How Jesus Answers Your Life Questions

Mark 11:27–12

Question 1: AUTHORITY—By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave You authority to do this? (Mark 11:27–12:12)

What we learn about our human nature: We are rebels against God’s authority.

Evangelistic Insight: Don’t be intimidated when you share your faith; take initiative.

What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Mark 12:9

And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away. Mark 12:12

 

Question 2: POLITICAL—Should we pay taxes? (Mark 12:13–17)

Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?”  March 12:14b

And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances,[c] but truly teach the way of God. Mark 12:14a

But, knowing their hypocrisy . . . Mark 12:15a

What we learn about our human nature: We are, by nature, hypocrites who avoid God’s command.

Evangelistic Insight: When sharing the Gospel, don’t be distracted, but instead stay focused.

 

Question 3: THEOLOGICAL—If you had multiple spouses, who will be your spouse in the resurrection? (Mark 12:18–27)

“Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? Mark 10:24

What we learn about our human nature: We are cynics who disregard God’s power.

Evangelistic Insight: Don’t be ashamed, but be confident.

 

Question 4: GENUINE—Which commandment is the most important of all? (Mark 12:28–34)

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Mark 12:28

And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark12:34a

What we learn about our human nature: We are strangers outside of God’s Kingdom.

Evangelistic Insight: As we share the Gospel, keep it clear.

 

Four Marks of Genuine Conversion

1. Mark of Genuine Christian Conversion: You end your rebellion against God.

2. Mark of Genuine Christian Conversion: Offer yourself to God unconditionally.

Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. Mark 12:17

3. Mark of Genuine Christian Conversion: Trust God’s sovereign power in all things.

4. Mark of Genuine Christian Conversion: Loving God and the people He has placed around you.

30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

A. Love God

B. Love Your Neighbor

 

 

 

 

 

The Past, Present, and Future of Brushy Creek Baptist Church

225th Anniversary

Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Taylors, SC

March 17, 2019

This sermon is being tri-preached by Rev. Jerry Lethco, Dr. Ralph Carter,

and Dr. Jeremy Roberts.

 

I. Praise God for His Movement in the Past

(Acts 2:42-47)

Preached by Jerry Lethco

II. Look at What God is Doing Now

(Isaiah 42:4; or Psalm 65:5; or Zephaniah 3:5)

Preached by Ralph Carter

III. Let’s Prayerfully Charge into the Future with Anticipation and Hope

(1 Kings 18:41–46; Jeremiah 29:11)

Preached by Jeremy Roberts

A. Anticipation

 41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:41–46

B. Hope

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

Becoming a Christian Who Makes a Difference

Mark 11:1–26

11And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:14

I. Jesus is Looking for Fruit

And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”  Mark 11:17

And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. Mark 11:16

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. Mark 11:15-16

II. Jesus Wants Us to Seek Him

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? Mark 17b

And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:14

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Mark 13:1-2

for it was not the season for figs. Mark 11:13b

But if some of the branches [referring to Israel] were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, Romans 11:17

And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved  Romans 11:23, 26a 

III. How We Can Bear Fruit

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations . . .Mark 11:17b

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

A. Cultivate Faith

22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Mark 11:22–23

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

B. Cultivate Forgiveness (v. 25)

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44

 

Humanity and Christianity

Mark 10:32–52

 

I. Our Human Condition

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Mark 10:32a

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” Mark 3:22

Jesus says, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:33-34

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Mark 10:35-37

Self-interest chokes the progress of love.

II. What Jesus Christ Came to Do

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Jesus’ Mission Stated Negatively—Why Didn’t He Come?

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,  John 3:17a

If you think that God is interested in condemning you, then you haven’t understood the Gospel.

The Son of Man did not come to be served. Mark 10:45

Jesus’ Mission Stated Positively—Why Did He Come?

The objective of Jesus in coming into the world was not to demand something from you, but to accomplish something for you.

by giving his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Word Study of Ransom

Hostage

Slaves

Offenders Against God, Under the Sentence of Death

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:3

 

 

Why You Can’t Work Your Way into Heaven

Mark 10:17–31

 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him . . . Mark 10:17

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Mark 10:17b

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him . . . Mark 10:21a

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  Mark 10:23-25

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Mark 10:26

I. To Enter Heaven, You Must be Good Like God

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”  Mark 10:18

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

“Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” Mark 10:20

II. Salvation Involves a Real Change, in which a Person becomes Good Like God

III. This Change is Impossible with Man

26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:26-27

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”  Mark 10:21

What Jesus is Not Saying

What Jesus is Saying

IV. This Change is Possible with God

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

When you come to faith in Jesus Christ, you receive forgiveness for His death, but you also receive righteousness through His life for you.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

Christians are people who count on God to do what we can’t.

 

 

What Jesus Says About Marriage

Mark 9:50–10:16

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. 2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Mark 10:1-2

6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:6-9

I. Marriage is an Exclusive Union between Two People

6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:6-9

II. Marriage is a Public Attachment

III. Marriage is to be Long-Lasting and Characterized by Love

IV. Marriage is to be Between One Man and One Woman

V. Marriage is to Have a Physical Bond

VI. Marriage is to be Sealed by God

11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Mark 10:11-12

And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”  Mark 19:9

And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17

How can I safeguard my marriage?

1. Regular Joint Church Attendance 

2. Shared Theology

3. Bring Your Faith Home

 

The Horrors of Hell

Mark 9:33–50

 

I am the truth. John 14:6

Baptist Faith & Message 2000

Article X

The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. 2 Corinthians 5:11a

I. Hell is a Place of Punishment

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.  Matthew 25:46

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42

their worm does not die. Mark 9:48a

the fire is not quenched… Mark 9:48

II. Hell is a Place of Destruction

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 

Example 1: Wineskins

Mark 2

Example 2: Ointment

Mark 14

 

Example 3: Lost Coin

Luke 15

Example 4: Flood

2 Peter 2:5-7

 

III. Hell is a Place of Banishment

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 24:41

I will say, ‘Depart from me, I never knew them.  Matthew 7:21–23

Two Key Questions:

Question 1: How can a person be happy in heaven if they have loved ones in hell?

Question 2: Are you resisting God today?

 

 

 

 

 

Is there really a point to prayer?

1 John 5

for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6b

1. Have Confidence in Your Relationship with God

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6b

that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14b

2. Know God’s Will

A. God’s Will is Revealed in the Bible

that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14b

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

B. God’s Will is Revealed by the Holy Spirit

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Lord, teach us to pray. Luke 11:1

“Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God, or for bending his will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating our will to his. It is by prayer that we seek God’s will, embrace it and align ourselves with it. Every true prayer is a variation of the theme ‘your will be done.'” – John Stott

3. God Hears You

15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. I John 5:14

4. God Answers You

15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. I John 5:14-15

 

 

 

Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough

Isaiah 58:6–8

 

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed[a] go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:6–8

And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matthew 9:15

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:16

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21 (NKJV)

So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. Ezra 8:23

Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Joel 2:12

1. When you are Desperate to Overcome Strongholds of Sin and Addiction

2. When you are Desperate for God’s Strength in times of Difficulty

 Yet even now, declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; Joel 2:12,

3. When You are Desperate for Revival and Evangelism

So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the LORD and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 1 Samuel 7:6

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh Joel 2:28a

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6

David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 2 Samuel 12:16

4. When You Are Desperate to Conquer Mental and Emotional Problems

4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness . . . And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

1 Kings 19:4,8

5. When You Are Desperate for God’s Direction

6. When You Are Desperate for Health and Healing

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8

7. When You Are Desperate for God to Use You

 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8

 

God does not measure what goes in your mouth, but what comes out of your heart.

 

 

 

 

Down to Earth According to David

1 Samuel 17

Note: Pastor Jeremy is preaching in narratival (story telling) format, as if he were David from the Bible.

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 2 Samuel 7:12-13

14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 2 Samuel 7:14

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. Luke 1:32

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. Matthew 21:19