Is God Still Working in the World? - Mark 4:14-32

If you had ask me this question when I was a new Christian at 21 years old, I would have given you an overwhelming YES because I had just encountered his love and influence on my life and I was sure that things happening around me each day were as a result of his daily intervention as my life bringing about frequent and noticeable improvements. I was a happy young Christian.

I was young, industrious, constantly associated with young people and could experience daily examples of their reactions to me, others, and life in general. These kids were far from perfect, but were normal and natural and not mixed up in mind and spirit. The young and older were not perfect, never was, but would admit that God was ever present, working his will through all that would accept his love in their life.

That was sixty-four years ago and I will still give you an overwhelming YES, God is still here with us, working his will into the lives of believers, because in these many years I have learned much more about God’s nature and why he sent his Son to save his people. No deity would invest so much in his holdings and walk off and leave it without attention. He was in charge the day the earth and all therein was created, and He still is. The fallen angel, Lucifer, was powerful and at war with God the first day, and he has never stopped. Admittedly in something over six thousand years, the devil has learned many new ways to confuse people and lead them to believe that God has gone back to heaven to live in luxury and is no longer at work on earth in our behalf.

In those early days of my Christian life the energy flowed and activities involving Christ and people stood out as proof of his intervention in our affairs. In these latter days when energy levels are low, I depend on the may years of experience, and the fact that there is an inter feeling of binding love and appreciation for His word which has convinced me that he has never left me alone and will never forsake me.

Lack of paper, ink and time will prevent me from being inclusive about all the adverse changes that I have witnessed, but I will assure you that it is not a myth—it is truth; Satin is more experienced than ever, and has learned many new way to attack God’s people. Admittedly, at times it seems that evil is winning over God’s worldly influence, but if you know and believe the bible this should not be a surprise. Christ is not willing that any should perish, but that all should become children of God. It is not his will that one single person wind up in Hell. But you can not accuse him of being ignorant; he knew from the start that many would reject him. He told us that the Low Road to hell is wide and well lighted and that MANY of the people will travel this LOW road and spend eternity in hell. In the same passage He told us that the High Road is narrow, [evidently not as well lighted and marked with signs that men could choose to follow] and FEW will find their way to heaven by traveling the HIGH road.

I know that it sounds harsh and brash, but just because Christian Believers are in the minority, and seem to be falling behind in numbers in the world today, does not mean we are loosing. Just the opposite; it means that we are one of the FEW that will enjoy eternity with Christ in Heaven. So look up in fear and trembling if you are one that disbelieves that God no longer works among men today; that mean that you are one of those traveling the Low Road to hell on a fast train—maybe a jet-liner or a 20-lane, one-way super highway, wide, well lighted, and going down hill…it is the LOW road to Hell.

I heard on ABC evening news today that some survey shows that a shocking percentage of those that claim to be Christians go to more than one church. The national news [all of them are guilty] reports only those things that are shocking and controversial. What they should be interested in reporting is how many go to church anywhere. I have gone regularly for over sixty-five years. Why do they not interview people like you and me who go the church of our choice and trust God all the way?

I know this preparation is going to sound personal. It is, because it tells you what I know to be true and is the story you need to hear. Yes GOD IS STILL WORKING IN THE WORLD AS 2009 DRAWS TO AN END. I could be critical of my church, and would have reasons to tear it down, but I choose to go positive.

I Joined First Baptist, Heber Springs, in 1975, 34 years ago last July and we are just about the same size if you count heads in membership. Regular attendance on Sundays has varied from about 300 to 500 or a few more. The facts that are much more convincing regarding God at work, is when you add to the regular Sunday morning attendance, all of the activity in the Children’s church, in the youth department, in the individual and specific church activities such as the women’s study groups, the nail benders, and the list goes on, and there is much duplication, but by the end of each week the number could easily be a thousand or more. Multiply this by 52 weeks times the 34 years and it looks like God may have been working in this neighborhood at least 176,800,000 times. The only feet and hands He has to work with are those belonging to dedicated Christians and they can be found in all the other God fearing churches in the community—that means that the 176 million plus is just a drop in the bucket.

We at Heber First have our good and bad times, but have never stopped working in this world. And then there are all of the outreaches from our church that add to God’s influence. We sponsor local, state, national and foreign missions—and ours is the most generous of any congregation of any where I have ever been a member. People, hear me now; we are God working in this world. I warned that it would sound as if I am tooting our horn…personally. I realize that our efforts are only a drop in the bucket and that we could do more. When we fail we only limit Him, we never stop him from working to save the lost and feeding his sheep.

The scriptures suggested to be use as background material for our lesson today is found in Mark 3: to 6: 6a, and the passage for emphasis is found in 4: 1-34. Jesus and his disciples were along the shores of Galilee and the people were already so impressed with [God working in the world at that time] that the crowds had grown until the press of the people was causing problems. Notice that Christ was working, and [His disciples who could be thought of as the people in his church of that day] were at his side helping each day. Note: Christians today are at His side working today in this world.
In that day His church was small in number of members. Jesus told us that he established His church, and the gates of hell would never prevail against it. It is still here on earth, working, and has MORE members than ever.

Jesus taught in parables, and he has left his word, with his parables as examples for us to use as teaching materials. That has not changed. He used highly recognized people and things to teach life-giving and life changing lessons and Christians do the same today. One of the parables he used concerned the farmer that sewed seeds in four different kinds of ground, three of which failed to produce a harvest. Yes, he warned them that three out of four seed beds would fail. That phenomenon has not changed. The devil never ceases to remind us of all of our failures and tries to make us believe that God is no longer working as he once did. Don’t believe his lies. Christ told us that good seed sewn in good ground [which represents those of us who hear the word, and embrace the word] will produce a crop that will be 30 to 100 times what was sewn. Christian seed are still being sewn and many new converts are still being reborn in the world today.

Jesus taught the balance of life message in verse twenty-four, and today it is the lazy and unbelieving that are finding fault and accuse God of forsaking his people. He told the people that they would get what they gave. Man reaps what he sews. This is true in the study of the word; the more you are willing to study the word the more you will learn from it. It is true in worship, the more you take with you to church, the more you will get from your worship. We do have a problem today. Far too many go to church to get and are not willing to give. Want to know who they are? Listen and see who is criticizing the preacher; who dislikes the music director and criticizes the music program.

In this passage you will find the Law of Increase. It is hard and harsh but true. To him who already has still more will be given; and from him who has not; even what he has will be taken away. For example, it is true of knowledge. The more you know, the more you are capable of knowing—so study to show thyself approved. It is true in effort; within the limits of your bodily strength, the stronger you are the more you can do. If you take what you have and exercise you will become stronger. Sit and do nothing and you will weaken each day. [Oh, do I know this to be true. Arthritis teaches this truth. It is true of one able to bear responsibility. If you refuse to be responsible you will soon be irresponsible. Finally, it is true regarding any skill. Work hard and make first chair in the band; refuse to practice and you will be asked to drop out of the band altogether.

Men who forget this law of increase are the ones that look around today and think God has quit, simply because they are not willing to do what they have to do in order to see spiritual things happen. I ask you—have you quit exercising, practicing, studying and learning, an accepting your responsibility in the kingdom work? Do you go to church to GET or GIVE?

What Does Jesus' Call Mean for Me? - Mark 2:15-28

There are literally hundreds of direct statements given in the Bible that answers the question proposed in the title of our lesson. When considered within the context intended there is no contradiction and no verbatim repetition; however there are numerous reinforcements.

Christ came to seek and save lost people. He came not to condemn the law but to fulfill it. He came to die on a cross. He came to do the will of his Father, God. He came to forgive everybody of their sin. He came to judge all men. He came to be crucified. He came to arise from the dead and prove that there is life after death. He came to defeat Satin. He came to be the promised Messiah. He came to earth as the only Savior of sinful man. He came to give us a picture of what God looks like and who God is. He said that if we have seen Him we have seen the father. He came to live a life of example, teaching us how we should live. He came to prove that he is the way, truth and light of the world. And so the list goes on with hundreds of statements proving that men are eternally lost and without hope when they reject the true Christ, the Son of God—the Christ that is in every Christmas.

Never before in the history of this world…and especially in the history of the United States of America, have people faced a more dismal picture of what people see when they observe this Christmas season. There has been an urgent and dedicated effort to remove the word CHRIST from the season. It breaks my heart to see true Christian people willing to give up so easily and allow the business world change the name of the tree, the day, the season, to a shallow and meaningless by-word “holiday” In order to emphasize their effort, they tell us that it is no longer politically correct to talk about CHRISTMAS, but we should say happy-holiday. This tendency has not happened over night, we have for years now, experienced {with deep sorrow} the wording of Christmas songs changing to the secular mode. We no longer feel the hair on our neck standing erect and the joy in our heart causing creepy feelings ascending and descending our spine as we hear the words of age old hymns that we love so well. It is different now as the words of the songs of the holiday cause us to visualize mother kissing Santa Clause, and deformed rein-deer that have grown noses of red. [I have never been a deer hunter, but might be tempted to start if the noses of the ‘legal to shoot deer’ would light up red identifying the prey.]

Let us get back to the question of why Jesus came to earth. As you read the story of his first years of life as recorded in Luke 2, there is very little recorded there that would give us any reason why people have decided to welcome and worship him in so many secular ways. In verses six and seven, Luke gave the very simple account of the birth of Christ in so remarkable few words. [Go there and read] He had just proclaimed that Caesar Augustus called for a census to be made. People abroad were required to return to Bethlehem for the census. Joseph and Mary {who was with child} had to leave Nazareth and return to Bethlehem. “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.” Note: Firstborn here indicates she had others later.

Josephus quotes the actual law that required the censuses to be taken. Their censuses were taken every fourteen years. According to Barclay we possess actual documents from every census taken from AD 20 until AD 270 and if no errors were made this census referred to in Luke 2 must have been taken in 8 BC. That means that Jesus was born in 8 BC. Luke was the only gospel writer that referred to gospel events in comparison to historical events. His audience was predominantly Greek. At that time Palestine was under Roman rule and Caesar Augustus, the first roman emperor was in charge. A part of the problem lay in the fact that Caesar was believed to be God, in contrast to the new born Messiah.

The census was taken to provide names for those that would be placed in the army and for the purpose of collecting taxes. Jews did not have to serve in the army, but was required to pay taxes, so Joseph made the trip of eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem along with his pregnant wife and a donkey. Think about that. Why? Because it had been prophesied that it would happen that way in Micah 5:2. God controls all of history so through the decree of a Roman emperor even the date and place of this birth was determined to be as Micah had predicted.

Bethlehem was crowded with people and all of the hotels, motels, bed and breakfast places, and rooms for rent were filled to capacity. Mary and Joseph were lucky to be able to stay in the stable where their donkey was being kept and fed. And there, Jesus was born and wrapped in a square of cloth and lay in the manger which was probably a stone which had been hewn out to contain food for animals. There was no room for him in the Inn…indicates that there was no room for him in the hearts of men. In fact, it tells us that there was only one place where there was plenty of room for him and that was on the Old Rugged Cross.

Luke tells us that the message of His birth came first to a group of shepherds that were tending sheep in the fields near Jerusalem. This must have been a blow to the Jewish elite. Angles came to the smelly old shepherds before they did to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Sanhedrin movers and shakers. These shepherds were probably the ones that had furnished the lambs used for sacrifice in the Temple all these years. They were privileged to grow the sacrifices that had announced his coming and now they were privileged to announce the coming birth of the Sacrifice for all man kind, Jesus himself.

Luke tells us that Jesus did not disobey the law. In this passage we see Jesus undergoing three ancient ceremonies which every Jewish boy had to undergo. [i] One was Circumcision. Every Jewish boy was circumcised on the eighth day after birth, and given his name. This law was so important that it could be administered on the Sabbath Day even though the law forbade almost every other act of work. [ii] One was the Redemption of the First-born. According to Exodus 13:2 every first born of man and animal belonged to God, and had to be purchased back from God at birth. [iii] One was the Purification after Childbirth. A mother was considered unclean for forty days after the birth of a son and eighty days if the child was a girl. She could go about her work at home but could not go to the temple or share in a religious experience. In Leviticus 12 you find that a sacrifice of lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon for a sin offering was necessary. I believe these laws were kept to prove to the people that it was true that Jesus did not come to condemn the law but to make if full, complete it, obey it as if to say that law is necessary and to be obeyed. It is important that you see that Mary offered the two pigeons instead of the lamb. Some could not afford the Lamb. The pigeons were known as the offering of the poor. The home of our Lord was just an ordinary one. Our Lord knows what it is like to be unwanted, and poor. His love for mankind is absolutely inclusive.

The time has seemingly come in our day when older Christians are not afforded the respect and appreciation they rightfully deserve. There are two individuals mentioned by Luke that should cause the reader to gain great respect for and of the elderly.

The greater number of the people believed that because the Jews were the chosen people they were bound some day to become the masters of the world and lords of all the nations. Some believed that some great celestial champion would descend upon the earth; some believed that there would be another king of David’s line arise and days of old would revive. In contrast there were a few people known at The Quiet in the Land. They had no dreams of violence and powerful armies. They relied on prayer, fasting and quiet watchfulness until the coming of the Messiah. All their lives they had waited quietly and patiently upon God.

Simon was one of these. All his life he had waited quietly and patiently upon God to arrive on the scene and comfort his people. God blessed this man and had him waiting at the temple entrance when Mary and Joseph arrived with the baby Jesus. He held the child in his arms and blessed the family. He was wise in old age and able to give these parents information they needed even if it hurt. He said “Jesus will be the cause whereby many will fall.” Many will not accept Him. Are you one of these? Then he said, “He will be the cause whereby many will rise.” He was and is the extended hand let down to sinful men to help us rise above our selves toward God. Are you one of these? Then he said, “He will meet with much opposition.” Now we know that there are no neutral grounds we either surrender to him or we are at war against him. Where do you stand? Hear this old man, your fate is up to you, decide now!

Anna was 84 years old, one of the Quiet Ones in the Land like Simeon, a widow, lived in the temple, praying and fasting and witnessing to all that would listen. Old, but never ceased to hope, worship, pray and witness. I visualize my Granny Pankey as being another Anna.

I too am old, 85, and still have my greatest hope abiding. I pray and witness, and sometimes it becomes so discouraging when so few seem to hear my plea. Simeon had a prayerful wish and it was that he could hold Jesus in his arms before he died. His wish was granted. I have a prayerful wish and God and I only know what it is; it shall remain that way and then if it comes true, I will know that God has answered my Simeon request. Got problems? Write or call me and I will pray for you.

How Can Jesus Help Me? - Mark 1:14-31

The first three books, Matthew, Mark and Luke are known as the synoptic gospels. ‘Synoptic’ is a Greek word meaning that two or more words, books, ideas or things should be viewed together—or side by side, in order to show their likeness, difference, order of origin like first or last. William Barclay placed these three books side by side and analyzed every word written checking the terms that are alike and the ones different. This study produced some very interesting information. Barclay deducted that Mark is the most important of the synoptic gospels; in fact he thinks that is good argument that it is the most important single book in the world. Of course this would only be possible if you contend that the Bible is a compilation of sixty books.

Mark is the first book of the birth and life of Christ that was written and is still available and unchanged. It is known that others made simple attempts to write the story of Jesus’ life; but Mark’s gospel is the oldest that has survived. It is not only difficult to realize that at the time of the writing of Mark there were no mechanical ways to print a book; and there was not a single printed book in the world. None of the books in the New Testament were printed—all were written by hand; there were very few copies of any book in existence. You may wonder…and indeed, you may ask how we know that Mark was the first gospel written.

First, even after being rewritten by hand; and changed into print—and changed from the original Greek language to English—THERE ARE REMARKABLE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE SYNOPTICS.

1. They contain the same incidents often told in the same words.
2. Teachings of Christ contain accounts of teachings of Jesus which are close to identical.
3. Compare the feeding of the 5000 in the synoptic and they use almost exactly the same wording.
4. It is amazing. Compare the story of the man who was sick of the palsy and you will find four words in parenthesis—“he said to the paralytic” occurs in all three gospels in exactly the same place.
5. It is clear to see that two of these sources used the third as reference—or all three used a fourth as reference. There are several reasons why bible scholars have decided that Mark wrote first and Matthew and Luke used his book as their reference.

Notice this fact. There are only twenty-four verses in Mark which do not occur somewhere in Matthew and Luke. This should cause you to place a high honor on Mark’s writing, and should cause all of us to honor him for being the first to establish this truth regarding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Who was this man, Mark? Before we go into the study assigned for today, here are a few more vital statistics that we need to hang securely on one of our pegs of remembrances.

Mark was the son of Mary, an important lady of Jerusalem who was an important member of the Church that furnished food and lodging for leaders serving in the area—Acts 12:12. Mark was the nephew of Barnabas and went with them on their first missionary trip. Mark was not one of the original apostles but went with Paul who contended that he was one of God’s missionaries because of his calling on the Road to Damascus. No doubt about it, Mark was brought up in the very center of the Christian fellowship.

Mark was the nephew of Barnabas or he would not have become connected to Paul on his missionary journeys. I have taught this lesson several times, and have tried to find the reason why Mark decided to leave Paul and Barnabas; I still do not know for sure. In Acts 13: 13, it says that Mark decided to go home. Paul was unhappy with him and called him a quitter. The only clue we have says that he went home because he wanted to be with his mother. I have been made to wonder who his father was and how he fit into this story. {Seriously, if you know and can contribute to this part of our lesson today, please let me know who the father was and how he fit in.}

I believe I know why Mark wrote the book named for him…Mark. He had no other reason but that he wanted to present the work and teachings of Jesus Christ in whom he believed and felt committed. Mark wrote by hand the book of Mark. He is the Author. He lived in Rome, and from Rome he wrote Mark to the Christians in Rome—and to John Vandiver, and all the rest of you Christians living in Arkansas, and throughout the world. The date of the writing of this synoptic gospel was somewhere between A.D. 55 and 65.

The setting was the Roman Empire under the Caesar. The common language, the great transportation and communication system was ripe and growing and ready to hear about the new message of Jesus Christ which was spreading from nation to nation.

The key verse that I see as being important because Mark was writing about Christ, who he was, and what he came to do was Mark 10:45: “FOR EVEN THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RAMSOM FOR MANY.” We need to notice who Mark listed as the Key people involved in this part of the Live of Christ. They were: Jesus, the twelve disciples, Pilate, the Jewish religious leaders, and the key places were Capernaum, Nazareth, Caesarea, Philippi, Jericho, Bethany, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, and Golgotha.

Mark is a special feature. The evidence is strong that Mark was the first gospel ever written, and it is the only one written in chronological order. The other gospels quote all but thirty one verses of Mark. Mark is the shortest of the four gospels—however it records more miracles than does any other gospel. Other gospels begin with the birth of Christ but Mark begins with the works of Christ and the first thing recorded came from Isaiah’s conversation with Him when he was told that John The Baptist would be sent to prepare a way for Him to follow as He did the work of his Father.

Mark writes the gospel in dramatic action-packed stories that makes it easier to understand. He gives us the most vivid account of Christ’s activities. He features facts and actions rather than teachings. The way Jesus lived his life is the perfect example of how we should live our lives today.

Soon after John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee where he started his preaching of the Good News that simply proclaimed that “The time has come.” “The kingdom of God is near.” “Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked along the shore of Galilee He saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew. Jesus told them to follow him and he would make them fishers of men. They obeyed.

A short time later he saw James and John, sons of Zebedee, fishermen, mending and preparing their nets. He called them and they followed him, leaving their father with only his hired-hands to help him. Fishing for fun is still hard work; however fishing for a living is even harder. It is a business, and these four men had some heavy investments in equipment and must have been successful since they were able to hire extra help needed. We need to realize that they gave up their way of living upon one command…”Follow Me.”

They left the lake and went to Capernaum where Christ preached on the Sabbath. He was approached by one who was possessed y an evil spirit that cried out asking what He wanted with them. Jesus told the evil spirit to “Be quiet and come out of the man.” The evil spirit obeyed Christ. People began to question and wonder why he was able to do this.

They left the synagogue and went to the home of Peter, where his mother-in-law was ill. She was healed. Her fever subsided and she got up and waited on all of them. That night, many others came and were healed and there were demons cast out. Demons were told not to talk about it. Why? I believe that Jesus wanted everyone to accept him on his own words and deeds and to believe that he was the Son of God; and therefore did not want the demons explaining to the others what had happened to them.

The work of Christ includes prayer, preaching, healing, miracles, and at no time did he brag of his power but always gave His Father God all the glory. It is amazing how Mark is able to cram so many facts, so many incidents and many things about our Savior into this the smallest of the synoptic gospels.

Listen, this is a Vandiverism, but oh, so important. This first chapter of Mark is so important, so complete that you have already studied enough scripture to save every person in the world if they would simply accept and obey what has been taught.