Mark 3:20-35 An Unbound Savior and an Unforgivable Sin (Sermon Audio Available at

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1 H o u s e h o l d W o r s h i p G u i d e N o v e m b e r , Mark 3:20-35 An Unbound Savior and an Unforgivable Sin (Sermon Audio Available at Sermon Review Introductory Questions 1. Describe a time when you felt like a command of Jesus was hard for you to believe, understand, or obey. How did you see God use this difficulty to bring about transformation in your life? 2. When is it hardest for you to follow God s will? 3. How do you discern God s will? 4. What is a Markan Sandwich and how does it function in Mark s gospel? An Attempt to Bind Jesus (20-21) 1. Why do you think those who were if him wanted to get control of Jesus? 2. Compare verse 21 with 2 Corinthians 5:13. How are the claims about Jesus and Paul similar? 3. Think of those who would look at Christianity from the outside in. What teachings of Jesus might they see as madness? A Redefinition of Relationships (31-35) 1. Jesus uses familial language to describe the nature of his relationship with his disciples. Is this an encouragement to you in any way? Explain. 2. Do you think it was harsh or insensitive for Jesus to speak in this way about his nuclear family? 3. Why do you think doing the will of God is such a key identifier in terms of designating who is truly a disciple and who is not? An Obvious warning for the religious (22-30) 1. What is the judgment handed down by the scribes here in verse 22? 2. Talk about the logic employed by Jesus in his counter-argument. 1

2 3. Jesus borrows the imagery used in Isaiah 49: In the Isaiah passage who is the one who plunders what the warriors have taken? Back in Mark, as Jesus connects himself with the one who plunders the strong man s house, what is he saying about his identity? 4. What is the good news of verse 28? 5. What is the warning of verse 29? 6. Explain what it was that the scribes were guilty of? In other words, what is the unforgivable sin within the context of this particular text? 7. Why did Eric say that if you are worried that you may have committed the unforgivable sin that you probably haven t? 8. Eric said, When you see the big picture here, you realize that wickedness poses a lesser problem to the grace of God than do pride and self-righteousness. What did he mean by this? Do you agree? Explain. A Not-So-Obvious Warning For Us. 1. Ultimately, this text is a warning to those who claim some type of privileged status with Jesus based on anything other than the faith in his finished work. Why do you think it was (and is) so important for this warning to be sounded? 2. What are you trusting RIGHT NOW in order for you to be fully accepted by God? Gospel-Centered Thanksgiving The following is an excerpt from Milton Vincent s, A Gospel Primer for Christians. The section is entitled, Thankfulness Enriched by Relief. It is found on pages The more absorbed I am in the gospel, the more grateful I become in the midst of my circumstances, whatever they may be. Viewing life s blessings as water in a drinking cup, I know that I could discontentedly focus on the half of the cup that seems empty, or I could gratefully focus on the half that is full. Certainly, the latter approach is the better of the two, yet the gospel cultivates within me a richer gratitude than this. The gospel reminds me first that what I actually deserve from God is a full cup churning with the torments of His wrath. (Rev. 14:10 and Psm. 75:8) This is the cup that would be mine to drink if I were given what I deserve each day. With this understanding in mind, I see that to be handed a completely empty cup from God would be cause enough for infinite gratitude. If there were merely the tiniest drop of blessing contained in that otherwise empty cup, I should be blown away by the unbelievable kindness of God toward me. That God, in fact, has given me a cup (Psm 116 and Psm 23:5) that is full of every spiritual blessing in Christ, (Eph. 1:3) and this without the slightest admixture of wrath, leaves me truly dumbfounded with inexpressible joy. As for my specific earthly circumstances of plenty or want, I can see them always as infinite improvements on the hell I deserve. 2

3 When I look at any circumstance that God apportions me, I am first grateful for the wrath I am not receiving in that moment (The empty part of the cup never looked so good!). Second, I am grateful for the blessings that are given to me instead of His wrath. (Life s blessings, however small, always appear exceedingly precious when viewed against the backdrop of the wrath I deserve.) This two-layered gratitude disposes my heart to give thanks in all things (1 Thess. 5:18) and it also lends a certain intensity to my giving of thanks. Such a gospelgenerated gratitude glorifies God, contributes to peace of mind, (Phil. 4) and keeps my foot from the path of foolishness and ruin. (Rom. 1) Worship Through Song Completely Done What reason have I to doubt Why would I dwell in fear When all I have known is grace My future in Christ is clear My sins have been paid in full There's no condemnation here I live in the good of this My Father has brought me near I'm leaving my fears behind me now Chorus The old is gone, the new has come What You complete is completely done We're heirs with Christ, the victory won What You complete is completely done I don't know what lies ahead What if I fail again You are my confidence 3

4 You'll keep me to the end I'm leaving my fears behind me now By Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock as recorded on the album Sons & Daughters. Worship Through Prayer Thailand Kingdom of Thailand Religion Largest Religion: Buddhist Religion Pop % Ann Gr Christians 749, Evangelicals 307, Buddhist 58,136, Prayercast Answer to Prayer Emerging indigenous leadership is making up for years of shortfall in this area; they now have ambitious goals for reaching the whole country. The Thailand Evangelism and Church Growth Committee has bold plans to reach every one of Thailand s 80,000 villages and neighbourhoods with 4

5 the gospel through intercession, outreach and the wise use of sound research. Challenge for Prayer Thailand means Land of the Free because it successfully retained its freedom when surrounding countries were colonized by Western powers. Yet the land is held captive in a complex web of Buddhism, traditional culture, spirit appeasement and even occult practices, with a social cohesiveness out of which few have dared to come. The Buddha is the object of people s adoration, but the spirit world is deeply ensconced in Thailand. Phra Sayam Devadhiraj, the venerated guardian spirit that protects the land, has a golden idol in the capital s Grand Palace. For many Thai, their nationality and religious identity are inextricably linked. Pray for spiritual breakthrough so that, in the Lord Jesus, the Thai may be free indeed. 5