Pointing others to Jesus… vs. 37-42 (3 things)

• 1^st – We are not the solution… vs. 37-40
  • Upon returning the next day from the top of Mt. Hermon…
    • A great multitude had gathered together – but there was one man who cried out…
    • An evil spirit would regularly seize his ‘only son’ – causing convulsions…
    • It took great effort to get the spirit to leave – leaving bruises on the boy…
  • The Father first brought him to the disciples – but they were unable to help the boy…
    • We know that they disciples had the power (in Jesus name) to cast out demons…
    • Luke 10:17 – “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
    • So why could they do nothing to help this boy… 
    • The problem was they thought they were the answer…
    • Rather than bring the boy to Jesus – they tried to fix the problem themselves…
    • Notice it is not the disciples – but the Father – who brought the boy to Jesus…
    • Our first response when we see a problem – is to try and be the solution…
    • But we are not the solution that people need…
    • And if we try and step in and try and help – on our own – not much happens…
      
• 2^nd – The only asnwer… vs. 41-42
• Jesus answers – “O faithless & perverse generation, how longs shall I be with you…”
  • Faithless – not that they did not have faith – but their faith was misplaced…
  • Perverse – (Perfect/Passive/Participle) to distort or twist…
  • The idea was that their faith was twisted – they trusted in themselves!
  • Our problem is never a lack of faith – it was where our faith is placed
  • I have seen extraordinary faith in ‘faith healers’ – but they have not power to heal…
  • I have seen stubborn faith in money – but money disappears as quick as it comes…
  • We all have faith – lots of it – our problem is we don’t always put our faith in Jesus
  • Far too often we put our faith in our own abilities – or the abilities of others…

• And when they or we fail – then we blame God for not taking care of us…
• Yet we were not looking to God – we were looking to ourselves or others
• ‘How long will I be with you – how long will I hold you up…’
  • The Lord had been with them so long and still they missed the simple answer…
    • ‘Bring your son here.’  (Imperative)
    • As He was coming over the demon violently threw the son to the ground convulsing…
    • Jesus rebuked the demon – and the boy was cured that very hour…
  • The only solution – that had always been the right answer – was Jesus!
    • The moment we have faith in the right answer – Jesus – there is hope…
    • No matter what problem we are facing – health, financial, relational…
    • If we have faith in anyone (or thing) else than Jesus we will be disappointed…
    • Only when we take our problem to the ONLY answer do we find the cure!
      
• 3^rd – Billboard for Jesus – Mark 9:28-29
  • The disciples came and asked Jesus privately…
    • They had their pride a wounded – and they did not want to make it public…
    • They asked, ‘Why could (dunamis – to have power) we not…’

• They were not trusting in Jesus – they were trusting in themselves…
• Worse than that – they were teaching others to look to the wrong answer…
• If people come to us looking for answers and help – it’s easy to be the answer…
  • If someone needs food/money/or counsel – we try to be Jesus…
    • And men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
    • Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God
    • The problem is we are limited – and can’t always help those who look to us
    • Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back – again and again…
    • We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
  • It is only when we point others to Jesus we really give them the answer
    • He has no limitations – all the abilities – all the resources – all the power!
    • He is the only answer that we need to give to those who are in need!
    • Our opportunity – responsibility – it to be a billboard that says, ‘this way to Jesus’!

Who is the greatest… vs. 43-50 (3 things)

• 1^st – Looking towards the cross… vs. 43-45
  • While the crowds marveled at the power of God – what Jesus had done for the boy…
    • Jesus turned to the disciples and told them to listen carefully – pay attention…
    • ‘He would be betrayed into the hands of men’ – speaking of His death and resurrection
    • They disciples were upset by what Jesus was telling them – Matthew 17:23
    • Yet truth was hidden from them – they just could not grasp it – Luke 9:45
    • They did not understand – ignorant (Imperfect) – and were afraid to ask…
  • For the 2^nd time Jesus told them about the cross – but they missed it for 2 reasons…
    • 1^st reason – the Disciples were expecting Jesus to set up His Kingdom here on earth…
      • If you’re looking for a conquering King – talk of betrayal and death don’t make sense
      • Yet Jesus had not come to conquer nations – He had come to conquer sin!
      • Often we miss God’s work in our lives – cause we are looking for something else
      • Looking for God to provide a job – we miss the friend He brings to hear about Jesus
      • Or looking for God to heal – we miss the grace He wants to give in the suffering
      • II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is enough, My strength made perfect in weakness.”
      • Rather than coming to God with expectations – we need to come with an open heart
    • 2^nd reason – the disciples were ignorant because they were too prideful to stop and ask
      • When we do not understand what God is doing in our lives – we should stop and ask
      • When your children don’t understand something – you want them to come to you
      • God isn’t disappointed when we ask questions – He loves to give His kids answers

No matter what name – no matter what our traditions – we are all part of God’s church!

2^nd – The greatest in the kingdom… vs. 46-50

An argument came up among the disciples…

Because they were still expecting Jesus to set Himself up as King of the whole world…

They all expected to be rulers / important people in Jesus’ new Kingdom…

What they were arguing is which one of them would be the ‘Greatest’ in that Kingdom

Rather than it being all about Jesus – they were still focusing on themselves…

We cannot look at two things at once – we cannot serve Jesus and ourselves…

If we are focusing on ourselves – then we are not looking to Jesus…

If we are not looking to Jesus – it makes it very challenging to follow Jesus

Jesus knew what they were arguing about – knowing what was in their hearts…

So Jesus sat down – and taught the disciples about who is the ‘Greatest’…

I would love to have seen the surprise on the disciples face – how did Jesus know

Often I think we get the idea we can hide our conversation and actions from Jesus

He knows – there is nothing we say, do, or even think that God is not aware of

Have you ever been at a Bible Study – and it feels like the teaching is just for you

You wonder does the pastor know – who told him what I am going through…

Jesus knows – and He has a way of sitting us down so we can hear the truth…

Jesus picked up a little child into His arms…

Jesus uses the child to show the disciples an example of true ‘Greatness’…

A little child has no ambition – they have no grand designs for power or authority

They are content with roof over their head, food on the table, and a loving family

If we desire to be the ‘Greatest’ in God’s Kingdom – we need to be like kids!

Not in the sense that we are immature – but simple in trust and faith…

Little kids never question if there is going to be food – or clothes…

They have perfect trust in their parents to take care of their needs

They also do not seek to be the greatest – they are content to just be kids!

We also should have that simple faith in our Father to take care of our needs…

Not seeking the world’s ‘Greatness’ – but be simple and content to be God’s kids!

Whoever receives one of these little children – in My name – receive Me…

And the one who receives Jesus – also receives the Father who sent Jesus

The little children’s Jesus is talking about – are those who believe in Him…

Galatians 3:26 – “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Anyone who receive His kids (little children) – also receive Jesus

When we take the time to encourage and bless others…

When we point others to Jesus – we are in truth ministering to and blessing Jesus!

The least will be the greatest…

In the world – those who are ‘the Greatest’ – have all the authority – often abuse it

Greatness in the world is like a pyramid – with the most powerful on top

It is the picture of the boss – ‘the Greatest’ holds absolute control over others

In stark contrast the world – Jesus says – to be ‘the Greatest’ be the least of all!

To be ‘Greatest’ in God’s Kingdom – you must be a servant (deacon)

Deacon – ministering to the practical needs of others (Acts 6 – Steven, Phillip)

We don’t relate a servant with ‘Greatness’ – we still have the World’s perspective

Greatness to us is riches / power / influence / having others who serve us

Not the person who empties the trash / cleans / he is just a servant!

We would call that person ‘nothing special’ – but God calls them the ‘Greatest’

The question is do we want to be ‘Great’ in the world’s eyes or God’s 

The Greatest of all – is Jesus Christ…

Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

He had every right to be served – He was God almighty!

But instead He came to serve – and to give His life as a ransom for many…

Jesus gave us the example of Godly greatness – to give you life for others!

3^rd – Missing the point… vs. 49-50

John answered (Jesus did not ask a question) – perhaps trying to change the subject…

How many times when we have been reproved – and tried to change the topic…

Dad or mom is scolding us for something we did – ‘what’s for dinner?’

John had seen someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name…

But they forbid him because he was not one of THE ‘disciples’…

I love the patience Jesus has – He takes the time to answer John’s interruption…

Do not forbid him…

The one who does a work in Jesus name – cannot also speak evil of Him…

Whoever is not against us – is also on our side…

People in the world love to divide – they have their groups / barkada…

In the world it is all about who is your family / town / county…

Men have fight and kill each other just because they are rival sports teams…

When we divide in the church – over denomination – we are acting like the world…

But it should not be the same in the church – we are to be united by love!

John 13:35 – “All will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The church of God is not a building – it is not a particular denomination…

There is only one church of God – we are all part of the Body of Christ…