Warnings against sin – Mark 9:38-50

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Mark 9:38-50 contains 4 “battle sayings” of Jesus that are helpful in our battle against sin.

1. Whoever is not against us is for us – Mark 9:40.  The 12 disciples thought that they were Jesus’s “in crowd” and were concerned that others were ministering in Jesus’s name.  Jesus makes it clear here that we should not stop anyone who is doing things in Jesus’s name.  This has echoes in the Old Testament – Numbers 11:24-30 and in Paul’s letters – 1 Corinthians 12:3, Philippians 1:15-18.  Jesus wants His name to get out everywhere.  When we see other ministries being successful, we should not be jealous.  Also if other Christians do things differently, we should not be critical.  Instead we should encourage and bless them – Mark 9:41.
2. Don’t cause others to sin - Mark 9:42. We should bless and encourage one another – Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:10.  Some sin is purely between us and God.  Other sin will have an impact on others and could lead them astray.  The consequences of our sin are not to cause others to stray or to stumble.  We are accountable to God for our actions.
3. We need to reject sin in our own lives – Mark 9:43-48.  Jesus does not want anything to get in the way of us being disciples.  Nothing is more important than following Jesus. Sometimes we “cheapen” grace by holding onto sin in our lives.  We need to get rid of anything that stops us getting to Jesus and being his disciples.  We need to take practical and definite steps to cut off sin in our lives.  We are saved to be soldiers. Not soldiers that are burdened or held back by sin, but soldiers that are fit, trained and Godly.  Jesus is looking for radical decisions to cut off sin in our lives – Isaiah 66:24.
4. Our lives are to be “salted with fire” - Mark 9:49-50.  Salt is used to preserve substances.  Sacrifices in the Old Testament were always offered up with salt.  We are called to be living sacrifices fit for the battle between good and evil until Jesus returns in glory.

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Mark 9:38-50

Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, [1] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 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. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 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.

Temptations to Sin

42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, [2] it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, [3] to the unquenchable fire. [4] 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. [5] 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (ESV)

Footnotes

[1] 9:38 Some manuscripts add who does not follow us
[2] 9:42 Greek to stumble; also verses 43, 45, 47
[3] 9:43 Greek Gehenna; also verse 47
[4] 9:43 Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48)
[5] 9:49 Some manuscripts add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt

Latest sermons from this series

• The Resurrection of Jesus – Mark 15:40-16:8 (6 Dec 10)
• Jesus’ death on the cross – Mark 15:16-39 (29 Nov 10)
• Jesus and Pilate – Mark 15:1-15 (24 Nov 10)
• The Trial of Jesus and Peter’s Denial – Mark 14:53-72 (18 Nov 10)
• Gethsemane – Mark 14:32-52 (15 Nov 10)
• The Lord’s Supper – Mark 14:12-25 (2 Nov 10)
• The Immediate Fulfilment and the Yet to Come – Mark 13 (20 Oct 10)
• A Warning and An Example – Mark 12:38-44 (11 Oct 10)
• The Great Commandment – Mark 12:28-37 (28 Sep 10)
• Difficult Questions – Mark 12:13-17 and Mark 12:18-27 (20 Sep 10)

Related articles at the Hope Church blog...

1. Jesus and Pilate – Mark 15:1-15
2. The Request of James and John – Mark 10:35-45
3. Authority of Jesus: Mark 1:21-28
4. Jesus’ death on the cross – Mark 15:16-39
5. The Pharisees demand a sign – Mark 8:11-21

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