Mark 9:38-50
In Jesus'
Name - A Warning from Christ
9:38
John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting
out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent
him because he was not following us."
39 But Jesus said, "Do not
hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a
miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to
speak evil of Me.
40 "For he who is not
against us is for us.
41 "For whoever gives you
a cup of water to drink because of your name as
followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will
not lose his reward.
42 "Whoever causes one of
these little ones who believe to stumble, it would
be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung
around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.
43 "If your hand causes
you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to
enter life crippled, than, having your two hands,
to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire,
44 [where THEIR WORM
DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.]
45 "If your foot causes
you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to
enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be
cast into hell,
46 [where THEIR WORM
DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.]
47 "If your eye causes you
to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to
enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having
two eyes, to be cast into hell,
48 where THEIR WORM DOES
NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.
49 "For everyone will be
salted with fire.
50 "Salt is good; but if
the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make
it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at
peace with one another."
-
This
is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to
change the way that we think, and the way that
we live.
Commentary
by Bob Pardue
The Warning
Concerning Our Attitudes
- Excuses - I am guilty of
them just as you might be. The disciples were
coming to Jesus to tattle on a man doing
miracles in His name because they were jealous
of him; afraid that he would take away some of
the glory and power they received for doing the
same thing.
Are we helpful or
detrimental to doing the work of
Christ?
Here are some of the reasons
we might give for not entering into partnerships to
help others in need.
- Not our denomination so
not in our best interest to help.
- The situation involves
people who we are not our type - different from
us.
- "Just not the way we do
things around here."
Reread the above three
statements and see if you have used any of them
lately.
Jesus is telling the
disciples; ".. he who is not against us is for
us.". This means that we should withhold our
judgmental attitudes when projects arise and not
condemn others who are providing for the needs of
the sick, jobless or homeless just because we don't
happen to agree with their methods.
Even without our own
churches, we sometimes miss out on providing a much
needed service because those within the group
cannot agree on how it is to be done.
How can we change the way
we think?
Well, although it is
difficult to change attitudes, one way is to change
our perspective. Let's look more at what needs
doing and help those who need our help - and who
need to hear about God.
God has worked through many
different groups and individuals in the past so can
certainly do His will, even through "that group
of people". How can we help?
-
Love in Christ
- Bob
If you have never made the
commitment to receive the love and life-changing
experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to
go
here and take the
first
steps to salvation.
Verses from Mark with Jesus giving a warning to
followers are from New American Standard Bible -
Study lessons from Life Application Study Bible:
New International Version
Other Study Lessons from
Mark
Mark
8:27-30
- Peter
Admits Jesus is the
Messiah
Mark
8:31-9:1
- Jesus
Predicts His Death the First
Time
Mark
9:2-8 & 11-13
- Jesus
is Transfigured on the
Mountain
Mark
9:14-29 - Christ and the Demon Possessed
Boy
Mark
9:33-37
- The
Disciples Argue about Who is the Greatest
Disciple
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