Sermon Notes

The Gospel of Mark

Good Truth and Good Trouble

Mark 6:14-29

SERMON IN A SENTENCE:

As Jesus followers we have the privilege and responsibility to tell and show others the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even if it comes at a great price.

Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Truth is Counter Cultural.

Counter-Cultural: a way of life and set of attitudes opposed to the prevailing social norm.

“You can’t go against the grain of the universe and not expect to get splinters.” - C.S. Lewis

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let it be in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for”. - Charles Spurgeon

Truth is Compelling.

Obedience to Jesus is more important than life itself

As Jesus followers share the truth of Jesus Christ, we can rest that our work is not in vain, there is often more going on than meets the eye.

No one can stop the spread of God’s word; keep telling it and watch it work.

Truth is Costly.

When people are faced with God’s truth, they must either repent or feel compelled to silence the message.

John 15:20

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

“Don’t be surprised that the gospel has a tendency of getting us in trouble.” - Crawford Loritts

Romans 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.