THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD REVEALED
MARK 4:11

“It is impossible to believe that Jesus was trying to prevent people from understanding Him and being reconciled with the Father, so we must take Mark’s forceful words to mean that Jesus used parables to provoke a crisis in the faith of the hearer.” Eclectic Note on Mark.

A. It is NOT GOD’S WILL that you be IGNORANT of this Mystery, Romans 11:25, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

B. The Mystery of the calling of the Gentiles was HIDDEN, Colossians 1:26-27, “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27- To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

C. The Mystery of the Gospel was kept SECRET, Romans 16:25, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”

B. We shall be changed, 1 Corinthians 15:52, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

1. There is a SYSTEM of CORRUPT, false DOCTRINE, 2 Timothy 4:3, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2. This will lead to the general APOSTASY [a falling away] which is already in existence, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

a. A TOTAL DESERTION of the truth, 1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

b. The LOVE of many will WAX COLD, Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

c. Their CONSCIENCE WILL NOT bother them, 1 Timothy 4:2, “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

B. The Spirit of God will be TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”

C. The RESULT will be the ENTRANCE of the ANTICHRIST as the Lord allows, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”

IV. THE MYSTERY [PURPOSE] OF GOD SHALL BE FINISHED

A. God will MAKE AN END of the Antichrist, Revelation 19:20, “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

B. God will DESTROY HIM at His SECOND COMING to the earth, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”

1. The Lord will smite with the ROD of His MOUTH, Isaiah 11:4, “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”

2. He will smite the nations with the SHARP SWORD of His MOUTH, Revelation 19:15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

MARK 4:11

Mark 4:11, “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:”

Introduction:

It is impossible to believe that Jesus was trying to prevent people from understanding Him and being reconciled with the Father, so we must take Mark’s forceful words to mean that Jesus used parables to provoke a crisis in the faith of the hearer.

The hearer had to enter into the stories to understand and thus were provoked to consider what Jesus was telling them through these stories.

I. “UNTO YOU IT IS GIVEN TO KNOW…”

A. The Mystery of His Will, Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to HIS GOOD PLEASURE which he hath purposed in himself:”

1. He is NOT WILLING that any should PERISH, 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, NOT WILLING that any should PERISH, but that all should come to REPENTANCE.”

2. God has NO PLEASURE in the DEATH of the WICKED, but that he REPENT and LIVE, Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have NO PLEASURE in the DEATH of the wicked; but that the wicked TURN from his way AND LIVE: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

B. The mystery of FAITH, 1 Timothy 3:9, “Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.”

1. Faith = things to be BELIEVED:

a. That God is ABLE, Matthew 9:28, “And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, BELIEVE YE THAT I AM ABLE TO DO THIS? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.”

b. There is NO FEAR in faith, Mark 5:36, “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto
the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”

c. Prayer is INEFFECTIVE WITHOUT belief in results, Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

2. The OBJECT of Faith – CHRIST, John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that BELIEVE ON HIS NAME:”

a. Those who have BELIEVED on His Name KNOW that they HAVE eternal life, 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

b. Jesus ASSURES US that WE are HIS CHOICE also, John 15:16, “He have not chosen me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

II. “UNTO THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT…”

A. These things were wrapped up in DARK SAYINGS or parables that were not understood, Luke 10:21-22, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22- All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.”

1. What makes us different is that we RECEIVED the Gospel and others did not, 1 Corinthians 4:7, “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

2. Salvation is of the Lord, Jonah 2:9, “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”

B. “Many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see,” Luke 10:23-24, “And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24- For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which YE see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

C. Jesus speaks of the BLESSEDNESS of His disciples because they had RECEIVED the TRUTH, Matthew 5:13-16, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15- Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

D. Conversely, the UNBELIEVING HEARERS were CONDEMNED to experience the WRATH of God, John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that BELIEVETH NOT the Son SHALL NOT SEE LIFE; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

CONCLUSION

The mystery of the Kingdom of God is a great study of how the Lord has dealt with men about their eternal destiny. We have only begun to study for the subject of God’s mercy and grace is vast.

A. They were concerned about their souls, v. 13.

1. Jesus used the simple faith of a child, Matthew 18:2-5, “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.”

2. A child’s heart has not had the opportunity to harden itself through sin, Hebrews 3:13, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

B. Those that cared for the children believed that Christ’s blessing would do their souls good, Isaiah 44:3, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:”

1. They believed in God’s blessings, Psalm 3:8, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”

2. They believed that they would receive His Blessing, Psalm 24:5, “He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

a. They believed God would bless them through forgive of sin, Psalm 32:1, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

b. They believed that they were blessed because they trusted God, Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

A. They tried to keep them from going to Jesus thinking them unimportant, but Jesus had something to say to His disciples, Mark 9:36-37, “And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

B. “Let the little children come to Me,” v. 14.

1. Jesus wanted them to know about Him, Psalm 78:4, “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”

2. The Kingdom of God is made up of believers with child-like faith, Psalm 131:1-2, “LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.”

a. They are humble, Matthew 18:4, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

b. They are the greatest in the Kingdom of God because they are without guile or deceit, Revelation 14:5, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

A. They are called by the Lord “children of light,” Luke 16:8, “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”

B. They are said to be “children of the day,” by the Apostle Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

C. They are called “obedient children,” by the Apostle Peter, 1 Peter 1:14, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”

A. Children of foolishness, Matthew 11:16-18, “But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17- And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18- For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.”

B. They are tossed back and forth by every religion because of their ignorance of the truth, Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

1. Some professed Christians find themselves in that situation because they are still on milk, Isaiah 28:9, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.”

2. Or perhaps they have never been converted, Matthew 18:3, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

ONE THING THOU LACKEST

MARK 10:17-27

Key verse: 21, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

Introduction:

“What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” That is a legitimate concern in life, but not many are thinking about “eternal life” today. In fact, many are of the opinion that man is annihilated at death and that is all there is.

However, that is not the case here. This young man is sincere in his quest to know how that he “may inherit” eternal life. He wanted to do something to earn this life.

I. JESUS CHALLENGES THE MAN’S FALULTY PERCEPTION OF GOOD.

A. His concept of “good” was something measured by human achievement.

1. Most religion teaches salvation by good works.

2. Judaism had been reduced to this type of teaching long before the Lord was born.

B. Jesus sets him straight, v. 18, “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”

1. No one is good, absolutely perfect, except God alone, the true Source and Standard of goodness. See Romans 3:10.

2. The man needed to see himself in the context of God’s perfect character. Isa. 6:5

3. The man, unwittingly calling Him “good,” needed to perceive Jesus’ true identity.

II. THOU KNOWEST THE COMMANDMENTS

A. Man’s relationship with man, v. 19, “Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”

1. This part of the Decalogue deals with man’s relation to other men.

2. Eternal life is a relationship between man and God.

B. A moral young man, v.20, “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”

1. He had been reared properly according to Jewish law.

2. He had lived by what he had been taught since he was a boy, since age 12 when he assumed personal responsibility for keeping the Law as a “son of the Law.”

3. This young man apparently felt that something was missing in his life, thus his question to the Lord.

III. ONE THING THOU LACKEST

A. With a penetrating look Jesus saw beneath the young rich man’s religious devotion.

1. Go and sell your possessions and follow Me, v. 21b, “go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

2. Our Lord could see through the façade that hid what was on the interior of his heart, v. 22, “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” John 2:24-25, “…because he knew all men, 25-And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

3. Jesus’ loving action vividly illustrated that His blessing is freely given to those who receive it trustingly, Mark 9:36, “And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37-Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

B. The Lord’s astonishing observations.

1. His statement: v. 23, “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”

2. You cannot serve God and the riches of this world, Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

a. A choice has to be made, “for either he will hate the one, and love the other…”

b. You cannot hold on to both, “or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.”

3. Jesus makes another statement, v.26, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

C. The disciple’s reaction, v. 24a, “And the disciples were astonished at his words.”

1. Who then can be saved? Matthew19:25, “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?”

2. Perhaps they thought it was a “hard saying,” John 6:60, “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?”

D. Jesus explains His statement, v. 27, “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus told the young man, “One thing thou lackest.” That one thing was trust. He trusted in his possessions more than in the Lord. He loved the things that he had more than he wanted eternal life.

It is a miracle when someone put his faith in Jesus Christ. It is impossible for man to save himself because he will always being lacking one thing – FAITH in Jesus Christ.

HAVE I EVER MADE ANYONE THIRSTY FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?

MARK 9:49-50

At a meeting some young people were discussing the text, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of “salt” in this verse.

“Salt imparts a desirable flavor,” said one.

“Salt preserves from decay,” another suggested.

Then a Chinese Christian girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. “Salt creates thirst,” she said, and there was a sudden hush in the room. Everyone was thinking, “Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Lord Jesus Christ?”

I. “SALT IMPARTS A DESIREABLE FLAVOR.”

A. It makes things palatable, 2 Peter 2:20, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”

B. Elisha used salt to sweeten the brackish was of Jericho spring, 2 Kings 2:19-22, “And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. 20And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. 21And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. 22So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.”

C. No one desires a Christian who is not tempered by salt in his life, Matthew 5:13, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

II. “SALT PRESERVES FROM DECAY.”

A. Preserves from the decay of the marriage, Ephesians 5:21, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

1. The husband accepts his biblical responsibilities, Ephesians 5:25, 28, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”

a. As Christ…loved the church.

b. Men should love their wives “as their own bodies.”

2. The wife accepts her biblical roll, Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23-For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24-Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”

a. Submit to his position as head of the wife.

b. Be subject to his leadership in everything.

B. Preserves from the decay of the family

1. It preserves harmony, Philippians 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

2. It produces respect for the father, Hebrews 12:9, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”

3. It produces reverence for God, Hebrews 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”

III. “SALT CREATES THIRST.”

A. Salty tongue, James 3:12, “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

1. Let your speech be seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

2. A fresh attitude, a new spirit, is what we need, Ezekiel 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:”

1. Seasoned tongue, Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

2. Let the words of Christ dwell in you, Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

a. Richly, 1 Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”

b. In all wisdom, Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

3. Season your offering with salt, Leviticus 2:13, “And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.”

CONCLUSION

Salt played a big part in the life of an individual in the Bible. In Matthew 5:13 (above) the Disciples are likened unto salt, with reference to its cleansing and preserving uses.

Do you have salt in your Christian life that would cause someone to desire to be a Believer in Jesus Christ?