SN - notes from 6/12/10
SN 6/12/10 - study
“4 points”
Mark 12:34-41
The context - After 3 sets of questions from the religious leaders, Jesus asks a question of his own to the scribes and pharisees
I. Not far from the Kingdom of God (v34)
observation - not far is too far.
Salvation = Justification -> Sanctification -> Glorification
II. Missing the Point (v35-37)
A. Is Jesus in the Psalms?
observation - Yes! although He is everywhere in the OT, in context, you can find Jesus in:
Psalms 2:7
The Messiah will be God’s Son
Hebrews 1:5,6
Psalms 16:8-10
He will rise from the dead.
Luke 24:5-7
Psalms 22:1-21
He will experience agony on the cross
Matthew 26,27
Psalm 22:18
Evil Men cast lots for his clothing
Matthew 27:35, John 19:23,24
Psalms 22:15
He thirsts while on the cross
John 19:28
Psalms 22:22
He will declare God’s name.
Hebrews 2:12
Psalms 34:20
His bones would not be broken
John 19:36,37
Psalms 40:6-8
He came to do God’s will.
Hebrews 10:5-7
Psalms 41:9
His close friend would betray him.
Luke 22:48
Psalms 45:6,7
His throne will last forever
Hebrews 1:8,9
Psalms 68:18
He ascended into heaven.
Ephesians 4:8-10
Psalms 69:9
He is zealous for God
John 2:17
Psalms 69:21
He was offered vinegar for his thirst on the cross
Matthew 27:48
Psalms 89:3, 4, 35, 36
He will be a descendant of David.
Luke 1:31-33
Psalms 96:13
He will return to judge the world.
1 Thessalonians 1:10
Psalms 110:1
He is David’s son and David’s Lord.
Matthew 22:44
Psalms 110:4
He is the eternal priest-king.
Hebrews 6:20
Psalms 118:22
He is rejected by many but accepted by God.
1 Peter 2:7, 8
B. So, the major folly the scribes committed was that although they knew the scriptures, they didn’t really know the Author of the scriptures b/c they couldn’t see Jesus in the scriptures
observation - one should never become to enthralled with various nuances of scripture if they end up marginalizing Jesus - the goal of good theology is not to sound smart, but to ultimately declare the good news of Jesus!
C. Why do we need to study the bible?
1. b/c we need it to know Jesus (Ps. 40:7, Luke 24:25, Heb. 10:7)
2. b/c we need to grow (1 Peter 2:2)
3. b/c we need to mature (Heb. 5:11-14)
4. b/c we need to be effective (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
1. we need the bible to know Jesus -
Luke 24:25-27 - Then said He unto them,
O fools, and slow of heart
to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
ought not Christ
to have suffered these things,
and to enter into his glory?
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets,
He expounded unto them in all the scriptures
the things concerning Himself”
Heb. 10:7 - “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
2. we need the bible to grow -
1 Peter 2:2 - Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
3. we need the bible to mature-
Hebrews 5:11-14 - About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the
basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by
by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
4. we need the bible to be effective -
2 Tim. 3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for
every good work.
D. v.37 - “the common people heard him gladly”
observation - hearing without doing are useless (James 1:22) - these same people would shortly be saying “crucify Him!”
III. Avoiding Hypocrisy (v38-40)
A. Beware of the scribes …
observation - sad b/c the spiritual leaders were supposed to be a blessing to the people not a “warning”
B. go around in long robes …
observation - beware of external religiousity
C. They “loved” greetings at the marketplace, the best seats in synagogues, and the best places at feasts
observation 1 - sad because they were supposed to love God and love people (eternal things), not these temporal things
observation 2 - John 5:44
observation 3 - beware of being idolatrous (the people to the scribes) and loving idolaters (the scribes to the people)
observation 4 - the scribes were seeking to exalt themselves
D. Who devour widow’s houses..
observation 1 - the implication is that the scribes tricked widows into giving them their estates
observation 2 - taking care of widows and orphans was an early church trait that separated them from the world - it was pure/true religion - it was real and not the least bit showy or legalistic
observation 3 - the scribes were seeking to enrich themselves
E. They made long prayers so they could be heard
observation 1 - sad because they were supposed to pray for the audience, not pray to gain an audience
F. These will receive greater condemnation
observation 1 - this unique sentence seems to be centered around hypocrisy - it is also mentioned in Matt. 23:14 and Luke 20:47
observation 2 - it is possible that it also has to do with knowing much and doing little
observation 3 - self exaltation and greed have no positive eternal consequences - beware of both
IV. Giving Liberally (v38-44)
A. Jesus sat opposite the treasury to see how the people put money into the treasury -
observation 1 - it’s interesting how often Jesus spoke about and warned about money.
the rich young ruler -
Luke 18:18
the parable of the talents -
Matt. 25:14
the parable of the 10 minas -
Luke 19:11
taxes to caesar -
Mark 12:17
cannot serve God and Mammon -
Matt. 6
observation 2 - He speaks about $ a lot b/c it’s so easy to be greedy - it’s a very ninja-like sin, you don’t realize it’s there or think there’s a problem
observation 3 - notice in this passage, Jesus is concerned with “how” we give as opposed to “what” we give
observation 4 - so how am I supposed to give?
1. sacrificially - Jesus paid little attention to the gifts which lacked sacrifice
2. liberally - Rom. 12:8 - this concerns a “gift” of giving
3. cheerfully - 2 Cor. 9:7 - don’t give reluctantly or compulsively - give prayerfully
applications:
1. be saved - work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12)
2. be in your bible
3. be real
4. be a sacrificial giver
