Sermon
He Has Done All Things Well | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Bible Study Series)
Publisher transcript
Transcript
-
So much to give Thanks to God for so much.
-
What a good God we serve. I invite you to come with me to
-
the Book of Books in Mark Chapter 7.
Mark 7 chapter mention
-
Please meet me in your Bibles. It's always an honor and a
-
privilege to be in the House of God with you in Mark Chapter 7.
Mark 7 chapter mention
-
Please meet me in verse 31. I will wait for you.
-
I will not rush ahead. Mark 7:30.
-
One and follow with me, not just with your eyes.
-
But. With your heart, then he.
-
Returned from the region of tire and went through.
-
Side on to the sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapilis.
-
And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech
-
impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.
-
And taking him aside from the crowd, privately, he put his
-
fingers. Into his ears.
-
And after spitting. Touched his tongue, and looking
-
up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, if a fafa that is be
-
opened, and his ears were opened and his.
-
Tongue was released and he spoke plainly, and Jesus charged.
-
Them to tell no one. But the more he charged them,
-
the more. Zealously, they proclaimed it.
-
And they were astonished beyond. Measure saying he has done.
-
All things well. He even makes the death here and
-
the mute speak. Lord, give liberty to the
-
delivery of this word. Let there be unction, let there
-
be reverence, let there be freedom from any confusion or.
-
Intrusion of thoughts. We pray, Lord, that this would
-
be. A powerful time for your word is
-
powerful. Or may it melt our hearts.
-
May it sanctify our minds are. Every part of who we are, we.
-
Pray would be in alignment with you according to this text.
-
And Lord we realize that apart from the spirits grace this will
-
be futile. But with him there can be life
-
and we pray that life would be known in this time.
-
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
-
There is a remarkable statement in this short excerpt that I
-
just read to you and I'm not sure if you caught it.
-
Maybe you have. But I want you again to turn
-
your. Eyes to the last part of verse.
-
37 And focus with me on the first few words that this crowd
-
exclaimed in light of a miracle that Christ performed yet again,
-
it says. Here and they were astonished.
-
Beyond measure saying. He has done all things well, if
-
there is anything that you take from this message.
-
If there is only one. Thing that you can leave.
-
This place with let it. Be this marvelous declaration.
-
He has done all things well. He has done all things well.
-
That was the response of. The people, when they learn of
-
this glorious grace that Jesus bestowed upon this very poor
-
man. But it wasn't just the immediate
-
response, it was a unanimous conclusion that the.
-
People have made about. The ministry of Jesus thus far.
-
All the reports that they've heard, all the things that.
-
They have witnessed. Brought them to.
-
This moment where they said he has done all things well and we.
-
Could take it further, can't we? We should take it further
-
because all things means all things, not some things,
-
everything. What has he done?
-
Well, does any create has any created?
-
He's done it. Well, his.
-
Creation. Not just his creation of this
-
world, I'm not sure how many of us would be confident enough to
-
say that he has created. Me Well.
-
He has done all things well. His creation.
-
What about his? Provision.
-
Has he not done it well? Has he not been sufficient?
-
Has he not been? Faithful.
-
What about his permission, what he has sovereignly?
-
Allowed in your life what he has given to you, though in the
-
package that seemed to be. Sorrowful and dark and
-
questionable in. Hindsight, you look.
-
Back. And you realize if it had not
-
been for my affliction, I would not have kept his precepts.
-
What about his direction in your life?
-
Though not always clear. Though not always with an
-
audible. Voice if at all.
-
But here you are. God has brought you, and you see
-
it exactly where you need to be. Through his direction, through
-
his. Protection and how about his
-
salvation? Everything that he has ever.
-
Done. He has done well, he has.
-
Never done anything halfheartedly, he has never
-
been. Misdirected.
-
He has never made a wrong calculation and.
-
Certainly he has. Never, ever.
-
Failed. He has done.
-
All things. Well, remember that.
-
Don't just. Remember the reference I?
-
Encourage you to inscribe it. On the trophy case of all of
-
God's past mercies in your life. More than that, would you please
-
etch it on your heart? Would you etch those words?
-
He has done all things well in order to prepare you for the
-
times in which you will be. Challenged and your trust in the
-
goodness of God he has. Done all things well.
-
Would that be a statement prepared in your mouth?
-
To share it with great conviction to those who might
-
doubt or question the Lordship. Of Jesus Christ He has done all
-
things well, and what we see here is an example of just that
-
in this specific testimony of a blind and a mute man.
-
Who received from the? Hands of this gracious God, and
-
when you. Consider Matthew's account of
-
this story. You will quickly.
-
Learn that this story is important.
-
That God had put. It in this gospel account for a
-
specific reason, and I want you to see that with.
-
Your own eyes in Matthew 15 go to Matthew 15 very.
-
Quickly and come to verse 29 at this point Matthew is following
-
with Mark here chronologically. So what we're going to see in
-
Matthew is what we're seeing here at this point of Jesus
-
ministry in Mark Chapter 7. But notice what Matthew does
Mark 7 chapter mention
-
with this season of Christ. Ministry by the Sea.
-
Of Galilee, Matthew 15 verse 29. Jesus.
-
Went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee.
-
And he. Went up on the mountain.
-
And sat. Down there, and great crowds
-
came to him, bringing with him the lame, the blind, the
-
crippled, the mute, and many others.
-
And they put them at his feet, and he healed them so that the
-
crowd wondered. When they saw the mute.
-
Speaking the crippled healthy, the lame walking and the blind
-
seeing. And they glorified the God of
-
Israel. So Matthew's version is very
-
general, and Matthew tells us that there are many more,
-
possibly hundreds, thousands of people who are healed.
-
But when you read Mark's. Version he hones in he.
-
Zooms into one of those healings out of the many.
-
Clearly there is something about this particular encounter that
-
the Holy Spirit wants us to. Learn there are some gleanings.
-
In here that are absolutely vital for our instruction and I
-
believe the best way. Perfectly preparing this message
-
is to divide our thoughts. Divide our thoughts as
-
meticulously as possible. If we want to know what it is
-
that the Lord has to say to us through this text, and consider
-
with me #1 the. Region where the healing took.
-
Place the. Region where the healing took.
-
Place and from there look at the request.
-
For the healing and. Then from there we would look at
-
the method. Of the healing and then.
-
From there, we would look at the instructions after the healing.
-
And lastly, we will conclude. With the remarks about the
-
healing the region of the. Healing Mark was more specific.
-
He said that it was not just by the sea of Galley, it was in the
-
region of the Decapilis. The capitalist is just a word
-
that means 10 cities and it was heavily populated by gentiles.
-
And there is more to that than just Jesus having extra crumbs
-
in his pocket to give to. Gentiles concerning his.
-
Power and mercy. Remember, right before this
-
there was a Lebanese woman. Or one Syrian by birth.
-
In the southern region of Lebanon, who received mercy from
-
Jesus concerning her daughter. But that mercy now spills over
-
into the Decapilis, and now these other Gentiles are
-
receiving a touch from the Lord. But here's.
-
What's so interesting is. This the first time that.
-
We read of the Decapilis. In the book of Mark.
-
If you've been with us, somebody nodded and said no, you're
-
right, this. Isn't the first time.
-
That the Decapilis has been made known to.
-
Us and I want you to see where was first mentioned and you will
-
see how this is so. Significant.
-
Go to Mark chapter 5. This is where Jesus does.
Mark 5 chapter mention
-
Another powerful demonstration of His Grace, and it wasn't.
-
For a blind man, it wasn't for a deaf man, it wasn't for a
-
crippled man. It was for a man who had 10.
-
Thousands of demons living inside of him, nobody knows the
-
exact. Number It could have been two,
-
could have been three, but there were thousands of demons living
-
inside of this man. And Jesus delivered him.
-
And this man was right in his own mind, and he was rightly
-
clothed and we're told there. That after he was touched by
-
Christ, he comes to Christ, He says, Would you let me travel
-
with you? Please don't leave me here.
-
I want to go with you where you go.
-
I know there's some extra room on that boat.
-
Please let me come. And in Matthew 519 you see
-
Christ's response. And he did not permit him, but
-
said to him, go home to your friends.
-
And tell them how much the Lord has done for.
-
You. And how he has had mercy on you.
-
And he went away and began to proclaim into the capitalists
-
how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone marveled, Lord
-
says, you can't come with me. I need you to be an evangelist.
-
And so go to the Decaplis. Go to those ten cities and
-
proclaim to them what you just experienced.
-
And here we. Are two chapters.
-
Later, Jesus visited the capitalists and there are
-
thousands of people waiting for him.
-
I want you to think about that for a moment.
-
One man's testimony stirred the hearts of 10 cities.
-
One man's testimony. It was an undeniable testimony.
-
It was a profound testimony. It was.
-
It was incredible. But the the.
-
Point is more than just the man's testimony, because we
-
might not be that encouraged with that I wasn't filled.
-
With 10 thousands of demons. That's not something that I can
-
really share without lying. I grew up in the church and I
-
love the Lord as early as I can imagine.
-
What does this have to do with me in terms of inspiration?
-
Well, it goes deeper than his testimony.
-
It has. More to do with his.
-
Submission to the wisdom of God than anything.
-
Else, what was his initial desire after he was?
-
Restored by Christ, Please let me go with you.
-
That was his. Dream so to.
-
Speak. That was his hope.
-
That was his greatest desire. And what happened?
-
Christ denied it. No, you can't come with me.
-
And you know. What didn't happen?
-
His zeal. Wasn't dampened.
-
He wasn't offended. And began to question the.
-
Kindness of God and his providential leading He didn't.
-
Pull back from serving the. Lord, because he didn't really
-
get what he wanted. He chose to obey regardless.
-
He chose to serve him. Regardless.
-
He chose to go where he told him to go.
-
Though he may not have understood it immediately.
-
And so it's more than just a man's.
-
Testimony. It was his.
-
Willingness to trust. In God's leading and here's the
-
point for you and I. What will you do?
-
When the Lord does not. Give you what you want, as holy
-
as it might seem, as great. As it might seem as.
-
Good as it might seem, will you in some form of payback become
-
bitter and say, well, Lord, if you're not going to answer my.
-
Cry after I've been faithful. For this long, then, I'm not
-
going to give you what you want. You may not say it out rightly,
-
but maybe in your. Actions maybe in your devotion.
-
And what you have to understand is that on the other side of you
-
willing to say, OK, Lord, if this is where you want me to be,
-
if this is who you've called me to be, if this is where I'm
-
supposed to be an endure. Then I will do it.
-
Maybe on the other side of. That there are blessings that
-
you can't even. Imagine.
-
Take that from this truth. Here's a man who thought the
-
best thing was for him to be with Jesus and Jesus.
-
I know better than you. Going to the.
-
Decapolis And he goes. And revival breaks out.
-
What if he had said no, But he said I thought you were.
-
Kind and merciful. What's this?
-
Well, thanks for the healing, but I'm going to go my way.
-
What if? What if?
-
And it's so sad. Over the years, I've seen
-
Christian. Shrivel up and become sour.
-
Because they've made desperate pleas to God, and God hasn't
-
realized it for them, and they're nowhere to be found.
-
Who knows? What God could have done through
-
them, they said. Well Lord, if you don't give me
-
what I think is best for me, I will still serve you regardless
-
and or what blessings he has in mind for those who trust and
-
obey the region of the healing. This man prepared others to meet
-
Christ. But now?
-
We come to the request of the healing mark zooms in.
-
And verse 32. And we see here that.
-
They brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech
-
impediment. And they begged him.
-
Here's more begging. They begged him to lay his hand
-
on him. Who are the they?
-
We don't know. But whoever they are clearly are
-
people who love this man. They love this man enough to
-
take the time out of their day. To make the effort to cross.
-
Through the chaotic crowd. And to present to Jesus someone
-
who is in a desperate condition, they brought him to Christ.
-
You know when it comes. To bringing people to Christ,
-
there is energy involved. There's sacrifice involved.
-
There is effort involved, and sometimes it may seem demanding.
-
But no matter how demanding it is, it is our primary calling
-
among many other callings. And it's amazing how so many
-
temptations flood our hearts in the pursuit of witnessing to the
-
loss, right. It's incredible how much?
-
Encourages us to do just the opposite, and I'm one of them.
-
I can attest to those temptations.
-
For some, it's fear. We're just terrified of the idea
-
of confronting or. Communicating or sharing others
-
it's it's a sense of. Unworthiness I I just don't feel
-
like my life is. Holy enough in order.
-
To be a representative Christ. And then there are others.
-
If the honest St. is honest, that the thing that tempts them
-
the most to reserve their witness is their schedule, their
-
schedule. And I want to.
-
Re encourage you here right I want to realign.
-
This is the point of coming to church, we we remind.
-
Ourselves through singing and preaching.
-
Why I'm here? Why it is that I?
-
Have been left here on earth and not rapture the moment I confess
-
Christ. No matter what our personal
-
projects are, no matter how ambitious they are.
-
No matter how. Much they promise.
-
You know it, don't you? Nothing is more rewarding than
-
knowing you planted the seed of the gospel in the heart of a
-
receptive person. Nothing.
-
Nothing. And here are these friends.
-
Who willingly, intentionally took this man?
-
Who? Who was probably very.
-
Disoriented, being deaf, who had no.
-
Ability to share what he. Desired at least with his
-
tongue. And they said we're bringing you
-
to Christ. They loved him by bringing him
-
to Christ. And more than that, then they
-
begged Christ that that's a picture of intercession.
-
We're going to ask Christ on your behalf to do something in
-
your life. But there's more than just the
-
bringing. There's more than just the
-
begging. There is the specific request.
-
That they made that is worthy of our meditation.
-
What did they ask Jesus to do for the man?
-
Put your hands on him. Christ, lay your hands on him.
-
That that doesn't seem like an outlandish thing, That that's
-
something that they probably witnessed with their own eyes.
-
Maybe they saw Christ, according to Matthew, do it with hundreds
-
of others. And so they just knew what they
-
saw. They just.
-
Interpret it as out. Christ does things.
-
What would you lay your hands on him Now we might just read pass
-
through that say well that. That just something that's
-
obvious. Right until you look at verse
-
30. Three, and see how Christ
-
answers their plea. Does he lay hands on him, and
-
taking him aside from the crowd, privately he put his fingers
-
into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue and.
-
Looking up to heaven, he sighed. That's not the same of laying
-
hands on him. That's not.
-
That's very elaborate. Very different.
-
Might be even very curious. And so these men.
-
Came to Jesus. Asking for a specific.
-
Method and Christ had another method in mind.
-
And I think this is important for us to consider.
-
You saying why? Because if we're not.
-
Careful and our. Petitioning to Christ, and our
-
seeking of Christ and our waiting of Christ.
-
We might have. A list of things that we believe
-
Christ should do and how he should do it, and when he
-
doesn't, if you're not prepared to realize that he's sovereign.
-
You might set. Yourself up for disappointment?
-
Do you remember naming the Syrian?
-
Maybe you don't naming the Syrian was.
-
Littered with leprosy, he hears of a man in Israel who can heal
-
the sick who is in tune with God, Elijah the prophet.
-
So he comes to Elijah's house after he was directed by the
-
government. And when he arrives there,
-
Elijah doesn't even come out to say hi to the guy he sends a
-
messenger out the front door to. Give him instructions.
-
Like, talk about disrespect. At least in the eyes of a man
-
who deserved who thought he deserved.
-
Respect. He sends a message.
-
That's like a politician coming over to your house, knocking on
-
your door, asking for your attendance and you.
-
Send out somebody else to deal with them.
-
That's what, Elijah. Does.
-
Why? Is he rude?
-
No, he he's trying to highlight his pride.
-
And it was highlighted because the instruction that Elijah gave
-
to this man, you know it well, OK, if you want to be healed.
-
And verse ten of Second Kings 5 going washing the Jordan 7
-
times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.
-
Simple, straightforward, just like the gospel.
-
Repent and believe. Nothing complicated, nothing
-
philosophical, nothing sophisticated, Just go to the
-
foot of the cross, repent and believe.
-
And what happened to this man? Name it he.
-
Was offended. Let me read to you his response
-
in verse 11 and 2nd Kings 5 But Naman was angry and went away,
-
saying, Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me
-
and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave
-
his hand over the place and cure the leper.
-
I I wanted something more honorable than this, more showy
-
than this. More sophisticated in this I had
-
an expectation and it wasn't realized.
-
And he became angry and he almost missed out on the
-
blessing. If it wasn't for.
-
A servant who reminded him. And how does that work for us?
-
I think it works in many ways. Lord, I want to serve you.
-
I want to serve you in this way, and I want to serve you at this
-
time, and I want to serve you with this kind of an influence,
-
and I want to serve you with this kind of people, and I want
-
to serve you at this capacity, with these kind of giftings and
-
the Lord. Is pleased to use.
-
You and I. But then he gives you a ministry
-
that he wants you to have. Will you be like naming?
-
Behold, I thought. Lord, at this point of my life,
-
let me just check. Here my blueprint for my
-
existence at this point I would like to have this kind of a
-
spouse, this kind of a house, this amount of.
-
Kids, this kind of. Region this kind of property
-
taxes. This kind of church, a church
-
that preaches. Well, and does things well.
-
Doesn't get involved in my business and.
-
I have all these things, Lord, that I have in mind.
-
Here you go and the. Lord is pleased to provide for
-
you. But then in his.
-
Providence, When he brings you where you're at, does it meet
-
your expectations? And if it doesn't, will you be
-
like naming? Behold, I thought.
-
Here are these men, they said. Lord, would you place your hands
-
on him? And he honored their faith.
-
You see the point that I'm trying to drive into your soul?
-
Is not that. Trusting in God means that you
-
should expect less. Than what you hope for.
-
It's to believe that he is better than what you prayed for.
-
It's to realize that he will honor your faith and he will do
-
above and beyond what you. Expected or imagined?
-
No matter. How much you think that?
-
It is the way it should be. Christ comes and.
-
He brings this man privately. He honored their faith.
-
He didn't. Scold them.
-
Notice that because. We should be specific.
-
In our request. We should seek, we should ask,
-
we should knock, but we should also have the faith enough to.
-
Believe that if it does not come in the specific way that we had
-
imagined, that His sovereignty is greater than mine.
-
And so this man comes. Helplessly, Jesus brings him
-
privately, which transitions us perfectly into the next thought.
-
Not just the region of the healing, not just the request
-
for the healing, but the method of the healing.
-
You read it. Jesus takes him.
-
He doesn't want to make this show in front of people.
-
He doesn't want to advertise this man.
-
He has enough attention. And so he pulls him.
-
Aside, he looks at him. And maybe the the friends that
-
came with the man. Look from a distance and they
-
said OK, it shouldn't take too long.
-
And Jesus sticks his fingers in his ears and he spits and takes
-
some of his saliva and he places it on his tongue.
-
And then more than that, we're told by Mark, very
-
descriptively, that he looks up to heaven.
-
He sighs. He uses an Aramaic word that
-
simply says it means be opened and the man was healed.
-
That's not the method that they had thought.
-
Christ has different methods. Be careful of comparing.
-
Your life. Because the way he provides for.
-
You the way he uses, you the way he leads.
-
You may have some overlap with other people, but it is often
-
very. Unique.
-
It's very unique. I mean, just think about the way
-
people were saved in this very room.
-
Some of you heard a preacher in person.
-
And that's how God got your attention.
-
Some of you receive a tract while you went to the mall.
-
Some of you read your Bible privately.
-
In your own room. Some of you got saved through a
-
podcast, others through miraculously.
-
TikTok, TikTok. I've been hearing that TikTok,
-
TikTok, TikTok, TikTok of all places.
-
Some of you through Divine. Healing God has different ways
-
of working and we see here that he proves that and in the case
-
of this. Healing.
-
It was very unique. And for a glorious reason, why
-
couldn't he have just said a word I.
-
Would have saved a lot more time.
-
Why didn't he do? What Naman would have imagined.
-
Just waved his hand and this man's ears could have popped
-
open and his tongue could have been loosened.
-
Why this complicated and technical procedure?
-
It's no accident. You should know that by now.
-
I think that what Christ is doing at this time with this
-
specific man is. Showcasing what we've seen in.
-
Christ and many of his healings. A deep personal concern and care
-
oozing. Out of a place of compassion,
-
here's this man again, Death unable.
-
To speak, unable to really. Speak for himself and in the
-
natural. Sense, not really knowing
-
what's. Happening.
-
We don't know how long he was deaf for.
-
And so you can just imagine these friends.
-
Trying to communicate with him, We're taking you.
-
And here he is just going along with them.
-
And they come before this. Jesus, did he see it?
-
Did he himself see him perform miracles?
-
We don't know. But here he is before Christ,
-
not knowing what is about to take place.
-
And it could be that when Christ comes to this man and using his
-
hands and signaling to him in this way, he is in essence
-
communicating to him. In other words.
-
This is Jesus using sign language to meet this man where
-
he was at. This is Jesus coming to this man
-
and placing his fingers in his. Ears to say, I know where the
-
problem. Is placing his finger with.
-
His saliva on his tongue to say I know that you cannot speak.
-
Looking up to heaven right before him to show I I'm showing
-
you where the. Source of this power comes from.
-
And even Mark giving us the exact.
-
Words of Jesus at this time. We have reason to believe that
-
this man could read lips. And so, as Jesus says, be.
-
Opened, this man would also see the authority of Jesus.
-
Christ. And so you have these friends
-
begging Jesus, would you lay your hands on him?
-
And here's Christ in his mercy and grace, going above and
-
beyond what they've even asked? I will heal him, but I want to
-
show him that I am deeply. Concerned for him, and I care
-
for him as an individual, as a person.
-
I realize his condition at this time.
-
And so let me take him away from the crowd and give him my full
-
undivided attention. And let me place my hands in
-
these ways and perform these gestures so he knows what is
-
about to take place. So his faith can be encouraged,
-
so he is aware of why he is here and why I am here.
-
This is Christ showing that he cares.
-
And would you know it, this is Christ performing this.
-
Kind of a miracle. Of all the Gospels in the Gospel
-
of Mark. I hope you didn't.
-
Forget what the theme of Mark is concerning Jesus, the perfect
-
servant of God, the perfect minister.
-
And here's Jesus ministering to this man.
-
And it's no. Wonder why this account is?
-
Provided under Mark's authorship.
-
It's for our instruction as well.
-
Yeah, this is unique to Christ's authority anointing in power.
-
But his model as a as a servant serving people, you know what
-
Jesus is doing here. He's meeting this man at his
-
level of understanding. He's willing to take the time to
-
convey in the language that he might have understood the most,
-
because Jesus doesn't see ministry as some drivethru
-
experience. Jesus doesn't minister here out
-
of compulsion, and he never does.
-
Jesus' heart is in what he does. No matter how weary his bones
-
were, no matter how much the demands were on his flesh at
-
this time, he gives his full attention, and he speaks to a
-
man in the language that he would have known most.
-
I was reading this thinking about this laying in bed last
-
night, and I and I said, Lord, give me the wisdom, please.
-
And give me the. Grace and the patience to know
-
how to convey your truth. Help me be mindful.
-
Help me be patient. And understanding that every
-
single. Person has a different condition
-
and not one method works the same for all.
-
Help me understand. That if I'm going to.
-
Reach people. There's a grace that I need to
-
exercise an awareness that needs to be implemented in order to be
-
most effective. I hope you leave with that truth
-
in your. Heart.
-
There are people. Who are broken in different
-
ways. And it's not that we compromise
-
in order to minister and disciple them, but it does
-
require an attentiveness and A and a willingness to be able to
-
meet them at their level, meet them at their level, and help
-
them to grow in the revelation of the goodness of God.
-
So here's Christ, fingers in his ears, touching his tongue.
-
Looking up to heaven wording with his mouth so that this man
-
could see and understand what was about to take place.
-
That his heart would be comforted, that his faith would
-
arise, and Christ would be glorified.
-
The method of the healing. What a wonderful master we
-
serve. But notice now after the method,
-
the instructions. Verse 35.
-
And his ears were open, his tongue was released, and he
-
spoke plainly. You know what's so significant
-
about speaking plainly? The word they're.
-
Plainly is that he became fluent in the language.
-
It could be that this the man didn't even know how he he
-
didn't know anything, right? People debate whether he was
-
born deaf or not, but he. Couldn't speak.
-
And the miracle? Is that it?
-
Passed through all the need for therapy, all the need for
-
sitting in a room with a tutor to learn how to speak and he was
-
able to communicate right away. It was a complete restoration.
-
And so this man was able to put sentences together, to
-
understand verbs, to to give speech right in that moment.
-
And then Jesus does something. Remarkable verse 36, he charged
-
them. To tell no one, Lord, the guy.
-
The guy just started to speak and you're telling him not to
-
speak. We feel the same way sometimes.
-
Don't worry about the commands of Christ and our natural
-
thinking. It doesn't make sense.
-
He charged them, not just. The men, but his friends, I'm
-
sure they. Were fully aware of what?
-
Just happened. Don't say anything to anybody.
-
Not one. Soul charge is a very.
-
Strong word sternly commanded them.
-
Now one person should hear about this.
-
And hear what we see in the second part of.
-
Verse 36 the. More zealously, they proclaimed
-
it. The more he charged them.
-
The more zealously they proclaimed it.
-
Can you imagine that? The Lord more than once telling.
-
Don't say a word. And the more he said no, the
-
more they were. Wanting to do, it does.
-
That sound familiar to a specific.
-
Demographic in life, yeah. We get facial hair, we get
-
taller, we. Get wrinkles and some of us
-
still act like children don't okay.
-
And the moment he turned his back.
-
Go, go, go, go, go. Tell as many people as you can.
-
Why? Is the Lord asking not Lord?
-
Don't you want people to be exposed to your power, Your
-
unmatched mercy? And we've explored this, haven't
-
we before? But it's here again, And it's
-
here again to remind us and to teach us and to because we're
-
creatures of. Repetition to solidify this
-
truth. Why is Jesus saying no?
-
And we've touched on this, so let me remind you 2.
-
Reasons at least. From the human standpoint of why
-
they. Would do it though.
-
He said no. The first one is something that
-
we kind of see plainly. They were excited.
-
How can you hold it in? This man couldn't hear, he
-
couldn't speak, and now he can formulate sentences.
-
You're asking us not to say anything, Lord, we love you, but
-
come on. And so here they are, exploding
-
with exuberance and. They go to the streets and they
-
proclaim this good news at the expense of obedience, and it's a
-
lesson for us to remember that. Often times you were here Friday
-
and some of. You were here Friday.
-
That emotions can often lead us into disobedience.
-
That we can be emotionally invested in something to the
-
degree. That it steers us away.
-
From Christ's clear commands and we looked.
-
At that this Friday with Saul, Saul slaughtered.
-
The Gibianites and the Gibianites.
-
Were protected people among the Israelites through a covenant.
-
They were to never be harmed for the rest of their.
-
Days and yet. Saul It says there in Second
-
Samuel 21 verse two that out of his zeal for the.
-
People of Israel and Judah. He slayed them.
-
His zeal, he felt very. Strongly about this cause, even
-
at the expense of. A covenant that was made.
-
And so let me repeat what I said.
-
Friday that there is a. Culture now.
-
That we're in, that is more and more.
-
Permitting absolutely, almost everything.
-
As long as you feel strongly about it.
-
You'd be made to know what you do in counseling sessions.
-
And all you're trying to deal with, really, is people who feel
-
strongly. About something, though, it is
-
plainly wrong. And so these.
-
People felt very strongly about telling others of what Jesus
-
did, though. Jesus command was as plain as
-
can be don't do it. But we were excited about it.
-
And that. Excitement can lead us.
-
Into sin and sometimes lack of excitement can lead us into.
-
Sin, the presence of certain. Feelings.
-
The absence of certain. Feelings should never determine.
-
The driving seat of your devotion to the Lord.
-
Or maybe it's something else. Maybe it wasn't the.
-
Sheer emotion of it, maybe. It was the human wisdom element
-
of it and. So here's Jesus, who just does
-
this awesome thing. And the people hear.
-
From him, right after tell. No one.
-
And I'm sure some of them thought really no one.
-
Lord, we love you. We're so grateful for what you
-
just did here. But telling no one doesn't.
-
Really help your cause. We heard some of your teaching.
-
We heard. Some of your claims and there
-
are other people who are a little.
-
Confused about who you are? Wouldn't this help?
-
You wouldn't. This give less ammunition to the
-
spiritual leaders. Who try to?
-
Accuse you of such. And such let us.
-
Assist you in this. You're great in so many ways,
-
but in this area, Lord, I think you need a little help.
-
We'll go and do it anyway. And again, this is a reflection
-
of human nature. You have people who love.
-
Christ, you have people who who who love components of who he.
-
Is and what he has done. But there are some parts in his
-
word that don't seem to. Help his cause in this day of
-
age. And so it's clear, it's playing,
-
It's obvious, but this might push people away.
-
From Jesus and so let's. Tweak it a little bit.
-
Let's skip over it. Let's reinterpret it.
-
Christ means well, and maybe this meant something at some
-
time, but for now this doesn't apply.
-
So, Lord, we know what you're saying, but we're here to.
-
Help. This is why we're seeing the
-
nominations fall apart. This is why we're seeing
-
different churches invite things because their intentions might
-
be just like these. People we're trying to aid,
-
we're we're trying to assist. When in reality, in Christ's
-
wisdom, he knew that this was going to bring more harm than
-
anything. Else.
-
So what's the take away from this?
-
With these instructions, it's very simple.
-
Whatever, he says, just trust it.
-
Okay. Just trust it, no matter what,
-
he says. No matter how your feelings
-
attest to it, no matter how much you think that it is
-
counterintuitive. Just trust his word.
-
You'll never go wrong and more importantly, your honor the one
-
that matters most. They don't.
-
They were zealously running in the other direction, and with
-
that, quick. Disappointment, we said.
-
We see some. Kind of light.
-
At verse 37 with the remarks. About the healing.
-
They were. Astonished beyond measure,
-
saying he has done all things well.
-
If you don't believe that now, precious St. if you're attempted
-
to doubt that, there is a day coming where you will be
-
glorified and you will look back, and despite all the pain
-
and all the strange providential leadings, you can look back and
-
you'll say he's done all things well.
-
That day's coming. I'm encouraging you.
-
I'm encouraging your little faith today.
-
That they will come. He's done all things well.
-
He even makes the death here and the mute speak.
-
Now here's what's fascinating. The word mute here is not the
-
same word that Mark uses when he narrates the request for the
-
healing. What was the specific request
-
and what was the? Diagnosis according to Mark,
-
verse 32. Again, look with your Bibles.
-
And they brought to him a man who was deaf.
-
And had a speech impediment. Do you see those collection of
-
words there had a speech impediment in the.
-
Greek. That's one word.
-
It's one word in the Greek. And this one word in the Greek
-
is actually only found. Here in this place, in all of
-
the New Testament, mute is a different.
-
Word the word in the Greek here. Which is Mogo lalos is actually.
-
A very simple definition, very difficult to speak.
-
That's all it means. But it's a rare word, and Mark
-
chooses to use it to describe this man's ailment.
-
And you think, well, why? Why didn't you just go with what
-
the word? The people used and here's
-
what's so fascinating it is. The only word that is.
-
Found in the New Testament in the Greek language.
-
But there is one other. Place in all of the Bible that
-
this word is used. It's actually in the Old
-
Testament. You think?
-
Hold on. The Old Testament was written
-
in. Hebrew, you're right.
-
But there was a Greek version written of the Hebrew scripture.
-
It's called the Septugent that was compiled 2 to 300 years
-
before. Christ and it was a.
-
Translation of the Hebrew scriptures that was very
-
available at this time in history with Jesus and the
-
disciples and so in all of the Bible if you go with the Greek
-
version of the Hebrew scriptures.
-
You would realize that this Greek word that Mark uses is not
-
just found here, it's actually found somewhere else, a total of
-
two times that it is mentioned. And when you realize where it is
-
mentioned, that you also realize why.
-
Mark used it. Do you know where it was used?
-
I'll tell you where it's used in the book of Isaiah.
-
Go to Isaiah with me very quickly and go to chapter 35 and
-
allow. Me to read a few.
-
Verses. Isaiah 35 will begin in verse 3.
-
This is a prophecy. And it's a.
-
Prophecy of a specific era. And here's what the prophecy
-
says. Strengthen the weak hands and
-
make. Firm the.
-
Feeble knees, say to those who have an anxious heart.
-
Be strong. Fear not.
-
Behold your God will. Come with vengeance with the.
-
Recompass of God he will. Come and save you.
-
Verse five, then the. Eyes of the blind.
-
Shall be opened and the. Ears of the deaf unstopped, then
-
shall the layman leap like a deer.
-
And the tongue of the mute sing for.
-
Joy for waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in
-
the desert for the. Tongue of the mute sing for joy.
-
And so if you had a Greek version of the Hebrew
-
scriptures. And you saw Mark's letter.
-
And you? Read that word there.
-
For speech impediment. You would look back at Isaiah
-
and realize. That he uses the very same word
-
that the prophet used. So you see.
-
Why Mark used it now, right? To show that Jesus is the
-
fulfillment of what is being said here, though partially.
-
Why do I say partially? Because what Isaiah is depicting
-
and describing here concerns the millennial reign of Christ.
-
He describes what will happen to the.
-
Universe itself, namely what will happen with.
-
Us who are creating in the image of God and what we see here with
-
Mark and Jesus miracle being performed is a preview of what's
-
going to happen when he does rule and reign on the earth
-
forever. And so Jesus here gives us a
-
taste of what the world. Will be like.
-
When he exercises his governance in the nations.
-
When he comes to rule from that throne in Jerusalem, what will
-
take? Place in the lives of so many,
-
not just one or two. It will be even greater.
-
Than his days here on earth 2000 years ago and Mark wants you to
-
get a sample of it. And Mark wants you to realize
-
that this Jesus is who Isaiah spoke about.
-
And this Jesus. Will.
-
Fully realize all that Isaiah spoke about in this text when he
-
comes again. When he comes again be opened.
-
And it was opened. And they said he has done great
-
things, He has done all things well, I want to let you know I'm
-
closing as we prefer prepare to partake in the table that yet
-
again we have another testimony that Christ can do the
-
impossible. And if you just come, if you, if
-
you just let go and allow yourself to come to the foot of
-
the cross, wonders can take place in your life.
-
I want to speak to the person here who does not know Jesus
-
Christ. You have not opened your life to
-
him yet. You haven't.
-
You've heard about him, but you're spiritually deaf.
-
And your mouth. You can't find yourself.
-
With your mouth to proclaim the glories of God.
-
You Can't Sing about it. You can't testify about it.
-
You haven't tasted it in one moment.
-
Christ can change it. He can.
-
He can actually change you in this very setting, right here,
-
right now. And maybe one or two friends
-
have brought you in love. And though they might have.
-
Been nervous because they understand that.
-
Sometimes from this pulpit, things can get a little intense.
-
But they brought you in love. Not to meet with a preacher, not
-
to meet with some musicians, but to meet with the living Christ.
-
Do you? Realize that that person.
-
Loves you. More importantly, do you realize
-
the love of Christ to bring you at this moment and to receive
-
him? And maybe you're in this place
-
and you're a believer already, but you're a disappointed
-
Christian. You had expectations.
-
Before you even dare to question, please take the time
-
to ask yourself, Am I here because of my own sin and
-
foolishness? If you are, if you are, Christ
-
is still willing to forgive you and still willing to restore you
-
and do incredible things in you and through you.
-
But if you believe wholeheartedly, well, I've tried
-
to walk in as much obedience as I can, and yet still here I am
-
with a mess. With an absolute mess, I've made
-
these specific prayer requests and they have not come.
-
In fact, it seems like the opposite is experienced.
-
Realize that if you are honest before the Lord, if you're
-
broken before the Lord, he has something in mind for you.
-
Through this, it may not make sense.
-
The method may not make sense, just like the ear thing and the
-
tongue thing and all of that. You may not understand it, but
-
he's doing something you don't get.
-
You just want him to lay hands, but he has something more
-
because he knows more. Trust in him today.
-
Let your heart be renewed and trust in him today.
-
I want you to leave this place for you to be able to say he has
-
done all things well. He will do all things well.
-
And that's what we pray. Lord, in this time of
-
meditation, we trust in you. And the feebleness of our faith.
-
We trust in you and the strength of our devotion.
-
We rehearse our trust in you and Lord.
-
As we come to this table. We reflect upon what really
-
matters the most, the salvation of our souls, that despite the
-
temporal trials and pain, we have eternal life.
-
And there is a time coming, like Isaiah foretold, Where there.
-
Will be no more tears. There will be no more handicap.
-
There'll be no more sorrow. There'll be no more.
-
Fear looking over our shoulder. To see who will fail us next.
-
There is a time coming where all of that will be removed and you
-
will be the object of our desire, our love and our joy.
-
And we come to this table to remember that you will feast
-
with us one day. And so, Lord, please help us
-
reflect, selfexamine to repent, to be cleanse of all
-
unrighteousness, so that we may come in a worthy manner in your
-
presence. In Jesus name we pray.
-
Amen.