A Brother Bigger than the Bully

Christ Rules! Gospel of Mark Series (Part 6)

A Sermon by Jim Hammond from Mark 3

Focus:  Many things in life bully us.  But Christ is my brother and is bigger than any bully.  Christ bound the bully, unbound me, and set me free to enjoy life as it is meant to be!

I.  Jesus Is Big

            A.            Bigger Than Man Made Restrictions (3:1-5)

            B.            Bigger Than the Right or Left Wing (3:6)

            C.            Bigger Than Your DisEase (3:1-10)

            D.            Bigger Than the Demons (3:11-19)

E. Bigger Than The Bully (3:20-30)

·     He’s Stronger than the Strong Man (3:27)

·     He Forgives Everything But the Unforgivable (3:28-29)

II.                 And He’s My Brother (Mark 3:31-35)

********************

Have you ever been bullied by a bully?  Do you remember the fear?  The resentment?  The frustration? 

Have you ever been rescued from a bully?  Do you remember the relief?

There was a time when I was young that I was a prime target for bullies.  I was a missionary’s kid.  My family had just moved back from Japan.  I knew little about our culture here in the U.S.  I didn’t know the right stuff, who were the popular athletes, or musicians, or TV shows.  I didn’t wear the right stuff—I wore hand me down floods rather than bell bottoms.  I was an easy target for Bullies.  I was new.  I was different.  I didn’t have friends yet.   Though we moved to California when I entered 5^th grade, the bottom of my experience was in Junior High when I went from a small elementary school to a public Jr. High (7^th and 8^th grade) with thousands of students.  By then I wasn’t as new, and I had some friends.  Nevertheless, I was awkward and off balance.  Course I didn’t know at that time, that in Jr. High everyone feels awkward and off balance. 

I was rescued by a very unlikely source one time from some bullies.  I was rescued because my neighbor, named Bruce intervened.  Bruce and I were opposites in many ways.  I was born to a Missionary Family.  He was born to what was called back then “Hippies”.  I was clean cut.  Bruce had hair past his shoulders.  I was taught a strict moral code.  Bruce was taught freedom as his  code.  I had model planes hanging in my room.  Bruce had pinups.  I was teased for not fitting in one way.  Bruce was teased for not fitting in another way.  He hung out with the group called the “burn outs”.  Bruce was a rough character.  He was tough, always wore heavy boots, and if my memory is accurate he had a big chain that hung from his wallet to his belt.  Bruce got in fights and won.  I avoided fights any way I could. 

Bruce and I would never be close friends, we were too different.  However, I had spent time with Bruce at his house and had tried to welcome him as a good neighbor when they moved in next door.  I never heard my parents talk about Bruce.  As a parent now, I can only imagine the concerns they must have had whenever I went over and spent any time with Bruce.

There came a time that my little time of friendliness paid off.  I don’t remember how it happened or what started it.  But some Jr. High bullies decided to bully me.  It was quickly escalating to a fight.  Back in those days, fights gathered large crowds at my Jr. High.  All I remember was that I was cornered by the crowd and the bullies and Bruce came busting in there loud and furious.  Bruce’s biggest advantage was 1) his reputation, and 2) the fact he didn’t care if he got in trouble.  I really was shocked to have Bruce stick up for me.  We were not associated together at school in any way.  After that, the tough guys left me alone.

In his book Fuzzy Memories, Jack Handey writes:

There used to be this bully who would demand my lunch money every day. Since I was smaller, I would give it to him. Then I decided to fight back. I started taking karate lessons. But then the karate lesson guy said I had to start paying him five dollars a lesson. So I just went back to paying the bully.

Too many people feel it is easier just to pay the bully than it is to learn how to defeat him. [1]

QUESTION:  Let me ask you a question:  Is there still any kind of a Bully in your life that it is easier just to pay the bully than it is to learn how to defeat him? [2]

Remember this: If you don’t confront the SIN in your life; that sin, no matter what it is, will become a BULLY demanding payments you will NOT want to make.

There is no reason we as Christians need to keep paying the bully because Jesus explained his ability to defeat bullies..  Jesus said,   (Mark 3:27 NIV)  “In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house."

You have probably all heard that "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life."  But there is another truth I want you to know.  "Satan hates you and has a terrible plan for your life" we do have an enemy who wishes us nothing but evil.    Relying on a Big Savior to defeat this bully is critical.  Then we must learn how to live in God’s plan rather than the bullies plan for our lives.

Focus:  Many things in life bully us.  But Christ is my brother and is bigger than any bully.  Christ bound the bully, unbound me, and set me free to enjoy life as it is meant to be!

I.  Jesus Is Big

            A.            Bigger Than Man Made Restrictions (3:1-5)

(Mark 3:1-5 NIV)  "Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. {2} Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had already turned against him.  They were jealous of his popularity, his miracles, and his speaking authority.  They couldn’t seem to figure out a way to make him look bad and reestablish their own authority over and against his.  They valued their high status so much they lost sight of their role to point people to God.  Of all people, they should have recognized Jesus for who he was, but they were unwilling to because Jesus was a threat to their status.  Jesus exposed their attitudes, dishonorable motives, and their errors.  So Jesus became their enemy.

{3} Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." {4} Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. {5} He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored."

What about the man or woman who has come to church today with a shriveled heart?  The shriveled soul?  Are you here today and Spiritually shriveled?  Is the arm of your Faith shriveled unable to accomplish anything it seems?  Jesus is here today and will meet you wherever you are at.

B.       Bigger Than the Right or Left Wing (3:6)

(Mark 3:6 NIV)  "Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."

The Pharisees were the conservative, the religious right wing.  The Herodians were on the political left.  Normally these two groups were enemies.  But interestingly, here they unite against what they perceive as a common enemy.  They perceive Jesus as a threat to both of these groups.

            C.            Bigger Than Your DisEase (3:1-10)

·      Frist, The Man with the Shriveled Hand  and now. . .

·       

(Mark 3:7-10 NIV)  "Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. {8} When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. [He’s bigger than the Rumors, he’s bigger than media] {9} Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. {10} For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him."

We who have any disease, need Jesus touch.  Sin is the root disease.  Won’t you push forward to touch Jesus this morning.

            D.            Bigger Than the Demons (3:11-19)

(Mark 3:11-19 NIV)  "Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." {12} But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

Knowing about Jesus, or even believing that he is God’s Son, does not guarantee salvation.  You must also want to follow and obey him.  Jesus did not want to reinforce the popular misconceptions about who He was.  He silenced the demons before the misunderstandings would grow greater and cut short his mission.

{13} Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. {14} He appointed twelve--designating them apostles --that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach {15} and to have authority to drive out demons.

Illustration of the Traffic Cop:  The authority has the power over motorists.  It certainly isn’t his whistle, or hand motions, it is his badge and what it means.

{16} These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); {17} James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); {18} Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot {19} and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."

One mother said:   “Flipping through our children's Bible, I pointed to a picture of Jesus surrounded by his disciples and asked my daughter to explain the story in her own words. Looking at it, she said, "Mommy, this is a story about Jesus. And here are all his disciples--Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, and Romans!" [3]

As a side note:  He’s bigger than the disciples.  Jesus didn’t choose these men because of their extraordinary talents, or characteristics.  Jesus chose them because they  were willing to follow and obey him.  Through that one characteristic they shared, their willingness to follow and obey Christ, God set his plan into motion to plunder the house of the prince of darkness, our world .  He was going to change the world. 

Don’t disqualify yourself from service because you don’t feel like you are credentialed.  The only credential you need is a willingness to follow and obey Christ.  He will do the rest.

He’s bigger than the demons that beat you up and accuse you.

You might add another point in your margin.  He’s bigger than the disciples.  That’s why they became disciples.  They know they are small but carry a big stick (or badge) with the powerful name of Jesus on it.  That’s our authority “In Jesus Name”.  As his disciples, we have the authority to do God’s will.

E. Bigger Than The Bully (3:20-30)

(Mark 3:20-30 NIV)  "Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. {21} When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." {22} And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub ! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."

Notice these accusations that came against Jesus.  His Family thinks he’s gone over the edge.  He’s crazy.  The authorities think he’s gone over the edge, he’s evil. 

Why would His family think he’s gone over the edge? 

·         Jesus had thrown away personal security. (He left home and a good business and became a wandering preacher).  

·         Jesus had thrown away Personal Safety—Most people play it safe.  If it isn’t safe we even think it is wrong.  Jesus was on a head on collision course with the religious establishment, the boiling point was recognized by others. 

·         Jesus had thrown away Reputation,

·         Jesus had thrown away Comfort.  He wasn’t even able to eat!  In short he has made his family feel very uncomfortable.

While His Family accused him of being crazy, The Religious Authorities go a step further, they use bully tactics.  As is so often true on the children’s playground, it happens also with adults.  Those who can, do. Those who can't, bully.

The bully is usually a weak, inadequate individual who is driven by jealousy and envy.   This is why these authorities attack Jesus. Jesus counters their charge not like a crazy man at all but like a brilliant man who is fully in charge of the situation. 

{23} So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? {24} If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. {25} If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. {26} And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. {27} In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. {28} I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. {29} But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." {30} He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit.""

·     He’s Stronger than the Strong Man (3:27)

(Mark 3:27)   In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house."

THE STRONG MAN:

Billy Graham was speaking in the San Jose area, and on the closing day told this story. It seems there was a strong man who traveled with a circus. One of his most impressive stunts was to take an orange and squeeze every last drop of juice out of it. Then he would offer one thousand dollars to anyone who could manage to squeeze as much as one additional drop from it. He went from town to town making his offer, but no one was able to win the one thousand dollars from him. Then one day he came to a small town in California and made his demonstration of juice-squeezing prowess and his challenge. A small, wizened, ninety-eight pound weakling type man came forward and said he'd like to take a try at the challenge. He took the crushed orange and proceeded to squeeze six more drops of juice from it. The strong man was amazed. He could hardly believe his eyes. He asked how he was possibly able to do this. The man shrugged and said, "Oh, I'm the treasurer down at the Baptist [change to at the local] church and we do this all the time." [4]

Their Strength Compared

Will you picture with me a moment, the picture of a man entering a house and binding a strong man.  I can’t imagine having the strength to single-handedly bind a man of any strength if he did not want to be bound.  We are not talking about men of equal strength here.  I am strong enough to bind a boy.  My strength would be no match for his strength but even then, with his wriggling it would be quite an effort.  The point I am making here is that it is no contest!  Satan has power.  But Jesus has the source of all power at his disposal!  And so do we when we carry his authority against the work of Satan!

   When Robinson Crusoe's good man Friday asked him, "Why doesn't God destroy the devil?" Robinson Crusoe gave him the right answer, the only answer, the great answer. He said, "God will destroy him." [5]

·     He Forgives Everything But the Unforgivable (3:28-29)

{28} I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. {29} But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." {30} He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit.""

The Bible Teaches that there is one sin that is unforgivable.  The concept of an unpardonable sin often shakes people who are dealing with guilt.  If you have ever wondered about this, wondering if you are forgiven or not or if you can be forgiven, be encouraged, you have not committed the unforgivable if you want to be forgiven through Jesus.

The Teachers of the Law saw the Love of God in the Flesh and they called him the power of Satan in the flesh.  They called the Son of God the Son of Satan.  Even that blasphemy could have been forgiven them if they hadn’t seen what they had seen and experienced what they had experienced.[6]

Jesus' Counter Charge—they had committed the unforgivable.

What was their sin?

How is it that all other sins no matter how grievous may be forgiven, even other sins of blasphemy, but not blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?  Why could David be forgiven of adultery, dishonesty, and murder, the prodigal be forgiven of his riotous living, Simon Peter be forgiven his triple denial, Saul who became Paul be forgiven his merciless persecution of Christians; but the man who "speaks against the Holy Spirit" there is no pardon?  What is this sin?

Here, as always when the text itself is not immediately clear, the context must be our guide.  From it we learn that the scribes are crediting Satan with that which the Holy Spirit, through Christ, was achieving.  And they are doing this deliberately and willfully, in spite of all the evidences to the contrary they still affirm that Jesus is expelling demons by the power of Demons.  They are progressing in their own sinfulness. 

·     In 2:7 they said he speaks blasphemies,

·     in 3:6 they plot to Kill,

·     In 3:22 they call Jesus the Son of God, the Son of Satan.

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit:   The holy spirit reveals God's truth to men.  The Holy Spirit enables a man to recognize that truth when he sees it.  But if a man refuses to exercise any God given faculty he will in the end lose it. 

• If he believes in the dark long enough he will lose the ability to see. 
• If he stays in bed long enough he will lose the ability to walk. 
• If he refuses to do any serious study he will lose the power to study. 
• So also, If he refuses the guidance of the spirit he will become incapable of recognizing the truth when he sees it.  If he refuses the guidance of the spirit he will become incapable of recognizing the truth when he sees it.  Evil to him becomes good and good evil.  White is black and black is white.  He looks on the goodness of God and calls it the evil of Satan. They said he was "possessed by beelzebub"  Beelzebul or bub is definitely the prince of the demons.  Beelzebul is Satan.

This is clear comparing 22 with 23.  Once a man has that kind of filtering system acceptance of Christ is impossible, therefore forgiveness is also impossible.  That kind of filtering system is a complete rejection of the Spirit's work.  All other sins are evil but this sin is purely Satanic.

Summary:  Here Jesus was accused of being Satanic.  When one has grown so corrupt as to perceive the Spirit’s work as Satanic--white as black, good as evil, right as wrong--what can be done for him? Nothing.  For such a one even if forgiveness were possible he would not want it.

II.  And He’s My Brother (Mark 3:31-35)

(Mark 3:31-35 NIV)  "Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. {32} A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." {33} "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. {34} Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! {35} Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.""

The disciples openness to the concept that God sent this man Jesus to them has bound them to Jesus with ties that are stronger than those achieved through the physical relationships of family.  Jesus' family is "whoever does the will of His father."

We are Born of the Same Father

God’s Spirit In Us

His Life Is In Us Doing His Will

What are we to do?

(1 John 3:23 NIV)  "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us."

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.  Satan hates you and desires to destroy you.  Won’t you turn now to God’s answer.  His wonderful plan.  Won’t you turn to Jesus, he’ll be your big brother and take care of the bully for you.  He will be your Savior, your Lord, and bring you forgiveness, and God’s wonderful plan for your life.

God wants you to: 

1)      Acknowledge that Jesus is Big!

2)      Rejoice in Your Smallness, (by relying on Your Big Brother who will never leave you nor forsake you)

3)      Confront Sin in your Life.  Don’t keep making payments to the Bully

4)      Choose God’s Wonderful Plan for your Life, Reject the Bully’s plans for you.

Our Purpose is to Make Disciples who are like Christ—having a heart for God, a heart for one another, and a heart for the World. Our purpose is to be a church that reproduces fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.  

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