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May 7, 2021 6:00 am
We stand with him. I don't know if we communicate that enough to the lost souls of the world.
I don't see that in our case we are saying to them.
We are committed to Jesus Christ, the Christ of the Bible of the New Testament in the old he is our God.
We will not bow down to anybody else's idea, regardless of their credentials or their experiences or their accomplishments. Whatever they do not match what is preached in the word does not match our conviction.
This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston.
Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville.
Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Mark, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching, but for now let's join Pastor Rick in the gospel of Mark chapter 6 with a brand-new message called John's murderers. We are in the gospel according to Mark chapter 6 verses 14 through 29 verse 14 now King Herod heard of him for his name had become well known and he said John the Baptist is risen from the dead and therefore these powers are at work in him. Others said it is Elijah and others said it is the profit or one like the prophets, but when Herod heard he said this is John, who might be headed. He has been raised from the dead. Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her because John had said to Gerard, it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.
Therefore, Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man and protected him and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
Then an opportune day came when Herr out on his birthday, gave a feast for his nobles. The high officers and the chief men of Galilee and one Herodias daughter herself came in and danced and pleased Gerard and those who sat with him.
The king said to the girl ask me whatever you want and I will give it to you. He also swore to her saying whatever you asked me, I will give you up to half my kingdom so she went out and said to her mother. What shall I ask. She said the head of John the Baptist.
Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked saying I want you to give me at once, the head of John the Baptist on a platter. King was exceedingly sorry yet because of the oaks because of those who sat with him. He did not want to refuse her immediately.
The king sent an exit docent and executioner and commanded his head to be brought and he went and beheaded him in prison brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl and the girl gave it to her mother when the disciples heard of it. They came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb's consideration is entitled John's murderers, but to introduce it. I like to go to the book of Daniel, briefly, because there will in chapter 3 we have that familiar story of Shadrach me shack and it Abednego and those men stood firm in the face of those who would kill them for their faith because they knew what they believed and they knew what they believe because they knew and whom they believe and I think all Christians should know not only what they believe, but in whom they believed, so that when there are those that arise rise up and try to move us away from the things that are dear to us that have to do with our salvation and our knowledge with God. We can refuse them. John he preach the word. He too knew what he believed and in whom he believed in these men, Shadrach me shack in Abednego they said straight out that they would not bow down to any other God.
In fact, when the word was brought to King Nebuchadnezzar about their stance in Daniel three verse 12. They reported to the King Nebuchadnezzar.
They do not serve your gods, just like that with the world say that about us Christians do not serve anybody else's. God we have nothing in common with anybody else's ideas about God these men in Daniel three did not care about consequences. I said, neither did John Daniel three verse 17. This is how they responded to the king, he will deliver us from your handle came but if not, let it be known to you will King that we do not serve your gods ahead write up in his face saying yeah you're the king you get the power to kill us, but there's a king of kings were more interested in him than you on these matters.
We stand with him. I don't know if we communicate that enough to the lost souls of the world. I don't know if they see that in our face and we are saying to them. We are committed to Jesus Christ, the Christ of the Bible of the New Testament in the old he is our God. We will not bow down to anybody else's idea, regardless of their credentials or their experiences or their accomplishments. Whatever they do not match what is preached in the word does not match our conviction and then they were cast into the midst of the fire tells us in Daniel three verse 25 and they were not hurt their bodies could've burned with this soul would never have been hurt, which is the case with John the Baptist to chop off his head but he was not hurt. John is having a good day.
Right now Nebuchadnezzar reported in verse 25 that they came from. As they came from the midst of the fire. Then Shadrach me shack in Abednego came from the midst of the fire that's going to be said about us when we leave this planet we came from the midst of the fire and entered into his gates with thanksgiving in our hearts because he is God. When I confused about this or nor nor are we asking anybody's permission to believe these things matter what the consequences all the stuff forget that as we go through a consideration. You know what Nebuchadnezzar said about them quoting him. Verse 28. They yielded their bodies to their own God. How profound.
Daniel three verse 28. They have frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies that they should not serve nor worship any god, except their own. May this not be lost on us when trying to fit in with people were trying to get them to fit into the kingdom to press in the straight and narrow. We do that with truth and attempts to believe when Joe said, though he slay me, I will trust him as I don't know what God is doing at all like what he's doing but he's my God that truth does not go away.
And no matter what he grants or does not grant he's still my God, he is worthy, and nobody can take that away from me. Not even me. That's the kind of faith I want. I struggle, I struggle with God. You know just the things he allows to happen, but I don't struggle with who he is. So with that, we look now in verse 14. Now King Herod heard of him for his name had become well known and he said John the Baptist is risen from the dead and therefore these powers are at work in him. Let's talk about this fate. King Herod, Rome did not consider him a king hot did not either. His father was Herod the great was a great monster and this is this Herod the great. This Herod Antipas us who were talking about in verse 14. His father ordered the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem just to give remind us of how brutal these people were all of them were thoroughly evil and there were several of them and here this Herod Antipas he hears about the miracles of Christ. And this is his response. Mark gives us the most detail account of this event.
He tells us about Herod's response. Then he goes back is going to give us the details that led up to the beheading of John the Baptist, but at verse 14. John has already been murdered by Gerard and his his group and Matthew and Luke. They don't refer to Herod as a king. Only Mark does.
He ruled in Galilee and to the east of Galilee for about 35 years. But here's here's a point coming from verse 14. How typical of the priceless to be wrong about Christ and have not only useless opinions about him, but harmful opinions about him harmful to themselves or harmful to whoever was foolish a dozen of them.
I was one don't understand the realities of God's spiritual round bits and pieces that they had.
They misinterpret but they don't mind spewing it.
So here is Herod John the Baptist risen from set up your wrong, that won't stop him. Will it verse 15 other said it is Eliza and other said it is the prophet like one of the prophets. Technically, Elijah could not be said that he had risen from the dead because he did not die was what is called translate was taken to heaven alive in a very dramatic way in a flaming chariot. That's how I'd like to go. Some of you would prefer, maybe a bike with a anger. Bars on firewood going to the Lord same destination little different style second Kings 11, that's with the story is that he entered into heaven alive, but many Jews believed because of Malachi chapter 4 that someday allies you would return to fulfill the prophecy of Malachi 4 will be a long time opening that one up but suffice it to say that John came in the spirit of Elisha and for the Lord's great and coming return rate is great return. The spirit of Elijah will be active yet again, but there and there's never a shortage of those who not only duped by Satan, but very comfortable with Satan's lies about Jesus Christ understanding about except can continue to hold onto it and resist those who might have more light than they do on lighten human beings, their views about Jesus again. They are worthless in the end, and they are harmful or valuable to Satan to the underworld of those forces of evil in the spiritual realm that hate human beings, all of them. Satan doesn't like those who he uses. He hates them, but he uses them. Nonetheless, to equate Jesus Christ with Confucius, or Buddha or Mohammed or anyone else is to expose one's ignorance about the person of Jesus Christ and who is ignorant that the lease rejection at the most and a lot of stuff in between, because between Christ and every other person in Adam's race that race being a ruined race by sand between Jesus Christ and all the others.
There is this next measurable Distance man is created and born into a ruined race is born into the wrong kingdom.
But Jesus Christ is the maker of heaven and earth. John's gospel chapter 1 all things were made through him and without him nothing was made that was made out of these guys come along and say okay that first we like with us when we don't like. This is true we can trust it with this when you can't trust funds was a trust you telling me what to do and what not to try, but I just take the whole thing and let the Holy Spirit sorted out in me, but this is something that they get away with and it is sad to see how many people profess the Lord even say they love him, and then walk around saying we can trust all the Bible you can believe it all, God is not capable of protecting his word. I rather not be on that team to give Christ and his word prominence but not preeminence that is a trap from hell, and it can damn a soul, and so John Herod Herod Antipas is giving him prominent. So he's general risen from the dead that something we all can do. That's the prominent feature but it doesn't make him God in the eyes of Herod. Verse 16 he continues Mark giving us the history of the event. But when Herod heard he said this is John, whom I beheaded.
He has been risen from the deadly doubling down. This is his opinion. This not only an admission to guilt, but it is a boast to evil. It is John who I beheaded is risen again Gerard all who else have you beheaded, how many others have there been most 35 years that you ruled like your father though not as vicious as your father because you want a smart as him and were realm of evil. How many others have you killed sounds very appealing to the gullible and those who are into sensation feels spook you what's happening people rising from the dead reincarnate will believe in that reincarnation stuff categorically rejecting it. What makes superstition baseless as it has no proof proof is in fact against it as you get away with something one time doesn't mean superstition is true as to be consistent. That was by the way, no single murder of John the Baptist was a nest up there was of course Gerard Oedipus is the story clearly tells us Herodias's stolen wife and her wicked daughter solemnly says the historian Josephus that that that was her name. Then it was course, the henchman, the axman, not just one Herod. He had no problem in believing that a man who had been beheaded could be risen from the dead. Since craziness if he could believe that. Why would he not submit to the one who rules over this. Is it possible to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and still be unmoved by it to submit to him absolutely.
It is the Pharisees went out of their way to cover up his resurrection.
Many in Scripture saw miracles and refused to submit to them, dealing with what sin has done to the race is tough stuff is very real is very hardest of knockdown drag out fight all the way is very ugly. We were just singing the song pass me not, while in others, our calling. Please do not pass me by. Before I became a pastor when God called me to the ministry and I had no church. I used to sing that song. Lord told pass me by. But at the dealing with the devil's work enough years, you know, maybe if you want to find somebody else. Lord, I'm I what should I steady ally do you and tell you that it's all been wonderful pulse that I bear my body the marks of Christ. I can set bear my heart marks a Christ. No, not in a boastful way in a gallon way but still nonetheless it is true I have hurts from serving Christ that I otherwise would not of heard or had and it should be that way.
To some degree with all of us who serve Christ.
All of us take up a cross across is not something you want to take up to see all have the turkey sandwich with everything on it and across a cross to bear. We don't think like that, but we are called to think like we learn to think this way. It is the teaching of the spirit in our lives and so these fiends that's what they were, who had John murdered have such power in this world too much for my liking.
Because is a real devil, and there is a real filtering system God is getting to the bottom of who is going to serve him and who is not, and is using this life to do it and he will not be moved off of that mission. Luke's gospel chapter 13. On that very day. Some of the Pharisees came saying to him get out and depart from here.
Herod wants to kill you. Course you killed John by that time and he said to him, go tell that fox. Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow and the third day, and I shall be perfected in other words, I don't care what you think. If you are against God, your doom is going to be sure when he mentions that fox. Remember that in those days foxes were seen as sneaky and sly and destructive. They were more of a nuisance than anything else, they were not these cute little things that you rarely saw crossing the road.
They were predators of weaker animals in the eyes of the people who lived at that time.
Solomon writes about the little foxes, that spoil the vine the just when everything have a good day and some little move from Satan just ruins it for you. Verse 17 for Herod himself accent and laid hold of John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her. Well we have, we can say a lot about these characters what it can suffice to say in a single word wicked giving the details of you know the incest that was taking place.
She had married her. Her first husband Philip was her uncle and so was Herr Rod and is give you an idea what was going on with these mindless, savage and eternally damning choices made by these people. Luke 319, but Herod the tech tree arc the sea. Luke does not call Herod this Herr Rod King equals in the tech tree arc rule of 25% of the land, cut up by Rome being rebuked by him concerning Herodias's brother Philip's wife for all the evils which Herod had done. See John had dealt with all the evils that Herr Rod had done. John was thorough again. He didn't allow the consequences of his being Pharaoh deter him from doing what he was supposed to do and so these are the people in the his field of ministry.
They were not only wicked but very able to execute their wickedness on others. Verse 18 because John had said to Herod, it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.
Now Herod was of Edomite and Jewish mixture and in his bloodline, he considered himself a Jew.
Of course he use that to his advantage in dealing with the Jews in the region of Galilee and Pereira, where he had authority because he considered himself a Jew that gave John the right to set him straight. According to the law of Moses and in Leviticus chapter 18, and I think chapter 20 is very clearly said not to take your brother's wife and so John and I gave him sermons on that another things also course John the baptizer.
His rebukes negatively affected the social standing of Herr Rod's stolen wife Herodias. I mean, people would be talking behind her back that that profit John was scolding you publicly.
He's calling you out. It was saying you were an illegitimate wife. You are an adult through your wicked, she would have none of that. She hated John for this.
John preached in spite of the consequences we go back a little bit of egg again. Daniel chapter 3 verse 18 but if not, let it be known to you.
If God does not answer our prayer as precious as our lives are to ourselves, and we have no right to think that those men and women in Scripture who were persecuted, some to death some near death. We have no right to think that they were just good with this I mean of that that was not a problem. They were just as much unhappy with being persecuted and killed. As we would be. It's not just the story is real people and real lives. And so when these men were facing the death of a fiery furnace. This was their stance. God is able to deliver us, but if not, let it be known to you. Looking we do not serve your gods know who we worship the God of the gold image which you have set up something you concocted something you created. Whether it is in the form of a statue or an idea whether it is an ideology or whatever it may be if you made it up and it goes contrary to God. We really are against it is contrary to us and this is been part of our Christian heritage forever. Other religions have the same thing. They believe in their dots so not all of them.
So some of them believe you can believe whatever you want to believe it doesn't matter its relative. Sounds like it's such a deep works relative you going to be a relative of hell you don't fix that opinion or that's offensive well you know what God finds you rejecting his proof and his truths offensive. You can side with him and fixes that sounds to somebody doesn't like it is you hearing me say the center of you saying wow you're right brother. I want to give my life in Christ will that's what I want you to say, but maybe you might be saying, just a nobody.
But I'm talking about somebody who is being and awesome and worthy to be praised. Thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Mark cross reference radio is the teaching ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville in Virginia to learn more information about this ministry.
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