Wisdom and Discernment

 Last time = Mark 9:33-35 - Servant Leadership (descending into greatness)

So... this = illustrated here?  Mark 9:36-37
In other words, don't cater to those in power ---- rather serve those in need!  (example:  child)
by serving His sheep, we serve God

So - to welcome them = welcome Me and My Father - Matt. 25:40

Question:  "little ones" mean only children?
Answer = lending aid to needy and helpless is found throughout Scripture to all ages!!
Example:  Good Samaritan - Luke 10:36-37 - lend aid where needed 

Now --- Mark 9:38-41
Did John change the subject?  OR is this continuation of the lesson?
In other words, "we saw.... and didn't welcome him!  Were we wrong?"
Jesus' response = if he's not against us, he's for us.

So are 2 issues here:
(1)  who are we to serve
and
(2) who to Include  (as one of us)

Scripture says ... we should help the needy!!
BUT ... not all who appear needy should be helped!!! - 2 Thess. 3:6, 10 - Use your head.
Be shrewd as snakes but harmless as doves.

Scripture says ... we should welcome all who serve Christ. 
BUT ... not everyone who claims to serve should be welcomed! Matt. 7:21-23
2 John 10 & 11 - need t be discerning

This calls for WISDOM  and DISCERNMENT!! - Matt. 10:16

Now .. a more difficult section - Mark 9:42-48

(Question:  Why the omission of vs. 44, 46?)
Answer = in Most manuscripts they are included, but NOT in the oldest/best manuscripts!  Either way it doesn't change the passage!!

Meaning?  Point of this section?

(1)  unnecessary offenses (offending the least ones) will be judged, will be punished

Therefore, (2)  deal with your sins!!!!   Because sin matters!!  Matt. 12:36 - judgment for every careless word spoken.  We need to be very careful in our behavior.

Question:  Is this the judgment of the lost?  Jesus talking to the disciples!! 
Answer:  this verse from Isaiah - Isa. 66:22-24  ("rebelled")

Vs. 49?   Maybe = "where everyone ... salted with fire"?
Mark 9:50 = "salty again" = compare Matt. 5:13
Mark 9:50 therefor "have salt..." and "be at peace..." (from Vs. 33 & 34)-  be a Christian, live as a Christian
This started with "arguing about who is the greatest"

On one hand, a lot of difficulties in this passage
However, don't let the difficulties detract you from the obvious!!

The following things are abundantly clear:

#1.  The greatest is to be the servant of all

#2.  to welcome the least of His children is to welcome Him.
on one hand, in this text, instance = kids
However, this principle clearly applies ot all ages!!

#3.  Unnecessary offenses will be judged.
as sinful, as destructive, as volitional 

#4.  therfore ... deal with your sins
radically, decisively, immediately

#5.  Judgment is certain, hell is real
On one hand, mercy and forgiveness is available in Christ
However, to reject Him is to reap eternal death

#6.  Christians are called to be salty (different mindset, different attitude, different lifestyle, different world view, living according to God's direction)
Positional righteousness (comes with salvation) vs Practical righteousness (everyday life - what I practice, live out)

On one hand, salvation = by grace
However, WORKS (lifestyle) is emphasized here!!

Living the Christian life is not always easy. 
We have the Holy Spirit, the Word, etc.
However, we are all seriously flawed!!

Therefore need = (1)  received free gift of forgiveness, eternal life
AND  (2)  work at keeping the Faith!!  

We are called to BOTH!!

Closing:  2 Pet. 1:3, 5-8

Descending Into Greatness

 Final Days.  (takes place after disciples could not cast out the demon)

Jesus avoiding the crowds to prepare the disciples  - Mark 9:30-32
(teaching them, preparing them for His death and resurrection)

but --- the disciples' concern = Mark 9:33-34
Quote:  "the yearning to be great dwells in every human heart"
Hence = example:  book entitled "The Search for Significance" - about people longing for recognition and significance.
Is prideful, wrong thing, but very human.

Jesus' response - Mark 9:35 - first must be last - serve, not be served
Compare:  Mark 10:42-45
                 Matt. 23:11-12
                 Luke 22:24-27
   (upside down kingdom)

This is Servant Leadership
ie:  attempting to influence people, guide people, direct people, inspire people --- by means of Serving!!
(not true in the military or corporate life.  But is in voluntary positions.)

Question:  Isn't that a self-contradicting term??  (Serve?  Lead?)
Answer:  by worldly definition/views/standards .... Yes!

BUT .. by Biblical definition the 2 words are not only complimentary but essential to one another!!

In the church - you are not a good leader in you are not a good servant!!!

Example:  Word Chart:

How many times in the New Testament is each word used in reference to a person, title, position or role in the church?
(excluding references to Jesus and to references to the Old Testament offices)

(NIV)
Pastor - 1
Shepherd - 2
Preacher - 3
Deacon - 4
Minister - 6
Bishop/Overseer -7
Teacher - 7
Elder - 22
Servant - 48

(these #s will vary by translation but this serves to show the emphasis in Servant-Leadership)

Thus - the sermon title - "Descending into Greatness" - about servant leadership written by Bill Hybels

Our example of descending into greatness?
Jesus Christ .... at foot washing - John 13:12-17 (this is not a command to do foot washing in the church, but to serve in the church)
                    ..... on the cross - Rom. 5:8

eventually the disciples GOT this!!!  - 1 Pet. 5:1-4

OBSERVATIONS:   (as Christians & followers of Christ)

(1)  We serve Christ first.  But we typically accomplish this by serving others.  - John 21:15-17 - Jesus to Peter - Greek "agape" (God's love)  Peter to Jesus - Greek "phileo" (friendly love) - twice like this.   3rd. time - Jesus to Peter - "phileo" (do you truly like me Peter?)
We can do all the attendance, worship, praise things, but you show love by taking care of people.

(2)  to serve others on His behalf IS to serve Him!!   Matt. 25:34-40 - 'whatever you did for others, you did for me.'

(3)  to this we are called (servant leadership) - Phil. 2:5-8 - servant attitude

(4)  for this we are gifted - 1 Pet. 4:10
this not only for 'out front' leaders; all = called to be Salt and light (Matt. 5); to influence; to direct; to Make a Difference.

(5)  You may be recognized and applauded for your service.  OR .. you may NOT!! 
example:  Mother Teresa before she was discovered

(6)  Either way God's promise is:
            Your service will Make a Difference
            Your service will be Rewarded
May (here?  there?  BOTH!!)

(7)  You are not His servant if He is not your LORD!!  - Matt. 7:21-23

Application:  This is God's design.  You are called, gifted, etc. for service!!!

The Christian Work Ethic

 Labor Day:  established to recognize and honor the working class.
(became a Federal holiday in 1894 under Grover Cleveland)

Today??? mostly = a 3 day weekend at summer's end!!

So will Revisit!!
On one hand, OBC = hard working people
However, is a need for a Biblical view of work!!  (Biblical work ethic)
Is a great need for information on work ethic in the US today, and especially a Biblical work ethic!

DEFINITION: 
(1)  Work is Labor = effort to accomplish 
doesn't necessarily mean hard, physical labor.
Is more than work resulting in backaches and blisters.  Example:  teacher, office worker, etc.
Also is more than a Paid career - example:  mom, Sunday School teacher

(2)  a "work ethic" is a MORAL view of labor.
ie:  the rights and wrongs of work!!

(3)  A Christian work Ehtic is a moral view of labor BASED ON SCRIPTURE.
You can have a strong work ethic and not be a Biblical work ethic.  ie:  "a work hard ehtic"

Question:  how much has the Bible to say about this?

Answer:  "work" and "works" = 461 times
              "labor" = 67 times
Add  toil, task, job, calling, effort, etc. = ?????  

POINT:  this study merits a whole Volume!  Because a big portion of our life is works and God has a lot to say about it!

TWO OBSERVATIONS BASIC TO THIS STUDY -----

#1. God is a Working God - not an idle ruler
Gen. 1:1 - - 1st. verb in scripture = "created"
Gen. 2:2-3
Psm. 19:1 - 'work of His hands'
John 5:16-17 - 'Father always working'

#2.  He created us in His (working) image
Gen. 2:15 - this before the fall (sin)
Gen. 3:17-19 - after the fall
work not a curse, but because of the curse, we NOW work with backaches, blisters, briars!!

This view is presented throughout the Old Testament!
example:  Ex. 20:8-10 - "6 days you shall labor"!! (is expected of you!!)        is a Sabbath rest on 7th. day
example:  Wisdom literature:  Prov. 10:4-5 - 'wise son, disgraceful son', 10:26 - 'irritating sluggard', 12:11 - 'get rich quick' schemes, 18:9 - 'no better than a vandal'
example:  the Prov. 31 woman!

This view is reflected in Christ's teachings - Matt. 25:26 - parable of the talents

Therefore, was the view of the early church - 2 Thess. 3:6-13 - from Christ
This naturally assumes the ability to work!!  Don't expect the elderly, infirmed people, disabled people, etc. to work

Many other ethical issues related to a Christian work ethic! 
LIST:
honesty
integrity
dependability - responsibility
productivity - giving your employer an honest day's work for your pay
justice/fairness - giving your employee an honest wage for a day's work

issues of wealth - building wealth, sharing wealth, laying up wealth  (here and in heaven)

properly handling gifts, talents, opportunities, resources
         stewardship
              management of the above

Also, efforts and labors in areas like:
 marriage, family, child raising, church, community, Kingdom work

REASONS WE (as Christians) SHOULD WORK WELL....

(1)  to provide for 'self and family = your responsibility!

(2)  to provide beyond your family - examples:  Deut. 24:19, acts 20:35
(those who are not so blessed)

(3)  to honor your God - 1 Thess. 4:11-12 - to earn the respect of people.
  (work well because He expects you to.)

(4)  to do His work - (ie:  to work FOR Him)
example:  Judges 13:12 - Samson's work as a Nazarite

(5)  to partner with Him in His work - Col. 1:29 - worked hard with God's energy in him.

(6)  for personal satisfaction
But ... NOTE HERE!!!   Lev. 16:29-31  "deny self!!"
Example:  day of atonement

(7)  to make a difference in your home, church, community, society

(8)  to make an ETERNAL difference

Note:  In a fallen world ... labor will always be toil!
requires effort and self discipline

And  your hard work will not win you salvation!!
Eph. 2:8-9 p by grace through faith - not by works.  ie:  by accepting Christ

Promises:  if you adopt and practice a Biblical work ethic, God will reward - if not here, then in heaven.

Closing Scripture:   1 Cor. 15:58