MARK 8
6 Outlines
Mark 8:1-7
GETTING THE JOB DONE!
It's very easy to start
projects. I have a few which I started a long time ago but have never finished. In order
to please God, we should finish the projects that He has called us to do.
We should want to be
able to say with Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"
In our text our Lord Jesus gives us an example of how to get a job done.
COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE -
Vss. 1-3
The reason our Lord wanted
to feed the multitude was out of compassion for those who had been listening to
Him. He was concerned for their wellbeing.
When we take on projects it should be because we have concern for the
spiritual and physical needs of others.
CONSIDERATION OF THE
RESOURCES - Vss. 4-5
The disciples only
thought of the impossibility of feeding the multitude.
The Lord looked to see
what resources were on hand to get the job done.
When challenged by the Lord
to accomplish something for Him, we need to consider what resources He has
provided. The resources might include people with time, physical talents and/or
Spiritual gifts. There might be some money or goods available. Don't overlook
the power of God as a key resource.
COMMUNICATION WITH GOD -
Vss. 6-7
Jesus talked to God. He
gave thanks and blessed what He had.
If we are going to
accomplish anything for God we must be in prayerful dependence upon Him.
See John 14:12-14 and
John 15:1-8.
CONDUCT BY FAITH - Vss.
6-9
Jesus completed the
project by faith.
We must go to work by
faith on the projects God has given us to complete.
(A good example is
Nehemiah, who in chapters 1-6 of his book completed the rebuilding of
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Mark 8:1-9
GETTING INVOLVED
There is a world that
needs Christ. How can be involved
reaching my world for Him?
MY RESPONSE - COMPASSION
- Vss. 1-3
Jesus had compassion on
the multitude, not only for their physical needs but for their Spiritual needs.
Mark
I will do nothing to reach
the multitude unless I care that those without Christ are bound for eternity in
Hell. Psalm 126:5-6, John 3:16-18,
Revelation 20:11-14
MY RESPONSIBILITY - FEED
THEM
Jesus has placed the Gospel
in our hands to share with the world. Psalm 107:2, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark
MY RESOURCES - FROM GOD
- Vss. 4-5, 7
The disciples had a few
loaves and fishes. Jesus has given us many resources in order to reach the
world.
1. The Holy Spirit -
Acts 1:8
2. Prayer - Matthew
7:7-11
3. Faith - Hebrews 11:6
4. Spiritual Gifts -
Romans 12:3-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11
5. Word of God - Isaiah
55:7-11
6. Good Works - Matthew
5:14-16
7. Money - 2 Corinthians
9:6-12
MY RELIANCE - ON GOD -
Vss. 6-9
Just as the disciples
brought their resources to Jesus and trusted Him to use them, we must do the
same. We must bring our resources to
Jesus and trust Him to reach the multitudes through us.
*********************************************************************Mark 8:27-29 etc.
PETER'S TONGUE
The Apostle Peter was a
great man. The characteristic of Peter that stands out in my mind was Peter's
consistent use of the tongue. It seems that whenever we meet Peter he is
talking. Sometimes his use of the tongue is very good, other times it is very
bad. When God controlled Peter's tongue the results were good. When Satan
controlled Peter's tongue the results were bad.
Peter's experience with
the tongue can show us several different ways the tongue can be used. So using
incidents out of the life of Peter we can see:
THE CONFESSING TONGUE
We are told that we
should make confession of our faith in Christ.
Mark
Peter confessed his
faith in Christ when Jesus asked the disciples who they said that he was. Mark
8:27-29
Peter confess his faith
in Christ during sermons preached in the Book of Acts, including his great
sermon on the day of Pentecost found in Acts 2:14-36
THE CONTRARY TONGUE
Peter often "stuck
his foot in his mouth".
Mark 8:31-33 - Peter
rebuked the Lord Jesus for teaching that He would be killed. The Lord ended up rebuking Peter.
Mark 14:27-31 - Peter argued
with the Lord, claiming that he would never deny Jesus. He argued, but Jesus was right!
THE COWARDLY TONGUE
Mark 14:66-72 - As Jesus
had promised, Peter denied his Lord. He took the part of the coward.
Galatians 2:11-14 is
another instance in which Peter should have spoken up and taken a stand, but he
again played the coward's part.
Years ago a new preacher
in a church approached his deacons about putting a new deacon on the
board. None of the other deacons spoke
up to say that the man was potential trouble. It was only after trouble had
erupted with the new deacon that the other deacons spoke up. Many times silence
is not golden. We need to speak up. I
know this illustration is true. I was that preacher.
Of course, Peter
repented of his sin of denying Jesus and was forgiven.
THE CORRECTING TONGUE
In Acts 15 there is a
debate over the circumcision of Gentile believers. It was Peter's correcting tongue that helped
others make the right decision. See Acts 15:1-12
There are times when our
tongue needs to be used to correct others in love. Galatians 6:1
Our speech should always
be edifying. Ephesians 4:29, Romans 15:2
THE COURAGEOUS TONGUE
Acts
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Mark 8:27-38
CONSIDERATIONS
There are three things which each of us should
consider in this passage.
1. CONSIDER THE IDENTITY OF JESUS Vss. 27-30
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, "the son of the
living God" (Matthew 16;16)
2. CONSIDER THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CROSS Vss. 31-33
Peter was looking for the Messiah to set up an
immediate kingdom.
Jesus rebuked him, because the things of God included
the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah.
3. CONSIDER THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCIPLESHIP Vss.
34-38
Just as Jesus was willing to suffer that we might have
forgiveness of sins, the disciple of Jesus must be willing to "deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
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Mark 8:27-38
PETER IN ACTION
PETER'S GREAT MOMENT -
Vss. 27-30
With the help of God,
Peter was able to identify the true identity of Jesus. See Matthew 16:13-19
PETER'S GREAT MISTAKE -
Vss. 31-33
Peter rebuked Jesus for
talking about his death. Peter was totally out of the will of God.
PETER'S GREAT
Peter and the other
disciples were to forsake all and follow Jesus as disciples.
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Mark 8:34-38
DISCIPLESHIP
CONSIDER THE COST Vs. 34
CONSIDER THE CONTRASTS Vs. 35
CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES Vss. 36-38