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Mark 10

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Introduction

Introduction
1. Read: Mar 8:34-36 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
  1. Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
  2. And, in chapter 8, Jesus has asked us to deny ourselves, take up our cross (die to ourselves) and follow Him…
  3. The heart of the issue is that we must set ourselves aside completely if we want to become like Him…if we want to become great in the Kingdom of Heaven…
  4. To be used by Him…we have to get out of the way!

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Verses 1-5

A Hard Heart
1. Mar 10:1-5 And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
  1. The Pharisees come to Jesus…again tempting Him and trying to see if they can find a fault!
  2. They ask, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?” (Is it ok to divorce?)
  3. Jesus took them back to the law…Moses is revered in Judiasm. à They said he allowed divorce.
  4. The heart of the issue is always the issue of the heart – here, Jesus tells them that the ONLY reason Moses allowed it was because of the hardness of the people’s hearts.
    1. Heb 3:7-10 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
  5. INSTEAD: We need to keep a soft heart towards the Lord – we need to keep pressing in towards Him, knowing Him better, following His ways, having an amazing relationship with the God of the universe!
    1. Jas 4:8-10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
    2. Psa 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

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Verses 6-9

In the Beginning
1. Mar 10:6-9 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
  1. Jesus moves to a time before Moses…to the creation and looks at what God’s original intent was regarding marriage…
  2. Step 1: Leave your father and mother and ”Cleave” to your wife!
    1. (jokingly) Step 1a: father and mother…let them!
    2. What this is saying is: the relationship between child and parent used to be the most important relationship a person has, but when a person gets married, the priority in relationships shifts to the spouse and not to the parent.
    3. If we broaden this a bit…what IS the most important interpersonal relationship you have? If you’re married and it isn’t your spouse then you’re not following God’s desires for your marriage!
  3. Step 2: In cleaving to your spouse, the couple then becomes “ONE FLESH”. This means that you are no longer two individuals living in the same house together, but one married entity. Individual identities are replaced with a singular “COUPLE” identity.
    1. This means property (houses, cars, etc.) is no longer his or hers but theirs or ours.
    2. Paul even extends this to our personal entities…
    3. 1Co 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
  4. So, how should this new entity operate? Paul in Ephesians and Peter in 1Pet tell us:
    1. Eph 5:22-33 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. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
      1. Expounding this: the word “SUBMIT” is a military term and means to place under subjection…it is not a statement of worth but position. Similarly to a private being under a sergeant, a sergeant being under a Lieutenant, etc.
      2. Verse 25 speaks to the husbands role: it says that they are to “LOVE” their wives even as Christ loves the church. The word “LOVE” is the same love found in 1Cor 13 – God’s unconditional, sacrificial love. It is a love that is not to be selfish, prideful or arrogant but rather selfless, humble and seeking to serve others.
    2. 1Pe 3:1, 7 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
      1. “Likewise” refers to: 1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
      2. The idea in verse 7 is that husbands are to give honor to the wife…which means to treat them as they are a precious gift from the Lord and are priceless. Put them on a pedestal and keep them there rather than placing unrealistic expectations on them!
    3. What we are finding is that Marriage is not a place to fulfill one’s selfish desires, rather it is a place to help fulfill our spouses calling by the Lord while operating as one flesh and cleaving to one another!
    4. It’s not easy…but it should be each partner’s goal in marriage!
      1. *** Just a side note about (v. 6) where it says, “…from the beginning of creation” – Jesus is making a statement that Adam and Eve were created at the beginning of creation and not billions of years later as people who speak of an “OLD EARTH” or a gap theory between Gen verese 1 & 2. God created the heavens and the earth in a literal 6 day period. The separation between days is described as “…and the evening and the morning were the second day, third day, etc.!

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Verses 10-14

Divorce & Adultery
1. Mar 10:10-12 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
  1. His disciples come to Him again and ask him privately to explain the whole idea of marriage and divorce…the one doing the divorcing is the one in sin.
  2. Paul actually says in 1Cor 7 that if you’re married to an unbeliever and they want to leave…let them. They aren’t saved and the Christian is unequally yoked with an unbeliever.
  3. What we find as truly necessary in the case of divorce or any sin, for that matter, is that repentance is required for restoration.
    1. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
    2. 2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Conclusion
1. Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

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Verses 13-16

Introduction
1. Read: Psa 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
  1. This is “Sanctity of Life Sunday” -- a day set aside so we can remember the value of human life and see the value in our children…both those inside the womb and outside the womb.
  2. And, NOT coincidentally I’m sure, we are going to discuss children in the next section of Mark chapter 10 so we’ll tie those together…
  3. Jesus has told us that “IF” we want to follow Him we must deny ourselves…if we want to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven we must be least here on earth and then leads us into a discussion of children.
  4. What we will find is that God places great value on children and also gives us a great responsibility towards them…
What God Thinks of Children
1. As we read the text…we should be asking ourselves – “What does God think of Children?”
2. Read: Mar 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
3. Clearly, we see that Jesus want them to be brought to Him, NOT held back from Him and uses them as an example of how “WE” should come to Him…totally dependent upon Him, and totally humble…
4. We can look at other verses to tell us God’s heart…
  1. Psa 139:13-16 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
  2. We see that God knows us as He forms us in the womb…
  3. Jer 1:4-5 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
  4. God knows us even before conception…so our value is very great to Him!
  5. Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
  6. It Shows us that we are HIS workmanship! We are His masterpiece! And He has a plan for our lives – before we were even born He had it…
A Parent’s Responsibility to Their Children
1. Seeing God’s Heart for Children then should make us ask the question…what are our responsibilities towards them in God’s Eyes?
2. First, let’s look at responsibility as God sees it in the family…
3. 1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4. So, looking at this passage, the husband is the head over the home!
5. Consequently, the greater responsibility falls to the man. Thus, as we look at our responsibilities to children…we see that the husband has the unique opportunity to guide his home and his children according to God’s direction and will for their lives…
  1. Instruction
    1. The first area of responsibility is for us to instruct our children:
    2. Pro 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.
      1. If God is telling the child to listen to the parent’s instruction…that must mean God wants us to instruct.
    3. Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
      1. Instruction should come in the form of training. We, as human beings, don’t always “get” or understand something just because we’ve heard it…we need to do it in repetition to ensure that we can and will do it.
    4. Deu 6:4-7 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
    5. We are to be teaching our children the Bible – the Holy Word of God. They should have it taught them at their learning level and should also memorize passages as they are able.
    6. Neh 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
      1. We should teach age appropriately so that our children understand…
    7. Yet, in teaching, we have a great responsibility to the children and to God:
      1. Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
      2. 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
    8. We can’t just follow or teach what we like or want or think; God tells Ezekiel…Eze 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
    9. We live in a society of compromise: 2Ti 4:3-4 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
  2. Discipline / Correction
    1. There are numerouse verses that speak to correcting a child…and we need to take care that we understand God’s heart and not follow our own hearts…
      1. To love our child in God’s eyes means we will promptly discipline them…
      2. Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
      3. Pro 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.
      4. Pro 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
    2. Correction means helping your child to understand what NO means…and not simply redirecting them – God expects adults to know the meaning of “NO” and children need to learn that at a young age for their protection. (Walking out in traffic or sticking their finger in an electrical outlet)
    3. Ultimately, God has our children’s soul in mind…Pro 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
    4. Consequently…our ultimate reason to disciple or correct must be that we are seeking to lead them to Christ!
    5. That said, we should never discipline out of anger or embarrassment (which is a result of our pride and thinking of ourselves) but out of LOVE!
    6. Disciplining for any other reason will push kids away from Christ and not towards Him!
    7. Which leads us to two other verses …
      1. Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
      2. Col 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
    8. We have the responsibility to act like the Holy Spirit to our children until such time as He can take over in their lives…He is the comforter, teacher & the One who convicts of sin, judgment and righteousness.
    9. God doesn’t chastise out of anger!
  3. Lead
    1. We need to lead with gentleness…
      1. Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
    2. We need to lead with grace…
      1. Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
    3. We need to lead by example…
      1. Our lives need to be submitted to Christ and the children need to witness our submission…
      2. Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
      3. Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
    4. Do our priorities reflect our love for God? Even in the midst of having to work or take on “other” responsibilities… do our children see our heart’s desire to follow Jesus?
    5. Is church important enough to you that you make it a priority. Are family devotions, Bible study and prayer. Do your kids see your heart’s desire for Jesus?
      1. Col 3:22-24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
    6. Are we quick to apologize to our children when we make a mistake so that they see we aren’t perfect and that they don’t have to be, either?
      1. Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
    7. We should set realistic goals and ideals for our children and make them age appropriate.
    8. Ultimately, our lives should be a model for what they should aspire to…
    9. REMEMBER:
      1. Psa 103:13-14 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
      2. Children are little sinners…just like us!
    10. Another example we can set is in our marriages – they can be lived out such that our children learn how to walk in submission to Christ…
      1. Husbands should be demonstrating the unconditional / sacrificial love of Christ towards their wives and children,
      2. Wives should be walking in submission to their husbands just as the church is to Christ.
    11. Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
    12. Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
    13. Eph 5:31-32 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
    14. The Church’s Responsibility to Children
    15. The Church should be praying for the children.
    16. Parents have a big job bringing their children up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord.
    17. The members of the church have to responsibility to ensure the children’s safety and to be role models for them.
    18. The older, more mature Christians in the church should speak, model and give great grace to the children and to all the younger christians (that’s not to say they can be mean to the older ones (lol)).
    19. 2Ti 2:1-2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
    20. Children’s ministry is vitally important so that the children have the opportunity to be taught at their level and just as with the parents…there is a great responsibility to teach the Word of God accurately and in context!
Conclusion
1. God definitately cares about the little children…about all of us! And even in our failures, our weakness and our trials…He is right there with us and for us and is on our side!
2. 2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

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Verses 17-27

Introduction
1. Paint the picture of a wedding Dance…the groom in love with the bride, looking longingly at her, seeking to hold her close and talk with her and listen to her and walk through life with her!
2. Now picture the bride…she’s preoccupied – she doesn’t know how to dance so she’s constantly looking at her feet and feeling self-conscious because she can’t do it right.
3. OR… imagine the bride dancing with her groom but instead of looking into the loving eyes of her new husband, she’s constantly looking longingly at another guy on the dance floor who is exceedingly handsome, a good dancer and who has a great physique!
4. How would you, as the groom feel? Wouldn’t a groom want his bride to look lovingly into his eyes and not worry about where she puts her feet and not be looking at another guy and just enjoy being with him?
5. What must be going on in the bride’s mind to cause her to act that way? Did she really just commit to him in the wedding ceremony?
6. Now…what if the groom is Jesus and we are the bride. What if we’re the ones looking at our feet in a sin-conscious relationship based on placing our feet in the right place (keeping the law and focusing on not sinning) OR what if we, as the bride, are looking to other gods, other priorities, other desires, other attractions or other affections and not our SAVIOR?
7. This is what we’re going to talk about today…dancing – more specifically, our dance with Jesus!
the Dance Steps
1. Read: Mar 10:17-20 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
2. In another gospel…this man is called the rich young ruler.
3. This young man knows his dance steps…he knows where to put his feet, how to put his feet and when to put his feet where they need to be.
4. He has the rhythms down, the clothes and from all external appearances – he’s got his life together.
5. EXCEPT: he doesn’t have hold onto eternal life. He knows something is missing or he wouldn’t have come to Jesus asking the question. He knows the dance steps but isn’t at the dance!
6. How often in our society, and in the church as a whole that people think they’re OK, or are hoping to be OK by being a good person or trying to follow the 10 commandments! OR…if they are saved, there relationship with Jesus is empty, abundant – in slavery, not set free because they are focused on the rules and not on Jesus!
7. This situation either comes from legalism (stemming from pride) or ignorance (because no one has ever told them the truth).
8. REMEMBER: You can act like a duck, swim like a duck and even sound like a duck – but unless you ARE a duck you’ll never BE a duck.
9. The same goes for Christianity – you can follow the law, look like the stereotypical Christian with the speech and actions…but you won’t be a Christian without a relationship with Jesus. And you can never have a great, joyful, peaceful, abiding relationship without looking at His face.
10. Jesus doesn’t want us to be as concerned about the “rules” as we are about Him…how broken hearted He must be when we can’t look at Him because we’re busy trying to follow a checklist.
Dance with the One Who Brought You
1. Read: Mar 10:21-27 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 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. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
2. The young man was sad when Jesus told him to give everything away…it says, “he had great possessions”.
  >> Money and stuff were his idols. <<
3. This is like the bride dancing with her groom but looking at another guy!
4. The application here for us is regarding our hearts…what is in our heart that keeps us from looking at Jesus?
5. The obvious things could be money, jobs, promotions, raises, recognition, housework, beauty, jewelry, grades, popularity, video games, drugs, alcohol, food and the like.
6. But, what about another person? Are we looking at our spouse, our children, our friends, or a role-model.
  1. John Maxwell is a great leadership instructor…but I’ve heard people quote him more than Jesus at times…
  2. Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck are great quarterbacks…but if people are more infatuated with them than Jesus there’s a problem…
  3. Similarly, TV & movies can be fun entertainment but when they become more important than Jesus or our family…they have become an idol.
7. Is there something in your heart and life that keeps you from gazing into the eyes of the lover of your soul?
8. Is something holding your gaze…distracting you from your Groom, your Savior, the Lord of Lords and Kings of Kings?
9. Search your heart and ask the Lord! Maybe it’s your own selfishness…ask yourself:
10. Do you minister or serve or bless others ONLY the way you want to and not how they need you to?
11. Do you throw pity-parties when things don’t go the way you want them to?
12. Do you blow up at people when you think they’re taking advantage of you or not treating you right?
13. In our morning devotions…
14. 1Pe 2:19-21 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
15. Peter goes on to say, “Likewise” to wives, husbands and employees. We are to suffer without taking our eyes off of Jesus and to do that we have to take our eyes off of ourselves.
16. Another thought: If you speak harshly to others, is it because you have expectations of others that God doesn’t have?
17. Do you have expectations of yourself that God doesn’t have? …Sometimes the person you’re looking at that keeps you from seeing Jesus is the person in the mirror!
18. Turn back to Jesus!
19. Mat 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
20. Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Hold Your Beloved Close
Mar 10:21a Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, …
1. Song of Solomon 2:16a My beloved is mine, and I am his.
2. How do I do this? How do I draw near?
3. Begin by forgetting the past…Jesus has!
4. Isa 43:25 "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.
5. Heb 10:17 then He adds, "THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."
6. Php 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
7. Think on all the good things He has done for you…think on all the love He’s shown and all the times He has been there for you – and thank Him and praise Him and repent and turn back to Him.
8. Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
9. 1Th 5:16-19 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
10. ...and how do we go forward? >> Walk in obedience – in dancing you have to follow the man’s lead.
11. Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
12. In Christianity, we have to follow our Savior’s lead…otherwise we can’t enjoy Him or the music or the atmosphere or His attention…because we’re too busy trying to lead against His leading.
13. How do I walk in obedience?
14. Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
15. We need revival in our hearts…we can ask God to empty us of us – and fill us to overflowing with His Holy Spirit!
16. He wants us to be madly in love with Him and fervant in our relationship with Him and when we are…He works everything else out.
17. Love Him…love your neighbor…enjoy pleasing Jesus :: that’s why you were created!
Conclusion
1. Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
2. Imagine how your groom, your Savior – Jesus will be pleased as you lovingly, longingly look full into His eyes….

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Verses 28-31

Introduction
1. READ: Mark 10:23-27
2. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is key…
3. We can’t ever be “GOOD” enough…we can’t work our way to heaven. Humanly speaking, on our own, there is NOTHING we can do to earn God’s favor!
4. Jesus even says, “It would be easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (And in the Greek He’s using the term for sewing needle // Luke uses the term for surgical needle).
5. All this is impossible for man…but NOT for God! …with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
6. Today, we’ll look essentially at Jesus’ mission statement – the theme verse of the Gospel of Mark and what it means to us…
The Last Shall be First
1. Mar 10:28-31 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
  1. In light of Jesus telling the rich young man to sell all he has and give it to the poor…Peter says, “We’ve left all behind to follow you” -- the implication is: “What do we get out of it?”
  2. Jesus answers with 7 “OR”s…no one who has left house OR brethren, OR sisters, OR father, OR mother, OR wife, OR children, OR lands for my sake and the gospels but he shall receive 100x now (with persecutions) and in eternal life.
  3. Verse 30 is a prime verse that Word Faith Movement teachers use to say that to get rich…you should give!
  4. The views on the faith and practice of the early church as seen in the book of Acts, as well as the content of a significant set of Scriptural insights gives us a far different perspective on material prosperity than the Faith movement wants to recognize.
  5. The definition of what constitutes real prosperity is found in 1 Tim 6:6-8 Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us therewith be content.
  6. Prosperity is what you have when you are at peace with God and you enjoy His supply of your basic needs.
  7. Phil 4:11-13 I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
  8. Prov 30:7-9 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die. Remove far from me vanity and lies, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full and deny thee and say Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
  9. 1Ti 6:9-10 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  10. The Greek construct of verse 9 - literally reads "but they desiring to be rich," and refers to Christians who deliberately intend to seek riches.
  11. The verses are a healthy reality check that paints a truly dire picture: those who actively seek material gain stand an excellent chance of being turned aside from true Christian faith due to its deceitful lures.
  12. Notice, that Jesus tells us we will have persecutions… that means trouble not an easy life.
  13. And, as He concludes this section, Jesus clarifies this thought…the first (those who desire the most material gain and prominence) will be last, but the last shall be first!
  14. (He has previously told us) Mar 9:35b If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

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Verses 32-34

“THEY SHALL”
1. Mar 10:32-34 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, 33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  1. Jesus and His disciples are now heading to Jerusalem – in fact it says they were going “UP” to Jersalem…which is higher than most all of the surrounding area except the Mount of Olives. Regardless of where you come from…the Jews always say you are going “UP” to Jerusalem.
  2. Remarkably here, Jesus is going to Jerusalem for the last time…chapter 11 presents the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday and begins the “Passion Week”.
  3. Along the way, Jesus again (but in much more detail) tells the disciples the things that will happen to Him – NOTICE the “SHALL”s listed :: there is NO doubt in His mind but that these things will take place!
  4. Mark 10:33-34 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  5. This is a detailed prophecy of what is shortly to take place…and Jesus was leading them there –

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Verses 35-45

Jesus’ Mission
1. Clueless
  1. Mar 10:35-41 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: 40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
    1. Jesus just shared all the amazingly aweful things He would endure in the coming week…and James and John are selfishly focused on their own agenda…
    2. Lord, can we have the positions of prominence in Heaven – can we sit at your right hand and your left hand? As long as you’re going to die anyway…can we get dibs on the best seats in heaven?
    3. And all the other disciples were then “MUCH DISPLEASED” with James and John…because they couldn’t believe their selfishness or because they wanted those seats, too?
2. Slave to All
  1. Mar 10:42-44 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister (Diakonos: “a servant”); 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant (doo'-los: “a slave”)
    1. John, Peter, James, Jude and Paul ALL identified themselves as “slaves” of the Lord Jesus Christ in their epistles.
    2. 1Pe 5:1-3 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
    3. 2Co 1:23-24 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
    4. The better off we want to be in Heaven…the greater the servant we need to be here on earth.
    5. 1Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
    6. God is calling us to be faithful slaves…that means dependable, commendable, humble and selfless to serve the kingdom, the church and the Lord!
  2. Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
    1. Here is our example… here is our Lord showing us that to live, we must die to ourselves!
  3. Mar 8:34-37 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Conclusion
1. What will you seek to gain… is it what God desires and will it please Him? Or is it simply a worldly lust? Will you serve Him by serving others? Who are you living for?

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Verses 46-48

Introduction
1. READ: Mark 10:42-45
2. In the passage we just read…Jesus has seized a “Teaching Moment” to instruct His disciples regarding servanthood…
3. We find that the way up in the Kingdom of Heaven is the way down here on earth. The greater we desire to be in Heaven means we must be least here on earth –
4. A servant to be good in the Kingdom and a “SLAVE” to be great!
5. Today, we will find Jesus demonstrating His teaching and hear the example of how each of us should respond…
It’s Hard to See Jesus
1. Mar 10:46-48 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
  1. It says they came to Jericho and as he went out…Luke’s gospel says, “And when they came near Jericho” à immediately we have a question as to a contradiction in the Bible.
  2. Which one is right? Both are… the “Old Jericho” that Joshua destroyed was rebuilt:
    1. Jos 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.
    2. 1Ki 16:34 In his days (the days of Ahab) did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.
    3. A second “Jericho” or really an extension (like the suburbs) was built up by the Romans and given over to Herod at this time…it would be like going from Lafayette to W. Lafayette…so in or out == they are both possible at the same time…out of old Jericho and into new Jericho.
  3. Anyway…here we have a crowd moving through Jericho with Jesus in the lead. They’ve crossed the Jordan River and are now approx. 20 miles from Jerusalem.
  4. Amongst the hub-bub of the business, this extra crowd is seen and heard by all around, but only “Heard” by a blind beggar name Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus (the bar at the beginning of a name means “son of”).
  5. (v. 47) tells us that he begins to cry out to Jesus. He is no one, has nothing and is one of the “least” that Jesus often speaks of. His only hope: JESUS!
  6. The spiritual analogy that we find with “Blind Bart” is that of spiritual blindness. We can’t see Jesus because we are spiritually blind:
    1. 2Co 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
    2. 2Co 3:12-18 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
  7. Notice, too, that Bart was calling Jesus, “Son of David”…which is a Messianic term for Messiah. Bart was acknowledging Him as Lord!

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Verses 49-51

Jesus Hears You Calling
1. Mar 10:49-51 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
  1. Jesus hears us cry out – He knows our hearts and our hurts and our problems and our struggles…and He says, “Come to Me”
    1. Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
    2. Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
  2. The other amazing thing that Jesus says is, “What do you want me to do for you?”
    1. Joh 14:12-13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
  3. Bart asks for his sight…that’s something we should be asking for as well!
  4. We should be asking for eyes that see what God sees. We should be asking for eyes that allow.
  5. We should be asking for eyes that see what God sees. We should be asking for a heart that has Jesus’ compassion and is broken over people’s pain.
  6. We should be crying out for the wisdom of Solomon to know how to help others…
  7. We should be asking to be Jesus’ hands and feet to our world!

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Verse 52

Jesus Wants You to Follow Him
1. Mar 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
  1. Blind Bartimaeus was blind…but now he could see thanks to Jesus. He believed Jesus to be the Messiah, he believed He would heal Him and immediately He was healed…
  2. When we come to Him and confess to Him that He is Lord and believe that He died in our place and that He rose up from the dead 3 days after His death – we are healed from the curse of sin and death and are made alive and new!
  3. When we are stuck in our flesh and complacency – if we will cry out to Jesus from our hearts He will hear and give us fresh love, fresh vision and fresh life to serve Him!
  4. And He is calling us to follow Him in “THE WAY”…just like Bartimaeus – which leads us to the question: “WHAT IS THE WAY?”
  5. The way that Jesus went – Jesus’ way…
    1. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
    2. Jesus is the way!
    3. Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
    4. Jesus’ way is truth which is the Word of God! (that His Words are the Words of God)
    5. 2Ti 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
    6. Finally, Jesus’ way is about others – it’s about servanthood – it’s about love!
    7. Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
    8. Mar 10:43-45 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
  6. What we must see is that Jesus’ way is the way of Putting God first in our lives. This means we must cast away anything in our lives (except our spouses and children) that holds us back from Jesus.
  7. When we have a healthy walk with God…the “way” becomes clearer and we will see the truth of the Word for what it is…God’s truth. Our lives are to be led according to His truth, God’s truth, the Bible’s truth!
    1. This implies we must read the Word, study the Word, trust the Word and follow the Word. The whole counsel of the Word and IN CONTEXT.
    2. Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
    3. Pro 2:1-7 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
  8. When we walk according to the Word, we will find that our lives are about LOVE. Love for God and love for others (and not loving ourselves…we already do too much of that).
  9. We love others by putting them first, putting their needs above ours and by serving them in ways that they individually and specifically need!
  10. A slave for Jesus will stoop down to meet the greatest needs of others and count it a privilege and a blessing to be able to do so!
    1. 1Pe 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
  11. What is the will of God? Following Jesus in the Way, the Truth’s way, the Bible’s way, the way of our Master…the way of a Slave! The way of Love…

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Brown's Commentary on the New Testament is reproduced by permission of author. All other rights reserved.

Bibliographical Information
Brown, Jim. "Commentary on Mark 10". "Brown's Commentary on the New Testament". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnc/mark-10.html. 2017.

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Mark 10