a congregation of the Church of Scotland
Airdrie, Scotland
Airdrie Flowerhill Parish Church of Scotland is a registered charity. Ref No. SC014555
Sermon Synopsis
Sunday 23rd November 2008
The last time we were in Mark’s gospel we focused on the frail faith of the father who brought his son to Jesus’ disciples desperately hoping that he would be healed. We saw that the disciples were not able to help because they were trying to cast the demon out in their own strength. They still have much to learn. Jesus says this kind can only come out by prayer. He is the object of our faith, not us, it is not about how strong our faith is but about him.
Mark 9 v 30- 41 “Strictly Come Misunderstanding”
Today through 3 misunderstandings we see how much they have to learn
V 30 - 32 They still don’t understand Jesus main mission is to die for our sins. They have questions but don’t
speak up.
speak up.
V 33 -37 They don’t understand that discipleship is not about them but Jesus
V 38-41 They don’t understand that the kingdom is far bigger than their understanding of it
Jesus is having to teach his disciples over and over again why he has come and what discipleship is really about. Today we see the 2nd of the 3 times in the gospel of Mark that Jesus tells his disciples that he will be killed. And each time he tells them there is some episode with the disciples thinking that they know best or focusing only on themselves.
In today’s example is some of them having the audacity to argue about who amongst them is the greatest. And then to make matters worse they come moaning to Jesus because of a man who is casting out demons and his crime is that “he was not one of us”. Chilling words that show human nature often seen in many churches at its worst. All this is far removed from Jesus telling them that discipleship means taking up a cross and following him.
So what is Jesus trying to teach us, his disciples, over and over again?
Are we having the same 3 misunderstandings as the disciples?
Are we having the same 3 misunderstandings as the disciples?
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Do we really know what Jesus death is about? What do we not understand, and do we have questions that need to be answered?
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Do we think discipleship is all about us? Are we coming to church thinking only about ourselves and what we will get out of it? Do we leave judging the praise items and sermon only by how it affects us?
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How big is our view of the Kingdom? Do we expect everybody else’s experience of Jesus to be exactly the same as ours? Are we limiting Jesus work by expecting him to work here in Flowerhill as we think?
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