Mark 3:8

A Seaside Multitude #

Mark 3:8-12

Introduction

In our last message entitled the “Sabbath Showdown” out of Mark, 3:1-8 we covered

I. The Crippled Man (withered hand) II. The Compassionate man (Jesus) III. The Contentious Men (Pharisees) IV. The Converted Men

In keeping with the continuity of the passage, we note that Jesus had left the synagogue having clearly put the Pharisees in their place. He went to the seaside. One cannot hardly read the passage without taking notice of the word “multitude” that shows up in verse 7, 8, and 9 that it is a prominent point of the passage. There is emphasis in the crowd.

A caution about the crowd: our job is not simply to gather a crowd… big sporting events draw crowds, worldly music venues draw large crowds and pack stadiums. Our end goal is not a crowd.

The credence in a crowd: Our job as saved born again believers requires us to preach the gospel to people… and if go through our life, and never influence anyone for Christ, we are not doing our job! Not every seed planted grows, but we should have some fruit! I confess to you I’m not the greatest of soul winners, but I strive to present the gospel to people!

I. The Crowd (8) “a great multitude” #

A. Distance – #

1. Jerusalem #

  • Sea of Galilee – 60+ miles south

    • That is an hour car ride, or two days walking 10 hours a day!

2. Idumaea – 70 miles miles south #

3. Tyre – 40 miles north #

4. Sidon is 50 miles north #

5. From Massillon – Includes all of Cleveland, Mansfield, Steubenville, Coshocton, reaches into Pennsylvania #

    • They didn’t have cars, internet, telephones, TV, Radio, printing press!

B. Diversity - #

1. Jerusalem – Jewish religious people #

    • Some were sincere, some were religious zealots

2. Idumaea – Edom! #

    • Descendants of Esau – wait, didn’t God hate him? – Preach to all!

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

3. Tyre – commercial capital in Jesus day #

    • Business men need Jesus

4. Sidon – known for it’s idolatry & commercial #

    • Religious people need Jesus

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

II. The Conversation (8) “they had heard” #

  • They didn’t have the internet, cell phones, anti-social media, TV, Radio, printing press
  • Yet look at the diversity, and distance the word spread

A. Impacted people speak #

1. Complacency - One of the problems of being saved a long time, is a lack of fervency #

    • We forget what we were!

      • That is a good thing on one hand, and bad on the other.

    • We were once crippled, hindered, hell bound because of sin

2. Complaining – Not only do we become complacent, we become entitled, and complain about what we don’t have! #

3. Changed – Their life had been impacted! They had a radiant glow, an excitement, like the change was real in their life! #

B. Injured people come #

1. People who are crippled by sin, often hide it’s effect #

2. People who see a whole/restored/healed life and hear a testimony, will see their need, and desire healing #

III. The Concern (9-10) “lest they should throng him” #

A. Preparation (9) #

1. Jesus prepares for tough scenario! #

  • He knew the crowd could press him humanly speaking!
  • Nobody is pointing fingers at Jesus asking where his faith is… it is wise to look ahead, and be prepared as best as we can!

2. Jesus prepares his disciples for tough scenario! #

  • We must look ahead and be prepared!
  • Sometimes rough things happen!

IV. The Charge (11-12) “they should not make him known” #

A. The Unclean spirits #

1. The unclean spirits (demon possessed people) #

    • Proclaimed that “Thou art the Son of God”
    • True message, wrong messenger!

B. The messenger matters! #

  • Jesus doesn’t want the demon’s testifying of him

Matt. 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Tags: Preaching Outlines Mark