The Gospel of Mark 1-8
Pt. 6: Being a Follower of Jesus
By Louie Marsh, 5-12-2024
Last slide – become what they want followers to become.
1) If I want to advance I've got to RETREAT.
"30The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves." (Mark 6:30–32, ESV)
Divert daily, withdraw weekly, Abandon annually
2) When I have a chance to minister – I should TAKE IT.
"33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:33–34, ESV)
3) I must never trust in MYSELF.
"35And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 37But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?" (Mark 6:35–37, ESV)
4) Don't put God in a human sized BOX.
38And he said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish."" "39Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all." (Mark 6:38–41, ESV)
Jesus DID MIRACLES in many different ways…
· He used CREATED materials.
"6Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing." (John 9:6–7, ESV)
"23And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?" 24And he looked up and said, "I see people, but they look like trees, walking." 25Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly." (Mark 8:23–25, ESV)
· He simply SPOKE and a miracle happened.
"50Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way." (John 4:50, ESV)
5) Trust God not only for today but for the FUTURE
"42And they all ate and were satisfied. 43And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men." (Mark 6:42–44, ESV)
