Skip to main content

SPB Sermons || Identifying Jesus (Mark 3:20-35)

Identifying Jesus (Mark 3:20-35)

Identifying Jesus (Mark 3:20-35)

The latest sermon at St Paul's & St Barnabas Anglican Church delves into Mark 3:20-35, a passage where Jesus' relentless ministry pace brings both admiration and accusation. Jesus' family thinks He has lost His mind, and the religious leaders accuse Him of being in league with evil forces. This sermon, titled "Identifying Jesus," aims to clarify Jesus' true identity and the profound implications of recognising and misidentifying Him.

He Is Either Mad or a Double Agent!

After naming the disciples on the mountainside, Jesus and His new followers return to civilisation, quickly attracting a crowd. His charisma and authority draw people in, but also stir up controversy. News spreads about His teachings, miracles, and confrontations with the Pharisees. Despite the modern world's fast-paced news dissemination, Jesus' time relied on oral traditions and local conversations. Yet, His impact was profound, drawing both fame and infamy.

The news of Jesus’ ministry reaches His family, who are unimpressed and concerned. They believe He is out of His mind and attempt to seize Him, reflecting a grave misunderstanding of His mission. The Pharisees, troubled by Jesus' influence, accuse Him of working with evil forces. They claim His ability to cast out demons stems from being aligned with the prince of demons. These misidentifications stem from their inability to accept Jesus' true identity and the implications of His teachings and miracles.

Scripture Reading

Read the passage from Mark 3:20-30 on the ESV website: Mark 3:20-30 ESV

Some key verses from the passage include:

"Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat." (Mark 3:20 ESV)

"And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, 'He is out of his mind.'" (Mark 3:21 ESV)

"And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, 'He is possessed by Beelzebul,' and 'by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.'" (Mark 3:22 ESV)

"And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." (Mark 3:25 ESV)

"Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:35 ESV)

The Importance of Jesus' Identity

Misidentifying Jesus has severe consequences. The passage makes it clear that recognising Jesus' true identity is crucial for understanding His mission and the kingdom He heralds. The Pharisees' flawed logic is debunked by Jesus, who explains that a divided kingdom cannot stand. This highlights the absurdity of their accusations and reinforces Jesus' authority and mission.

Conclusion

The sermon concludes by emphasising the importance of correctly identifying Jesus and living according to His will. As believers, we are called to understand and proclaim Jesus' true identity, recognising Him as the Messiah who unites us in a kingdom family. This recognition shapes our mission to do the will of God and live out His call in our daily lives.

Listen to the Full Sermon

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Opportunities To Gather and Grow || SPB NOTES || Coming up to Winter 2024

As we enter a season full of opportunities to gather and grow, I want to encourage everyone to participate in the life of our church. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Gathering is a vital part of our faith, and these events are designed to strengthen our fellowship, prayer life, and outreach efforts. Each event, whether it’s our community prayer meeting, the winter coat project, or the Advent services, is a chance for us to come together as the body of Christ, using the unique gifts God has given us. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 highlights that we are all members of one body, and every part is needed to function as God intended. When we gather, pray, and support the church’s work, we not only bless each other but our entire community. I encourage you to engage deeply in these events and find where you can serve. Whether it’s helping ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Looking Ahead for the Week beginning 10th March 2024

As we enter the reflective season of Lent, St. Paul's and St. Barnabas are buzzing with activities that cater to our congregation's spiritual growth and community spirit. Let's explore this week's schedule and the upcoming Holy Week preparations, inviting everyone to participate in these meaningful occasions. This Week's Fellowship and Worship Opportunities Monday with the Vestry Our week begins with the Vestry meeting on Monday, 9th March, at 7:30 PM. The Vestry members gather to deliberate on matters that shape our church's life and service We invite all those involved in these duties to be present and for everyone to pray for them! Wednesday's Lenten Devotions Midweek brings us together for Wednesday's Lenten evening of prayer and scripture. At 6:30 PM, we'll have our Lent Prayer session, a quiet space to reflect and seek peace amid our week. As we progress through the evening, we invite you to delve deeper into the Word with our Bible Study and I...
Post a Comment
Read more

Community Payer Meeting at St Paul's & St Barnabas

Community Prayer Gathering This past Wednesday evening, we were privileged to gather in the newly refurbished lounge at St Paul’s & St Barnabas for a community prayer meeting. It was a joy to welcome friends from other churches across the area as we united in prayer for our church, our community, and the wider world. The theme for the evening was to seek God's guidance, and blessing for our church and community. Scripture encourages us to pray without ceasing ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ) and to come boldly to the throne of grace ( Hebrews 4:16 ), and so we lifted up our voices in faith. During the prayer meeting, we focused on key areas: our local community, the great work of the churches in the area , and personal renewal. Encouraged by the echols of Philippians 4:6 , where we are encouraged to bring our requests to God with thanksgi...
Post a Comment
Read more