J. C. Ryle - The Gospel of Mark

7/28/2019 J. C. Ryle - The Gospel of Mark

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J. C. Ryle The Gospel of Mark (1857)

PREFACE

The volume now n !he rea"er#s han"s$ s a %on!nua!on of a work alrea"y

%ommen%e" &y 'pos!ory Thou*h!s on Ma!!hew.'

The na!ure of !he work has &een so fully eplane" n !he prefa%e !o !he volume onMa!!hew$ !ha! ! seems unne%essary !o say any!hn* on !he su&+e%!. ,! may &esuff%en! !o repea! !ha! !he rea"er mus! no! epe%! !o fn" n !hese 'pos!oryThou*h!s$' a learne" %r!%al %ommen!ary on !he Gospels. ,f he epe%!s !hs he wll&e "sappon!e". The work &efore hm makes no pre!ense !o &en* any!hn* more!han a %on!nuous seres of shor! pra%!%al epos!ons.

The man "fferen%e &e!ween !hs volume an" !he one wh%h has pre%e"e" !$ wll &efoun" !o %onss! n !he o%%asonal eplana!ory foo!-no!es. The su&+e%!s of !hese

no!es wll *enerally prove !o &e "ff%ul! passa*es or epressons n !he nspre" !e!., %anno! pre!en" !o say !ha! , have !hrown any new l*h! on !he "ff%ul!es n Mark.u! , %an hones!ly say !ha! , have en"eavore" !o pu! !he rea"er n possesson of all!ha! %an &e sa" on ea%h "ff%ul!y.

,n %omposn* !hese pos!ons on Mark$ , have !re" !o keep %on!nually &efore me!he !hree-fol" o&+e%! wh%h , ha" n vew$ when , frs! %ommen%e" wr!n* on !heGospels. , have en"eavore" !o pro"u%e some!hn* wh%h may &e useful !o hea"s offamles n !he %on"u%! of family devotions--some!hn* wh%h may asss! !hose whovisit the pooran" "esre !o rea" !o !hem--an" some!hn* wh%h may a" all rea"ersof !he &le n !heprivate studyof Go"#s wor". ,n pursuan%e of !hs !hree-fol" o&+e%!$, have a"here" s!ea"ly !o !he lea"n* prn%ples w!h wh%h , &e*an. , have "wel!prn%pally on !he !hn*s nee"ful !o salva!on. , have purposely avo"e" all !op%s ofmnor mpor!an%e. , have spoken planly on all su&+e%!s$ an" have s!rven !o sayno!hn* wh%h all may no! un"ers!an".

, %anno! epe%! !ha! !he work wll sa!sfy all who wan! some &ook !o rea" a! famlyprayers. ,n fa%! , know$ from %ommun%a!ons wh%h , have re%eve"$ !ha! some !hnk!he epos!ons !oo lon*. The vews of !he hea"s of famles as !o !he len*!h of !herfamly prayers are so e%ee"n*ly varous !ha! ! woul" &e mposs&le !o please one%lass w!hou! "spleasn* o!hers. ,n some househol"s !he famly prayers are so shor!

an" hurre"$ !ha! , shoul" "espar of wr!n* any!hn* su!a&le !o !he mas!er#s "esres.,n su%h househol"s a few verses of /%rp!ure$ rea" slowly an" reveren!ly$ woul"pro&a&ly &e more useful !han any %ommen!ary a! all. 0s for !hose who fn" fourpa*es !oo mu%h !o rea" a! one !me$ an" ye! "esre !o rea" my pos!ory Thou*h!s$, %an only su**es! !ha! !hey have an easy reme"y n !her own han"s. They haveonly !o leave ou! one or !wo "vsons n ea%h epos!on$ an" !hey wll fn" ! as shor!as !hey please.

,n preparn* for pu&l%a!on !hs volume on Mark$ , have looke" !hrou*h all !hoseCommen!ares men!one" n my prefa%e !o !he volume on Ma!!hew$ wh%h !hrow anyl*h! on Mark. 0f!er %areful eamna!on$ , feel o&l*e" !o say$ !ha!$ n my hum&le

+u"*men!$ very few %ommen!a!ors$ whe!her an%en! or mo"ern$ seem !o *ve !hsGospel !he a!!en!on ! "eserves. ,! has &een !oo of!en !rea!e" as a mere a&r"*men!of Ma!!hew. Ths vew of ! , &eleve !o &e an en!re ms!ake.


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, now sen" for!h !hese 'pos!ory Thou*h!s on Mark' w!h an earnes! prayer !ha! !may please Go" !o use !he volume for s *lory. ,! has &een wr!!en un"er !hepressure of many pu&l% "u!es$ an" am" many n!errup!ons. 2o one s more%ons%ous of !s "efe%!s !han myself. u! , %an hones!ly say$ !ha! my %hef "esre$ f ,know any!hn* of my hear!$ n !hs an" all my wr!n*s$ s !o lea" my rea"ers !o Chrs!an" fa!h n m$ !o repen!an%e an" holness$ !o !he &le an" !o prayer.

,f !hese are !he resul!s of !hs volume n any one %ase$ !he la&or , have &es!owe"upon ! wll &e more !han repa".

Mark chapter 1

Mark 1:1-8

The Gospel of Mark$ wh%h we now &e*n$ s n some respe%!s unlke !he o!her !hreeGospels. ,! !ells us no!hn* a&ou! !he &r!h an" early lfe of our 3or" Jesus Chrs!. ,!%on!ans %ompara!vely few of s sayn*s an" "s%ourses. 4f all !he four nspre"hs!ores of our 3or"#s ear!hly mns!ry$ !hs s &y far !he shor!es!.

u! we mus! no! allow !hese pe%ular!es !o make us un"ervalue Mark#s Gospel. ,! sa Gospel sn*ularly full of pre%ous fa%!s a&ou! !he 3or" Jesus$ narra!e" n a smple$!erse$ p!hy$ an" %on"ense" s!yle. ,f ! !ells us few of our 3or"#s /0,2G/$ ! semnen!ly r%h n !s %a!alo*ue of s 64,2G/. ,! of!en %on!ans mnu!e hs!or%al"e!al of "eep n!eres!$ wh%h are wholly om!!e" n Ma!!hew$ 3uke an" John. ,n shor!$! s no mere a&r"*e" %opy of Ma!!hew$ as some have rashly asser!e"$ &u! !hen"epen"en! narra!ve of an n"epen"en! w!ness$ who was nspre" !o wr!e a hs!oryof our 3or"#s 4R/, ra!her !han of s 4R6/. 3e! us rea" ! w!h holy reveren%e.

3ke all !he res! of /%rp!ure$ every wor" of Mark s '*ven &y nspra!on of Go"$' an"every wor" s 'prof!a&le.'

3e! us o&serve$ n !hese verses$ what a full declaration we have of the dignity ofour Lord Jesus Christ's person. The very frs! sen!en%e speaks of m as '!he/on of Go".'

These wor"s$ '!he /on of Go"$' %onveye" far more !o Jewsh mn"s !han !hey "o !oours. They were no!hn* less !han an asser!on of our 3or"#s "vn!y. They were a"e%lara!on !ha! Jesus was mself very Go"$ an" 'e9ual w!h Go".' (John 5:18.)

There s a &eau!ful f!ness n pla%n* !hs !ru!h n !he very &e*nnn* of a Gospel.The divinity of Christ is the citadel and keep of Christianity. ere les !he nfn!evalue of !he a!onn* sa%rf%e e ma"e upon !he %ross. ere les !he pe%ular mer! ofs a!onn* "ea!h for snners. Tha! "ea!h was no! !he "ea!h of a mere man$ lkeourselves$ &u! of one who s 'over all$ Go" &lesse" forever.' (Rom. ;:5.) e nee"no! won"er !ha! !he suffern*s of one person were a suff%en! prop!a!on for !he snof a worl"$ when we remem&er !ha! e who suffere" was !he '/on of Go".'

3e! &elevers %ln* !o !hs "o%!rne w!h +ealous wa!%hfulness. !h !$ !hey s!an" upona ro%k. !hou! !$ !hey have no!hn* sol" &enea!h !her fee!. 4ur hear!s are weak.4ur sns are many. e nee" a Re"eemer who s a&le !o save !o !he u!!ermos!$ an""elver from !he wra!h !o %ome. e have su%h a Re"eemer n Jesus Chrs!. e s'!he m*h!y Go".' (,saah ;:


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3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ how the beginning of the Gospel was afulfillment of Scripture. John !he ap!s! &e*an hs mns!ry$ 'as ! s wr!!en n !heprophe!s.'

There was no!hn* unforeseen an" su""enly %on!rve" n !he %omn* of Jesus Chrs!n!o !he worl". ,n !he very &e*nnn* of Geness we fn" ! pre"%!e" !ha! '!he see" of

!he woman shoul" &ruse !he serpen!#s hea".' (Gen. =:15.) 0ll !hrou*h !he 4l"Tes!amen! we fn" !he same even! fore!ol" w!h %ons!an!ly n%reasn* %learness. ,!

was a promse of!en renewe" !o pa!rar%hs$ an" repea!e" &y prophe!s$ !ha! a6elverer an" Re"eemer shoul" one "ay %ome. s &r!h$ s %hara%!er$ s lfe$ s"ea!h$ s resurre%!on$ s forerunner$ were all prophese" of$ lon* &efore e %ame.Re"emp!on was worke" ou! an" a%%omplshe" n every s!ep$ +us! 'as ! was wr!!en.'

We should always read the Old Testament with a desire to find something in it aboutJesus Christ. e s!u"y !hs por!on of !he &le w!h l!!le prof!$ f we %an see n !no!hn* &u! Moses$ an" 6av"$ an" /amuel$ an" !he prophe!s. 3e! us sear%h !he&ooks of !he 4l" Tes!amen! more %losely. ,! was sa" &y m whose wor"s %an never

pass away$ 'These are !he /%rp!ures !ha! !es!fy a&ou! Me$' (John 5:=;.)

3e! us o&serve$ n !he !hr" pla%e$ how great were the effects which the ministryof John the Baptist produced for a time on the Jewish nation. e are !ol" !ha!$'>eople from Jerusalem an" from all over Ju"ea !ravele" ou! n!o !he wl"erness !osee an" hear John. 0n" when !hey %onfesse" !her sns$ he &ap!?e" !hem n !heJor"an Rver.'

The fa%! here re%or"e" s one !ha! s mu%h overlooke". e are ap! !o lose s*h! ofhm who wen! &efore !he fa%e of our 3or"$ an" !o see no!hn* &u! !he 3or" mself.e for*e! !he mornn* s!ar n !he full &la?e of !he /un. 0n" ye! ! s %lear !ha! John#sprea%hn* arres!e" !he a!!en!on of !he whole Jewsh people$ an" %rea!e" ane%!emen! all over >ales!ne. ,! arouse" !he na!on from !s slum&ers$ an" prepare"! for !he mns!ry of our 3or"$ when e appeare". Jesus mself says$ 'e was a&urnn* an" a shnn* l*h!--you were wlln* !o re+o%e for a season n hs l*h!.'(John 5:=5.)

e ou*h! !o remark here how l!!le "epen"en%e s !o &e pla%e" on wha! s %alle"'popular!y.' ,f ever !here was one who was a popular mns!er for a season$ John !heap!s! was !ha! man. e! of all !he %row"s who %ame !o hs &ap!sm$ an" hear" hsprea%hn*$ how few$ ! may &e feare"$ were %onver!e"@ /ome$ we may hope$ lke

0n"rew$ were *u"e" &y John !o Chrs!. u! !he vas! ma+or!y$ n all pro&a&l!y$ "e"n !her sns. 3e! us remem&er !hs whenever we see a %row"e" %hur%h. 0 *rea!%on*re*a!on no "ou&! s a pleasn* s*h!. u! !he !hou*h! shoul" of!en %ome a%rossour mn"s$ 'ow many of !hese people wll rea%h heaven a! las!A' ,! s no! enou*h !ohear an" a"mre popular prea%hers. ,! s no proof of our %onverson !ha! we always

worshp n a pla%e where !here s a %row". 3e! us !ake %are !ha! we hear !he vo%e ofChrs! mself$ an" follow m.

3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ what clear doctrine characterized John theBaptist's preaching.e eal!e" CR,/T--'There %omes one m*h!er !han , af!erme.' e spoke planly of !he 43 />,R,T--'e shall &ap!?e you w!h !he oly

/pr!.'

These !ru!hs ha" never &een so planly pro%lame" &efore &y mor!al man. More


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mpor!an! !ru!hs !han !hese are no! !o &e foun" n !he whole sys!em of Chrs!an!y a!!hs "ay. The prn%pal work of every fa!hful mns!er of !he Gospel$ s !o se! !he 3or"Jesus fully &efore s people$ an" !o show !hem s fullness an" s power !o save.The ne! *rea! work e has !o "o$ s !o se! &efore !hem !he work of !he oly /pr!$an" !he nee" of &en* &orn a*an$ an" nwar"ly &ap!?e" &y s *ra%e. These !wom*h!y !ru!hs appear !o have &een fre9uen!ly on !he lps of John !he ap!s!. ,! woul"

&e well for !he %hur%h an" !he worl"$ f !here were more mns!ers lke hm.

3e! us ask ourselves$ as we leave !he passa*e$ 'ow mu%h we know &y pra%!%aleperen%e of !he !ru!hs wh%h John prea%he"A' ha! "o we !hnk of Chrs!A ave

we fel! our nee" of m$ an" fle" !o m for pea%eA ,s e kn* over our hear!s$ an"all !hn*s !o our soulsA ha! "o we !hnk of !he oly /pr!A as e wrou*h! asavn* work n our hear!sA as e renewe" an" %han*e" !hemA as e ma"e uspar!akers of !he 6vne na!ureA 3fe or "ea!h "epen" on our answer !o !hese9ues!ons. '0n" f anyone "oes no! have !he /pr! of Chrs!$ he "oes no! &elon* !oChrs!.' (Rom. 8:;.)

Mark 1:9-20

Ths passa*e s sn*ularly full of ma!!er. ,! s a s!rkn* ns!an%e of !ha! &rev!y ofs!yle$ wh%h s !he pe%ular %hara%!ers!% of Mark#s Gospel. The &ap!sm of our 3or"$s !emp!a!on n !he wl"erness$ !he %ommen%emen! of hs prea%hn*$ an" !he%alln* of s frs! "s%ples are rela!e" here n eleven verses.

3e! us no!%e$ n !he frs! pla%e$ the voice from heaven which was heard at ourLord's baptism. e rea"$ 'There %ame a vo%e from heaven$ sayn*$ ou are my&elove" /on$ n whom , am well please".'

Tha! vo%e was !he vo%e of Go" !he Ba!her. ,! "e%lare" !he won"rous an" neffa&lelove wh%h has es!e" &e!ween !he Ba!her an" !he /on from all e!ern!y. 'The Ba!herloves !he /on$ an" has *ven all !hn*s n!o s han".' (John =:=5.) ,! pro%lame" !heBa!her#s full an" %omple!e appro&a!on of Chrs!#s msson !o seek an" save !he los!.,! announ%e" !he Ba!her#s a%%ep!an%e of !he /on as !he Me"a!or$ /u&s!!u!e$ an"/ure!y of !he new %ovenan!.

There s a r%h mne of %omfor!$ n !hese wor"s$ for all Chrs!#s &elevn* mem&ers. ,n

!hemselves$ an" n !her own "on*s$ !hey see no!hn* !o please Go". They are "alysens&le of weakness$ shor!%omn*$ an" mperfe%!on n all !her ways. u! le! !hemre%olle%! !ha! !he Ba!her re*ar"s !hem as mem&ers of s &elove" /on Jesus Chrs!.e sees no spo! n !hem. (Can!. :7.) e &ehol"s !hem as 'n Chrs!$' %lo!he" n sr*h!eousness$ an" nves!e" w!h s mer!. They are 'a%%ep!e" n !he elove"$' an"

when !he holy eye of Go" looks a! !hem$ e s 'well please".'

3e! us no!%e$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the nature of Christ's preaching.e rea" !ha!he %ame sayn*$ 'Repen!$ an" &eleve !he Gospel.'

Ths s !ha! ol" sermon wh%h all !he fa!hful w!nesses of Go" have %on!nually

prea%he"$ from !he very &e*nnn* of !he worl". Brom 2oah "own !o !he presen! "ay!he su&s!an%e of !her a""ress has &een always !he same--'Repen! an" &eleve.'


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The apos!le >aul !ol" !he phesan el"ers$ when he lef! !hem for !he las! !me$ !ha!!he su&s!an%e of hs !ea%hn* amon* !hem ha" &een 'repen!an%e !owar"s Go"$ an"fa!h !owar"s our 3or" Jesus Chrs!.' (0%!s DE:D1.) e ha" !he &es! of pre%e"en!s forsu%h !ea%hn*. The Grea! ea" of !he Chur%h ha" *ven hm a pa!!ern. Repen!an%ean" fa!h were !he foun"a!on s!ones of Chrs!#s mns!ry. Repen!an%e an" fa!h mus!always &e !he man su&+e%!s of every fa!hful mns!er#s ns!ru%!on.

e nee" no! won"er a! !hs$ f we %ons"er !he ne%ess!es of human na!ure. 0ll of usare &y na!ure &orn n sn an" %hl"ren of wra!h$ an" all nee" !o repen!$ &e %onver!e"$an" &orn a*an$ f we woul" see !he kn*"om of Go". 0ll of us are &y na!ure *ul!yan" %on"emne" &efore Go"$ an" all mus! flee !o !he hope se! &efore us n !heGospel$ an" &eleve n !$ f we woul" &e save". 0ll of us$ on%e pen!en!$ nee" "alys!rrn* up !o "eeper repen!an%e. 0ll of us$ !hou*h &elevn*$ nee" %ons!an!ehor!a!on !o n%rease" fa!h.

3e! us ask ourselves wha! we know of !hs repen!an%e an" fa!h. ave we fel! oursns$ an" forsaken !hemA ave we la" hol" on Chrs!$ an" &eleve"A e may rea%h

heaven w!hou! learnn*$ or r%hes$ or heal!h$ or worl"ly *rea!ness. u! we shallnever rea%h heaven$ f we "e mpen!en! an" un&elevn*. 0 new hear!$ an" a lvelyfa!h n a Re"eemer$ are a&solu!ely nee"ful !o salva!on. May we never res! un!l weknow !hem &y eperen%e$ an" %an %all !hem our own@ !h !hem all !rue Chrs!an!y&e*ns n !he soul. ,n !he eer%se of !hem %onss!s !he lfe of rel*on. ,! s only!hrou*h !he possesson of !hen !ha! men have pea%e a! !he las!. Chur%h-mem&ershp an" pres!ly a&solu!on alone save no one. They only "e n !he 3or"

who 'repen! an" &eleve.'

3e! us no!%e$ n !he !hr" pla%e$ the occupation of those who were first called tobe Christ's disciples. e rea" !ha! our 3or" %alle" /mon an" 0n"rew$ when !hey

were '%as!n* a ne! n!o !he sea$' an" James an" John whle !hey were 'men"n*!her ne!s.'

,! s %lear$ from !hese wor"s$ !ha! !he frs! followers of our 3or" were no! !he *rea! of!hs worl". They were men who ha" ne!her r%hes$ nor rank$ nor power. u! !hekn*"om of Chrs! s no! "epen"en! on su%h !hn*s as !hese. s %ause a"van%es n!he worl"$ 'no! &y m*h!$ nor &y power$ &u! &y my /pr!$ says !he 3or" of hos!s.'(Fe%h. :


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see !ha! our knowle"*e has a san%!fyn* nfluen%e on our affe%!ons an" our lves.3e! us no! only know Chrs! &u! love m$ from a sense of a%!ual &enef! re%eve"from m. 3e! us no! only &eleve !ha! he s !he /on of Go" an" !he /avor of !he

worl"$ &u! re+o%e n m$ an" %leave !o m w!h purpose of hear!. 3e! us no! only &ea%9uan!e" w!h m &y !he hearn* of !he ear$ &u! &y "aly personal appl%a!on !om for mer%y an" *ra%e. 'The lfe of Chrs!an!y$' says 3u!her$ '%onss!s n

possessve pronouns.' ,! s one !hn* !o say 'Chrs! s a /avor.' ,! s 9u!e ano!her !osay 'e s my /avor an" my 3or".' The "evl %an say !he frs!. The !rue Chrs!analone %an say !he se%on".

e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ to what remedy a Christian ought to resort first"in time of trouble. e ou*h! !o follow !he eample of !he fren"s of /mon#s mo!her-n-law. e rea" !ha! when she 'lay s%k w!h a fever$' !hey '!ol" Jesus a&ou! her.'

There s no reme"y lke !hs. Means are !o &e use" "l*en!ly$ w!hou! 9ues!on$ nany !me of nee". 6o%!ors are !o &e sen! for$ n s%kness. 3awyers are !o &e%onsul!e" when proper!y or %hara%!er nee"s "efense. The help of fren"s s !o &e

sou*h!. u! s!ll$ af!er all$ the first thing to be done, is to cry to the #ord Jesus Christfor help.2one %an releve us so effe%!ually as e %an. 2one s so %ompassona!e$an" so wlln* !o releve. hen Jacob was n !rou&le he !urne" !o hs Go"frs!--'6elver me$ , &e* you$ from !he han" of sau.' (Gen. =D:11.) hen $e%ekiah

was n !rou&le$ he frs! sprea" /enna%hers le!!er &efore !he 3or"--', &esee%h you$save us ou! of hs han".' (D n*s 1;:1;.) hen #a%arusfell s%k$ hs ss!ers sen!mme"a!ely !o Jesus '3or"$' !hey sa"$ 'he whom you love s s%k.' (John 11:D.) 2owle! us "o lkewse. 'Cas! your &ur"en upon !he 3or"$ an" he shall sus!an you.''Cas!n* all your %ares upon m.' ',n every!hn* &y prayer an" suppl%a!on w!h!hanks*vn*$ le! your re9ues!s &e ma"e known !o Go".' (>salm. 55:DD 1 >e!. 5:7>hl. :


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soul s no! merely %ure"$ an" !hen lef! !o !self. ,! s also supple" w!h a new hear!an" a r*h! spr!$ an" ena&le" so !o lve as !o please Go".

There s %omfor! n !hs !hou*h! for all who feel a "esre !o serve Chrs!$ &u! a!presen! are afra" !o &e*n. There are many n !hs s!a!e of mn". They fear !ha! f!hey %ome forwar" &ol"ly$ an" !ake up !he %ross$ !hey shall &y an" &ye fall away.

They fear !ha! !hey shall no! &e a&le !o persevere$ an" shall &rn* "s%re"! on !herprofesson. 3e! !hem fear no lon*er. 3e! !hem know !ha! Jesus s an 0lm*h!y /avor$

who never forsakes !hose who on%e %omm! !hemselves !o m. 4n%e rase" &y sm*h!y han" from !he "ea!h of sn$ an" washe" n s pre%ous &loo"$ !hey shall *oon 'servn* m' !o !her lfe#s en". They shall have power !o over%ome !he worl"$an" %ru%fy !he flesh$ an" ress! !he "evl. 4nly le! !hem &e*n$ an" !hey shall *o on.Jesus knows no!hn* of half-%ure" %ases an" half-fnshe" work. 3e! !hem !rus! nJesus an" *o forwar". The par"one" soul shall always &e ena&le" !o serve Chrs!.

There s %omfor! here for all who are really servn* Chrs!$ an" are ye! %as! "own &ya sense of !her own nfrm!y. There are many n su%h %ase. They are oppresse" &y

"ou&!s an" ane!es. They some!mes !hnk !hey shall never rea%h heaven af!er all$&u! &e %as! away n !he wl"erness. 3e! !hem fear no lon*er. Ther s!ren*!h shall &ea%%or"n* !o !her "ay. The "ff%ul!es !hey now fear shall vansh ou! of !her pa!h.The lon n !he way wh%h !hey now "rea"$ shall prove !o &e %hane". The same*ra%ous han" wh%h frs! !ou%he" an" heale"$ shall uphol"$ s!ren*!hen$ an" lea"!hem !o !he las!. The 3or" Jesus wll never lose one of s sheep. Those whom eloves an" par"ons$ e loves un!o !he en". Thou*h some!mes %as! "own$ !hey shallnever &e %as! away. The heale" soul shall always *o on 'servn* !he 3or".' raceshall always lead to glory&

Mark 1:35-39

very fa%! n our 3or"#s lfe on ear!h$ an" every wor" wh%h fell from s lps$ ou*h! !o&e "eeply n!eres!n* !o a !rue Chrs!an. e see a fa%! an" a sayn* n !he passa*e

we have +us! rea"$ wh%h "eserve %lose a!!en!on.

e see$ for one !hn*$ an e#ample of our Lord Jesus Christ's habits aboutprivate prayer. e are !ol"$ !ha! 'n !he mornn*$ rsn* up a *rea! whle &efore "ay$e wen! ou! an" "epar!e" n!o a sol!ary pla%e$ an" !here praye".'

e shall fn" !he same !hn* of!en re%or"e" of our 3or" n !he Gospel hs!ory. hene was &ap!?e"$ we are !ol" !ha! e was 'prayn*.' (3uke =:D1.) hen e was!ransf*ure"$ we are !ol"$ !ha! 'as e praye"$ !he form of s fa%e was al!ere".'(3uke ;:D;.) efore e %hose !he !welve apos!les$ we are !ol" !ha! 'e %on!nue" alln*h! n prayer !o Go".' (3uke


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was 'holy$ harmless$ un"efle"$ an" separa!e from snners$' !hus praye" %on!nually$how mu%h more ou*h! we who are %ompasse" w!h nfrm!yA ,f e foun" ! nee"ful!o offer up suppl%a!ons w!h s!ron* %ryn* an" !ears$ how mu%h more nee"ful s !for us$ who n many !hn*s "aly offen"A

ha! shall we say !o !hose who never pray a! all$ n !he fa%e of su%h a passa*e as

!hsA There are many su%h$ ! may &e feare"$ n !he ls! of &ap!?e" people--manywho rse up n !he mornn* w!hou! prayer$ an" w!hou! prayer le "own a! n*h!--many who never speak one wor" !o Go". 0re !hey Chrs!ansA ,! s mposs&le !o sayso. 0 prayn* Mas!er$ lke Jesus$ %an have no prayerless servan!s. The /pr! ofa"op!on wll always make a man %all upon Go". To &e prayerless s !o &e Chrs!less$Go"less$ an" n !he h*h roa" !o "es!ru%!on.

ha! shall we say !o !hose who pray$ ye! *ve &u! l!!le !me !o !her prayersA e areo&l*e" !o say !ha! !hey show a! presen! very l!!le of !he mn" of Chrs!. 0skn* l!!le$!hey mus! epe%! !o have l!!le. /eekn* l!!le$ !hey %anno! &e surprse" f !heypossess l!!le. ,! wll always &e foun" !ha! when prayers are few$ *ra%e$ s!ren*!h$

pea%e$ an" hope are small.

e shall "o well !o wa!%h our ha&!s of prayer w!h a holy wa!%hfulness. ere s !hepulse of our Chrs!an!y. ere s !he !rue !es! of our s!a!e &efore Go". ere !ruerel*on &e*ns n !he soul$ when ! "oes &e*n. ere ! "e%ays an" *oes &a%kwar"$

when a man &a%ksl"es from Go". 3e! us walk n !he s!eps of our &lesse" Mas!er n!hs respe%! as well as n every o!her. 3ke m$ le! us &e "l*en! n our prva!e"evo!on. 3e! us know wha! ! s !o '"epar! n!o sol!ary pla%es an" pray.'

e see$ for ano!her !hn*$ n !hs passa*e$ a remar!able saying of our Lord as tothe purpose for which e came into the world.e fn" m sayn*$ 'le! us *o n!o!he ne! !owns$ !ha! , may >R0C !here also--for !ha! s why , have %ome.'

The meann* of !hese wor"s s plan an" unms!aka&le. 4ur 3or" "e%lares !ha! e%ame on ear!h !o &e a prea%her an" a !ea%her. e %ame !o fulfll !he prophe!%aloff%e$ !o &e !he 'prophe! *rea!er !han Moses$' who ha" &een so lon* fore!ol". (6eu!.18:15.) e lef! !he *lory wh%h e ha" from all e!ern!y w!h !he Ba!her$ !o "o !he

work of an evan*els!. e %ame "own !o ear!h !o show !o man !he way of pea%e$ !opro%lam "elveran%e !o !he %ap!ves$ an" re%overn* of s*h! !o !he &ln". 4neprn%pal par! of s work on ear!h$ was !o *o up an" "own an" pu&lsh *la" !"n*s$!o offer healn* !o !he &roken-hear!e"$ l*h! !o !hose who sa! n "arkness$ an" par"on

!o !he %hef of snners. e says$ 'Tha! s why , have %ome.'

e ou*h! !o o&serve here$ what infinite honor the Lord Jesus puts on the officeof the preacher.,! s an off%e wh%h !he e!ernal /on of Go" mself un"er!ook. em*h! have spen! hs ear!hly mns!ry n ns!!u!n* an" keepn* up %eremones$ lke0aron. e m*h! have rule" an" re*ne" as a kn*$ lke 6av". u! e %hose a"fferen! %alln*. Hn!l !he !me when e "e" as a sa%rf%e for our sns$ s "aly$ an"almos! hourly work was !o prea%h. e says$ 'Tha! s why , have %ome.'

3e! us never &e move" &y !hose who %ry "own !he prea%her#s off%e$ an" !ell us !ha!sa%ramen!s an" o!her or"nan%es are of more mpor!an%e !han sermons. 3e! us *ve

!o every par! of Go"#s pu&l% worshp !s proper pla%e an" honor$ &u! le! us &eware ofpla%n* any par! of ! a&ove prea%hn*. y prea%hn*$ !he Chur%h of Chrs! was frs!*a!here" !o*e!her an" foun"e"$ an" &y prea%hn*$ ! has ever &een man!ane" n


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heal!h an" prosper!y. y prea%hn*$ snners are awakene". y prea%hn*$ n9urersare le" on. y prea%hn*$ san!s are &ul! up. y prea%hn*$ Chrs!an!y s &en*%arre" !o !he hea!hen worl". There are many now who sneer a! mssonares$ an"mo%k a! !hose who *o ou! n!o !he h*h-ways of our own lan"$ !o prea%h !o %row"s n!he open ar. u! su%h persons woul" "o well !o pause$ an" %ons"er %almly wha!!hey are "on*. The very work wh%h !hey r"%ule s !he work wh%h !urne" !he worl"

ups"e "own$ an" %as! hea!hensm !o !he *roun". 0&ove all$ ! s !he very work wh%hChrs! mself un"er!ook. The n* of kn*s an" 3or" of lor"s mself was on%e aprea%her. Bor !hree lon* years e wen! !o an" fro pro%lamn* !he Gospel./ome!mes we see m n a house$ some!mes on !he moun!an s"e$ some!mes na Jewsh syna*o*ue$ some!mes n a &oa! on !he sea. u! !he *rea! work e !ook up

was always one an" !he same. e %ame always prea%hn* an" !ea%hn*. e says$'Tha! s why , have %ome.'

3e! us leave !he passa*e w!h a solemn resolu!on never !o '"espse prophesyn*.'(1 Thess. 5:DE.) The mns!er we hear may no! &e h*hly *f!e". The sermons !ha! wels!en !o may &e weak an" poor. u! af!er all$ prea%hn* s Go"#s *ran" or"nan%e for

%onver!n* an" savn* souls. The fa!hful prea%her of !he Gospel s han"ln* !he veryweapon wh%h !he /on of Go" was no! ashame" !o employ. Ths s !he work of wh%hChrs! has sa"$ 'Tha! s why , have %ome.'

Mark 1:40-45

e rea" n !hese verses how our 3or" Jesus Chrs! heale" a leper. 4f all our 3or"#smra%les of healn* none were pro&a&ly more marvelous !han !hose performe" onleprous people. Two %ases only have &een fully "es%r&e" n !he Gospel hs!ory. 4f!hese !wo$ !he %ase &efore us s one.

3e! us !ry !o real?e$ n !he frs! pla%e$ the dreadful nature of the disease whichJesus cured.

3eprosy s a %omplan! of wh%h we know l!!le or no!hn* n our nor!hern %lma!e. ,n&le lan"s ! s far more %ommon. ,! s a "sease wh%h s utterly incurable. ,! s nomere skn "sor"er$ as some *noran!ly suppose. ,! s a ra"%al "sease of !he wholeman. ,! a!!a%ks$ no! merely !he skn$ &u! !he &loo"$ !he flesh$ an" !he &ones$ un!l !heunhappy pa!en! &e*ns !o lose hs e!rem!es$ an" !o ro! &y n%hes. 3e! us

remem&er &es"e !hs$ !ha!$ amon* !he Jews$ !he leper was re%kone" un%lean$ an"was %u! off from !he %on*re*a!on of ,srael an" !he or"nan%es of rel*on. e waso&l*e" !o "well n a separa!e house. 2one m*h! !ou%h hm or mns!er !o hm. 3e!us remem&er all !hs$ an" !hen we may have some "ea of !he remarka&le

wre!%he"ness of a leprous person. To use !he wor"s of 0aron$ when he n!er%e"e"for Mram$ he was 'as one "ea"$ of whom !he flesh s half %onsume".' (2um&ers1D:1D.)

u! s !here no!hn* lke leprosy amon* ourselvesA es@ n"ee" !here s. There s afoul soul-"sease wh%h s n*rane" n!o our very na!ure$ an" %leaves !o our &onesan" marrow w!h "ea"ly for%e. Tha! "sease s !he pla*ue of sn. 3ke leprosy$ ! s a

"eep-sea!e" "sease nfe%!n* every par! of our na!ure$ hear!$ wll$ %ons%en%e$un"ers!an"n*$ memory$ an" affe%!ons. 3ke leprosy$ ! makes us loa!hsome an"a&omna&le$ unf! for !he %ompany of Go"$ an" unf! for !he *lory of heaven. 3ke


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leprosy$ ! s n%ura&le &y any ear!hly phys%an$ an" s slowly &u! surely "ra**n* us"own !o !he se%on" "ea!h. 0n"$ wors! of all$ far worse !han leprosy$ ! s a "seasefrom wh%h no mor!al man s eemp!. 'e are all$' n Go"#s s*h!$ 'as an un%lean!hn*.' (,saah hys%an %an heal !. 3e! us never "espar of any one#s salva!on$ solon* as he lves. The wors! of spr!ual lepers may ye! &e %leanse". 2o %ases ofspr!ual leprosy %oul" &e worse !han !hose of Manasseh$ /aul$ an" Fa%%heus$ ye!!hey were all %ure"--Jesus Chrs! ma"e !hem whole. The %hef of snners may ye! &e&rou*h! near !o Go" &y !he &loo" an" /pr! of Chrs!. Men are no! los!$ &e%ause !heyare !oo &a" !o &e save"$ &u! &e%ause !hey wll no! %ome !o Chrs! !ha! e may save

!hem.

3e! us learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ !ha! there is a time to be silentabout the wor! of Christ" as well as a time to spea!.

Ths s a !ru!h wh%h s !au*h! us n a remarka&le way. e fn" our 3or" s!r%!ly%har*n* !hs man !o !ell no one of hs %ure$ !o 'say no!hn* !o any man.' e fn" !hsman n !he warm!h of hs ?eal "so&eyn* !hs n+un%!on$ an" pu&lshn* an" '&la?n*a&roa"' hs %ure n every 9uar!er. 0n" we are !ol" !ha! !he resul! was !ha! Jesus'%oul" no more en!er n!o !he %!y$ &u! s!aye" ou!s"e n "eser! pla%es.'

There s a lesson n all !hs of "eep mpor!an%e$ however "ff%ul! ! may &e !o use !r*h!ly. ,! s %lear !ha! !here are !mes when our 3or" woul" have us work for m9ue!ly an" slen!ly$ ra!her !han a!!ra%! pu&l% a!!en!on &y a nosy ?eal. There s a


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?eal wh%h s 'no! a%%or"n* !o knowle"*e$' as well as a ?eal wh%h s r*h!eous an"prasewor!hy. very!hn* s &eau!ful n !s season. 4ur Mas!er#s %ause may on someo%%asons &e more a"van%e" &y 9ue!ness an" pa!en%e$ !han n any o!her way. eare no! !o '*ve !ha! wh%h s holy !o "o*s$' nor '%as! pearls &efore swne.' yfor*e!fulness of !hs we may even "o more harm !han *oo"$ an" re!ar" !he very%ause we wan! !o asss!.

The su&+e%! s a "el%a!e an" "ff%ul! one$ w!hou! "ou&!. Hn9ues!ona&ly !he ma+or!yof Chrs!ans are far more n%lne" !o &e slen! a&ou! !her *lorous Mas!er !han !o%onfess m &efore men--an" "o no! nee" !he bridleso mu%h as !he spur. u! s!ll !s un"ena&le !ha! !here s a !me for all !hn*s an" !o know !he !me shoul" &e one*rea! am of a Chrs!an. There are *oo" men who have more ?eal !han "s%re!on$an" even help !he enemy of !ru!h &y unseasona&le a%!s an" wor"s.

3e! us all pray for !he /pr! of ws"om an" of a soun" mn". 3e! us seek "aly !oknow !he pa!h of "u!y$ an" ask "aly for "s%re!on an" *oo" sense. 3e! us &e &ol" asa lon n %onfessn* Chrs!$ an" no! &e afra" !o 'speak of m &efore prn%es$' f

nee" &e. u! le! us never for*e! !ha! 's"om s prof!a&le !o "re%!' (%%les. 1E:11)$an" le! us &eware of "on* harm &y an ll-"re%!e" ?eal.

Mark chapter 2

Mark 2:1-12

Ths passa*e shows our 3or" on%e more a! Capernaum. 4n%e more we fn" m"on* s a%%us!ome" work$ prea%hn* !he wor"$ an" healn* !hose !ha! were s%k.

e see$ n !hese verses$ what great spiritual privileges some people en$oy" andyet ma!e no use of them.

Ths s a !ru!h wh%h s s!rkn*ly llus!ra!e" &y !he hs!ory of Capernaum. 2o %!y n>ales!ne appears !o have en+oye" so mu%h of our 3or"#s presen%e$ "urn* sear!hly mns!ry$ as "" !hs %!y. ,! was !he pla%e where e "wel!$ af!er e lef!2a?are!h. (Ma!!. :1=.) ,! was !he pla%e where many of s mra%les were worke"$an" many of s sermons "elvere". u! no!hn* !ha! Jesus sa" or "" seems !ohave ha" any effe%! on !he hear!s of !he nha&!an!s. They %row"e" !o hear m$ as

we rea" n !hs passa*e$ 'un!l !here was no room a&ou! !he "oor.' They wereama%ed. They were astonished. They were filled with wonder at $is mighty works.

'ut they were not converted. They lived in the full noon(tide bla%e of the )un of*ighteousness, and yet their hearts remained hard. 0n" !hey "rew from our 3or" !heheaves! %on"emna!on !ha! e ever pronoun%e" a*ans! any pla%e$ e%ep!Jerusalem--'0n" you people of Capernaum$ wll you &e eal!e" !o heavenA 2o$ you

wll &e &rou*h! "own !o !he pla%e of !he "ea". Bor f !he mra%les , "" for you ha"&een "one n /o"om$ ! woul" s!ll &e here !o"ay. , assure you$ /o"om wll &e &e!!eroff on !he +u"*men! "ay !han you.' (Ma!!. 11:D=$ D)

,! s *oo" for us all !o mark well !hs %ase of Capernaum. e are all !o ap! !osuppose !ha! ! nee"s no!hn* &u! !he powerful prea%hn* of !he Gospel !o %onver!people#s souls$ an" !ha! f !he Gospel s only &rou*h! n!o a pla%e every&o"y mus!

&eleve. e for*e! !he ama?n* power of un&elef$ an" !he "ep!h of man#s enm!ya*ans! Go". e for*e! !ha! !he Caperna!es hear" !he mos! faul!less prea%hn*$ an"saw ! %onfrme" &y !he mos! surprsn* mra%les$ an" ye! remane" "ea" n


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!respasses an" sns. e nee" remn"n* !ha! !he same Gospel wh%h s !he savor oflfe !o some$ s !he savor of "ea!h !o o!hers$ an" !ha! !he same fre wh%h sof!ens !he

wa wll also har"en !he %lay. 2o!hn*$ n fa%!$ seems !o har"en man#s hear! somu%h$ as !o hear !he Gospel re*ularly$ an" ye! "el&era!ely prefer !he serv%e of snan" !he worl". 2ever was !here a people so h*hly favore" as !he people ofCapernaum$ an" never was !here a people who appear !o have &e%ome so har". 3e!

us &eware of walkn* n !her s!eps. e ou*h! of!en !o use !he prayer of !he 3!any$'Brom har"ness of hear!$ *oo" 3or"$ "elver us.'

e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ how great a blessing%&&LC()* may prove to a man's soul.

e are !ol" !ha! one paraly?e" was &rou*h! !o our 3or"$ a! Capernaum$ n or"er !o&e heale". elpless an" mpo!en!$ he was %arre" n hs &e" &y four kn" fren"s$ an"le! "own n!o !he m"s! of !he pla%e where Jesus was prea%hn*. 0! on%e !he o&+e%!of !he man#s "esre was *ane". The *rea! >hys%an of soul an" &o"y saw hm$ an"*ave hm spee"y relef. e res!ore" hm !o heal!h an" s!ren*!h. e *ran!e" hm !he

far *rea!er &lessn* of for*veness of sns. ,n shor!$ !he man who ha" &een %arre"from hs house !ha! mornn* weak$ "epen"en!$ an" &owe" "own &o!h n &o"y an"soul$ re!urne" !o hs own house re+o%n*.

ho %an "ou&! !ha! !o !he en" of hs "ays !hs man woul" !hank Go" for hsparalyssA !hou! ! he m*h! pro&a&ly have lve" an" "e" n *noran%e$ an" neverseen Chrs! a! all. !hou! !$ he m*h! have kep! hs sheep on !he *reen hlls ofGallee all hs lfe lon*$ an" never &een &rou*h! !o Chrs!$ an" never hear" !hese&lesse" wor"s$ 'your sns are for*ven.' Tha! paralyss was n"ee" a &lessn*. ho%an !ell &u! ! was !he &e*nnn* of e!ernal lfe !o hs soulA

ow many n every a*e %an !es!fy !ha! !hs paraly?e" man#s eperen%e has &een!her own@ They have learne" ws"om &y affl%!on. ereavemen!s have prove"mer%es. 3osses have prove" real *ans. /%knesses have le" !hem !o !he *rea!>hys%an of souls$ sen! !hem !o !he &le$ shu! ou! !he worl"$ shown !hem !her ownfoolshness$ !au*h! !hem !o pray. Thousan"s %an say lke 6av"$ ',! s *oo" for me!ha! , was affl%!e"$ !ha! , m*h! learn your s!a!u!es.' (>salm. 11;:71.)

3e! us &eware of murmurn* un"er affl%!on. e may &e sure !here s a nee"s-&e forevery %ross$ an" a wse reason for every !ral. very s%kness an" sorrow s a*ra%ous messa*e from Go"$ an" s mean! !o %all us nearer !o m. 3e! us pray !ha!

we may learn !he lesson !ha! ea%h affl%!on s appon!e" !o %onvey. 3e! us see !ha!we 'refuse no! m !ha! speaks.'

e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ n !hese verses$ the priestly power of forgiving sins"which is possessed by our Lord Jesus Christ.

e rea" !ha! our 3or" sa" !o !he s%k of !he palsy '/on$ your sns are for*ven.' esa" !hese wor"s w!h a meann*. e knew !he hear!s of !he /%r&es &y whom e

was surroun"e". e n!en"e" !o show !hem !ha! e la" %lam !o &e !he !rue *h>res!$ an" !o have !he power of a&solvn* snners$ !hou*h a! presen! !he %lam wassel"om pu! forwar". u! !ha! e ha" !he power e !ol" !hem epressly. e says$

'!he /on of man has power on ear!h !o for*ve sns.' ,n sayn*$ 'your sns arefor*ven$' e ha" only eer%se" s r*h!ful off%e.


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3e! us %ons"er how *rea! mus! &e !he au!hor!y of m$ who has !he power !ofor*ve sns@ Ths s !he !hn* !ha! none %an "o &u! Go". 2o an*el n heaven$ no manupon ear!h$ no %hur%h n %oun%l$ no mns!er of any "enomna!on$ %an !ake awayfrom !he snner#s %ons%en%e !he loa" of *ul!$ an" *ve hm pea%e w!h Go". Theymay pon! !o !he foun!an open for all sn. They may "e%lare w!h au!hor!y whosesns Go" s wlln* !o for*ve. u! !hey %anno! a&solve &y !her own au!hor!y. They

%anno! pu! away !rans*ressons. Ths s !he pe%ular prero*a!ve of Go"$ an" aprero*a!ve wh%h e has pu! n !he han"s of s /on Jesus Chrs!.

3e! us !hnk for a momen! how *rea! a &lessn* ! s$ !ha! Jesus s our *rea! *h>res!$ an" !ha! we know where !o *o for a&solu!on@ e mus! have a >res! an" asa%rf%e &e!ween ourselves an" Go". Cons%en%e "eman"s an a!onemen! for ourmany sns. Go"#s holness makes ! a&solu!ely nee"ful. !hou! an a!onn* >res!!here %an &e no pea%e of soul. Jesus Chrs! s !he very >res! !ha! we nee"$ m*h!y!o for*ve an" par"on$ !en"er-hear!e" an" wlln* !o save.

0n" now le! us ask ourselves whe!her we have ye! known !he 3or" Jesus as our

*h >res!A ave we apple" !o mA ave we sou*h! a&solu!onA ,f no!$ we are ye!n our sns. May we never res! un!l !he /pr! w!nesses w!h our spr! !ha! we havesa! a! !he fee! of Jesus an" hear" hs vo%e$ sayn*$ '/on$ your sns are for*ven.'

Mark 2:13-22

The person who s %alle" 3ev$ a! !he &e*nnn* of !hs passa*e$ s !he same personwho s %alle" Ma!!hew n !he frs! of !he four Gospels. 3e! us no! for*e! !hs. ,! s noless !han an apos!le an" an evan*els!$ whose early hs!ory s now &efore our eyes.

e learn from !hese verses the power of Christ to call men out from the world"and ma!e them is disciples. e rea" !ha! he sa" !o 3ev$ when 's!!n* a! !here%ep! of %us!om$ Bollow me.' 0n" a! on%e 'he arose an" followe" hm.' Brom a !a-%olle%!or he &e%ame an apos!le$ an" a wr!er of !he frs! &ook n !he 2ew Tes!amen!$

wh%h s now known all over !he worl".

Ths s a !ru!h of "eep mpor!an%e. !hou! a "vne %all no one %an &e save". eare all so sunk n sn$ an" so we""e" !o !he worl"$ !ha! we woul" never !urn !o Go"an" seek salva!on$ unless e frs! %alle" us &y s *ra%e. Go" mus! speak !o our

hear!s &y s /pr!$ &efore we shall ever speak !o m. Those who are sons of Go"$says !he 17!h 0r!%le$ are '%alle" a%%or"n* !o Go"#s purpose &y s /pr! workn* n"ue season.' 2ow how &lesse" s !he !hou*h! !ha! !hs %alln* of snners s%omm!!e" !o so *ra%ous a /avor as Chrs!@

hen !he 3or" Jesus %alls a snner !o &e s servan!$ e a%!s as a )overeign &u!e a%!s w!h infinite mercy. e of!en %hooses !hose who seem mos! unlkely !o "os wll$ an" fur!hes! off from s kn*"om. e "raws !hem !o mself w!h alm*h!ypower$ &reaks !he %hans of ol" ha&!s an" %us!oms$ an" makes !hem new%rea!ures. 0s !he ma*ne! a!!ra%!s !he ron$ an" !he sou!h wn" sof!ens !he fro?en*roun"$ so "oes Chrs!#s %alln* "raw snners ou! from !he worl"$ an" mel! !he

har"es! hear!. 'The vo%e of !he 3or" s m*h!y n opera!on.' lesse" are !hey$ who$when !hey hear !$ har"en no! !her hear!s@


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e ou*h! never !o "espar en!rely of any one#s salva!on$ when we rea" !hspassa*e of /%rp!ure. e who %alle" 3ev$ s!ll lves an" s!ll works. The a*e ofmra%les s no! ye! pas!. The love of money s a powerful prn%ple$ &u! !he %all ofChrs! s more powerful. 3e! us no! "espar even a&ou! !hose who 's! a! !he re%ep!of %us!om$' an" en+oy a&un"an%e of !hs worl"#s *oo" !hn*s. The vo%e wh%h sa"!o 3ev$ 'Bollow me$' may ye! rea%h !her hear!s. e may ye! see !hem arse$ an"

!ake up !her %ross$ an" follow Chrs!. 3e! us hope %on!nually$ an" pray for o!hers.ho %an !ell wha! Go" may &e *on* !o "o for any one aroun" usA 2o one s !oo&a" for Chrs! !o %all. 3e! us pray for all.

e learn$ for ano!her !hn*$ from !hese verses$ !ha! one of Christ's principaloffices is that of a +hysician. The /%r&es an" >harsees foun" faul! w!h m forea!n* an" "rnkn* w!h pu&l%ans an" snners. u! 'when Jesus hear" !$ e sa"un!o !hem$ Those who are heal!hy have no nee" of a phys%an$ &u! !hose who ares%k.'

The 3or" Jesus "" no! %ome n!o !he worl"$ as some suppose$ !o &e no!hn* more

!han a law-*ver$ a kn*$ a !ea%her$ an" an eample. a" !hs &een all !he purpose ofs %omn*$ !here woul" have &een small %omfor! for man. 6e!-re*mens an" rulesof heal!h are all very well for !he %onvales%en!$ &u! no! su!a&le !o !he man la&orn*un"er a mor!al "sease. 0 !ea%her an" an eample m*h! &e suff%en! for an unfallen&en* lke 0"am n !he *ar"en of "en. u! fallen snners lke ourselves nee"healn* frs!$ &efore we %an value rules.

The 3or" Jesus %ame n!o !he worl" !o &e a phys%an as well as a !ea%her. e knew!he ne%ess!es of human na!ure. e saw us all s%k of a mor!al "sease$ s!r%ken

w!h !he pla*ue of sn$ an" "yn* "aly. e p!e" us$ an" %ame "own !o &rn* "vneme"%ne for our relef. e %ame !o *ve heal!h an" %ure !o !he "yn*$ !o heal !he&roken hear!e"$ an" !o offer s!ren*!h !o !he weak. 2o sn-s%k soul s !oo far *one form. ,! s s *lory !o heal an" res!ore !o lfe !he mos! "espera!e %ases. Bor unfaln*skll$ for unweare" !en"erness$ for lon* eperen%e of man#s spr!ual almen!s$ !he*rea! >hys%an of souls s!an"s alone. There s none lke m.

u! wha! "o we know ourselves of !hs spe%al off%e of Chrs!A ave we ever fel! ourspr!ual s%kness an" apple" !o hm for relefA e are never r*h! n !he s*h! of Go"un!l we "o. e know no!hn* ar*h! n rel*on$ f we !hnk !he sense of sn shoul"keep us &a%k from Chrs!. To feel our sns$ an" know our s%kness s !he &e*nnn* ofreal Chrs!an!y. To &e sens&le of our %orrup!on an" a&hor our own !rans*ressons$

s !he frs! symp!om of spr!ual heal!h. appy n"ee" are !hey who have foun" ou!!her soul#s "sease@ 3e! !hem know !ha! Chrs! s !he very >hys%an !hey re9ure$an" le! !hem apply !o m w!hou! "elay.

e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ !ha! in religion it is worse thanuseless to attempt to mi# things which essentially differ. 2o man$ 'e !ells !he>harsees$' sews a pe%e of new %lo!h on an ol" *armen!.' '2o man pu!s new wnen!o ol" &o!!les.'

These wor"s$ we mus! of %ourse see$ were a para&le. They were spoken w!h aspe%al referen%e !o !he 9ues!on wh%h !he >harsees ha" +us! rase"--'hy "o !he

"s%ples of John fas!$ &u! your "s%ples "o no! B0/TA' 4ur 3or"#s reply ev"en!lymeans$ !ha! !o enfor%e fas!n* amon* s "s%ples woul" &e nepe"en! an"unseasona&le. s l!!le flo%k was as ye! youn* n *ra%e$ an" weak n fa!h$


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knowle"*e$ an" eperen%e. They mus! &e le" on sof!ly$ an" no! &ur"ene" a! !hsearly s!a*e w!h re9uremen!s wh%h !hey were no! a&le !o &ear. Bas!n*$ moreover$m*h!$ &e su!a&le !o !he "s%ples of hm who was only !he r"e*room#s fren"$ wholve" n !he wl"erness$ prea%he" !he &ap!sm of repen!an%e$ was %lo!he" n %amel#shar$ an" a!e lo%us!s an" wl" honey. u! fas!n* was no! e9ually su!a&le !o !he"s%ples of m$ who was !he r"e*room mself$ &rou*h! *la" !"n*s !o snners$

an" %ame lvn* lke o!her men. ,n shor!$ !o re9ure fas!n* of hs "s%ples a! presen!$woul" &e pu!!n* 'new wne n!o ol" &o!!les.' ,! woul" &e !ryn* !o mn*le an"amal*ama!e !hn*s !ha! essen!ally "ffere".

The prn%ple la" "own n !hese l!!le para&les s one of *rea! mpor!an%e. ,! s a kn"of prover&al sayn*$ an" a"m!s of a w"e appl%a!on. Bor*e!fulness of ! hasfre9uen!ly "one *rea! harm n !he Chur%h. The evls !ha! have arsen from !ryn* !osew !he new pa!%h on !he ol" *armen!$ an" pu! !he new wne n!o ol" &o!!les$ havene!her &een few nor small.

ow was ! w!h !he Gala!an Chur%hA ,! s re%or"e" n >aul#s eps!le. Men wshe" n

!ha! Chur%h !o re%on%le Ju"asm w!h Chrs!an!y$ an" !o %r%um%se as well as&ap!?e. They en"eavore" !o keep alve !he law of %eremones an" or"nan%es$ an"!o pla%e ! s"e &y s"e w!h !he Gospel of Chrs!. ,n fa%! !hey woul" sn%erely havepu! !he 'new wne n!o ol" &o!!les.' 0n" n so "on* !hey *rea!ly erre".

ow was ! w!h !he early Chrs!an Chur%h$ af!er !he apos!les were "ea"A e have !re%or"e" n !he pa*es of Chur%h hs!ory. /ome !re" !o make !he Gospel morea%%ep!a&le &y mn*ln* ! w!h >la!on% phlosophy. /ome la&ore" !o re%ommen" ! !o!he hea!hen &y &orrown* forms$ pro%essons$ an" ves!men!s from !he !emples ofhea!hen *o"s. ,n shor!$ !hey 'sewe" !he new pa!%h on !he ol" *armen!.' 0n" n so"on* !hey s%a!!ere" !he see"s of enormous evl. They pave" !he way for !he wholeRomsh apos!asy.

ow s ! w!h many professn* Chrs!ans n !he presen! "ayA e have only !o lookaroun" us an" see. There are !housan"s who are !ryn* !o re%on%le !he serv%e ofChrs! an" !he serv%e of !he worl"$ !o have !he name of Chrs!an an" ye! lve !he lfeof !he un*o"ly--!o keep n w!h !he servan!s of pleasure an" sn$ an" ye! &e !hefollowers of !he %ru%fe" Jesus a! !he same !me. ,n a wor"$ !hey are !ryn* !o en+oy!he 'new wne$' an" ye! !o %ln* !o !he 'ol" &o!!les.' They wll fn" one "ay !ha! !heyhave a!!emp!e" !ha! wh%h %anno! &e "one.

3e! us leave !he passa*e n a spr! of serous self-n9ury. ,! s one !ha! ou*h! !o rase*rea! sear%hn*s of hear! n !he presen! "ay. ave we never rea" wha! !he /%rp!uresaysA '2o man %an serve !wo mas!ers.' 'ou %anno! serve Go" an" mammon. 3e!us pla%e s"e &y s"e w!h !hese !e!s !he %on%lu"n* wor"s of our 3or" n !hspassa*e$ '2ew wne mus! &e pu! n!o new &o!!les.'

Mark 2:23-28

These verses se! &efore us a remarka&le s%ene n our 3or" Jesus Chrs!#s ear!hly

mns!ry. e see our &lesse" Mas!er an" s "s%ples *on* '!hrou*h !he *ranfel"son !he /a&&a!h "ay.' e are !ol" !ha! s "s%ples$ 'as !hey wen!$ &e*an !o plu%khea"s of *ran.' 0! on%e we hear !he >harsees a%%usn* !hem !o our 3or"$ as f !hey


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ha" %omm!!e" some *rea! moral offen%e. 'hy are !hey "on* !ha! wh%h s no!lawful on !he /a&&a!h "ayA' They re%eve" an answer full of "eep ws"om$ wh%h allshoul" s!u"y well$ who "esre !o un"ers!an" !he su&+e%! of /a&&a!h o&servan%e.

e see from !hese verses$ what e#travagant importance is attached to trifles bythose who are mere formalists in religion.

The >harsees were mere formals!s$ f !here ever were any n !he worl". They seem!o have !hou*h! e%lusvely of !he ou!war" par!$ !he husk$ !he shell$ an" !he%eremonal of rel*on. They even a""e" !o !hese e!ernals &y !ra"!ons of !her own.Ther *o"lness was ma"e up of washn*s$ an" fas!n*s$ an" pe%ular!es n "ress$an" wll-worshp$ whle repen!an%e$ an" fa!h$ an" holness were %ompara!velyoverlooke".

The >harsees woul" pro&a&ly have foun" no faul!$ f !he "s%ples ha" &een *ul!y ofsome offen%e a*ans! !he moral law. They woul" have wnke" a! %ove!ousness$ orper+ury$ or e!or!ons$ or e%ess$ &e%ause !hey were sns !o wh%h !hey !hemselves

were n%lne". u! no sooner "" !hey see an nfrn*emen! on !her man-ma"e!ra"!ons a&ou! !he r*h! way of keepn* !he /a&&a!h$ !han !hey rase" an ou!%ry$an" foun" faul!.

3e! us wa!%h an" pray$ les! we fall n!o !he error of !he >harsees. There are neverla%kn* professors who walk n !her s!eps. There are !housan"s a! !he presen! "ay

who planly !hnk more of !he mere ou!war" %eremonal of rel*on !han of !s"o%!rnes. They make more a"o a&ou! keepn* san!s# "ays$ an" !urnn* !o !he eas!n !he %ree"$ an" &own* a! !he name of Jesus$ !han a&ou! repen!an%e$ or fa!h$ orsepara!on from !he worl". 0*ans! !hs spr! le! us ever &e on our *uar". ,! %anne!her %omfor!$ sa!sfy$ nor save.

,! ou*h! !o &e a se!!le" prn%ple n our mn"s$ !ha! a man#s soul s n a &a" s!a!e$when he &e*ns !o re*ar" man-ma"e r!es an" %eremones$ as !hn*s of superormpor!an%e$ an" eal!s !hem a&ove !he prea%hn* of !he Gospel. ,! s a symp!om ofspr!ual "sease. There s ms%hef w!hn. ,! s !oo of!en !he resour%e of an uneasy%ons%en%e. The frs! s!eps of apos!asy from >ro!es!an!sm !o Romansm have of!en&een n !hs "re%!on. 2o won"er !ha! >aul sa" !o !he Gala!ans$ 'ou o&serve "ays$an" mon!hs$ an" !mes$ an" years. , am afra" of you$ les! , have &es!owe" on youla&or n van.' (Gal. :1E$ 11.)

e see$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the value of a !nowledge of holyScripture.

4ur 3or" reples !o !hs a%%usa!on of !he >harsees &y a referen%e !o holy /%rp!ure.e remn"s s enemes of !he %on"u%! of 6av"$ when he 'ha" nee" an" washun*ry.' 'ave you never rea" wha! 6av" ""A' They %oul" no! "eny !ha! !he wr!erof !he &ook of >salms$ an" !he man af!er Go"#s own hear!$ was no! lkely !o se! a&a" eample. They knew n fa%! !ha! he ha" no! !urne" as"e from Go"#s%omman"men!$ all !he "ays of hs lfe$ 'e%ep! only n !he ma!!er of Hrah !he !!!e.'(1 n*s 15:5.) e! wha! ha" 6av" "oneA e ha" *one n!o !he house of Go"$ whenpresse" &y hun*er$ an" ea!en '!he show&rea"$ wh%h s no! lawful !o ea! &u! for !he

pres!s.' e ha" !hus shown !ha! some re9uremen!s of Go"#s laws m*h! &e relae"n %ase of ne%ess!y. To !hs /%rp!ure eample our 3or" refers hs a"versares. Theyfoun" no!hn* !o reply !o !. The swor" of !he /pr! was a weapon wh%h !hey %oul"


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no! ress!. They were slen%e" an" pu! !o shame.

2ow !he %on"u%! of our 3or" on !hs o%%ason ou*h! !o &e a pa!!ern !o all s people.4ur *ran" reason for our fa!h$ an" pra%!%e$ shoul" always &e$ 'Thus ! s wr!!en n!he &le.' 'ha! says !he /%rp!ureA' e shoul" en"eavor !o have !he wor" of Go"on our s"e n all "e&a!a&le 9ues!ons. e shoul" seek !o &e a&le !o *ve a s%rp!ural

answer for our &ehavor n all ma!!ers of "spu!e. e shoul" refer our enemes !o !he&le as our rule of %on"u%!. e shall always fn" a plan !e! !he mos! powerfular*umen! we %an use. ,n a worl" lke !hs we mus! epe%! our opnons !o &ea!!a%ke"$ f we serve Chrs!$ an" we may &e sure !ha! no!hn* slen%es a"versaresso soon as a 9uo!a!on from /%rp!ure.

3e! us however remem&er$ !ha! f we are !o use !he &le as our 3or" ""$ we mus!know ! well$ an" &e a%9uan!e" w!h !s %on!en!s. e mus! rea" ! "l*en!ly$ hum&ly$persevern*ly$ prayerfully$ or we shall never fn" !s !e!s %omn* !o our a" n !he!me of nee". To use !he swor" of !he /pr! effe%!ually$ we mus! &e famlar w!h !$an" have ! of!en n our han"s. There s no royal roa" !o !he knowle"*e of !he &le.

,! "oes no! %ome !o man &y n!u!on. The &ook mus! &e s!u"e"$ pon"ere"$ praye"over$ sear%he" n!o$ an" no! lef! always lyn* on a shelf$ or %arelessly looke" a! nowan" !hen. ,! s !he s!u"en!s of !he &le$ an" !hey alone$ who wll fn" ! a weaponrea"y n han" n !he "ay of &a!!le.

e see$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ !he true principle by which all,uestions about the observance of the S%BB%( ought to be decided. 'The/a&&a!h$' says our 3or"$ 'was ma"e for man$ an" no! man for !he /a&&a!h.'

There s a mne of "eep ws"om n !hose wor"s. They "eserve %lose a!!en!on$ an"!he more so &e%ause !hey are no! re%or"e" n any Gospel &u! !ha! of Mark. 3e! ussee wha! !hey %on!an.

'The /a&&a!h was ma"e for man.' Go" ma"e ! for 0"am n >ara"se$ an" renewe"! !o ,srael on Moun! /na. ,! was ma"e for all mankn"$ no! for !he Jew only$ &u! for!he whole famly of 0"am. ,! was ma"e for man#s &enef! an" happness. ,! was for!he *oo" of hs &o"y$ !he *oo" of hs mn"$ an" !he *oo" of hs soul. ,! was *ven !ohm as a &enef! an" a &lessn*$ an" no! as a &ur"en. Ths was !he or*nalns!!u!on.

u! 'man was no! ma"e for !he /a&&a!h.' The o&servan%e of !he "ay of Go" was

never mean! !o &e so enfor%e" as !o &e an n+ury !o hs heal!h$ or !o n!erfere w!h hsne%essary re9uremen!s. The or*nal %omman" !o 'keep holy !he /a&&a!h "ay$' wasno! n!en"e" !o &e so n!erpre!e" as !o "o harm !o hs &o"y$ or preven! a%!s of mer%y!o hs fellow-%rea!ures. Ths was !he pon! !ha! !he >harsees ha" for*o!!en$ or &ure"un"er !her !ra"!ons.

There s no!hn* n all !hs !o warran! !he rash asser!on of some$ !ha! our 3or" has"one away w!h !he four!h %omman"men!. 4n !he %on!rary$ e manfes!ly speaks of!he /a&&a!h "ay as a prvle*e an" a *f!$ an" only re*ula!es !he e!en! !o wh%h !so&servan%e shoul" &e enfor%e". e shows !ha! works of ne%ess!y an" mer%y may&e "one on !he /a&&a!h "ay &u! e says no! a wor" !o +us!fy !he no!on !ha!

Chrs!ans nee" no! 'remem&er !he "ay !o keep ! holy.'

3e! us &e +ealous over our own %on"u%! n !he ma!!er of o&servn* !he /a&&a!h.


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There s l!!le "an*er of !he "ay &en* kep! !oo s!r%!ly n !he presen! a*e. There s farmore "an*er of !s &en* profane" an" for*o!!en en!rely. 3e! us %on!en" earnes!lyfor !s preserva!on amon* us n all !s n!e*r!y. e may res! assure" !ha! na!onalprosper!y an" personal *row!h n *ra%e$ are n!ma!ely &oun" up n !he man!enan%eof a holy /a&&a!h.

Mark chapter 3

Mark 3:1-12

These verses show us our 3or" a*an workn* a mra%le. e heals a man n !hesyna*o*ue$ 'who ha" a w!here" han".' 0lways a&ou! s Ba!her#s &usness--always"on* *oo"--"on* ! n !he s*h! of enemes as well as of fren"s--su%h was !he "aly!enor of our 3or"#s ear!hly mns!ry. 0n" e 'lef! us an eample !ha! we shoul" follows s!eps.' (1 >e!er D:D1.) lesse" n"ee" are !hose Chrs!ans who s!rve$ howeverfee&ly$ !o m!a!e !her Mas!er@

3e! us o&serve n !hese verses$ how our Lord Jesus Christ was watched by isenemies.e rea" !ha! '!hey wa!%he" m$ whe!her e woul" heal hm on !he/a&&a!h "ay$ !ha! !hey m*h! a%%use m.'

ha! a melan%holy proof we have here of !he w%ke"ness of human na!ure@ ,! was!he /a&&a!h "ay$ when !hese !hn*s happene". ,! was n !he syna*o*ue$ where men

were assem&le" !o hear !he wor" an" worshp Go". e! even on !he "ay of Go"$an" a! !he !me of worshpn* Go"$ these wretched formalists were plotting mischiefagainst our #ord.The very men who pre!en"e" !o su%h s!r%!ness an"$ san%!!y nl!!le !hn*s$ were full of mal%ous an" an*ry !hou*h!s n !he m"s! of !he

%on*re*a!on. (>rov. 5:1.)

Chrs!#s people mus! no! epe%! !o fare &e!!er !han !her Mas!er. They are alwayswa!%he" &y an ll-na!ure" an" sp!eful worl". Ther %on"u%! s s%anne" w!h a keenan" +ealous eye. Ther ways are no!e" an" "l*en!ly o&serve". They are marke"men. They %an "o no!hn* w!hou! !he worl"#s no!%n* !. Ther "ress$ !herepen"!ure$ !her employmen! of !me$ !her %on"u%! n all !he rela!ons of lfe$ are allr*"ly an" %losely marke". Ther a"versares wa! for !her hal!n*$ an" f a! any !me!hey fall n!o an error$ !he un*o"ly re+o%e.

,! s *oo" for all Chrs!ans !o keep !hs &efore !her mn"s. herever we *o$ an"

wha!ever we "o$ le! us remem&er !ha!$ lke our Mas!er$ we are 'wa!%he".' The!hou*h! shoul" make us eer%se a holy +ealousy over all our %on"u%!$ !ha! we may"o no!hn* !o %ause !he enemy !o &laspheme. ,! shoul" make us "l*en! !o avo"even !he 'appearan%e of evl.' 0&ove all$ ! shoul" make us pray mu%h$ !o &e kep!&lameless n our !empers$ !on*ues$ an" "aly pu&l% "emeanor. Tha! /avor who was'wa!%he"' mself$ knows how !o sympa!h?e w!h hs people$ an" !o supply *ra%e !ohelp n !me of nee".

3e! us o&serve$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the great principle that our Lord lays downabout Sabbath observance.e !ea%hes !ha! ! s lawful '!o "o *oo"' on !he/a&&a!h.

Ths prn%ple s !au*h! &y a remarka&le 9ues!on. e asks !hose aroun" m$whe!her ! was 'lawful !o "o *oo" or evl on !he /a&&a!h "ays$ !o save lfe$ or !o kllA'


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as ! &e!!er !o heal !hs poor sufferer &efore m w!h !he w!here" han"$ or !o leavehm aloneA as ! more snful !o res!ore a person !o heal!h on !he /a&&a!h$ !han !oplo! mur"er$ an" noursh ha!re" a*ans! an nno%en! person$ as !hey were "on* a!!ha! momen! a*ans! mselfA as e !o &e &lame" for savn* a lfe on !he/a&&a!hA ere !hey &lameless who were "esrous !o kllA 2o won"er !ha! &eforesu%h a 9ues!on as !hs$ our 3or"#s enemes 'hel" !her pea%e.'

,! s plan from !hese wor"s of our 3or"$ !ha! no Chrs!an nee" ever hes!a!e !o "o areally *oo" work on !he /un"ay. 0 real work of mer%y$ su%h as mns!ern* !o !hes%k$ or relevn* pan$ may always &e "one w!hou! s%ruple. The holness w!h wh%h!he four!h %omman"men! nves!s !he /a&&a!h "ay$ s no! n !he leas! "e*ree nva"e"&y any!hn* of !hs kn".

u! we mus! !ake %are !ha! !he prn%ple here la" "own &y our 3or"$ s no! a&use"an" !urne" !o &a" a%%oun!. e mus! no! allow ourselves !o suppose !ha! !hepermsson !o '"o *oo"$' mple" !ha! every one m*h! fn" hs own pleasure on !he/a&&a!h. The permsson !o '"o *oo"' was never mean! !o open !he "oor !o

amusemen!s$ worl"ly fes!v!es$ !raveln*$ +ourneyn*$ an" sensual *ra!f%a!on. ,!was never n!en"e" !o l%ense !he /un"ay ralway !ran$ or !he /un"ay s!eam&oa!$ or!he /un"ay eh&!on. These !hn*s "o *oo" !o none$ an" "o %er!an harm !o many.They ro& many a servan! of hs seven!h "ay#s res!. They !urn !he /un"ay of!housan"s n!o a "ay of har" !ol. 3e! us &eware of perver!n* our 3or"#s wor"s from!her proper meann*. 3e! us remem&er wha! kn" of '"on* *oo"' on !he /a&&a!hs &lesse" eample san%!one". 3e! us ask ourselves whe!her !here s !he sl*h!es!lkeness &e!ween our 3or"#s works on !he /a&&a!h$ an" !hose ways of spen"n* !he/a&&a!h for wh%h many %on!en"$ who ye! "are !o appeal !o our 3or"#s eample. 3e!us fall &a%k on !he plan meann* of our 3or"#s wor"s$ an" !ake our s!an" on !hem.e *ves us a l&er!y !o '"o *oo"' on /un"ay$ &u! for feas!n*$ s*h!-seen*$ par!y-*vn*$ an" e%ursons$ e *ves no l&er!y a! all.

3e! us o&serve$ n !he las! pla%e$ the feelings which the conduct of our Lord'senemies called forth in is heart.e are !ol" !ha! 'e looke" roun" a&ou! on!hem w!h 02GR$ &en* *reve" for !he har"ness of !her hear!s.'

Ths epresson s very remarka&le$ an" "eman"s spe%al a!!en!on. ,! s mean! !oremn" us !ha! our 3or" Jesus Chrs! was a man lke ourselves n all !hn*s$ sn onlye%ep!e". ha!ever snless feeln*s &elon* !o !he %ons!!u!on of man$ our 3or"par!ook of$ an" knew &y eperen%e. e rea" !ha! e 'marvele"$' !ha! e 're+o%e"$'

!ha! e 'wep!$' !ha! e 'love"$' an" here we rea" !ha! e fel! 'an*er.'

,! s plan from !hese wor"s !ha! !here s an 'an*er' wh%h s lawful$ r*h!$ an" no!snful. There s an n"*na!on wh%h s +us!fa&le$ an" on some o%%asons may &eproperly manfes!e". The wor"s of /olomon an" >aul &o!h seem !o !ea%h !he samelesson. 'The nor!h wn" "rves away ran$ so "oes an an*ry %oun!enan%e a&a%k&!n* !on*ue.' 'e an*ry an" sn no!.' (>rov. D5:D=. phes. :D


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'spoke una"vse"ly w!h hs lps$' are famlar !o every &le rea"er. The "rea"ful fa%!!ha! passona!e wor"s are a &rea%h of !he s!h %omman"men!$ s planly !au*h! n!he /ermon on !he Moun!. 0n" ye! here we see !ha! !here s an*er wh%h s lawful.

3e! us leave !hs su&+e%! w!h an earnes! prayer$ !ha! we may all &e ena&le" !o !akehee" !o our spr! n !he ma!!er of an*er. e may res! assure" !ha! !here s no human

feeln* wh%h nee"s so mu%h %au!ous *uar"n* as !hs. + sinless wrath is a veryrare thing. The wrath of man is seldom for the glory of od. ,n every %ase ar*h!eous n"*na!on shoul" &e mn*le" w!h *ref an" sorrow for !hose who %ause !$even as ! was n !he %ase of our 3or". 0n" !hs$ a! all even!s$ we may &e sure of--!s &e!!er never !o &e an*ry$ !han !o &e an*ry an" sn.

Mark 3:13-21

The &e*nnn* of !hs passa*e "es%r&es !he appon!men! of !he !welve apos!les. ,! s

an even! n our 3or"#s ear!hly mns!ry$ wh%h shoul" always &e rea" w!h "eepn!eres!. ha! a vas! amoun! of &enef! !hese few men have %onferre" on !he worl"@The names of a few Jewsh fshermen are known an" love" &y mllons all over !he*lo&e$ whle !he names of many kn*s an" r%h men are los! an" for*o!!en. ,! s !hey

who "o *oo" !o souls who are ha" 'n everlas!n* remem&ran%e.' (>salm 11D:hlp an" Ma!!hew. ,nshor!$ !here %an &e l!!le "ou&! !ha! eleven of our 3or"#s apos!les were %onver!e"&efore !hey were or"ane".

,! ou*h! !o &e !he same w!h all mns!ers of !he Gospel. They ou*h! !o &e men whohave &een frs! %alle" &y !he /pr!$ &efore !hey are se! apar! for !he *rea! work of!ea%hn* o!hers. The rule shoul" &e !he same w!h !hem as w!h !he apos!les--'frs!%onver!e"$ !hen or"ane".'

,! s mposs&le !o overra!e !he mpor!an%e of !hs !o !he n!eres!s of !rue rel*on.shops an" pres&y!eres %an never &e !oo s!r%! an" par!%ular n !he en9ures !hey

make a&ou! !he spr!ual %hara%!er of %an""a!es for or"ers. 0n un%onver!e" mns!ers u!!erly unf! for hs off%e. ow %an he speak epermen!ally of !ha! *ra%e wh%h hehas never !as!e" hmselfA ow %an he %ommen" !ha! /avor !o hs people whom hehmself only knows &y nameA ow %an he ur*e on souls !he nee" of !ha! %onversonan" new &r!h$ wh%h he hmself has no! eperen%e"A Msera&ly ms!aken are !hoseparen!s who persua"e !her sons !o &e%ome %ler*ymen$ n or"er !o o&!an a *oo"lvn*$ or follow a respe%!a&le professon@ ha! s ! &u! persua"n* !hem !o say wha!s no! !rue$ an" !o !ake !he 3or"#s name n vanA one do such in-ury to the cause ofChristianity, as unconverted, worldly ministers. They are a support to the infidel, a

-oy to the devil, and an offence to od.

3e! us no!%e$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ the nature of the office to which the apostleswere ordained. They were !o '&e w!h Chrs!.' They were !o &e 'sen! for!h !oprea%h.' They were !o have 'power !o heal s%knesses.' They were !o '%as! ou!


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un"ers!an" ?eal n rel*on. Feal a&ou! money$ or s%en%e$ or war$ or %ommer%e$ or&usness$ s n!ell*&le !o !he worl". u! ?eal a&ou! rel*on s !oo of!en re%kone"foolshness$ fana!%sm$ an" !he s*n of a weak mn". ,f a man n+ures hs heal!h &ys!u"y$ or e%essve a!!en!on !o &usness$ no faul! s foun"--'e s a "l*en! man.'u! f he wears hmself ou! w!h prea%hn*$ or spen"s hs whole !me n "on* *oo" !osouls$ !he %ry s rase"$ 'e s an en!husas! an" r*h!eous over-mu%h.' The worl" s

no! al!ere". The '!hn*s of !he /pr!' are always 'foolshness !o !he na!ural man.' (1Cor. D:1.)

3e! ! no! shake our fa!h$ f we have !o "rnk of !he same %up as our &lesse" 3or".ar" as ! may &e !o flesh an" &loo" !o &e msun"ers!oo" &y our rela!ons$ we mus!re%olle%! ! s no new !hn*. 3e! us %all !o mn" our 3or"#s wor"s$ 'e !ha! loves fa!heran" mo!her more !han me s no! wor!hy of me.' Jesus knows !he &!!erness of our!rals$ Jesus feels for us. Jesus wll *ve us help.

3e! us &ear pa!en!ly !he unreasona&leness of un%onver!e" men$ even as our 3or""". 3e! us p!y !her &ln"ness an" la%k of knowle"*e$ an" no! love !hem one wh!

!he less. 0&ove all$ le! us pray !ha! Go" woul" %han*e !her hear!s. ho %an !ell &u!!he very persons who now !ry !o !urn us away from Chrs!$ may one "ay &e%omenew %rea!ures$ see all !hn*s "fferen!ly$ an" follow Chrs! !hemselvesA

Mark 3:22-30

e all know how panful ! s !o have our %on"u%! msun"ers!oo" an"msrepresen!e"$ when we are "on* r*h!. ,! s a !ral wh%h our 3or" Jesus Chrs!ha" !o en"ure %on!nually$ all !hrou*h s ear!hly mns!ry. e have an ns!an%e n!he passa*e &efore us. The '/%r&es who %ame "own from Jerusalem' saw !hemra%les wh%h e worke". They %oul" no! "eny !her real!y. ha! !hen "" !hey "oAThey a%%use" our &lesse" /avor of &en* n lea*ue an" unon w!h !he "evl. Theysa"$ 'e has eel?e&u&$ an" &y !he prn%e of !he "evls %as!s he ou! "evls.'

,n our 3or"#s answer !o !hs w%ke" a%%usa!on$ !here are epressons wh%h "eservespe%al a!!en!on. 3e! us see wha! lessons !hey %on!an for our use.

e ou*h! !o no!%e$ n !he frs! pla%e$ how great is the evil of dissension anddivisions.

Ths s a lesson wh%h s s!ron*ly &rou*h! ou! n !he &e*nnn* of our 3or"#s reply !o!he s%r&es. e shows !he a&sur"!y of supposn* !ha! /a!an woul" '%as! ou! /a!an$'an" so help !o "es!roy hs own power. e appeals !o !he no!orous fa%!$ wh%h evenhs enemes mus! allow$ !ha! !here %an &e no s!ren*!h where !here s "vson. ',f akn*"om &e "v"e" a*ans! !self$ !ha! kn*"om %anno! s!an".'

Ths !ru!h s one wh%h "oes no! re%eve suff%en! %ons"era!on. 4n no pon! has !hea&use of !he r*h! of prva!e +u"*men! pro"u%e" so mu%h evl. The "vsons ofChrs!ans are one *rea! %ause of !he weakness of !he vs&le %hur%h. They of!ena&sor& ener*y$ !me$ an" power$ wh%h m*h! have &een well &es!owe" on &e!!er

!hn*s. They furnsh !he nf"el w!h a prme ar*umen! a*ans! !he !ru!h of Chrs!an!y.They help !he "evl. /a!an n"ee" s !he %hef promo!er of rel*ous "vsons. ,f he%anno! e!n*ush Chrs!an!y$ he la&ors !o make Chrs!ans 9uarrel w!h one


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ano!her$ an" !o se! every man#s han" a*ans! hs ne*h&or. 2one knows &e!!er !han!he "evl$ !ha! '!o "v"e s !o %on9uer.'

3e! us resolve$ so far as n us les$ !o avo" all "fferen%es$ "ssensons$ an" "spu!esn rel*on. 3e! us loa!he an" a&hor !hem as !he pla*ue of !he %hur%hes. e %anno!&e !oo +ealous a&ou! all savn* !ru!hs. u! ! s easy !o ms!ake mor&" s%rupulos!y

for %ons%en!ousness$ an" ?eal a&ou! mere !rfles for ?eal a&ou! !he !ru!h. othing-ustifies separation from a church but the separation of that church from the ospel.3e! us &e rea"y !o %on%e"e mu%h$ an" make many sa%rf%es for !he sake of un!yan" pea%e.

e ou*h! !o no!%e$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ what a glorious declaration our Lordma!es in these verses about the forgiveness of sins.e says$ ', assure you !ha!any sn %an &e for*ven$ n%lu"n* &lasphemy.'

These wor"s fall l*h!ly on !he ears of many persons. They see no par!%ular &eau!yn !hem. u! !o !he man who s alve !o hs own snfulness an" "eeply sens&le of hs

nee" of mer%y$ !hese wor"s are swee! an" pre%ous. '0ll sns shall &e for*ven.' Thesns of you!h an" a*e--!he sns of hea"$ an" han"$ an" !on*ue$ an" ma*na!on--!hesns a*ans! all Go"#s %omman"men!s--!he sns of perse%u!ors$ lke /aul--!he sns of"ola!ers$ lke Manasseh--!he sns of open enemes of Chrs!$ lke !he Jews who%ru%fe" m--!he sns of &a%ksl"ers from Chrs!$ lke >e!er--all$ all may &e for*ven.The &loo" of Chrs! %an %leanse all away. The r*h!eousness of Chrs! %an %over all$an" h"e all from Go"#s eyes.

The "o%!rne here la" "own s !he %rown an" *lory of !he Gospel. The very frs! !hn*! proposes !o man s free par"on$ full for*veness$ %omple!e remsson$ w!hou!money an" w!hou! pr%e. 'Throu*h !hs man s prea%he" un!o you !he for*veness ofsns an" &y m all !ha! &eleve are +us!fe" from all !hn*s.' (0%!s 1=:=;.)

3e! us lay hol" on !hs "o%!rne w!hou! "elay$ f we never re%eve" ! &efore. ,! s forus$ as well as for o!hers. e !oo$ !hs very "ay$ f we %ome !o Chrs!$ may &e%omple!ely for*ven. 'Thou*h our sns have &een as s%arle!$ !hey shall &e wh!e assnow.' (,saah 1:18.)

3e! us %leave frmly !o !hs "o%!rne$ f we have re%eve" ! alrea"y. e maysome!mes feel fan!$ an" unwor!hy$ an" %as! "own. u! f we have really %ome !oJesus &y fa!h$ our sns are fully for*ven. They are %as! &ehn" Go"#s &a%k--&lo!!e"

ou! of !he &ook of s remem&ran%e--sunk n!o !he "ep!hs of !he sea. 3e! us &elevean" no! &e afra".

e ou*h! !o no!%e$ n !he las! pla%e$ !ha! it is possible for a man's soul to be lostforever in hell.The wor"s of our 3or" are "s!n%! an" epress. e speaks of one

who 'has never for*veness$ &u! s n "an*er of e!ernal "amna!on.'

Ths s an "rea"ful !ru!h$ &eyon" "ou&!. u! ! s a !ru!h$ an" we mus! no! shu! oureyes a*ans! !. e fn" ! asser!e" over an" over a*an n /%rp!ure. B*ures of allkn"s are mul!ple"$ an" lan*ua*e of every sor! s employe"$ n or"er !o make !plan an" unms!aka&le. ,n shor!$ f !here s no su%h !hn* as 'e!ernal "amna!on$' we

may !hrow !he &le as"e$ an" say !ha! wor"s have no meann* a! all.

e have *rea! nee" !o keep !hs "rea"ful !ru!h s!ea"ly n vew n !hese la!!er "ays.


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Tea%hers have rsen up$ who are openly a!!a%kn* !he "o%!rne of !he e!ern!y ofpunshmen!$ or la&orn* har" !o eplan ! away. Men#s ears are &en* !%kle" w!hplaus&le sayn*s a&ou! '!he love of Go"$' an" !he mposs&l!y of a lovn* Go"perm!!n* an everlas!n* hell. The e!ern!y of punshmen! s spoken of as a mere'spe%ula!ve 9ues!on$' a&ou! wh%h men may &eleve any!hn* !hey please. ,n !hem"s! of all !hs floo" of false "o%!rne$ le! us hol" frmly !he ol" !ru!h. 3e! us no! &e

ashame" !o &eleve !ha! !here s an e!ernal Go"--an e!ernal heaven--an" an e!ernalhell. 3e! us re%olle%! !ha! sn s an nfn!e evl. ,! nee"e" an a!onemen! of nfn!evalue !o "elver !he &elever from !s %onse9uen%es--an" ! en!als an nfn!e loss on!he un&elever who re+e%!s !he reme"y prov"e" for !. 0&ove all$ le! us fall &a%k onplan s%rp!ural s!a!emen!s$ lke !ha! &efore us !hs "ay. 42 >30,2 TIT ,/4RT 0 T4H/026 0/TRH/ 0RGHM2T/.

Bnally$ f ! &e !rue !ha! !here s an 'e!ernal "amna!on$' le! us *ve "l*en%e !ha! weourselves "o no! fall n!o !. 3e! us es%ape for our lves$ an" no! ln*er. (Gen.1;:1


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e learn from !hese verses one m*h!y lesson. e learn$ who they are that arerec!oned the relations of Jesus Christ.They are !hey who are s "s%ples$ an"'"o !he wll of Go".' 4f su%h !he *rea! ea" of !he Chur%h says$ '!he same s my&ro!her$ an" ss!er$ an" mo!her.'

ow mu%h !here s n !hs sn*le epresson@ ha! a r%h mne of %onsola!on !

opens !o all !rue &elevers@ ho %an %on%eve !he "ep!h of our 3or"#s love !owar"sMary !he mo!her !ha! &ore m$ an" on whose &osom e ha" &een nurse"A ho%an ma*ne !he &rea"!h of s love !owar"s s &re!hren a%%or"n* !o !he flesh$ w!h

whom !he !en"er years of hs %hl"hoo" ha" &een spen!A 6ou&!less no hear! everha" w!hn ! su%h "eep well-sprn*s of affe%!on as !he hear! of Chrs!. e! even esays$ of all who '"o !he wll of Go"$' !ha! ea%h 's hs &ro!her$ an" ss!er$ an"mo!her.'

3e! all !rue Chrs!ans "rnk %omfor! ou! of !hese wor"s. 3e! !hem know !ha! !here s4ne a! leas!$ who knows !hem$ loves !hem$ %ares for !hem$ an" re%kons !hem as sown famly. ha! !hou*h !hey &e poor n !hs worl"A They have no %ause !o &e

ashame"$ when !hey remem&er !ha! !hey are !he &re!hren an" ss!ers of !he /on ofGo". ha! !hou*h !hey &e perse%u!e" an" ll-!rea!e" n !her own homes &e%ause of!her rel*onA They may remem&er !he wor"s of 6av"$ an" apply !hem !o !her own%ase$ 'hen my fa!her an" mo!her forsake me$ !hen !he 3or" wll !ake me up.'(>salm. D7:1E.)

Bnally$ le! all who perse%u!e an" r"%ule o!hers &e%ause of !her rel*on$ !akewarnn* &y !hese wor"s$ an" repen!. hom are !hey perse%u!n* an" r"%uln*A Therela!ons of Jesus !he /on of Go"@ The famly of !he n* of kn*s an" 3or" of lor"s@/urely !hey woul" "o wsely !o hol" !her pea%e$ an" %ons"er well wha! !hey are"on*. These whom !hey perse%u!e have a m*h!y Bren"--'Ther re"eemer sm*h!y he shall plea" !her %ause.' (>rov. D=:11.)

Mark chapter 4

Mark 4:1-20

These verses %on!an !he para&le of !he sower. 4f all !he para&les spoken &y our3or"$ none s pro&a&ly so well-known as !hs. There s none wh%h s so easlyun"ers!oo" &y all$ from !he *ra%ous famlar!y of !he f*ures wh%h ! %on!ans. Theres none wh%h s of su%h unversal an" perpe!ual appl%a!on. /o lon* as !here s a

Chur%h of Chrs! an" a %on*re*a!on of Chrs!ans$ so lon* !here wll &e employmen!for !hs para&le.

The lan*ua*e of !he para&le re9ures no eplana!on. To use !he wor"s of an an%en!wr!er$ '! nee"s appl%a!on$ no! epos!on.' 3e! us now see wha! ! !ea%hes.

e are !au*h!$ n !he frs! pla%e$ that there are some hearers of the Gospel"whose hearts are li!e the wayside in a field.

These are !hey who hear sermons$ &u! pay no a!!en!on !o !hem. They *o !o a pla%eof worshp$ for form or fashon$ or !o appear respe%!a&le &efore men. u! !hey !ake

no n!eres! wha!ever n !he prea%hn*. ,! seems !o !hem a mere ma!!er of wor"s an"names$ an" unn!ell*&le !alk. ,! s ne!her money$ nor foo"$ nor "rnk$ nor %lo!hes$nor %ompany an" as !hey s! un"er !he soun" of !$ !hey are !aken up w!h !hnkn* of


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o!her !hn*s. ,! ma!!ers no!hn* whe!her ! s 3aw or Gospel. ,! pro"u%es no moreeffe%! on !hem !han wa!er on a s!one. 0n" a! !he en" !hey *o away$ known* nomore !han when !hey %ame n.

There are myra"s of professn* Chrs!ans n !hs s!a!e of soul. There s har"ly a%hur%h or %hapel$ where s%ores of !hem are no! !o &e foun". /un"ay af!er /un"ay

!hey allow !he "evl !o %a!%h away !he *oo" see" !ha! s sown on !he surfa%e of !herhear!s. eek af!er week !hey lve on$ w!hou! fa!h$ or fear$ or knowle"*e$ or *ra%e--feeln* no!hn*$ %arn* no!hn*$ !akn* no more n!eres! n rel*on$ !han f Chrs! ha"never "e" on !he %ross a! all. 0n" n !hs s!a!e !hey of!en "e an" are &ure"$ an" arelos! forever n hell. Ths s a mournful p%!ure$ &u! only !oo !rue.

e are !au*h!$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ !ha! there are some hearers of the Gospelwhose hearts are li!e the stony ground in a field.

These are !hey on whom prea%hn* pro"u%es !emporary mpressons$ &u! no "eep$las!n*$ an" a&"n* effe%!. They !ake pleasure n hearn* sermons n wh%h !he !ru!h

s fa!hfully se! for!h. They %an speak w!h apparen! +oy an" en!husasm a&ou! !heswee!ness of !he Gospel$ an" !he happness wh%h !hey eperen%e n ls!enn* !o !.They %an &e move" !o !ears &y !he appeals of prea%hers$ an" !alk w!h apparen!earnes!ness of !her own nwar" %onfl%!s$ hopes$ s!ru**les$ "esres$ an" fears. u!unhapply !here s no s!a&l!y a&ou! !her rel*on. 'They have no roo! n !hemselves$an" so en"ure &u! for a !me.' There s no real work of !he oly /pr! w!hn !herhear!s. Ther mpressons are lke Jonah#s *our"$ wh%h %ame up n a n*h! an"pershe" n a n*h!. They fa"e as rap"ly as !hey *row. 2o sooner "oes 'affl%!onan" perse%u!on arse for !he wor"#s sake$' !han !hey fall away. Ther *oo"nessproves as '!he mornn* %lou"$ an" !he early "ew.' (osea


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Chrs!an!y. They &rn* no fru! !o perfe%!on.

There are few fa!hful mns!ers of Chrs! who %oul" no! pon! !o %ases lke !hese. 4fall %ases !hey are !he mos! melan%holy. To *o so far an" ye! *o no fur!her--!o see somu%h an" ye! no! see all--!o approve so mu%h an" ye! no! *ve Chrs! !he hear!$ !hss n"ee" mos! "eplora&le@ 0n" !here s &u! one ver"%! !ha! %an &e *ven a&ou! su%h

people. !hou! a "e%"e" %han*e !hey wll never en!er !he kn*"om of heaven.Chrs! wll have all our hear!s. ',f any man wll &e a fren" of !he worl"$ he s !heenemy of Go".' (James :.)

e are !au*h!$ n !he las! pla%e$ !ha! there are some hearers of the Gospel"whose hearts are li!e the good ground in a field.

These are !hey who really re%eve Chrs!#s !ru!h n!o !he &o!!om of !her hear!s$&eleve ! mpl%!ly$ an" o&ey ! !horou*hly. ,n !hese !he fru!s of !ha! !ru!h wll &eseen--unform$ plan$ an" unms!aka&le resul!s n hear! an" lfe. /,2 wll &e !rulyha!e"$ mourne" over$ ress!e"$ an" renoun%e". CR,/T wll &e !ruly love"$ !rus!e"

n$ followe"$ love"$ an" o&eye". 43,2// wll show !self n all !her lfe$ n huml!y$spr!ual-mn"e"ness$ pa!en%e$ meekness$ an" %har!y. There wll &e some!hn* !ha!%an &e seen. The !rue work of !he oly /pr! %anno! &e h""en.

There wll always &e some people n !hs s!a!e of soul$ where !he Gospel s fa!hfullyprea%he". Ther num&ers may very lkely &e few$ %ompare" !o !he worl"ly aroun"!hem. Ther eperen%e an" "e*ree of spr!ual a!!anmen! may "ffer w"ely$ some&rn*n* for!h !hr!y$ some s!y$ an" some a hun"re"-fol". u! !he fru! of !he see"falln* n!o *oo" *roun" wll always &e of !he same kn". There wll always &e vs&lerepen!an%e$ vs&le fa!h n Chrs!$ an" vs&le holness of lfe. !hou! !hese !hn*s$!here s no savn* rel*on.

0n" now le! us ask ourselves$ ha! are weA Hn"er wh%h %lass of hearers ou*h! we!o &e ranke"A !h wha! kn" of hear!s "o we hear !he wor"A 2ever$ never may wefor*e!$ !ha! !here are !hree ways of hearn* w!hou! prof!$ an" only one way ofhearn* ar*h!@ 2ever$ never may we for*e! !ha! !here s only one nfall&le mark of&en* a r*h!-hear!e" hearer@ Tha! mark s !o &ear fru!. To &e w!hou! fru!$ s !o &e n!he way !o hell.

Mark 4:21-25

These verses seem n!en"e" !o enfor%e !he para&le of !he sower on !he a!!en!on of!hose who hear" !. They are remarka&le for !he su%%esson of shor!$ p!hy$ prover&alsayn*s wh%h !hey %on!an. /u%h sayn*s are emnen!ly %al%ula!e" !o arres! an*noran! hearer. They of!en s!rke$ an" s!%k n !he memory$ when !he man su&+e%! of!he sermon s for*o!!en.

e learn$ from !hese verses$ !ha! we ought not only to receive !nowledge" but toimpart it to others.

0 %an"le s no! l*h!e" n or"er !o &e h""en an" %on%eale"$ &u! !o &e se! on a%an"les!%k an" use". Rel*ous l*h! s no! *ven !o a man for hmself alone$ &u! for!he &enef! of o!hers. e are !o !ry !o sprea" an" "ffuse our knowle"*e. e are !o


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"splay !o o!hers !he pre%ous !reasure !ha! we have foun" an" persua"e !hem !oseek ! for !hemselves. e are !o !ell !hem of !he *oo" news !ha! we have hear"$an" en"eavor !o make !hem &eleve an" value ! !hemselves.

e shall all have !o *ve a%%oun! of our use of knowle"*e one "ay. The &ooks ofGo" n !he "ay of +u"*men! wll show wha! we have "one. ,f we have &ure" our

!alen! n !he ear!h--f we have &een %on!en! w!h a la?y$ "le$ "o-no!hn* Chrs!an!y$an" %are" no!hn* wha! happene" !o o!hers$ so lon* as we wen! !o heavenourselves--!here wll &e a fearful eposure a! las!--'There s no!hn* h""en$ wh%hshall no! &e manfes!e".'

,! &e%omes all Chrs!ans !o lay !hese !hn*s !o hear!. ,! s h*h !me !ha! !he ol"!ra"!on$ !ha! !he %ler*y alone ou*h! !o !ea%h an" sprea" rel*ous knowle"*e$shoul" &e eplo"e" an" %as! as"e forever. To "o *oo" an" "ffuse l*h! s a "u!y for

wh%h all mem&ers of Chrs!#s Chur%h are respons&le$ whe!her mns!ers or laymen.2e*h&ors ou*h! !o !ell ne*h&ors$ f !hey have foun" an unfaln* reme"y n !me ofpla*ue. Chrs!ans ou*h! !o !ell o!hers !ha! !hey have foun" me"%ne for !her souls$

f !hey see !hem *noran!$ an" "yn* for la%k of !. ha! says !he apos!le >e!erA '0severy man has re%eve" !he *f!$ even so mns!er !he same one !o ano!her.' (1 >e!er:1E.) They wll &e happy "ays for !he Chur%h when !ha! !e! s o&eye".

e learn$ n !he se%on" pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the importance of hearing" andof considering well what we hear.

Ths s a pon! !o wh%h our 3or" ev"en!ly a!!a%hes *rea! we*h!. e have seen !alrea"y &rou*h! ou! n !he para&le of !he sower. e see ! here enfor%e" n !woremarka&le epressons. ',f any man have an ear !o hear$ le! hm hear.' 'Take hee"

wha! you hear.'

earn* !he !ru!h s one prn%pal avenue !hrou*h wh%h *ra%e s %onveye" !o !hesoul of man. 'Ba!h %omes &y hearn*.' (Rom. 1E:17.) 4ne of !he frs! s!eps !owar"s%onverson s !o re%eve from !he /pr! a hearn* ear. /el"om are men &rou*h! !orepen!an%e an" fa!h n Chrs! w!hou! 'hearn*.' The *eneral rule s !ha! of wh%h>aul remn"s !he phesans$ 'you also !rus!e"$ af!er you 0R6 !he wor" of !ru!h.'(ph. 1:1=.)

3e! us &ear !hs n mn" when we hear prea%hn* "e%re" as a means of *ra%e.There are never la%kn* men who seek !o %as! ! "own from !he h*h pla%e wh%h !he

&le *ves !. There are many who pro%lam lou"ly !ha! ! s of far more mpor!an%e!o !he soul !o hear l!ur*%al forms rea"$ an" !o re%eve !he 3or"#s /upper$ !han !ohear Go"#s wor" epoun"e". 4f all su%h no!ons le! us &eware. 3e! ! &e a se!!le"prn%ple w!h us !ha! 'hearn* !he wor"$' s one of !he foremos! means of *ra%e !ha!Go" has *ven !o man. 3e! us *ve !o every o!her means an" or"nan%e !s propervalue an" propor!on. u! never le! us for*e! !he wor"s of >aul$ '"espse no!prophesyn*s$' an" hs "yn* %har*e !o Tmo!hy$ '>rea%h !he wor".' (1 Thess. 5:DED Tm. :D.)

e learn$ n !he las! pla%e$ from !hese verses$ the importance of a diligent use ofreligious privileges.ha! says our 3or"A 'Hn!o you !ha! hear shall more &e *ven.

e !ha! has$ !o hm shall &e *ven--an" he !ha! has no!$ from hm shall &e !aken even!ha! wh%h he has.'


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Ths s a prn%ple wh%h we fn" %on!nually &rou*h! forwar" n /%rp!ure. 0ll !ha!&elevers have s un"ou&!e"ly of *ra%e. Ther repen!an%e$ fa!h$ an" holness$ are all!he *f! of Go". u! !he "e*ree !o wh%h a &elever a!!ans n *ra%e$ s ever se! &eforeus as %losely %onne%!e" w!h hs own "l*en%e n !he use of means$ an" hs ownfa!hfulness n lvn* fully up !o !he l*h! an" knowle"*e wh%h he possesses.,n"olen%e an" la?ness are always "s%oura*e" n Go"#s wor". 3a&or an" pans n

hearn*$ rea"n*$ an" prayer$ are always represen!e" as &rn*n* !her own rewar".'The soul of !he "l*en! shall &e ma"e fa!.' (>rov. 1=:.) '0n "le soul shall sufferhun*er.' (>rov. 1;:15.)

0!!en!on !o !hs *rea! prn%ple s !he man se%re! of spr!ual prosper!y. The manwho makes rap" pro*ress n spr!ual a!!anmen!s--who *rows vs&ly n *ra%e$ an"knowle"*e$ an" s!ren*!h$ an" usefulness--wll always &e foun" !o &e a "l*en! man.e leaves no s!one un!urne" !o promo!e hs soul#s well-"on*. e s "l*en! over hs&le$ "l*en! n hs prva!e "evo!ons$ "l*en! as a hearer of sermons$ "l*en! n hsa!!en"an%e a! !he 3or"#s !a&le. 0n" he reaps a%%or"n* as he sows. Jus! as !hemus%les of !he &o"y are s!ren*!hene" &y re*ular eer%se$ so are !he *ra%es of !he

soul n%rease" &y "l*en%e n usn* !hem.

6o we wsh !o *row n *ra%eA 6o we "esre !o have s!ron*er fa!h$ &r*h!er hope$an" %learer knowle"*eA eyon" "ou&! we "o$ f we are !rue Chrs!ans. Then le! uslve fully up !o our l*h!$ an" mprove every oppor!un!y. 3e! us never for*e! our 3or"#s

wor"s n !hs passa*e. '!h wha! measure we use' !o our souls$ '! shall &emeasure" !o us a*an.' The more we "o for our souls$ !he more shall we fn" Go""oes for !hem.

Mark 4:26-29

The para&le %on!ane" n !hese verses s shor!$ an" only re%or"e" n Mark#s Gospel.u! ! s one !ha! ou*h! !o &e "eeply n!eres!n* !o all who have reason !o hope !ha!!hey are !rue Chrs!ans. ,! se!s &efore us !he hs!ory of !he work of *ra%e n ann"v"ual soul. ,! summons us !o an eamna!on of our own eperen%e n "vne!hn*s.

There are some epressons n !he para&le wh%h we mus! no! press !oo far. /u%hare !he 'sleepn* an" rsn*' of !he farmer$ an" !he 'n*h! an" "ay.' ,n !hs$ as n

many of our 3or"#s para&les$ MH/T C0RBH33 > ,2 , T M0,2/C4> 026 4JCT 4B T 43 /T4R$ 026 24T 30 T44 MHC/TR// 42 3//R >4,2T/. ,n !he %ase &efore us !he man !hn* !au*h! s !he%lose resem&lan%e &e!ween some famlar opera!ons n !he %ul!ure of *ran$ an" !he

work of *ra%e n !he hear!. To !hs le! us r*"ly %onfne our a!!en!on.

e are !au*h!$ frs!ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ran$ so n !he work of *ra%e$ theremust be a sower.

The ear!h$ as we all know$ never &rn*s for!h *ran of !self. ,! s a mo!her of wee"s$&u! no! of whea!. The han" of man mus! plou*h !$ an" s%a!!er !he see"$ or else

!here woul" never &e a harves!.

The hear! of man$ n lke manner$ wll never of !self !urn !o Go"$ repen!$ &eleve$ an"


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o&ey. ,! s u!!erly &arren of *ra%e. ,! s en!rely "ea" !owar"s Go"$ an" una&le !o *ve!self spr!ual lfe. The /on of man mus! &reak ! up &y s /pr!$ an" *ve ! a newna!ure. e mus! s%a!!er over ! &y !he han" of hs la&orn* mns!ers !he *oo" see" of!he wor".

3e! us mark !hs !ru!h well. Gra%e n !he hear! of man s an eo!%. ,! s a new

prn%ple from ou!s"e$ sen! "own from heaven an" mplan!e" n hs soul. 3ef! !ohmself$ no man lvn* woul" ever seek Go". 0n" ye! n %ommun%a!n* *ra%e$ Go"or"narly works &y means. To "espse !he ns!rumen!al!y of !ea%hers an"prea%hers$ s !o epe%! %orn where no see" has &een sown.

e are !au*h!$ se%on"ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ran$ so n !he work of *ra%e$there is much that is beyond man's comprehension and control.

The wses! farmer on ear!h %an never eplan all !ha! !akes pla%e n a *ran of whea!$when he has sown !. e knows !he &roa" fa%! !ha! unless he pu!s ! n!o !he sol$ an"%overs ! up$ !here wll no! &e an ear of %orn n !me of harves!. u! he %anno!

%omman" !he prosper!y of ea%h *ran. e %anno! eplan why some *rans %ome upan" o!hers "e. e %anno! spe%fy !he hour or !he mnu!e when lfe shall &e*n !oshow !self. e %anno! "efne wha! !ha! lfe s. These are ma!!ers he mus! leavealone. e sows hs see"$ an" leaves !he *row!h !o Go". 'Go" *ves !he n%rease.' (1Cor. =:7.)

The workn*s of *ra%e n !he hear! n lke manner$ are u!!erly mys!erous an"unsear%ha&le. e %anno! eplan why !he wor" pro"u%es effe%!s on one person n a%on*re*a!on$ an" no! upon ano!her. e %anno! eplan why$ n some %ases--w!hevery poss&le a"van!a*e$ an" n sp!e of every en!rea!y--people re+e%! !he wor"$an" %on!nue "ea" n !respasses an" sns. e %anno! eplan why n o!her %ases--

w!h every poss&le "ff%ul!y$ an" w!h no en%oura*emen!--people are &orn a*an$an" &e%ome "e%"e" Chrs!ans. e %anno! "efne !he manner n wh%h !he /pr! ofGo" %onveys lfe !o a soul$ an" !he ea%! pro%ess &y wh%h a &elever re%eves anew na!ure. 0ll !hese are h""en !hn*s !o us. e see %er!an resul!s$ &u! we %an *ono fur!her. 'The wn" &lows where ! wlls$ an" you hear !he soun" !hereof$ &u! %anno! !ell when%e ! %omes$ an" where ! *oes--so s every one !ha! s &orn of !he/pr!.' (John =:8.)

3e! us mark !hs !ru!h also$ for ! s "eeply ns!ru%!ve. ,! s hum&ln* no "ou&! !omns!ers$ an" !ea%hers of o!hers. The h*hes! a&l!es$ !he mos! powerful prea%hn*$

!he mos! "l*en! workn*$ %anno! %omman" su%%ess. Go" alone %an *ve spr!uallfe. u! ! s a !ru!h a! !he same !me$ wh%h supples an a"mra&le an!"o!e !o over-ane!y an" "espon"en%y. 4ur prn%pal work s !o sow !he see". Tha! "one$ we may

wa! w!h fa!h an" pa!en%e for !he resul!. 'e may sleep$ an" rse n*h! an" "ay$'an" leave our work w!h !he 3or". e alone %an$ an"$ f e !hnks f!$ e wll *vesu%%ess.

e are !au*h!$ !hr"ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ran$ so n !he work of *ra%e$ lifemanifests itself gradually.

There s a !rue prover& wh%h says$ '2a!ure "oes no!hn* a! a &oun".' The rpe ear

of whea! "oes no! appear a! on%e$ as soon as !he see" &urs!s for!h n!o lfe. Theplan! *oes !hrou*h many s!a*es$ &efore ! arrves a! perfe%!on--'frs! !he &la"e$ !hen!he ear$ !hen !he full %orn n !he ear.' u! n all !hese s!a*es one *rea! !hn* s !rue


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a&ou! !--even a! !s weakes!$ ! s a lvn* plan!.

The work of *ra%e$ n lke manner$ *oes on n !he hear! &y "e*rees. The %hl"ren ofGo" are no! &orn perfe%! n fa!h$ or hope$ or knowle"*e$ or eperen%e. Ther&e*nnn* s *enerally a '"ay of small !hn*s.' They see n par! !her own snfulness$an" Chrs!#s fullness$ an" !he &eau!y of holness. u! for all !ha!$ !he weakes! %hl" n

Go"#s famly s a !rue %hl" of Go". !h all hs weakness an" nfrm!y he s alve.The see" of *ra%e has really %ome up n hs hear!$ !hou*h a! presen! ! &e only n !he&la"e. e s 'alve from !he "ea".' 0n" !he wse man says$ 'a lvn* "o* s &e!!er!han a "ea" lon.' (%%les. ;:.)

3e! us mark !hs !ru!h also$ for ! s full of %onsola!on. 3e! us no! "espse *ra%e$&e%ause ! s weak$ or !hnk people are no! %onver!e"$ &e%ause !hey are no! ye! ass!ron* n !he fa!h as >aul. 3e! us remem&er !ha! *ra%e$ lke every!hn* else$ mus!have a &e*nnn*. The m*h!es! oak was on%e an a%orn. The s!ron*es! man wason%e a &a&e. e!!er a !housan" !mes have *ra%e n !he &la"e !han no *ra%e a! all.

e are !au*h!$ las!ly$ !ha!$ as n !he *row!h of *ran$ so n !he work of *ra%e$ there isno harvest until the seed is ripe.

2o farmer !hnks of %u!!n* hs whea! when ! s *reen. e wa!s un!l !he sun$ an"ran$ an" hea!$ an" %ol"$ have "one !her appon!e" work$ an" !he *ol"en ears han*"own. Then$ an" no! un!l !hen$ he pu!s n !he s%kle$ an" *a!hers !he whea! n!o hs&arn.

Go" "eals w!h s work of *ra%e ea%!ly n !he same way. e never removes speople from !hs worl" un!l !hey are rpe an" rea"y. e never !akes !hem away un!l!her work s "one. They never "e a! !he wron* !me$ however mys!erous !her"ea!hs appear some!mes !o man. Josah$ an" James !he &ro!her of John were &o!h%u! off n !he m"s! of usefulness. 4ur own n* "war" !he /!h was no! allowe" !orea%h ma!ure s!a!e. u! we shall

J. C. Ryle - The Gospel of Mark

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Transcript of J. C. Ryle - The Gospel of Mark