OceanSide church of Christ

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DISPLEASURE AND THE SERVANT OF GOD

Mark 10

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.            All of us desire a pleasure filled life.

 

B.             However, such is not a reality all of the time.  There are some things that happen in life that bring displeasure.

 

C.            In Mark 10, we find several things that are not full of pleasure.  I’ve entitled the chapter:  “Displeasure and the Servant of God.”

 

I.       A TEACHING THAT BRINGS DISPLEASURE (Mark 10:1-12)

 

A.            While Jesus was teaching, the Pharisees came to Him with a question, “tempting him” (Mark 10:2).

 

Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?

 

B.             Jesus’ first response was to point them to the Law of Moses (Mark 10:3-5).

1.              The Question:  What did Moses command? (Mark 10:3)

2.              The Answer:  Write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away (Mark 10:4).

3.              The Explanation:  For the hardness of your heart (Mark 10:50.

 

C.            Jesus’ second response (Mark 10:6-12).

1.              The word “but” in verse 6 expresses a contrast to what as being practiced.

2.              The permanency of marriage (Mark 10:9).

 

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

 

3.              The problem of divorce and remarriage (Mark 10:11-12).

 

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.  And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

 

D.            This teaching of Jesus has brought much displeasure to our modern society.

1.              Individuals in the world divorce and remarry numerous times.

2.              We also find it in the church of our Lord.

 

II.      DISPLEASURE THAT CAME TO JESUS (Mark 10:13-16)

 

A.            Young children were brought to Jesus.  …and his disciples rebuked them that brought them (Mark 10:13).

B.             Jesus had a four-fold reaction to His disciples.

1.              Indignation:  …he was much displeased (Mark 10:14a).

2.              Admonition:  …Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not… (Mark 10:14b).

3.              Instruction:  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein (Mark 10:15).

4.              Action:  And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them (Mark 10:16).

 

C.            Three lessons:

1.              Jesus wants children brought to him.  Parents, are you listening?

2.              Little children are not depraved from birth.   The kingdom of God is filled with individuals who are like them.

3.              Those of us in the kingdom need to manifest many child-like qualities:  trust, humblity, teachable, submission, innocence, sincere, loving, joyful, enthusiastic, transparent, free from malice, free from prejudice, free from obstinacy, and always hungry.

 

III.    DISPLEASURE ASSOCIATED WITH RICHES (Mark 10:17-31)

 

A.            The first displeasure we see associated with riches is when a man cannot give up his wealth to follow Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:21-22).

 

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest:  go thy way, sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:  and come, take up the cross, and follow me.  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved:  for he had great possessions.

 

B.             The second displeasure came when Jesus taught about the rich entering into the kingdom of God.

1.              The Reality (Mark 10:23)

 

…How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God?

 

2.              The Reason (Mark 10:24-25)

 

…Children how hard is it for those that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

 

a.              Riches are not sinful.  Riches, however, entice individuals to trust in them.

b.              Individuals trust in riches because of what riches have to offer.

1)     Riches make life easy.

2)     Riches make one independent.

3)     Riches bring power.

4)     Riches make others dependent on us.

5)     Riches can corrupt.

3.        The Reaction (Mark 10:26)

 

And they were astonished out of measure.

 

a.              In earthly kingdoms, the rich rule.

b.             In earthly kingdoms, the wealth of the rich is needed.

3.              The Response (Mark 10:27)

 

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God:  for with God all things are possible.

 

                               a.        The rich who enter the kingdom trust in God, not in their riches.

b.       The rich within the kingdom use their wealth to assist the needy and do good works (I Tim. 6:17:18).

4.              The Reward (Mark 10:28-30).

a.        The apostles had given up much to follow Jesus (Mark 10:28).

b.       Jesus assured them of reward now and in the hereafter (Mark 10:29-30).

 

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 land, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 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.

 

IV.     DISPLEASUREABLE EVENT:  THE CRUCIFIXTION (Mark 10:32-33)

 

A.            The apostles felt feelings of displeasure as they made the trip to Jerusalem with Jesus (Mark 10:32).

 

…and they were amazed, and as they followed him, they were afraid…

 

B.             Jesus had often told His disciples about what would happen to Him in Jerusalem.  He confirmed this again at this time (Mark 10:330.

 

…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:  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.

 

V.      THE DISPLEASURE OF TEN APOSTLES (Mark 10:35-45)

 

A.            James and John requested a position of prominence at Jesus’ right hand (Mark 10:35-37).

 

B.             Jesus’ response was two-fold:

1.              They would drink of the cup of suffering and would be baptized with the fires of affliction (Mark 10:39).

2.              The position on His right hand was not His to give (Mark 10:40).

 

C.            The displeasure of the ten (Mark 10:41).

 

And when the ten heard it, they bagan to be much displeased with James and John.

 

D.            Jesus relieved the displeasure by exhorting them to become servants.

1.              The example of the Gentiles (Mark 10:42).

2.              The exhortation to the disciples (Mark 10:43-44).

 

But so shall it not be among you:  but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:  and whosoever of you will be chiefest, shall be servant of all.

 

3.              The example of Jesus (Mark 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.

 

a.        While on earth, Jesus did not assume a position of authority.

b.       He functioned as a minister and gave His life a ransom.

 

VI.     THE DISPLEASURE OF THE MASSES TOWARD THE BLIND BEGGAR (Mark 10:6-52).

 

A.            As Jesus exited the city of Jericho, he encountered the blind beggar Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46).

 

B.             The Seven “Cs” of the account:

1.              The cry (Mark 10:47)

 

…and he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

 

2.              The charge (Mark 10:48a).

3.              The continuation (Mark 10:48b)

 

…but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

 

4.              The command (Mark 10:49a)

5.              The comfort (Mark 10:49b)

6.              The coming (Mark 10:50)

7.              The conversation (Mark 10:51-52).

a.        The door of opportunity (Mark 10:51a)

b.       The desire for sight (Mark 10:51b)

c.       The declaration about faith (Mark 10:52a)

d.       The deed performed (Mark 10:52b)

e.        The disciple follows (Mark 10:52c)

 

C.            Application:

1.              Jesus is the one who has mercy.

2.              We must be constant in the face of opposition.

3.              We must use our doors of opportunity.

4.              We must possess faith in the Lord’s ability to help.

5.              Wonderful things can happen in our life.

6.              The blessings of Jesus should propel us to follow Him.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.            When it comes to displeasure.

1.     Let us never be displeased with the teachings of Christ.

2.     Let us never behave in such a way as to displease Him.

3.     Let us rejoice in the displeasure He suffered on Calvary.