Educated by Facts (Part B)

Many people messed up there envious, bitter as they think they did this they should that you shouldn't do this you just better they become difficult. People live in mean people to be what you don't want to be with. Somehow they get away with it. The Scripture is clear a sound heart is life to the body when you know what you believe when you're comfortable with what you believe you have authority to exercise things you believe you have authority to be forgiven. 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 today. Pastor Rick will continue his message called educated by fax as he teaches through Mark chapter 9 I'm angry at anything.

It is said in my sin, but I'm very passionate about God's word, Satan, as is done with many of you spent a lot of time trying to get you to not be passionate about God's work to be frustrated with the Lord to be disappointed with what he allows and disallows the righteous keep moving forward because they know in whom they have believed, which is the whole story of Job, the story of Joseph story of Jeremiah story of Jesus Christ. Story of Paul the apostle, and countless Christians down through the ages.

This is real stuff here and if you want to wait until your dad to find out be too late to benefit from.

You can learn now throw yourself into what God is saying at his pace.

Verse 31, 40 taught his disciples and said to them, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after he is killed he will rise. The third day did hit them. You know he's going to be killed and they didn't care for it. So when he says the Son of Man is betrayed in the hands of men is prophetic at this prophecy. The Son of Man is being portrayed into the hands of men solemn prophecy he speaks in the present tense, was Judas already in dialogue with the Pharisees, the enemy is mobilized against them for sure. Did he know that, or perhaps just in the head of user Judas. He was already planning. Maybe Judas was singed because he did not get to go up to the mountain with Peter James and John was left in the Valley. Further frustrated by the fact that he could not cast out the demon. Whether that's true or not is really not important important thing is the Lord is saying the Son of Man is being betrayed and the whole stalk of death and dying to Judas would've meant no position in the Messiah's kingdom that would've been a great big disconnect for him for the other stupor. The others would not betrayed him. They loved him. Jewish Judas betrayed was in love followed him like what was going on in the early phases. He was certainly attracted and useful to the Lord. Then he hardened his heart to finally Satan filled his heart, and they will kill him, and after he is killed he will rise. The third day is direct enough. The victory of the cross. The only hope for mankind is a song we don't hear it much.

You probably have to watch the lilies of the field to get it. I'm sure it's on the Internet is a man song led before Pilate then they crucified him, but he rolls on Sunday. Song says Easter, but I prefer Sunday biblical.

Anyway this they didn't get that when he was led before Pilate, and then he crucified. Of course they fell out of step with that. This is the third time Mark records him bringing up the subject. You would think by now they would say okay let's Lord this is the third time you brought it up. I didn't get it. The first two times.

I'm not getting at this time. Why didn't the Lord say well let me explain it to you this way will heap me may have. All we have is commentary that he taught them these things.

There many details that he spoke to them that we don't have imprint but they took place.

So both so they brought sorrow and want to hear it. Matthew 17 verse 23 covering the same story, and they will kill him. In the third day you will be raised up and they were exceedingly sorrowful. Matthew adds that, but it's not enough.

Not enough that they were sorry about what they were hearing. They had a chance to follow up on it and they did not. Why going to read in a moment that they were afraid to follow up on because it was so distasteful, they collectively refused to consider it. Verse 32 and they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him look at these details in his account of the stories it did Jesus start off this way with them. Let these words sink down into your ears. Chapter 9 verse 43. For the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. Then Luke adds but they did not understand the saying and it was hidden from them so that they did not receive a preceded and they were afraid to ask him about this saying the outstanding points from let these words sink down This you know sometimes you read the Scripture verse that you read many times and all of a sudden it comes to life. It is sinking down God. It and at other times, of course, it just didn't seem to mean that will go on this point, the Lord is saying this is critical. I want you to get the floor.

He doesn't know Luke also says they do not understand the saying why. As I mentioned the rabbis had had push this popular teaching of this heroic Messiah would be covering this.

They were afraid to ask about the same because their minds were closed and they did not want to hear how is it that you're still dull of heart, dull of hearing how come you don't get this. They want it or and or they just wanted the whole topic to go away because a crucified Messiah stumbling block to the Jew. In those days to preach of a Jewish Messiah crucified was just no way the stumbling block. First Corinthians chapter 1 Paul says but we preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness while the Gentiles didn't want a king who was conquered on and then crucified. But of course the gospel message goes beyond the crucifixion into the spiritual realm. It deals with religion and God and things unseen and things eternal. But if you can't get past the fact that he was crucified and you going over. That's where they were. Psalm 22 did not register with not apply to somebody else. Anybody else they didn't care for trying to educate them through the facts and we look back at this 2000 years later was a may I be very careful with the Scripture that I don't read into verses popular belief simply because there popular. I must ask are they true, is it accurate it can be both can be accurate and popular, or it can be popular in wrong other people can have an opinion about a verse and interpretation is just not accurate based on other scriptures so they ruled out this death. So far so much that they were now talking about was going to be the greatest.

When he finally conquered Jerusalem. That's risk going on here.

We must allow ourselves again to be Harrow minds made up when we have no reason to hold those beliefs.

They had no reason to doubt what he said if he said I'm going to be crucified.

They should let's get to the bottom of this. Considering the source we do it with the Bible we go to the Bible.

That's the source it says and they were afraid to ask you which didn't help their cause.

Incidentally, maybe you've been faced with things and you just don't. But the truth. This could help me a lot. I hope not, you will never go that far but they were again in this position of opportunity and they missed it, there are all there is the danger of spiritualizing everything reading an omen into it happens when we really want something and were not discerning any leading from the Lord and we are susceptible to reading views into things and not sticking with the facts. A lot of Christians get in trouble with the lie that I was about to go to Egypt. Why do you think that because I saw the nose that each of had, you know, nice weather or something. I just read into it. May we be aware of that intellectual nepotism which shows undue favoritism to an idea, not based on God's word. Well, verse 33 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 for the trip from the North is over Capernaum. It was his base when he leaves.

Here you will not return until after the resurrection and I cannot in preparing this message and looking at the first paragraph that we just discussed, I realized just how important it is how important it is bad tension to what he is saying because they going to be rebuked, because they didn't get it.

If they listen to what he was saying they wouldn't be called out on this is not that serious an issue but is it serious enough for him to not let it pass, when he was in the house he asked them what was it you disputed among yourselves on the road while they were in the flesh, arguing self-importance arguing the importance of being important.

And now he's asking them what about this carnal behavior you exhibited. What's funny about this is after he gets through with them.

The lights going to turn on for John to get to it this session John Scott say we goofed there because that's out there.

The teaching is look over that little bit but here they were on the road and the burden of me first, the burden of showing me attention. The burden of make me higher than the other guy. Proverbs 1430 sound heart his life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.

Not many people messed up because they're envious that bitter because they think they did this they should that or you shouldn't visit you children that it may become difficult. People live in government mean people living on people you don't want to be with. Somehow they get away with it. The Scripture is clear a sound heart his life to the body when you know what you believe when you're comfortable with what you believe you have authority to exercise the things you believe you have authority to be forgiven is not so guilt ridden you say Lord I tried but I just could not chocolate donut was just overpowering because you know he understands and you also know that you're getting it all, you've gotten Christ that he's not excited about condemning us is looking for every opportunity to not condemn us, the trust says I'll die for you if I could get if you will get the guilt off of you. I will die for you, but you gotta come and get it my way. Verse 35 and he sat down and called the 12 and said to them if anyone desires to be first shall be last of all and servant of all.

This must be in the courtyard of the house amused a big enough house to call 12 men around you and be able to speak to them relatively in relative comfort squeeze squished together, but he is concentrating on their education.

Still, he wants them to learn here it is against self-promotion and ministry didn't really understand ministry. Their idea of ministry was doing whatever Christ wanted them to do that should be our idea to but it extends further than and this is what he is saying to them I don't want you pushing yourself, shoving yourself to the front as you were doing on the road is a grown man. They understood what was happening when he asked the question is what they want to answer him. He says of anyone desires to be first. Well want to know what is like to desire to be first played a board game wrestle with somebody try to pass something on they speed up all that you pass. You can be made right. Maybe another troubled by that I'm absolutely troubled by that, I just want to pass the person choking back stories and exploits of how I got past that last guide faced anyway the flesh desires to be first, and why you may be able to get away with it in some areas more than others, and ministry.

It is a big hindrance. It is better to not be mindful of yourself than to become competitive. You drive one way to do that is to not possess's not my ministry have my responsibilities. I'm accountable to them. Which of the time, the Lord pulls that from you have to let it go, he shall be last of all and servant of all, not the desired outcome in trying to be first going to end up being last. That's what Jesus is saying is not what you want, not with me. You may be able to pull that somewhere else he may be due able to live in someone else's kingdom, but in my kingdom. If you try to make yourself number one that is your objective you going to mess it up.

Now that does not mean were not to give it our best.

That's all. Not for the purpose of. I tried to be the best pastor I can be, not because I want to be better than the other guy but because I want to serve the Lord with everything I have.

I never achieve that. But I certainly cover more ground that way. And if I had a another attitude other than that one. And as to same with you while you when you get a chance to pre-preach Christ to somebody you're trying to be the best witness you can be, not because of the competition, but because that's what it takes as much of your energy as you can muster in life no matter what you're going through your never relieved being a witness for Christ is not like I got just too much going on right now though I'm not at all. In fact, that's a violation to BMs I got too much going on in life right now to witness Christ is to demonstrate you're really not that hot about Christ you're more interested in yourself. World philosophy is that is this you are great if others are serving. How many people do you have on your staff.

How many people work for you. I mean, you know checks you signed for people.

That's the world interpretation greatness with the master with our Lord is to become a servant and it comes from serving others. Those of you who serve in the church.

For example, if your motives are right. If you know you're working for Jesus Christ and not for the church and you know what services about each one of us has to think this through.

It's called examining yourselves. I have to ask myself, my motives right my looking Lord to bring glory to you, our aisle, looking for fame I I'm just please if I can make my points on the Sunday morning whatever points I found that verb. I thought world, the Lord in preparation time. I just want to make those points and anything he gives me while I'm standing in the pulpit. I want to make those points. I find it exhausting but worthwhile and I but I am not looking to win a popularity contest. I'm never looking to win a popularity contest and although if I'm standing in the storm, a long line and they can open up a new register. I want to be singled out as first Sir you can come over here yeah baby you jokes miss the chance. So there are times where it's okay. I suppose the servant of all mute will the Lord signal know you gophers. He probably would not come until he looks over at me and everything changes anyway. We know that those who look to serve the Lord should not shove their way into first position up the corporate ladder stepping on heads lying about people withholding the truth, cheating, behaving un-Christlike just because they think it to be successful. And that's what they were doing on the road.

I want to what'd you just hear Peter.

Peter said I'm going to be the Lord's Chief of Staff. Just because I'm Peter and I'll beat you up if he gives it to you.

That's not really but what I kinda like that one, James and John Peter save the other three will I don't remember you being up on the mountain.

We were there, you were nothing so petty stuff like that. Anyway, verse 36 then he took a little child and set him in the midst of them, and when he had taken him in his arms, he said to them evidently in this house to their work. Children of course it comes back in verse 42 he would again use a child to make his point and he still in the house. Maybe it's Peter's house could be Peter's kid, but what he is saying is here's a picture of sense. This is innocence that we thought of the child. What would it mean to be a little child, little one. Like he is talking about some yard time back everybody loves babies little criticize you baby you look about you, what are you wearing I made it on to prove that they don't say that in anything negative compared to what we become. Later, one of the brothers here last week at the baby dedication of Christopher mentioned how just moved his heart that innocence. See that's the word innocence that no knowledge of sin not to get a little older they get it, but not of the early ages.

It just cute and soggy bottom but they are innocent in Christ to sing. I want you to be like that and I and II have a picture of myself in first grade this little red jacket and bowtie, and I look at that picture sometimes as I wish I was still that boy I wish I did not learn so many things about sin. Over the years that I've learned how to retaliate.

You know just how to do nasty things to somebody if I get on my bad side, or just think the wrong things. So many things are encapsulated in that one picture of innocence that is forever gone. Where in this life.

And so Christ picks up the child and he says this is what I want you to be like a child not scratching and clawing against each other. Whatever happened to this child that he picked up to be taken up in the arms of Christ to be part of his sermon.

Whatever happened to that child. Verse 37 whoever receives one of these little children in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives not me, but him who sent me.

Whoever receives one of these little children in my name receives me again. It's not the child. The lesson and the child helps him with this lesson is an object lesson the child is an object of the object of his lesson child is not only innocent but dependent were supposed to be dependent on Christ will on that road, were they not supposed to say look at the right response would, but I don't know what my position is going to be if the Lord sets up his kingdom. That's up to him.

I'm dependent on him whatever he wants. That would've been the ideal response harmless, not belittling the other one.

Well, you don't deserve that position. I deserve because I more qualified. I been around long. I've been a Christian longer.

I know more Bible verses and you know they were again to be like this child dependent innocent and harmless. Even though if you can't get there just trying to get there put you ahead of the game know how many of you, myself included, this week will reference such a verse how many of us would put under little pressure in the flesh was Sam supposed to be innocent and harmless dependent on the Lord when it's out of my control. I'm supposed to be like this little child, not childish child like not competitive, not in independent to a fault, not self-centered little children and their that's small they're not self-centered to just doing their thing and not saying it's this is about me. Really it is.

They just eat everything and play in them and are just adorable and whoever receives me receives, not me, but him who sent me, so Christ is saying this is larger is much bigger than what you're looking at and hearing with me right here right now there's more to me, Jesus Christ. He was saying to them, then Jesus Christ, there is God the son. See, they saw the incarnate Jesus when she is saying to them is bigger than this is much bigger than this and if you can receive it.

You can understand that you won't bicker on the road you will worry about my death. You listen to me when I talk about my resurrection. Following the death you will pay more attention when you're more in tune to my greatness and limiting yourself to what's around you at this word and whoever receives me receives, not me, but him who sent me now briefly look with me at verse 38 now John answered him, saying, teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name and we forbade him, because he does not follow us on not going to going to all of that, but I'm going to say it when Jesus said these words. It registered with John and John said, Lord, I remember not being so innocent with someone who was not part of our group that's a success price you got the apostle to realize they made a mistake and that's what will partly what will cover next session, so we must allow ourselves to be educated by the facts.

If God is the teacher move.

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. Visit our website cross reference radio.com once you're there you'll find additional teachings from Pastor Rick. We encourage you to subscribe to our podcast. When you subscribe will be notified of each new edition of cross reference radio you could search for cross reference radio on your favorite podcast app that's all we have time for today, but we hope you'll join us next time.

As Pastor Rick continues to teach through the book of Mark Rocky on cross reference radio