Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Mark 9. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- We are all fairly familiar with the concept of “Siloing.” This is the very common phenomenon of people protecting their little area of authority, their little turf within the larger corporation or group. We do it ourselves, naturally, when we feel that someone else is infringing upon our rights, our prestige, and our prerogatives.
- Of course, this would never happen within the church! But alas, we are unfortunately all too aware of how often this happens. And on occasion, we participate. And we see this happening in both the Old Testament lesson as well as our text, the Gospel reading. Joshua and others were jealous for the authority and prerogatives of Moses, when others were given the Spirit of God and began prophesying. The apostle John, and other disciples, attempted to halt “others” from using the Name of Jesus to cast out demons.
- Now Jesus speaks a simple principle in response to this – one which we should surely grasp and implement. However, we are to do so carefully, and not misunderstand or misapply the principle. And we surely must be discerning about “others” using the Name of Jesus to do mighty works, and especially to teach and preach.
- We see much of this, but not much of people actually and truly casting out demons in Jesus’ Name. When someone teaches contrary to Jesus, or to God’s Word, we can be certain that such a person is in fact “against us,” regardless of what he calls himself, or whose Name he uses. Likewise, those who do good works in Christ’s Name, only to deceive others about Who Jesus really is, are certainly “against us.”
- And in the case of those who prophesy – those who preach and teach, we dare not use an exceptional circumstance to overthrow the “order” that God Himself has established. All of the Scriptural principles in regard to the pastoral office must be upheld and kept – even though there may at times be special occasions and special gifts from God. Still, we should always pray that God will bless us with more pastors and preachers of God’s Word!
- So Jesus uses this occasion to explain to His disciples how NOT to engage in siloing and sectarianism within the church, within His church! He warns us that all of us, in our service to the kingdom, will be “SALTED WITH FIRE.” To serve within the kingdom requires God’s help, His empowerment, His “salting.” We must take care to “have this salt” in ourselves, and one of the ways to insure this is to “be at peace with one another.”
- So let us consider that:
I. We Should Not Be Jealous Of The Work That God Empowers Others To Do Within His Kingdom, Remembering That Those Not Against Us Are For Us
Text: “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. For the one who is not against us is for us.’”
OT Lesson: “Moses said to him,’ Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit on them.’”
Statement: Moses could have felt threatened. And Joshua had a point – it is God Who prepares and appoints prophets; no one has the right to abrogate this office to himself. Eldad and Medad were NOT prophets. Nonetheless, on this remarkable occasion, God did empower them to prophecy. And in the face of such extraordinary circumstances our response ought not to be negative. It was God’s work, after all. Still, once the occasion was over, God’s “order” was restored, and only Moses prophesied.
Likewise, in the case of the man doing miracles in Jesus’ Name, good was being done, and demons were truly being cast out. Such a person was doing God’s work – even though that person was not part of the small inner circle of the disciples. Jesus knew of him what we cannot know of others, unless they begin to speak of their faith. So generally, we should be optimistic toward such a person, hoping and trusting that he/she is a genuine Christian. However, if they subsequently speak falsely about Jesus, then the “fruit” they are producing is false, and they are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Application: So also we must have “salt” to rejoice in the work God is doing in others and through others! And we must have “salt” to pray not that our own pride, privileges, and prerogatives are protected, but rather that the Lord would pour out His blessings on all of His people. Nonetheless, we must also protect God’s Word, and His order – as Joshua was trying to do. The criteria for those who would be preachers in the church is still quite clear in Holy Scripture, and must be followed, for it is God’s Word and God’s will.
Transition: That being said:
II. We Should All Seek To Work Within The Kingdom – But First Seek God’s Blessing And Receive His Spirit, As He Gives It
OT: “Would that all of the Lord’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit on them.”
Epistle: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Statement: James mentions many ways in which God can use us to bless others within the life of the church – praying, singing praise, restoring those who are “wandering” from the faith and the truth. And if we want to do more, or other things, then let us pray for God to grant us more of His Spirit. But remember what the apostle wrote: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. . . . All these are empowered by One and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each one individually as He wills. [1 Cor. 12:7,11] All of the various manifestations and services Paul mentions are good, good for the church and good for the world. However, it is God the Holy Spirit Who “apportions” these abilities to us. So we should pray to Him, as did Moses, that all the Lord’s people might have His Spirit and gifts!
Application: So rather than objecting to the good that others do, or that they are encroaching into our turf, let us rejoice with God in all good things, and pray to God for greater gifts if we wish to serve more fully! In this way we will be “SALTED WITH FIRE,” and will “have salt in ourselves.” And this is an important point that Jesus makes:
III. We Must Take Care Not To Sin Against Others Or Cause Them To Sin – But Rather Are To Be At Peace With One Another
Text: “Whoever cause one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. . . . be at peace with one another.”
Statement: Obviously we are not to sin against one another, and especially not against those who are little and vulnerable, especially if they are believers in Jesus. Neither are we to cause them to sin, to lead them astray, so that they fall from faith and lose connection with Jesus. This is even worse!!!!
We can do this when we choose to “silo” against others, when we resent what they are privileged to do, and when we usurp the prerogatives of others. Jealousy and envy within the spiritual realm is a deadly and damnable poison and fire. It can lead to hell, “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” God forbid any of us should succumb to this!
Application: So let us take care to be discerning, and always side with those doing the will of God. Let us pray that God may give us His Spirit and use us as He sees best within His church, His kingdom! Let us be eager for good, and for the manifestations and works of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: Yes, we must also be very discerning of the ploys of the evil one, who also “prophecies” and does “mighty works” as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, seeking whom he may devour. And we must also take care that we do not lead others astray, causing them to sin or fall from faith.
We will have our difficulties and troubles in life – as did Moses, the other prophets, the Lord Jesus, and His disciples. We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God. We will be “SALTED WITH FIRE.” And hopefully that salt will remain in us, that our place and influence within the church of God is always good and positive!
And our prayers should not only be that God give us His Spirit, but that He would put His Spirit on all of His people. Imagine that, what a power for good the church would be! God grant it to us all, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.