Title: Gospel of Mark: A Living Sacrifice
Scripture: Mark 9:42-50
Date: 02-18-2024
Bible Version: NKJV
BOTTOM LINE: As followers of Christ, we have been called to be a living sacrifice.
Jesus Talks About Leading Others (vs. 42)
[Mar 9:42 NKJV] “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble. - Whether it was the child from Mark 9:36-37 or anyone else, Jesus would explain what the consequences would be for leading a follower of Christ astray.
“These little ones” refers to all God’s children who follow Christ and seek to serve Him. —Warren Wiersbe
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. - A millstone was used to grind grain. It was a heavy stone that required a donkey to move it. The idea is that there would be a severe judgment on anyone who would cause followers of Christ to go astray.
Jesus Teaches About Hell (vv. 43-48)
[Mar 9:43 NKJV] “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched–
[Mar 9:44 NKJV] “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. - Jesus would now make an example using our hands, feet and eyes. Jesus says that if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. This is not to be taken literally. The hand represents what we can do. We are capable of incredible sin.
The hand is not the problem, the heart is.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, - The idea here is that following Christ can cost you something. It would be better to not have the use of our hands then to use them for sin.
To go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched - There was a place outside of Jerusalem where trash and rubbish was taken and burned. There was always a smoldering fire. This graphical picture was used to describe Hell. The word Hell comes from the Hebrew phrase for “Valley of Hinnom”. From the Old Testament, this is the place that was outside of Jerusalem where King Ahaz worshiped Molech (fire god) and sacrificed children.
Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched - Still using the same example of the trash and rubbish, there was smoldering fire but also worms. They were continual and a constant part of the landscape. The idea is that fire burns indefinitely and the worms never leave.
A child with a spoon may sooner empty the sea than the damned accomplish their misery. —Trapp
[Mar 9:45 NKJV]“And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched–
[Mar 9:46 NKJV] “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off - Jesus would now describe the part of the body that can take us places.
It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet - It would be better to ignore your desire to go places than to engage in sin.
The foot is not the problem, the heart is.
[Mar 9:47 NKJV] “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire–
[Mar 9:48 NKJV] “where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.. - Jesus now addresses our eyes. The eyes are responsible for what we see and take in visually.
it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes… - It would be better for us to lose the use of eyes than to allow it to become a conduit of sin.
The eye is not the problem, the heart is.
Observations About The Doctrine of Hell:
1. It is a place of eternal torment and righteous punishment
2. It is not a temporary place, it is eternal (Rev. 20:10)
3. We arrive there because of the state of our hearts.
4. Jesus taught about it.
It may help us to realize that if God were not to execute eternal punishment then, apparently, his justice would not be satisfied and his glory would not be furthered in the way he deems wise. —Wayne Grudem
The Life of A Believer (vv. 49-50)
[Mar 9:49 NKJV] “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
Everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt - Salt speaks of purity and fire speaks of trials and refinement. Jesus would now describe the life of a believer. It would be a life that would offer up trials and refinement.
**
As followers of Christ, we will experience trials, persecution, and refinement.**
Remember, Satan promises you glory now, but the pain comes later. Jesus calls us to suffering now, and then we will enjoy the glory. —Warren Wiersbe
[Mar 9:50 NKJV] “Salt [is] good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another - Jesus calls on the disciples (and us) to have salt and to have peace with one another. Jesus gives the disciples this valuable lesson on the heels of their discussion with one another on who would be the greatest.
Jesus effectively says to examine your own heart, be salty, and have peace with one another.
Even through trials and difficulties we can still be a light in a dark place.
[Rom 12:1 NKJV] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service.
The message of Jesus was clear: Knowing how terrible hell is, it is worth any sacrifice to avoid. Therefore, we cannot think of the kingdom of God just in the context of reward; we must also think in terms of sacrifice —David Guzik
Reasons why we should live this way:
1. You live a better life when you live your life for God.
2. You live a better life when you let scripture guide you.
3. You live a better life when you are the hands and feet of Jesus where you are planted.
4. When we live a life of sacrifice we are like salt.
A Challenge to Change: Are you willing to be a living sacrifice? Here is a prayer that you can use this week:
Lord, give me kingdom eyes and the courage to live my life as a living sacrifce. Give me the heart to serve others with your love. May I continue to live every moment of my life to bring you honor and glory. Amen.
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