The Gospel According To Mark (Part 8)

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The Gospel According to Mark

(Part 8)

Good morning and welcome to Jesus Church

We are in a series walking through the life and ministry of Jesus

• Last week we started looking at Jesus’ actually ministry
  • Started with him walking along the Sea of Galilee – 2 sets of bros
  • While mission was to save the world didn’t call the best/brightest
  • Called normal men – b/c with Jesus anyone can change the world
• And what Jesus called these men to be was DISCIPLES
  • And in the same way we read about the disciples
  • We ourselves are called to be disciples
• And goal of any disciple (then or now) was to do 3 things
  • 1: Learn your Rabbi’s teaching – Learn Jesus’ words and beliefs
  • 2: To become like your Rabbi – To imitate everything He is/does
  • 3: To carry on your Rabbi’s work – Understand BUT ALSO partner

Today: Look at why its so crucial for us to see ourselves as disciples

• Interesting thought: The word Christian is only used 3 times in Bible
  • Disciple on other hand is used 269 times
  • Think on how we use these 2 words in the church/world today
• For some the term Christian…
  • Its means you are in the category of people – number on paper
  • For others is means you believe the right stuff (God/Jesus/Bible)
• But what does disciple mean – It’s a follower of Jesus (apprentance)

Sadly we live in a world where you can be a Christian… and not a disciple

• But from what I see from Jesus ministry
  • Invite wasn’t be a Christian – Believe right stuff & go to heaven
  • Invite was believe – but don’t stop there… follow and be a disciple
• And like last week – Jesus came to give you life and more abundant
  • Meaning if you live as a Christian and not a disciple
  • There is 100%… more for you that will change your life
  • And you know it… but you have to make that decision

TAG: With overview of discipleship last week – go a little deeper (5 things)

 

1: You have to buy in completely to follow Jesus

Mark 1:18, 20

At once they left their nets and followed him (how quickly – at once)… without delay he called them and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

The disciples buy in and drop everything to follow Jesus

• And you might not have to abandon your business like Peter
  • Or walk out on your father like James & John
  • But trust me you will have to give up stuff to follow Jesus
• And obviously sin… but not just sin

Mark 8:34

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.

• • Meaning if you want to follow Jesus there’s stuff you must die to
    • And that is different for every single person
    • Maybe its your business like Peter
    • Maybe its your 5 year plan
    • Maybe its your budget
    • Maybe its your agenda
    • Maybe its your view of whatever
  • But as a disciple u have to follow Jesus… not yourself/your world

In Mark 10 Jesus calls another man to be a disciple…

Mark 10:21

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack”, he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. (notice the language) Then come, follow me.

• This is the exact same invitation Jesus gave to the other disciples
  • But this time because this guy is rich… and that’s the obstacle
  • Jesus says this is what you have to give up to be all in with me
    • But watch what happens…

Mark 10:22, 28-30

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Basically he says no)… Then Peter spoke up “We have left everything to follow you!” Truly I tell you, Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – along with persecutions – and in the age to come eternal life.

• I love Jesus honesty… saying to follow me will be a challenge (agree)
  • Because it won’t be easy – Jesus throws persecutions in there
  • BUT ITS GOING TO BE WORTH IT

Jon Tyson (Pastor in NYC – spoke at a conference I was at)

To be invited by Jesus to be a disciple is to be invited out of mediocrity. You’re invited into the kingdom of God. You go from fish to men. You go from a couple of dollars to a kingdom. So Jesus invitation is always for something great for our hearts.

• Listen: Whatever it is you need to leave behind… Jesus is greater
  • Story of working at Sprint
    • Before Michelle & I got married – Job working for Sprint
    • I love sales… constant competition and you get paid
  • It was awesome – Won my first flatscreen TV, Macbook, Trips
    • Got the award for top 2 out of 4 years I was there
    • Making $120k as a 22 year old
    • And I could have climbed the ladder… asked many times
  • But I knew that wasn’t going to work…
    • I was helping restart a church – Leading youth & worship
      • So Sprint was my paycheck
      • But it wasn’t my future… and I knew it
• Ended up quitting once the church could pay me enough to get by
  • And I’ll tell you what – I don’t regret a single thing about it
  • And it wasn’t easy – Michelle pregnant and tire blew

But what’s interesting… is there anything wrong with Sales

• Is there anything wrong with fishing… no not at all
  • And every story is different – Don’t read your story into mine
  • But I had to make a decision… follow making money & recognition
  • Or was I going to answer the call: Follow Me
• What do you have to give up to answer Jesus call
  • And it’s a question we should wrestle with
  • Because Jesus will point it out – Just like with Rich Young Ruler

Tag: So 1… you have to be 100% in on following Jesus

 

2: You have to think about the cost of Non-Discipleship

Jesus calls the disciples and they follow – Rich young ruler says no

• I think about the rest of the story between the two groups
  • We don’t know what happened to the guy who says no
    • He dies in obscurity
    • We don’t even know his name
  • But we do know what happens to the disciples
    • They turn the corner on human history
    • Because of their decision… they literally changed the world
• And its good to talk about cost of discipleship… also non-discipleship
  • Its good to think about what you have to give up to follow Jesus
  • Its also good to think about what you’ll miss out on if you don’t

Mark 8:34-37

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

• It’s true that you have to give up a lot to follow Jesus but hear me
  • You have to give up EVEN MORE to not follow Jesus
  • Imagine what would have happened if I stayed with Sprint
  • Wasted years of my life selling phones and fighting corporate
  • And Sprint got bought by T-Mobile… Have to wear futshia
    • While working in ministry has been the greatest thing ever
• I would have missed out… don’t miss out on God’s Kingdom
  • And more importantly: Don’t miss out of God’s King in Jesus
  • Whatever you are wrestling with – Trust me Jesus is better

 

3: Discipleship happens in community

Mark 1:16,19

Jesus walks besides the Sea of Galilee and sees Simon and (What) his brother Andrew… then he see’s James and his (What) brother John.

Not an accident that Jesus calls 2 sets of brothers to for nucleus of church

Mark 3:31

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother”.

• To Jesus the church is a family… mothers/sisters/brothers
  • Notice who’s not on list (why) because God is the Father
  • And to Jesus we have all been adopted into Gods family
• And all of these people – Peter/James/Andrew/Mary/Lazarus
  • For the core of the family Jesus is building

All this to say… the way you grow as a discipleship is in community

• Outside of community the best you can have is stunted growth
  • And in our culture and American society… hard to hear
  • We love our individualistic relationship with Jesus
  • It’s about me & Jesus and rest is none of your business
• We are taught: About me & God and getting up early to pray/read
  • But to Jesus discipleship happens in a family
  • There isn’t a single story of Jesus alone with a disciple
  • Jesus is always with 3 or more guys… nothing in common
    • Except they don’t like each other
• Means if you wanna be a disciple… must do life with other Christians
  • And coming to Sunday mornings and engaging is huge
  • But home groups will change your life
  • Finding people to go golfing with/bowling/lunch/coffee/movies
    • Just find ways to not be isolated in your house on your own
• And if you aren’t living this way… no guilt but here’s the invitation
  • And you won’t grow like Jesus wants you to on your own

 

4: It takes time to become like Jesus

Mark 1:17

Come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people (become fishers of people)

• Meaning discipleship isn’t a one time event… it’s a process
  • Over time you become more and more like Jesus
  • But for the 12… at the beginning it was a slow & painful process
  • All they did at first is ask dumb questions and get in trouble
• Mark tells us disciples are good/bad examples
  • Good because they give up everything to follow Jesus
  • Bad because the disciples say & do really dumb stuff

Mark 8:14

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful” Jesus warned them (teaching opportunity) “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” They discussed this with one another and said, “Is it because we have no bread”. Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are you hearts hardened?” Do you have eyes but fail to see and ears but fail to hear? Don’t you remember?

Have you ever felt like you just don’t get the Bible – Jesus teachings

• Ever feel like you don’t understand what God is doing in your life
  • Why you have the job you have
  • Why you are still single
  • Why you keep finding yourself in the same situation
• And it doesn’t always get better the longer you follow Jesus
  • I get more confused the older I get
  • And looking back you can see really well
  • But in the moment… man its so hard
    • But this is all in the world of being a disciple

Mark 10:32-34

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. We are going up to Jerusalem, he aid, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priest and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.

• Now that’s a pretty heavy word to give… disciples to take in

Mark 10:35-39

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked. “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory. You don’t know what you are asking, Jesus said. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. Ya we can!

• Look at how this went
  • Jesus: We are on our way to the place I will be betrayed and die
  • Disciples: Cool Jesus… so can I be the main person in your will
• Ever been tripped up by EGO or Agenda – More about you than Jesus
  • If so… you are a disciple of Jesus

Mark 14:48-50

Am I leading a rebellion, said Jesus, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts and you did not arrest me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled. Then everyone deserted him and fled.

After 3 years of discipleship to Jesus – with God 24/7

• Everyone deserted him and fled
  • Have you ever felt like quitting… its too much… too hard…
  • Have you ever quit – deserted Jesus and fled
• Then you are not alone… you are a disciple of Jesus
  • And at least for me this is encouraging in a twisted way
  • Because you can become a disciple overnight
  • But it takes a lifetime to become like your Rabbi
• And whatever it is you are wrestling with and frustrated by
  • Don’t get discouraged and please don’t give in
  • Jesus is back from dead – Gods spirit that raised Jesus is in you
    • And following Jesus takes time

 

5: Disciples make disciples

Mark 1:17 (Jesus says)

I will send you out.

Mark 16:15: (One line from the closing story)

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Jesus is saying carry on my work: Preach the Gospel – Spread the news

• Matthews telling is a little different… Go make disciples of all nations
  • Meaning not just Israel – Go to every part of the earth
  • And call people to follow Jesus – NOT JUST BELIEVE BUT FOLLOW

Dallas Willard

Make disciples… not converts

• And this happens everywhere you go – Neighborhood/School/Work
  • You don’t have to wait until there is a church event for this
  • And you don’t have to travel across the globe to obey Jesus
    • Your mission field is Phoenix or Glendale or Peoria…
    • And you don’t need a seminary degree or title by your name
  • All you have to do is show up for work
    • Maybe invite your coworker out for coffee
    • Or to our Easter event… or a Sunday Funday
  • But what I know is that if you’re a disciple – You’ll make disciples
    • And probably the most effective way to do it
    • Is by letting them see your life
    • And not that everything is perfect or nothing goes wrong
      • But how you deal & who do you lean on when they do

Before we end: Lots of talk on disciple in the church

But we need to really understand what we mean by discipleship (3 Myths)

1: A disciple is a really mature Christian

• We talk about so-n-so at the church who leads and teaches
  • Think WOW that’s really a disciple
  • Really… and you’re not?
• Let me ask you – When did Peter become a disciple of Jesus
  • The moment the net hit the ground
    • Was Peter mature at that point
    • Does “Get behind me Satan” ring a bell???
  • A disciple isn’t necessarily someone with their act together
    • Even though eventually that is the goal
    • Its someone who is after Jesus
• The Kingdom of God does not have levels
  • It’s not like you have the baby Christians at the bottom
    • Then you have your teenage Christians
    • And at the top you have the disciples
  • It is true that over time you become more/more like Jesus
    • That you will mature – That is the goal of discipleship
  • But if you are here brand new to Jesus – Baptized a month ago
    • And your goal is to follow and become like Jesus
    • Right now you are a disciple… even with all your baggage
    • And you’re as important/effective as anyone else in the room

2: Discipleship is mentorship

• What I mean by discipleship is following Jesus – Life is to be like Jesus
  • What many think is I get with mentor 2x a week and study/pray
  • And this person is now discipling me (and I’m all for doing that)
  • But that’s not what Bible means by discipleship… its mentorship
• Because many people read “Go make disciples of all nations”
  • Think it means go have coffee with someone once a week
  • But when Jesus says to go – Its to the ends of the earth
  • So I think what Jesus meant by Go make disciples
    • Looks more like evangelism than what we call discipleship
• And that’s important… because if you’re in a discipleship relationship
  • You need to realize your goal is to become like your Rabbi
  • And your Rabbi isn’t Bob that you meet with every Friday
  • Who is your Rabbi – Jesus (I have incredible men in my life)
    • But my goal isn’t to become like them – but Jesus

3: Disciple is a verb

• We always here so-n-so is discipling me
  • Problem: Disciple is never used as a verb in the New Testament
  • Disciple is always a noun
  • Meaning disciple isn’t something you do/done to you
    • It is something that you are
• If people ask who are you discipling: No one – It doesn’t work
  • Its the same as saying you are Christianing someone
    • You can’t do that… you are or you aren’t a Christian
  • Or Follower of Jesus – Who are you followering
    • Like on Twitter
  • Or believer – Who are you believering
    • You can’t… you either are or aren’t a believer
  • We say we are discipling someone all the time like its in the Bible
• Now isn’t this just semantics… and here is why this is important
  • If you think of discipleship as a verb
  • Then discipleship is either something you do or have done
  • Puts responsibility of you becoming like Jesus on someone else
    • It’s my mentors job to make me like Jesus (Pastor/book)
• But if discipleship is a noun – It is something you do in community
  • And puts the responsibility on you to follow/become like Jesus
  • I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
• Saying if you want to become more like Jesus: You have to own it
  • And once a week with a mentor will help but not gonna cut it
  • A book study is awesome… but its not discipleship
  • You have to drop your net and follow Jesus

Ending – Prayer for you and for me

May you not only see yourself as a Christian – Also a disciple of Jesus

• 1^st century if you were a disciple… follow Rabbi from village to village
  • On the way – Road were dusty and dirty
  • Rabbi walks out front… teaching you on the way as you follow
• And there was a blessing you would speak over a young disciple

“May you be covered with the dust of your Rabbi”

• And that’s my prayer for all of us
  • May you own it… follow your Rabbi day in & day out
  • May you learn to believe in Jesus (with your head but also heart)
• And in time may you become (long process) like Jesus
  • And may you be covered in the dust of your Rabbi