Sermons From Mark - Three Responses To Jesus (3:7-12)

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                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                   Three Responses To Jesus (3:7-12)

INTRODUCTION

1. Our text describes the ongoing impact of Jesus' Galilean ministry...
   a. Great multitudes followed Jesus and His disciples - Mk 3:7-9
   b. They were drawn by His ability to heal the sick and cast out
      demons - Mk 3:10-12

2. Reflecting on this passage, I observed three distinct classes of
   individuals...
   a. The disciples of Jesus - Mk 3:7,9
   b. The great multitude - Mk 3:7-10
   c. The unclean spirits - Mk 3:11-12

[Upon further reflection, it occurred to me that these three distinct
classes illustrate "Three Responses To Jesus", and that everyone
responds to Jesus in one of three ways.  First, you have...]

I. THE COMMITTED

   A. LIKE THE DISCIPLES...
      1. Which included men like Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Levi
         (Matthew)
      2. Who answered the call to follow Jesus - cf. Mk 1:16-20; 2:14
      3. Who offered their service in whatever way He asked
         a. As when Jesus asked them to prepare a boat - cf. Mk 3:9
         b. As when Jesus would later send them out to preach - cf. Mk
            3:13,14

   B. THE COMMITTED TODAY...
      1. Would include those who make up the Lord's church
      2. Who heed Jesus' call to discipleship - cf. Mt 28:19-20
      3. Who offer their energy and resources to the spread of Christ's
         kingdom
         a. By developing a Christ-like character - cf. 2Pe 1:5-11
         b. By developing a Christ-like service - cf. 1Pe 4:10-11

[Just as there committed followers of Jesus then, so there are today.
But there was another group of responders, those we might describe
as...]

II. THE CURIOUS

   A. LIKE THE MULTITUDE...
      1. Which included those looking to be healed, or perhaps just to
         see a miracle
      2. Though following Jesus from place to place, they were not true
         disciples
      3. But those seeking some sort of personal satisfaction, whom
         Jesus often drove away
         a. As when they followed Him after He fed the 5000 - cf. Jn 6:
            24-27
         b. As when He challenged them with the call to true
            discipleship - cf. Lk 14:25-27
      4. Of course, some would eventually take up the challenge and
         become true disciples

   B. THE CURIOUS TODAY...
      1. Would include those who may visit churches, even regularly
      2. But they are like "tire kickers"; they never fully commit
         themselves
      3. Perhaps they attend just to appease their conscience
         a. But they never obey the gospel - cf. Mk 16:15-16
         b. They just put it off, like the Athenians and Felix  - cf. Ac
            17:32; 24:24-27
      4. Hopefully, one who is curious will eventually take the step to
         follow Jesus completely

[Finally, there are those whose response to Jesus is entirely negative,
whom we can categorize as...]

III. THE CONDEMNED

   A. LIKE THE UNCLEAN SPIRITS...
      1. Unclean spirits were demons, whose origin is uncertain
         (possibly fallen angels)
      2. They knew who Jesus was - cf. Mk 3:11
      3. They knew that torment awaited them - cf. Mt 8:29; also 2 Pe
         2:4; Jude 1:6
      4. Yet they showed no desire to repent of their evil ways

   B. THE CONDEMNED TODAY...
      1. Would include those who persist in sin and refuse to repent
         - cf. He 10:26a
      2. For whom there is no forgiveness while they remain in that
         state - cf. He 10:26b-31
      3. Who often think lightly of sin, and mock those trying to do
         good - cf. 1Pe 4:3-4
      4. Yet they will one day have to answer, even confess Jesus - cf.
         1Pe 4:5; Php 2:9-11

CONCLUSION

1. Dear friend, in which group would you place yourself in your response
   to Jesus...?
   a. Are you among the committed - a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ?
   b. Are you among the curious - interested, but have not yet made the
      decision?
   c. Are you among the condemned - determined to resist God and refuse
      to follow Jesus?

2. One day, we will either be in the group of the committed or the
   condemned...
   a. The time for curiosity will be over
   b. We will either be saved or lost forever
   c. Today is time to make your choice!

As Paul wrote in his second epistle to the Corinthians:

   We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to
   receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: "IN AN ACCEPTABLE
   TIME I HAVE HEARD YOU, AND IN THE DAY OF SALVATION I HAVE HELPED
   YOU." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
   salvation.
                                                       - 2Co 6:1-2

Receive God's grace by obeying the gospel of Christ, and join ranks with
those who are committed to following Jesus and serving Him through time
and eternity...! - cf. Tit 3:4-8
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