here just in body and going through the motions; your heart may become hard and you no longer respond to the truth.

I am all for learning more about the Bible. But I do believe that we know so much more than what we put into practice. God is not that interested, I don’t think, in us having more knowledge than everyone else; but what sets us apart as His committed followers, is that we pay attention to what He says; and then we are determined to live it out.

A little over 75 years ago a little known American inventor, born of Russian descent named Vladimir Kosma Zworykin began to work for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Over the next few years Mr. Zworykin became obsessed with the idea of inventing something that was called an iconoscope and succeeded in building it in 1923. Now the iconoscope was only half of what Mr Zworykin had dreamed of for, so he also began to work on an invention called a kinescope. The kinescope would eventually come to be known as the Cathode Ray Tube and in 1929, Mr. Zworykin revealed his great invention to whole world in a much publicized demonstration. We are not very familiar with these technical terms, but we know what this turned into. Most of you have one, many of you more than one, in your home. And many people look at this object several hours a day. The iconoscope and kinescope that sits in our home is better known as our Television set. The iconoscope became the TV Camera for broadcasting and the Cathode Ray Tube became our TV Receiver. In 1932, Mr. Zworykin, working from a one inch square tube began to develop the color TV while working for RCA.

The next parable from Jesus speaks of something that we also don’t fully understand, such as the iconoscope and kinescope. But, the result ends up being something that we all can see and enjoy.

Mark 4:26-29 – “And he said, The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Jesus said: You won’t fully understand how God grows His Kingdom, but He will.

As we saw earlier, the seed was a picture of the Word of God. The seed is a powerful thing:

I read about archeologists who found, in a pyramid in Egypt, ancient artifacts, including a vase. In the vase were some seeds that had been placed there about 3,000 years ago. Those seeds were then planted by those who found them and in a few days, the seed sprouted. There is incredible life and power in the seeds. How much more life and power is there in the Word of God?
The farmer in this parable does his work, preparing the soil and planting the seed. But, after his hard day of work, he goes to bed. He doesn’t have to understand the process of germination. He knows about the blade, then the ear, then the grain. But, he doesn’t have to understand all the inner details. The earth does its work and the seed does its work; and when the time has come, the harvest is there. The seed will produce its fruit. Jesus said: This is like the kingdom of God.

We don’t have to know the inner workings of the kingdom of God, because we couldn’t understand it. Plus, it is not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to accept the seed of the Word of God that is planted in our hearts, to humbly accept it and act on it, believing everything it says. In that way, we are a part of the explosion of the growth of the kingdom of God, in our hearts, and in the world. We may not be able to understand exactly how it happens, but we can see that it does.
Jesus said:

John 6:63,64 – “…The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe…”

There seem to be phases to the development of the kingdom as described here. In phase one, the seed is scattered on the ground by the farmer. In phase two, the farmer waits for the seed to take root in the soil. No, he can’t explain it all, but he knows what will eventually happen. He is not worried. The earth does the work. Finally, phase three comes with the harvest. And the farmer and his reapers are ready to take the harvest of the grain.

SO WHAT?
You do your work and let God do His

This does not mean you have to do work to earn salvation. Your first so-called “work” is to believe in what God says. How salvation works is really a mystery to us; but we know the difference He makes when God first takes residence in our lives. And we also know we are responsible to spread the seed of His Word – to our families, to our friends, our neighbors, and others God brings into our sphere of influence. We don’t know how to explain everything; but we know that God knows what He is doing; and does His unexplainable, unbelievable work in the hearts of people. And this takes time. We must allow the seed of the Word of God to be implanted in our hearts and others; and then let God do His work. And then, at just the right time, the harvest will come.
We do not create the Kingdom of God. We cannot bring it about. We cannot force it in the lives of others. It is God’s kingdom and He does the work in the hearts of people. Then, Jesus continues with another parable about the Kingdom of God.

[while reading the next passage, the guys begin to hand out the mustard seeds]

Mark 4:30-32 – “And he said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God, beginning very small, would eventually grow into something that is larger than any other.

Jesus uses another picture that the people of that day could readily understand, in order to talk about the kingdom of God. As we already know, this doesn’t mean they were going to “get it” but they could at least relate to this object – the mustard seed. It was a picture, in that day, of the smallest conceivable thing; and yet it grew into something like a tree. A visitor in Palestine speaks of seeing a mustard plant which, in its height, toppled over a horse and its rider.

As Walvoord and Zuck write: “It was considered the smallest of seeds, as it took 725-760 mustard seeds to weigh a gram (28 grams equal one ounce). The mustard shrub is an annual plant which, growing from seed, becomes the largest of all garden plants (reaching a height of 12-15 feet in a few weeks). It is so large, the birds, attracted by the seed, are also attracted by the shade the tree provides for its nests.” A visitor to Palestine would see the common sight of the birds flocking over the black seeds.

You are holding a mustard seed in your hand, and so you get an idea of its smallness. This is the picture Jesus was painting for them with this parable. Look at this seed in your hand. It is so small, it might even be difficult to grab just one seed. But, consider what Jesus is saying about the Kingdom of God, using this seed, like the one in your hand, as a symbol for it.

The small seed probably referred to Jesus Christ or the truth of His Word, who was starting this whole talk about the kingdom of God. He was small, in comparison to all the other religious voices out there. In fact, his group of followers was very small, beginning with just 12 men. However, it would not remain there. In fact, there would be thousands of people who would trust in Jesus Christ over the next few years; and then Christianity, spreading the truth about the Kingdom of God, would spread throughout the world. It began as the smallest, but would grow very large, giving shade and rest to many.

Yes, the little seed in your hand doesn’t seem like much; but they thought the same thing about Jesus Christ. This is about believing the unbelievable. You have to believe that if you plant this seed, you will get the results of something much larger than it looks. And if you trust in Jesus Christ and become a part of His kingdom rule, it also will grow into something that you could never imagine if you had seen the beginning of it.

SO WHAT?
Trust that what seems insignificant to the world will grow to be the Kingdom of God.

In other words: you don’t have to be fearful. You don’t have to be ashamed. You don’t have to be embarrassed when our world makes you and true Christianity feel small. When you feel outnumbered and outvoted and drowned out by human secularism and pluralism – don’t doubt. That just as this seed in your hand would grow into an incredible plant that gives shade; so will the kingdom of God.

And your trust in that truth should spur you on to live your life for that Kingdom; not building your own kingdom here (which is the world’s and religious philosophy) – but living for the kingdom yet to come – the kingdom of true followers of Jesus Christ. What you do for the Kingdom of God may seem insignificant to you. What difference could your little service make? Well, see it as this mustard seed, which will be used by God to germinate and grow into something great for His Kingdom.

Those in Jesus’ day who did have “ears to hear” would have been greatly encouraged by this parable. Those who couldn’t understand it would have had no idea what he was talking about; and would have tried to turn it into something negative.

Mark 4:33,34 – “With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.”

This is what Jesus was doing with parables. He used them to communicate the Word of God to the people, using different parables to meet people where they were. However, as He talked about the kingdom of God, he used the parables, speaking in figurative language, as many of them had already rejected Him. But, when He was alone with His closest followers, He kept explaining more to them. The word here for explained has the idea of a continued explanation. We know the disciples didn’t necessarily get these things “the first time”. It took them a while to process everything; and even with time, they still ended up blowing it often.

Jesus would try to help them connect the dots, so to speak, between what he was saying and doing, to the process in the Kingdom of God. It would even take most of His followers until after Jesus rose from the dead, to connect most of the dots. That is encouraging, once again, to me. In fact, the next thing Mark tells us is about an incident where the disciples failed and learned more about faith.

Mark 4:35,36 – “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, Let us go across to the other side. And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.”

Jesus was going to test His followers’ faith and teach them more about Himself.

Jesus decided to go to the other side of the sea of Galilee; so he got in the boat the disciples had gotten for him; and leaving to the other side, other boats followed Him. I think Jesus was doing this to teach them a practical lesson about believing the unbelievable. They had just heard a few great stories describing faith in what will be; and now Jesus was going to give them a test on the material they had just learned.

Mark 4:37,38 – “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Many of these guys were experienced fisherman and were certainly experienced with the Sea of Galilee and the sudden storms that could arise. The wind was so strong, that the waves were coming into the boat, filling it with water. This was not good! And then the picture cuts to Jesus, who is comfortably sleeping. It is certainly understandable, after a full day of teaching, that Jesus was completely exhausted (he was fully God but also fully man) and deserved some rest.

However, the disciples freaked out, and finding Jesus sleeping, they basically rebuked him. Jesus, teacher, they called him, Don’t you care that we are about to drown? We’re going to die! They obviously did not understand, yet, who Jesus really was. They could not yet comprehend how much he cared for them; and that although he would keep them safe, for now, it was not his main goal. His main goal was to teach them, to train them, to assist them in becoming the kind of people that could fearlessly take His gospel to world.

They were, now, in the right frame of mind (stressed out) to be able to learn an important lesson:

Mark 4:39 – “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Jesus got up and rebuked, commanded the wind: “knock it off” – Peace, Be still. And just like that…everything stopped. There was no confusion. This was no coincidence. There was a great storm and they were in great danger, until Jesus spoke those words – and then it was immediately over.

Mark 4:40 – “He said to them, Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

They had seen him heal all kinds of diseases. They heard him command demons, which immediately came out of people. They should have had great faith by now; but they failed the test. So, Jesus asked them 2 rhetorical questions. Why are you so afraid? Why don’t you have any faith after all you have seen? The answers were obvious. They did not have faith yet. They did not fully trust in Him to always do what is right, what is best – not yet.

They were supposed to know by now, that this was God in the flesh, able to do all things. They didn’t. There were supposed to be the ones with “ears to hear”. They seemed deaf and blind, most of the time. But, instead of blurting out: You are the Christ, the Son of the most high God. They responded this way:

Mark 4:41 – And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

Nine-year-old Danny came bursting out of Sunday school like a wild stallion. His eyes were darting in every direction as he tried to locate either mom or dad. Finally, after a quick search, he grabbed his Daddy by the leg and yelled, "Man, that story of Moses and all those people crossing the Red Sea was great!" His father looked down, smiled, and asked the boy to tell him about it. "Well, the Israelites got out of Egypt, but Pharaoh and his army chasedafter them. So the Jews ran as fast as they could until they got to the Red Sea. The Egyptian Army was gettin’ closer and closer. So Moses got on his walkie-talkie and told the Israeli Air Force to bomb the Egyptians. While that was happening, the Israeli Navy built a pontoon bridge so the people could cross over. They made it!By now old dad was shocked. "Is THAT the way they taught you the story?" Well, no, not exactly," Danny admitted, "but if I told you the way they told it to us, you’d never believe it, Dad."


The disciples were eyewitnesses of what Jesus could do, and they still couldn’t believe their eyes! You and I have seen God do incredible things in our lives and the lives of others. We have seen His faithfulness, His provisions and experienced answered prayers. And yet, in the midst of storms, we tend to “forget” all of that, don’t we? I do! We doubt, get afraid, and sometimes even blame God for our circumstances. Sometimes, I demonstrate that I just don’t get it; even that I lack faith of a tiny mustard seed.

This was the power they could only attribute to God. They had read and believed the Old Testament stories of the God that created nature and controlled it. They knew of Him parting the Red Sea and the Jordan River. They knew God could do this; but their teacher, Jesus Christ? Somehow, they hadn’t yet made the connection. They had a lot more to learn. And this was just one of many lessons for them.

SO WHAT?
Have faith that God is in control and can do anything

Yes, I know that is easier to say than to do. But, it is one thing we are all to be striving for on a daily basis. Even if you have already failed 100 times, the next time, you are responsible and able to turn it over to God and fully trust Him with whatever your circumstances are.
At another time, the disciples were not able to cast out demons although Jesus had given them the authority to do so. And they asked Jesus why they were not able to. His answer corresponds to what happened on the boat and to the story of the mustard seed he told earlier:

Matthew 17:20 – “He said to them, Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move…”

Now, take that mustard seed in your hand once again; if you haven’t already lost it. Look at it. It is just a tiny mustard seed. But Jesus is trying to teach you something about Himself; and about faith. If you can have as much faith as this tiny mustard seed, then you can believe that even when things seem out of control – in this world – in your life; that God is still in control.

In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."


I like that. Everyone starts as a baby. So, don’t be too frustrated that you are not some great man or woman of faith, yet, that trusts God every time. Be patient. Take one day, one circumstance at a time. As your faith continually gets tested, if you endure, it will grow stronger. And what begins as child-like faith will grow into mature faith. And what begins as a tiny mustard seed will grow into something larger than you can imagine.

And if you can have the faith, even as small as this mustard seed, then you can believe that God will take, even the most difficult circumstances of your life and He will turn them into your spiritual good:

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Yes, we can get down on the disciples for their lack of faith – their inability to understand who Jesus really was and to trust Him. But, let’s be real here. You also fail miserably on a regular basis…and so do I. Most of you would say with me: I believe that God loves and cares for me – but then I will worry about something and wonder if God is even there.

We will say together: I believe that God allows what is for my spiritual good; and then I will wonder if God has any clue as to what He is doing. We will say in great strength: I believe God can do anything! And then I wonder if God can do the tiniest things that we that I am so concerned about.

This is about faith. If you and I will just trust Him, we can have joy, we can have peace, we can be a part of accomplishing great things for the kingdom of God, by investing in the lives of others; and introducing them to Him.

These parables have been about the Kingdom of God – that reality that is already, but not yet. When Jesus came, the Kingdom of God was truly near. We are to be living by Kingdom standards, and those of us who have trusted in Christ have been promised a place in the Kingdom of God. And yet, we have not practically experienced that yet. After a time of silent prayer, we are going to close by singing together the song we learned earlier. As you sing about what Jesus has done for you, consider His rule in your heart now. And remember that one day, He will rule all, and everyone will sing His praises.

PRAYER