In this message Pastor Scott Worthington teaches from Mark 9:38-41. Do we see other churches, ministries, denominations, and Jesus followers as our competition, or as our co-laborers in the same Kingdom? That is what we explore in this sermon.
Sermon Notes
The Gospel of Mark
God’s Kingdom Workers // Mark 9:38-41
“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.’” -Mark 9:38-41
1. The Disciples Tried to Stop God’s Kingdom Work
“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’” -Mark 9:38
“And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ And someone from the crowd answered him, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.’” -Mark 9:14-18
Do I see other churches, ministries, denominations, and Jesus followers as my competition or my co-laborers in the same Kingdom?
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you…” -John 13:35
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have lover for one another.” -John 13:35
“If Christ is not ashamed to indwell them [Jesus followers] I will not be slow to embrace them.” -Sinclair Ferguson
2. Jesus Teaches the Disciples how God’s Kingdom Works
“But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us.’” -Mark 9:39-40
“Jesus said… ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” -John 14:6
This passage is not saying we shouldn’t be discerning.
This passage is saying we shouldn’t be divisive.
“‘For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.’” -Mark 9:41
