I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on May 16, 2010. The lesson is on Mark 3:1-6 and looks at Jesus' encounter with the man with the withered hand at the synagogue. In this lesson I consider what would happen if Jesus came to our assembly and what would happen at that point. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!
When Jesus Comes to Church
Mark 3:1-6
Introduction
Growing up at First Baptist Church
“Don’t run in God’s House”
Prompted me to look for God
I always wondered why God never seemed to be at home
As I got older, I realized that I was a bit naïve
God wasn’t physically there
Have you ever wondered, though, what would happen if Jesus actually came to church?
Mark 3:1-6—Jesus goes to Synagogue (kind of like going to church)—four things happen when Jesus comes to church
1. Jesus looks for a problem/need to meet
2. Jesus issues a call
3. Jesus offers a command
4. Jesus expects a response
1. The Problem: A Withered Hand
Mark 3:1-2; 5a: When Jesus comes to church, he looks for a need/problem to address
The withered hand
Was this man a plant or not?
Luke 6 tells us it was the right hand that was withered
Means that the man would be hindered from doing business
Means that the man would be considered a sinner
Means that obstacles (social and religious) would be placed before this man
Put yourself in the man’s place
You can’t hold a regular job, have normal relationships, etc.
The religious leaders think of you primarily as a sermon example of how God judges sinners or they attack you for your “deformity”
You can’t even greet people normally without opening yourself to rebuke or attack
How are we like this man?
What are our withered hands?
What obstacles (real or perceived) keep us from doing what is right?
A withered hand wasn’t the only problem/need Jesus faced at this meeting
Another Problem: Hard Hearts
The hard hearts
The Pharisees were watching to see if Jesus would break the law
They were more concerned for their religious tradition than for the needs of others
They were more interested in “outing” Jesus or catching him in a mistake than in doing the right thing
They had hard hearts, but they were just as hindered as the man with the withered hand
Their hard hearts kept them from seeing the needs of others
Their hard hearts kept them focused on doctrinal correctness instead of obedience
Their hard hearts kept them from doing what was right
Their hard hearts grieved Jesus
How are we like the Pharisees here?
Do we focus on doctrine alone or do we put into practice what we know?
Do we consider the needs of others as more important than our own standing or reputation?
Do we look for opportunities to accuse instead of circumstances to serve?
When Jesus comes to church, he looks for needs to address
What need/problem stands in your way of working with Jesus?
2. The Call
Mark 3:3-4: When Jesus comes to church, he issues a call to act
The man’s perspective
“Oh, great! I get to be a sermon illustration!”
“Here it comes, another lesson on how sinful I must be with my hand as exhibit A.”
“Why is he picking on me?”
“Oh well, I might as well go forward”
What has God called us to do? Why are we hesitating? Are we afraid he might make an “example” out of us?
Jesus’ purpose
The call was given to illicit a response: faith responds to God’s Word
The call was given to do the right thing
Jesus intended to do good, not harm
He wanted to show the benefit of the Sabbath, not the legality of it
The Pharisees’ response
They were silent
Not all silence is golden—silence can sometimes kill (or at least wound)
How does our silence wound others?
When Jesus comes to church, he issues a call to act
Will we be silent?
Or will we take a stand?
3. The Command
Mark 3:5a: When Jesus comes to church, he gives a command
Jesus’ anger and grief
Jesus was angry at their silence
He was grieved at their lack of concern for doing God’s works
The command: “Stretch out your hand”
The man’s perspective
Why is everyone picking on me?
Why does he ask such impossible things?
How am I supposed to do what I’ve never done?
Comparison time
How are we like this man again?
What impossible task has God given you? What has he called you to do that you are sure you simply cannot do?
What should your response be?
Jesus’ expectation(?)
He intended to do good, to save a life
He expected something positive to happen
He expected God to act in response to the man’s act of faith
When Jesus comes to church, he gives a command to do the impossible
4. The Response
Mark 3:5b-6: When Jesus comes to church, he looks for a response
The man attempts the impossible
Against all odds, the man attempted to stretch out his crippled and unusable hand
Against all odds, he did the impossible
By acting in faith on Jesus’ words, the man was able to accomplish the command he was given
Faith responds to God’s Word by acting on it
Faith says, “If God wants it done, he will give me what I need to do it!”
Faith acts and God moves
The Pharisees conspire
When things don’t turn out their way, they decide to attack Jesus
They missed a great miracle!
They acted in disappointment or anger instead of faith
When Jesus comes to church, he expects a response
Will we attempt the impossible?
Or will we simply conspire against God’s plan?
Application
What would you do if Jesus actually came to G.A.P. and stood here?
How would you respond to his “impossible” command?
If we expect to be known as followers of Christ, as his disciples, then we must be ready to ignore our obstacles (real or perceived) to act in faith on his command
We must be ready to do the “impossible”
Only by acting in faith can we see withered hands or hard hearts changed
This week:
a. Set aside time to get alone with God: Ask Jesus to give you guidance by the Spirit of Truth into the commands God has given you, the call that God has offered you. Look in God’s Word for direction
b. Spend some time (10-15 minutes a day) asking God to show you any areas where a withered hand or a hard heart has kept you from obeying his command: Then, repent and do it
c. Set aside some time to act on what you know God has called you to do: serve someone, share your faith, offer a word of encouragement, go the extra mile, or simply love as Jesus has loved you
d. Stretch out your withered hand—attempt the impossible at God’s command and see what happens
When Jesus comes, be prepared to respond with faithful obedience
Only radical and abandoned faith will result in true transformation
Thanks for reading!
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