Session #3

Mark 10:35-45
"Discipleship Pitfalls" • 9.29.09 • Jesus Christ: The Man Of God, Session #3
Intro.

- Discipleship is a special privilege that is accompanied by specific dangers.
- Two sinners in close proximity of one another, even with Jesus in the center, can equal at least a little messiness.
- When it comes to spiritual discipleship, you can bet that the dangers are increased because of the nature of what is being passed on.
- We talked last week about the need for transference and the privilege that comes from being a man who passes the proverbial torch.
- No matter our level of maturity, there are sticky issues that accompany teaching another person the ins and outs of ministry. This can be overwhelming for two sinners to conquer.
- When Jesus took on disciples, He entered into a relationship where the perfect was surrounded by the imperfect. He chose this! I am glad that He did!
- Jesus, being sinless, could accurately diagnose and lovingly correct those attitudes that accompany the special privilege of ministry.
- At the same time, I'm glad that He chose relationship, because He illustrates for us what great patience we are to have with one another.
- Throughout the gospels, Jesus corrected and re-set the entire group. They openly questioned a decision or a teaching and Jesus took the time to get to the heart of the matter.
- There were a few disciples though, whose famous interactions represent specific attitudes that require our attention today.
- Their stories are recorded for us to consider. Their specific thought disorders can be seen in ourselves or in others, and can be accurately summarized by the use of their names!
- We'll consider four disciples today, and three distinct issues that often appear in our lives or in the lives of those who we disciple in the Lord.

I. James & John : Destructive Power
II. Judas : Divided Loyalty
III. Thomas : Debilitating Doubt

Text

I. James & John : Destructive Power

• Mark 10:35-37 : "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' And He said to them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' They said to Him, 'Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.'" : Before we look specifically at these verses, we need to set the table.
- The disciples had openly wondered about the return on their investment. They had left all to follow Jesus. He speaks to them about their concerns.
• Mark 10:29-31 : "So Jesus answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.'" : This is a great promise.
- It seems though, that James and John stopped listening to the Lord when they heard about getting to be first.
- Between these verses and the verses that we are beginning with, Jesus talks descriptively about His suffering and death!
- This is the context of the verses that we have just read, which makes this question even more out of place. Mark tells us that James and John came to Jesus. This concept was their idea.
- Matthew 20:20 tells us however that they put their mother up to actually asking the question!
- What did they want? They want to sit next to Jesus in His glory.
- The idea here is one of equality with Jesus, sitting right next to Him. James and John made the request, but this was not the first time that this had come up among the disciples.
• Mark 9:33,34 : "Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, 'What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?' But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest."
- James and John seem to be especially obsessed with the power that comes with a life connected to Jesus. However, they badly understand it's presence in their lives.
- Turn with me to Luke 9. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. The Samaritans did not receive Him and this offended the disciples.
• Luke 9:54-56 : "And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, 'Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?' But He turned and rebuked them, and said, 'You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.' And they went to another village."
- WHOA DUDES!? What are you talking about? Did I give you power to use it like this? This is likely how they got the name "Sons of Thunder!"
- Here they imagine themselves at a place of favor, at the highest place of honor, next to the Lord Jesus Himself.
- They had become inflated, thinking that because Christ had endowed them with gifts and power similar to His own, that they could now be considered in the same class as Christ.
- What a sad state to be in, but certainly not unique. Men have sensed the power of God in great ways. Perhaps a word of wisdom here, a healing there, a great sermon delivered.
- Before one knows it, the pride of the moment seizes the heart and the vessel sees themselves as important as the content that it holds!
- To James and John, Jesus answers specifically that the road to glory is much more difficult than they could ever imagine. They could not drink the cup that Jesus would have to drink.
- The sufferings of Christ that were the humble acceptance of God's divine will for redemption are always the requirement for glory!
- Jesus tells them quickly that the route to true greatness comes from a place that they did not expect to find it!
• Mark 10:42-45 : "But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'"
- Perhaps you need to be reminded that God has given you authority and the power of His Spirit, but it's for building people up, not tearing them down, or manipulating their hearts.
- God has given men authority so that they can build lives and serve God's interests. Unfortunately, men look for ways to destroy lives and serve themselves. Let that not be said of us!

II. Judas : Divided Loyalty

• Matthew 26:16 : "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?' And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him." : Judas is a bit of a mystery in some ways. He has been depicted in many Jesus movies as the political llaison of the group.
- It's asserted that He was interested in joining the mission of the Priests with the mission of Christ. I always wonder where the movie makers got this idea? It's certainly not in the Bible!
- Sadly, there is no such nobility about Judas. He simply loves money!
- This set of verses comes up after Judas has failed to score a large sum. A woman has come to Jesus and poured out her dowry, her life savings, upon the Lord's feet, a perfume worth a fortune.
- Matthew tells us that the disciples were indignant, saying that the perfume could have been used for the poor. John 12 tells us the inside scoop.
• John 12:14-16 : "But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 'Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?' This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it."
- Now Judas agrees to betray Jesus Christ for the price of a slave, only 30 pieces of silver! One commentator mentions that the modern equivalent would be about $25!
- It was what he had to settle for, as it seemed there was just no other value in this relationship. Jesus was not paying dividends.
- Now, while the issue of money and it's love is very poignant in our day, you may not necessarily see men dealing with that principally.
- Usually, it takes another form but is a similar concept. Jesus in many men's hearts, is a means to an end. The rationale is that Jesus in my life equals the fixing of my current crisis.
- Many men who begin to walk along Christ in discipleship have this as their motivation at some point in the journey.
- They must be told that to follow Christ is to follow Christ because He is worthy of our allegiance! He is God and His care for us is bigger than our situation at the moment.
- He may not resolve our issue the way we would like Him to. It may not end in reconciliation. It may not end in the salvaging of a career. It will end in blessed union with Christ, and that is more than enough! Unfortunately, men with divided loyalty, usually end up betraying Jesus in the end.
- I love that Jesus, knowing this about Judas, knowing his heart, still includes Judas in the most intimate moments. He still serves Him, even on the night that Judas betrays Him.
- Turn with me to John 13. John records Christ's final evening with His disciples.
• John 13:1 : "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end."
- After writing this, John records that Jesus put on the clothes of the servant, got on His knees and washed each one of their feet.
- What a beautiful picture, as He even washed the feet of Judas! The King stooped down and took the feet that would soon rush out the door for 30 pieces of silver, and He washed them.
- God is so good to give His benefits out to men in any amount. He does so out of a heart that seeks to bless them. Jesus loved Judas to the end and that's what we must do.
- We cannot stand in judgment of another's motives, and decide to hold back blessing from them until they get their theology straight or their loyalties in order.
- Jesus showed the disciples that night that His love toward each man was unconditional and that they should practice the same thing!

III. Thomas : Debilitating Doubt

• John 20:24,25 : "Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' So he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'" : We're looking obviously at a post resurrection scene and one of the disciples had not been privileged to see what the others had.
- Thomas' statement is incredibly strong. His friends and fellow disciples were encouraging him to believe their testimony. They were asking him to believe, wanting him to take encouragement.
- Thomas however, was devastated. There was nothing that they could do or say that would change his feelings.
- Thomas had been as loyal as any one of them. He had believed. He had bought in. In fact, the only other recorded statement from Thomas in the scripture prior to this, was when he suggested that they all follow Jesus to Jerusalem to die with Him!
- Now, he was the most disappointed. Unless he could see what they saw and touch what they had the opportunity to touch, he would not believe.
- Notice that pivotal word. I WILL NOT believe. It's a refusal. Have you been there? Many men have, and many have followed suit.
- I will not believe until God meets me here on these terms. For some men, buried in their pride and arrogance, this is a challenge to God to prove Himself so that they will believe.
- God does not meet a man along those lines. However, Thomas is a man who already believes. He has already put his faith in Jesus.
- This is the cry of a man desperate to continue his belief! If you have not been there, believe me you will get there.
- Abraham, the Father of the faith asked the Lord to confirm His Word. God showed up in the most ornate of ways in Genesis 15.
- To Gideon, God provided a fleece that was dry one night while the ground was wet and wet the next night, while the ground was dry!
- Jonathan heard words that he needed to hear in order to attack the Philistines.
- Turn with me to Mark 9. My favorite story along these lines though, comes from a man who comes to Jesus on behalf of his own son, who convulsed with a mute spirit.
- Jesus sees the boy's condition and begins His interrogation.
• Mark 9:21-24 : "So He asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'"
- That is the heart that God responds to. And here with Thomas, He does the same.
• John 20:26-28 : "And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!' Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.' And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'"
- God condescended to Thomas and allowed him to see and to touch. Jesus is so wonderful to do that for us.
- We want so badly to follow Him, but our vision of the world gets in the way. We might look at a man like Thomas and tell him, "Hey, get over yourself! Where's your faith?"
- Jesus sees his faith and chooses to build up what little was there.

Conclusion

- Men who enter into discipleship will be confronted with these same issues. We are to remind ourselves and others that God has given us power and authority to build lives! Perhaps you need to repent of abusing spiritual authority, using it to satisfy your feelings!
- There are others who need to check their motive. Why are you following Jesus? The only motive that will keep you from denying Him is the motive of love for Christ alone, though nothing changes!
- Maybe it's doubt. You refuse to go another step unless the Lord meets you. You are dry and tired and you need God to meet you in your weakness. He will when you choose to wait for Him to do so. He has always been faithful and He always will be!

Session #2

Matthew 10:1-4
"Choosing Community." • 9.21.09 • Jesus Christ: The Man Of God, Session #2
Intro.

- Shortly after Christ's temptation, John the Baptist recounts the story of what transpired to his disciples. He explained to them that a dove would remain on the one who was the Son of God.
- The following day, Jesus walked by and John the Baptist pointed out and said, "Behold the Lamb of God."
• John 1:37-39 : "The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, 'What do you seek?' They said to Him, 'Rabbi' (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), 'where are You staying?' He said to them, 'Come and see.' They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour)."
- We are not given the name of one, but John tells us that the other was Andrew, Simon's brother. This is how the process of choosing disciples began.
- These men would be at His side for the better part of the last three years of his life. Matthew gives us a complete listing of all twelve of the disciples.
• Matthew 10:2-4 : "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him."
- Why did He choose to have disciples? Most Rabbis had disciples. It's a natural part of our world. In every profession, there are teachers and students.
- Later, when they have been taught, the students become men who then reproduce that which they have been taught.
- I want to sketch out a bit about the need for this to be our hearts as men. Teachers and pupils, godly men and godly apprentices, need to be deep commitments in our hearts.
- Today, the church at large remains a place of "us and them": "Us" older dudes and "them" younger dudes! This type of schismatic thinking remains our achilles heel.
- I want to survey what Jesus did, and what we might take from those actions. Some of what we discover will seem fairly obvious, but cannot be understated. In order for discipleship to occur, there must be:

I. Salvation
II. Consecration
III. Application
IV. Reproduction

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I. Salvation

- I understand that this borders on an insult to your intelligence, at least on the surface. However, I will say that we cannot afford to be flippant about who we invest in.
- The Bible leaves us with a record of how most of these men responded to their initial encounters with Jesus.
- Let's examine the record from John 1. Jesus has been identified as the Lamb of God, which was a Messianic title. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus identifies Him as such.
- Andrew and another of John's disciples follow after Jesus. When Andrew heads out to get Peter, his brother, he speaks these words:
• John 1:41,42a : "He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus."
- After meeting Simon Peter, Jesus meets Phillip, a man of the same city. Jesus tells Phillip to follow Him and is then reminded of his friend Nathanael.
• John 1:45-49 : "Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' And Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.' Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!' Nathanael said to Him, 'How do You know me?' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.' Nathanael answered and said to Him, 'Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!'"
- We are not given all of the disciples personal confessions. These were the founding members and this was their personal confession.
- Turn with me to Matthew 16. At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus initiates a discussion on this topic.
• Matthew 16:13-16 : "When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
- The Bible writers took time to make clear that the disciples were men who had come to a place of certain belief about Jesus Christ.
- We cannot disciple dead men! Until a confession is clear, both spoken and lived out, one must consider any such person a target for evangelism, not discipleship.
- My sole message for such a person is God loves them, Jesus died for them, the Holy Spirit guides them to a redeemed life, now repent and surrender!
- In the sub-culture of Christianity, sometimes our criteria begins with how long a person has attended church. Churches see personality or talent coupled with faithful attendance as enough.
- If discipleship is going to happen, if you are going to invest your life into another, be sure that salvation is the foundation.

II. Consecration

- Of the twelve disciples, the New Testament records the personal calling by Jesus of six. Of those six, five were called while employed in secular careers.
- Simon, Andrew, James and John were partners in the fishing industry of Capernaum.
- Mark 2:14 records that Jesus met Levi, also known as Matthew, at His tax office.
- There is speculation that Nathanael was a Cal-Trans worker, as we see him for the first time taking a break and holding up a tree!
- In a short period of time, Jesus became such a presence to each of them, that He took precedence over their profession. Their confession eventually led to their consecration.
- Peter's call really illustrates how this took place. Turn with me to Luke 5. Jesus comes to the shore of the sea of Galilee, seeking out the Capernaum 4!
- A great crowd had gathered. Jesus was being pressed in upon and asked Simon, who was there alone to take Him out a bit. He did and Jesus said for him to let out his net for a catch.
• Luke 5:5-7 : "But Simon answered and said to Him, 'Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.' And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink."
- Peter fell to his knees, overwhelmed at how Jesus was effecting his heart. He knew that he was ruined for the fishing trade, as were his partners.
- Jesus tells them that nothing will change, except for what they would be fishing for.
• Luke 5:10b,11 : "...And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.' So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him."
- Later, this was the case with the entire group of the disciples. Peter says that each of them had left all to follow Jesus in Matthew 19:27.
- It's notable that Jesus did not pick from the synagogues or from Jerusalem's Bible College crowd. These men are blue collar, down to earth dudes.
- No formal training. These guys are barely, remotely religious. But they were anxiously anticipating the Messiah. When He came, He overwhelmed their hearts.
- From here, Jesus begins to teach them what it means to have God's heart, by speaking and living before them.
- There comes a time in men's lives when certain ones will sense this same call. It's my job to believe that God will do that with men, perhaps even in this room.
- Some will become full time vocational ministers of the gospel of Christ. That is the greatest privilege that any man can hope to be called into.
- But one does not need to be full-time to be fully consecrated. A man is consecrated when He understands that he is where God has him, for the purpose of something more than a paycheck.
- He is consecrated when he sees every appointment, every task, every trip, as an opportunity to serve Jesus Christ. His life is a ministry. His job might provide the stage or the resource.
- Like the disciples, his career is defined by Christ. These are the men that need to be discipled, invested in and loved.

III. Application

- Turn with me again to Matthew 10. We have established that these men were saved, they are consecrated, committed. The next step that Jesus gives us in discipleship is the application.
- When these men came away with Jesus, He taught them and allowed them to see His power.
- But then, He gave them responsibility.
• Matthew 10:1 : "And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease."
- He sent them out to practice what they had seen. Chapter 10 is a great primer for discipleship. Let me give you a quick outline for Jesus' instruction to His disciples.
- First, He gave them perameters of their ministry. (v.5-14) They were to go to certain people. They were to stay in certain places.
- Second, He warned them of the perils of their ministry. (v.15-25) People would reject their message. They would be interrogated, persecuted, and hated.
- Third, He tells them of the power of their ministry. (v.26-31) They would be protected, as they shared the message of God's Work. As God's messengers, they could expect God's care.
- Finally, He tells them of the profound impact of their ministry. (v.32-42) Families would be divided. People would be forced to choose who their master would be as a result of coming into contact with the disciples.
- He shared with them, in full disclosure, both the pleasures and the pains of submitting themselves to this divine work. He wanted them going in with both eyes opened.
- At different times, Jesus challenged them to grow by practicing ministry, applying what it was that they observed Him doing. With this as our context, consider afresh certain episodes.
- Turn with me to Matthew 14. There are about 15,000 people out in a remote place and the sun is setting, a problem in pre-streetlight society.
• Matthew 14:15,16 : "When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, 'This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.' But Jesus said to them, 'They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.'"
- You know what happened next right? All those people got enough for the scripture to declare that they were glutted, filled to overflowing! Look at verse 20.
• Matthew 14:20 : "So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained."
- Hmm, 12 baskets full! Imagine the walk back to their encampment! There are so many other stories when we think about it like this.
- The demon the disciples couldn't cast out. The boat ride that Jesus almost slept through! Peter's walking on water episode!
- Jesus did not just teach. He gave them power to practice. He gave them opportunities to succeed and fail, always standing nearby to clean them up, correct them and send them back out!

IV. Reproduction

- At this point, we are technically outside of the realm of our study. For three years, Jesus poured His life into the lives of these disciples. Then of course, Jesus physically left them.
- We come then to the book of Acts, which is called properly, the "Acts Of The Apostles," we see familiar themes. Let's scan over just a few passages. Jesus preached repentance.
• Acts 2:38 : "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
- Jesus healed people of debilitating diseases. Peter met a crippled beggar on the way to the Temple.
• Acts 3:6-8 : "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God."
- Jesus confronted the religious people. Peter did the same!
- The point, simply, is that a discipled one carries on the work that the discipler has sown into their hearts, long after the discipler has been gone!
- Peter and the rest of the Apostles did the same things that Jesus did. He reproduced Himself in them in a special way. When they ministered, the way Jesus ministered came out.
- Turn with me to Genesis 1. There is a principle illustrated there that really speaks to the effect of discipleship.
• Genesis 1:11,12 : "Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth'; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."
- When we disciple, we are planting the seeds that have been sown into us!
- We are being discipled by men who were discipled by men, who were discipled by men! Ultimately, you can trace that back to the Apostolic heritage that we all enjoy!

Conclusion

- Today, in this church, at this time, this topic is of vital importance. There are men around us, who are saved and have sensed God's hand upon them in a mighty way, who need someone to come and take them under their wing.
- Somebody who will teach and transfer their experiences, good and bad. Somebody who will oversee spiritual progress and encourage spiritual practice.
- In the end, the hope will be that the Jesus in me and you, will be seen in others' lives and that what is seen is a good reproduction.
- I challenge you to step to this today and be the type of man that Jesus lived to make us!

Word, Work & Worship!

Mark 2:1-12
"Word, Work And Worship." • 9.20.09 • Kingsfield Church Sunday Morning
Intro
- When you hear the word "Capernaum," I'm fairly certain that little comes to your mind. It doesn't mean much to us, except that we think that it might be one of those Bible cities.
- In that we would be correct. It lay on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, today a ruin, and in the first century, it was the hometown of a man named Peter.
- Yeah, that Peter! The disciple of Jesus Christ, who frequented the town and was often a guest in Peter's home. Whenever Jesus showed up, you knew a great story was about to emerge.
- Apparently, everyone in town also knew that this was the case.
• Mark 2:1,2a : "And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door."
- There was excitement. Jesus had come back after some days. The last time Jesus was here, Mark 1:33 tells us that "the whole city was gathered together at the door."
- They came and brought the diseased and the demon possessed. Jesus healed them there in Peter's home. Then, just a few days later, He healed a leper. An undeniable, incredible work.
- That loud mouthed leper praise forced Jesus out of town, but He still had work to do in Capernaum. When the furor had died down, He was able to return.
- it wasn't long before it was heard that He was in the house. Capernaum being a small town, rarely had anything exciting happen. But this was Jesus.
- Immediately, there was a crowd and this time, even the door was backed up! People were standing on their tip-toes, the next line on their neighbor's backs.
- This is the scene of an incredible time and certainly unique, in that Jesus was present physically in this place.
- But what happens here in this story, in principle, is not lost in time. What we are about to observe is a phenomena that continues today.
- It happens again and again, when Jesus Christ is the invited guest into a life, a home, a car or a job. When He is the one who dwells richly with you, these things become a part of your story.
- What happens when Jesus is given the keys? What takes place when He is "in the house?" These things will follow. We'll see...

I. What Is Declared (v.2)
II. What Is Done (v.3-12a)
III. What is Determined (v.12b)

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I. What Is Declared (v.2)

• Mark 2:2b : "And He preached the word to them." Jesus preached the word to them. He declared Father God's heart and intention for human lives, to human beings.
- Granted, He preached what He wrote and He preached better than all before or since.
- Charles Spurgeon called Jesus, the "Prince of preachers!" The people who heard Him, heard a unique presentation for their day, saying of Him that He spoke with authority.
- Its the same Word, entrusted to His people, inspired by His Holy Spirit, who gives it power to be applied to lives today, that opens the door for transformative work.
- Speaking of the nature of His Words in Luke 21 Jesus said...
• Luke 21:33 : "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."
- We will never be as eloquent as Jesus. We can never hope to be as well versed in the subject as the Author. However, we have the same tool and the same Spirit indwelling within us.
- Turn with me to John 16. Jesus is about to leave His disciples. He is about to be crucified. His disciples are concerned, and rightfully so, about their development and what they will now do.
• John 16:13-15 : "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."
- God has provided us with His Holy Spirit, who gives us divine power to speak God's Word.
- Turn with me to II Corinthians 5. Paul is speaking about the mission of reconciliation and makes this statement:
• II Corinthians 5:20 : "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."
- In a very real way, God still speaks to people in our lives through our declaration of His Word! This eternal treasure is ours not to hold alone, but to preach. What does that look like?
- Today, in a world filled with sub-cultural opinions, sometimes it's difficult to distinguish. It's rare that one says anymore, "The Word says." Part of that is neglect and ignorance.
- According to one study I read this week, 92% of American households own on average, 3 Bibles. Of that 92%, 59% confess to reading it only occassionally. Of that 59%, 42% are women. And of course, we realize that 63% of all statistics are made up!
- But the truth cannot be denied. The Word of God yields the power to transform lives. If we invite Jesus to be the tenant of our souls, then the Word must be preached!
- What does it look like for you to preach the word? Standing on your living room table, megaphone in hand, scream at the people you have invited into your home, "REPENT!"
- Or as you talk with them, declare God's truth about every topic that comes up. Speak as though what God has taught you is of vital importance, to you and also to them.
- One thing about preaching the word that must be understood: We are not inviting an argument; We are declaring something that is true that we have come to believe and trust in.
- Jesus opened His mouth and the Word came forth. The same should be said of us.

II. What Is Done (v.3-12a)

• Mark 2:3,4 : "Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. : Imagine this scene. You are in the house hanging onto every word that is coming out of Jesus' mouth.
- You are completely unaware of what is happening around you. Meanwhile, out side the house, 4 men have labored for some time, carrying a paralyzed man to Peter's house.
- Nobody seems to have the courtesy to simply move out of the way! Their way is blocked.
- "But this man needs Jesus more than any of them!" they speak among themselves. This is a moment of desperation. They have no choice. He must go before Jesus.
- It's thought that this paralyzed man had not been in this condition long and that these friends had fresh memories of a better time.
- Their dedication to him and the cause of getting Him to Jesus is remarkable. They did not take "no" for an answer. They did not fall back at the first sign of defeat.
- They scanned the house, a normal Jewish home from their standards, which meant that the flat roof was made of an admixture of clay and dirt.
- They brought the man up. Notice this phrase in verse 4: "When they had broken through!" They tore the materials away, and physically created an opening.
- Spiritually, there are other implications. The paralytics of the world around us are helpless to come to Jesus alone. One can look at someone without Jesus as a paralytic.
- They are paralyzed in sin and rebellious in their hearts against God. They need to be brought to Jesus, who alone can heal their condition.
- But Christians can also be paralyzed as well. Paralyzed in spirit by fear or doubt. Paralyzed in their decision making process. Paralyzed by guilt.
- Friends who see such need, must know that the answer to their paralysis, is Jesus Christ. And the best friends are the ones who keep going until they break through!
- These men had to scratch and claw and rip and tear. What physically happened here is illustrative of what must take place spiritually if an opening will come.
- If they had been Christians today, they might have given up after the first layer revealed another layer! "What there is more dirt!?"
- The heart of God is moved by persistent hearts that seeks Him until He is found!
• Mark 2:5-9 : When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you.' And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 'Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?' But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, 'Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? : I love this phrase in verse 5. When Jesus saw their faith. There was no guesswork. He had seen the genuine article as their behavior proved their belief.
- This man was paralyzed, but that paralysis pales in comparison to the power of Jesus Christ! These men knew that and they believed, maybe even believing for this man.
- I imagine Jesus smiling as he saw this, as nothing pleases Him more than when we thoroughly, against all odds trust Him.
- Jesus' first words to the paralytic may have seemed a bit out of place to our minds, and to the minds of these men: Son, your sins are forgiven you.
- I always picture one of the four guys, not being exceptionally intelligent, saying something like, "No, we brought him to you because he's paralyzed!"
- Jesus responded to the more important need.

˚ "Forgiveness is the greatest miracle that Jesus ever performs. It meets the greatest need; it costs the greatest price; and it brings the greatest blessing and the most lasting results."

Warren Wiersbe

- It's interesting to me how God does this. We want to see Him answer our petition as we have laid it out. However, instead of giving us that job, He gives us peace.
- Instead of that relationship, He makes us content! Before long, the issue that paralyzed us is now almost an afterthought! Jesus forgave this man's sins and he knew that this was the best news.
- These words rung in the house and echoed deeply into the minds that were present, trying to grasp this situation.
- The religious people were scandalized: Only God can forgive sins! They were right about this, but they did not know why!
- Jesus throws down the gauntlet and says, "Which is easier to say: Your sins are forgiven or Get up!" I would think that we would all agree that saying that someone's sins are forgiven would be easy to say, as that would not necessarily require much in the way of visual proof!
- The other would be exponentially more difficult! Both are difficult and both can only be done by God's hand, especially at that time in history when technology meant warm towels and leaches!
- Jesus finishes His illustration.
• Mark 2:10-12a : But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.' Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all..." "That you may know." Who may know? Those scandalized religious people, paralyzed themselves by their own disbelief.
- Jesus would now demonstrate His power in the one realm, in order to prove that His power could extend to the other.
- Jesus, displaying the power of God the Creator, simply addresses the paralytic. He speaks to Him. He commands that something happen, and just like Genesis chapter 1, it happens!
- Immediately. No delay. Transformation. Miracle! Don't miss this: HE GOT UP!
- How long had he been down? There's no way to know and it's irrelevant anyway. The fact is He was down and he had not been able to get up until Jesus said something.
- I want to encourage you: Jesus still does this! He speaks to a heart and there is transformation. Friends that have been unresponsive are suddenly excited about what God is doing!
- Spouses that were once defiant, are now deflated and humbled before God when He speaks to their heart!
- Brothers and sisters in the Lord, once worried and paralyzed by fear, are freed in the presence of Christ's assuring Word to them! If it is to happen, God still has the power to work!

III. What is Determined (v.12b)

• Mark 2:12b : "so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, 'We never saw anything like this!'" : When Jesus is invited into a situation, whether it be a home or a breakfast table at Denny's, the Word will be preached, the Work will be done and Worship will ensue!
- Those who saw this miracle were all amazed. Understatement of the century!
- Literally, the word "amazed" means that they were mentally displaced. They were beside themselves. They were out of their minds!
- We have seen this. Whenever Criss Angel or David Blaine perform a magic trick, people standing by freak out! They are blown away, not having the ability to explain what has happened!
- The difference though is that when Jesus does something in someone's life, people are amazed and they give glory to God! What does that mean?
- The word "glory," as I understand it, refers to weight. In the days of the Bible, value was measured in weights and balances. Your currency would be weighed against the value weight of the proprietor.
- When I give glory to God then, the sense as I perceive it, is that we are adding weight to our side of the equation. Jesus has become that much more valuable to us!
- You will never see me more thankful and filled with worship than when I get to participate in something miraculous that Jesus does! I will sing His praises the loudest when I see such things.
- When I watch a man surrender his life to Jesus, it's a miracle and glory is added to God. - When a couple is reconciled from the darkest of paths, God is glorified!
- When a friend is freed from the chains that bind him emotionally, praise God!
- I love what the song of the day was: "We never saw anything like this!"
- When Jesus works, that's the way it is. Constant moments of re-occuring, jaw dropping awe! It's the continuous discovery of wide eyed wonder!

Conclusion

- I want to ask if you still believe? Do you believe enough to open your mouth and preach, letting your mouth become the vehicle through which the God of heaven speaks!?
- Do you believe enough to drag that friend, co-worker to Jesus Christ, so that He can do the work of transformation? If you will, He will be worshipped and you will be in awe!

Session #1

Matthew 4:1-11
"Confronting The Devil" • 9.15.09 • Jesus Christ: The Man Of God, Session #
Intro.

- When was the last time that you thought deeply about the person of Jesus Christ? When was the last time that you reflected upon your own love for Him?
- In this past season of time, it has been my conviction that for me, it has been far too long. It was time for me to dive again into the ocean that is the subject of the greatest man to ever live.
- I want to move quickly through key passages that illustrate Christ's mastery over life, with the intention that your hearts will love Him afresh and be stirred to greater devotion to His name.
- I won't begin at the beginning of His life, but let's summarize what we know. Jesus was immaculately conceived by the Holy Spirit, entrusted into the care of Joseph the Carpenter and his betrothed virgin bride, Mary.
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the most humble of circumstances, a barn of sorts. He grew up in a town, whose reputation is summed up like this: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth."
- At age twelve, his family temporarily lost Him on the road back from Jerusalem, only to later discover Him in the temple, baffling His educated audience with His understanding of the scriptures.
- His family was poor, offering the offering of the lower class, as prescribed by the law.
- For thirthy years, there is little else spoken of Him, until He comes on the scene around the same time of His cousin, John, who was the Baptist.
- Jesus comes to John to submit to baptism, authenticating John's ministry and pointing forward to the very mission that would later be accomplished by His ministry.
- As Jesus rose from the water, a dove from heaven flew over Him, and a voice spoke clearly to the heart of John the Baptist.
• Matthew 3:17 : "And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'"
- This is the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry and no sooner are the violins silenced, do we see the scene dramatically shift. Jesus is thrust into a contest with the enemy of our souls, Satan.
- Here, Jesus does battle against our enemy, showing us what we must guard against, and how it is possible to win. Let us notice:

I. The Occasion (v.1-3)
II. The Outrage (v.3-10)
III. The Outcome (v.11)

Text

I. The Occasion (v.1-3)

• Matthew 4:1-3a : "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him..." We know that this event immediately followed Christ's baptism, a moment of tremendous blessing.
- Here we see Jesus being led up by the Spirit into the wilderness. Matthew puts it very kindly. Mark tells us that the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness!
- Jesus was compelled to go for He had an appointment there in the wilderness.
- Ah, the wilderness. Isolated. Removed from resource. Vulnerable on every side, Jesus went out alone, with the purpose in mind, that He would be tempted by the devil himself!
- Luke writes and tells us that Jesus was continually tempted for forty days.
- Just to make it fair, Jesus then abstained from food for a full forty days, something indeed miraculous, and not intended to be tried at home!
- We might note Matthew's comment, "afterward He was hungry," as being absurd. "Of course He was hungry!" However, this is very telling of the condition that Jesus was in.
- Physiologists tell us that when one goes through a prolonged fast he will lose the sensation of hunger. It will only return at the verge of death. Jesus was literally starving to death!
- This is the testing place, where Jesus stands as the representative of the redeemed. This story takes us back to the first site of the first temptation, the Garden of Eden.
- There, in a place of abundance and beauty, Adam and Eve failed, miserably, because of the suggestions that Satan laid out.
- We know the story from there: God came looking for Adam and Eve, who had covered their shame with large fig leaves. Man would now be forever inclined toward rebellion against God.
- Adam was our best shot and he failed. God in His mercy was prepared.
- Turn with me to Genesis 3. This verse is called the "Proto-Evangelium," the first announcement of how this conflict between God and Satan was going to play out.
• Genesis 3:14,15 : "So the Lord God said to the serpent: 'Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.'"
- What we have here is Jesus, engaged and fully equipped, even in His most weakened condition, in the mission that His Father has given Him.
- Jesus meets Satan on this stage and teaches us how to resist the devil.

II. The Outrage (v.3-10)

• Matthew 4:3-10 : "Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' Jesus said to him, 'It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" : I use the word "outrage" to describe the fury with which the demonic hordes attack and the hatred of God and his ways that their actions betray.
- In the first temptation, he tells Jesus to command that stones become bread. This is physical in nature, dealing with a natural appetite.
- "There is nothing wrong with eating a little bread is there?" The fact that Jesus has been fasting implies a covenant with His Father to do so.
- As such, the implication is that God the Father will determine when the fast is over. By refusing even something as "small" as bread, Jesus shows true submission to the Father.
- Jesus answers the Satanic suggestion with Deuteronomy 8:3.
- There, God is speaking to the people of Israel, who are about to enter the promised land.
- He is reviewing with them that the manna that He provided was something that only He could provide and it was provided at His word! As a result, man shall not live by bread alone, but by the word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
- The Devil says, "Feed your flesh." Jesus says, "Obey your God!"
- The second temptation takes place on the highest part of the temple. This temptation is religious in nature.
- There was a belief that was commonly held among the Jews, that the Messiah would show Himself in this way. At 200 feet in the air, such a show would be fairly memorable!
- Satan tells Jesus to throw Himself off, not for destruction, but so that the angels would save Him, like the Bible says, Satan quoting from Psalm 91, verses 11 and 12.
- God promises the man that trusts in Him, safety and deliverance as he walks in His way. The issue here is one of presumption.
- I can say with confidence that when I am walking where God calls me to walk, that He will keep me safe from dangers. I need not fear. However, if I decide to go and invite trouble just to show that God will protect me, then I had better be sure that I will find trouble!
- Jesus replies a second time from Deuteronomy 6:16.
- The people had come a few days out of Egypt and found that there was no water to be had. They contended with Moses at that place and the cry of their heart was "Is God with us or not!?"
- The implication is that when the pressure gets turned up, and we do not see the provision, we tend to say, "Is God really with us?," as if to say, the only proof we will accept is if He meets us now with what we want in that moment.
- In those moments of doubt, we make rash comments or we take rash actions. They are indeed tests of God's presence. Jesus would not go there.
- He realized what we must eventually learn to recognize. He is the Lord our God, who chooses when to bless and when to withhold.
- Finally, Satan takes Jesus to a high mountain and shows Him the Kingdoms of the world and all their glory. He says, "they are yours if you worship me!"
- There is no argument. Jesus does not sing "This is my Father's world!" He accepts the Satanic claim.
- Satan's device here is the temptation to take the shortcut. Why go the long way? Why take the route of pain and suffering? Here are the kingdoms of the world. Just take them now!
- What is wrong with this picture? Simple. Jesus would have been given the Kingdom without a redeemed people to fill it!

˚ "The danger is greatest when the end is good."

F.F. Bruce

- The temptation of the immediate. To have now is better than to have later, if at all!
- How many have given up the benefits of the proven for the fleeting satisfaction of the immediate? Jesus answers for the third time from Deuteronomy 6:13.
- God told the Israelites that He was to be their God, especially as they were going to be exposed to other nations who worshipped at the altars of strange gods.
- Today, our altars are status and position. Jesus was clear that in His response that He worshipped God and served only Him.
- That means, we receive from the Lord our status and position and we are entrusted with it by the use of His methods! We are never justified in employing worldly methods to gain godly ideals.
- In this section, understand that Jesus has been confronted with Satan's three best weapons: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. He has bested Satan each time.
- Turn with me to Hebrews 4. The writer of Hebrews lays out the practical, encouraging implications of this for us.
• Hebrews 4:13-16 : "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
- Jesus is the High Priest who passed every test. He passed the test that Adam failed. He stood in the wilderness, bereft of food, at His weakest, and defeated Satan.
- The other allusion of course, is to the people of Israel, who were called "Governed by God" but failed to obey God and an entire generation fell in the desert.
- Jesus, the true Israel, came out of the wilderness in triumph over the enemy of our souls.
- How did Jesus do it? Did He use His mystical magical powers? Jesus was tempted as a man and then as the template of the Man of God, defeated Satan as a man!
- At each turn, Jesus quoted the Word. Each time from Deuteronomy. Most scholars believe that this points to Jesus' devotional life.
- The storehouse of God's Word treasured in our hearts, may not come forth immediately, but when it is needed, we need to be sure that it's there!
- One man wrote this week, that to be ignorant of the truth of the Word is to be poorly armed for the fight. It's like bringing a knife to a gun fight!

III. The Outcome (v.11)

• Matthew 4:11 : "Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him." : As we come to the end of this, we recognize that Jesus Christ fought a battle and won. "The devil left Him." Satan took his leave, but only for a time.
• Luke 4:13 : "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time."
- Time would come again and Satan would be ready to attempt to derail Christ again.
- Here we will do well to understand a few points about temptations. First, to be tempted alone is not a guaranteed loss. Many men say, "I was tempted and HAD to give in." WRONG!
- Turn with me I Corinthians 10. Paul writes some famous words here.
• I Corinthians 10:12,13 : "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
- It's not a sin to be tempted. It's a sin to give in. We do not have to, especially those of who are in Christ.
- Second, notice that the devil left him. He went away from Christ. The enemy of our souls cannot continue to work against us, if we are working against him!
• James 4:7 : "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
- This brings me to my final realization as we look at this passage: The time of tempting always comes to an end! Temptations, trials and tribulations are all experiences that have a beginning, a middle and an end!
- At this time, just as with us, Jesus passes through the temptation, and is given a time of reprieve. The angels came and ministered to Him.
- They attended to, served Jesus. In this, we see the depth of challenge that confronted Jesus. He was brought to the very edge, but was able to see the victory.

Conclusion

- You and I are targets. We walk with it on our backs each and every day. The beauty is that Jesus faced it first and shows us here how we can succceed.
- We can hold onto God's Word. We can resist the Devil.