Who They Were

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Date: 9 February, 2018

Text: Mark 10:32

Title: Who They Were

Introduction:

ill. Our family has enjoyed listening to Eril Liddel's biography on Audible.

quote:  BBC - "The 23rd Winter Olympics begin in Pyeongchang on Friday and are set to be the coldest in history.

Team GB sent a record 59 athletes to South Korea - three more than at Sochi 2014 - and are aiming for their most successful Winter Games, with a medal target of five or more.

Over 17 days, more than 3,000 of the world's best athletes will compete in 102 medal events in 15 sports."

What must it be like for those athletes as they have traveled to Pyeongchang to compete for the gold? One of my favorite things about the olympics is finding out about the athletes "who they were."

exp. Our story today is about some of God's champions who walked with Jesus to the city of the crucifiction. Jesus told them on the way there....

Mark 10:33-34  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:  And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

These men would be the backbone and foundation of the church as it began at Pentecost. WHO WERE THEY?

MARK 10:32 is our text today - it begins with an interesting phrase which introduces us to these future heroes for the Lord.

Mar 10:32  And they were....

exp. This one verse is all about them as it speaks of them 7 times. 

"They, them, they ,they, they, the twelve, them."

THE team GB ATHLETES are going to inspire many young people to be like them. May God so inpsire our hearts this morning to be like HIS SERVANTS who were on this road to Jerusalem with Jesus. Do you want to be like them this morning?

I. To be as they were you must be committed.

Mar 10:32  And they were in ...

ill. When a difficult decision is being faced and a question of commitment is being asked - after a moment of silence an individual will often say, "I'm in" "or count me in."

- Sometimes the decision is of no consequence. Going on a hike or other activity.

- Other times it may mean a real risk - military asking a soldier to risk their life.

ill. Firefighter - Leon Whitley told to go to the 15th floor of the Greenfell Tower. He could have gone out but he walked in. Thinking about the World Trade Towers as he entered "We all know how that building collapsed. I thought, 'We might not make it out this one'. I usually walk into fires very cautious but not scared. That was the first time I was scared."

"It was crazy," he told the newspaper. "The screams were coming from all directions. I don't think I will ever forget them. The screams were horrifying because you knew everyone needed help but you couldn't see them."

exp. IT TAKES COURAGE TO COMMIT WHEN THEIR IS A COST TO COMMITMENT!

 ill. National Geographic

Peter Crucified upside down

Andrew Tied to a cross - took 2 days to die - preached to crowds.

James (Son of Zebedee) killed with a sword

John (Banished to the Isle of Patmos)

Philip (scourged, imprisoned, crucified - in Egypt)

 Bartholomew - two accounts - one beaten and crucified  - other account skinned alive and beheaded.

Thomas - speared

Matthew - martyred in Ethiopea - stabbed in the back

James (son of Alphaeus) at 94 beaten and stoned, killed by being hit in the head with club

Thaddaeus crucified

Simon the Zealot crucified in England in 74 AD

app. They were "in" (committed) - are you?

II. To be as they were you must be in the way.

...the way.... 

exp. They were walking on the path on which Jesus walked. They were consecrated to His way.

ill. Jesus used "the way" as an illustration of His being the exclusive route to God the Father.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

ill. Early christians were followers of the way. The accusations about Paul regarded that way.

Act 19:9  But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Act 19:23  And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

Act 24:22  And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

 exp. Paul's audience hated THE WAY OF JESUS. Paul was unashamedly following the way of Christ. HE KNEW HE WAS IN THE WAY OF JESUS.

 app. Have you gotten into the way of Jesus? ARE YOU UNASHAMED TO WALK THE SAME PATH AS THE LORD?

III. To be as they were you must be progressing.

...going up to Jerusalem; 

exp. Every step with the Lord was a step further into ministry with Jesus. They had spent 3 years in the school of Jesus, graduation day would be Pentecost and then they would head out into full time ministry. They were progressing in their walk with the Lord.

 ill. typing class - Mrs. Myres - white haired retired volunteer - wouldn't let me look at my fingers. I remember the typing drills we would do - learning the first row and then adding keys. If you saw me type - you would never see me look down and I can type very quickly. Do you think I could do that when I was learning - no - but I was constantly getting better - but without practice I would go backwards.

app. Are you going up with Jesus or are you back sliding?

IV. To be as they were you must be led.

...and Jesus went before them: 

exp. When Jesus stood up - they stood up. When he went forward - they went forward. The journey was under his guidance.

 ill. Exodus - Pillar of fire and pillar of smoke.

Exodus 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

ill. In contrast - Israel rebelled against God - then Moses commanded them to go to the wilderness and they thought they could still go up - BUT MOSES TOLD THEM NO BECAUSE GOD WOULD NOT GO WITH THEM.

Deut. 1:43  So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.

44  And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.

 app. Are you led today - or are you presumptuous?

V. To be as they were you must be reverent.

...and they were amazed; 

def. astounded, astonished,...they were in awe of Jesus. They revered Him.

question: How reverent are you towards Jesus? Are you in Awe of Him?

1.) They were walking through his creation and were themselves created by Him.

Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

2.) The power of Heaven and Earth was His power.

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

3.) He was over every earthly governement, king and people.

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

ill. It is reminiscent of the storm on the Sea of Galilee which Jesus silenced with "Peace be still."

Mar 4:41  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

app. To be as they were - we must revere Jesus.

VI. To be as they were you must be submissive.

...and as they followed, 

exp. Jesus led out and they submitted to His leadership. Submissiveness to leadership is an awesome quality. 

 ill. Training Duchess - sweet natured - one of her great virtues is that she is very submissive. When I stop walking she will sit. When I step out and say, "heel" I won't even feel her on the lead as she steps out with me."

exp. It is a joy to lead something so submissive to your leadership.

 ill. However, when she is off lead and I don't have a treat in my hand and she has something she knows I want her to drop in her mouth - her unsubmissiveness is a weariness to me.

app. How much does Jesus delight to lead you? Does He grow weary of saying come and you refusing to submit?

VII. To be as they were you must be bold.

...they were afraid. 

exp. Lest you think I made a mistake in my notes, I do mean bold. Why? Because even though they were afraid - they were following. BOLDNESS IS NOT BEING FEARLESS IT IS BEING OBEDIENT DESPITE YOUR FEAR.

 ill. Early church leaders - Peter and John - beaten - told not to preach in Jesus name - 

Acts 4:29  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

ill. I've been afraid in the will of God - God called us to come to Scotland - THAT WAS NO BIG DEAL - Going into church after church to share our call - deputation - THAT WAS A BIG DEAL. Getting up in front of people was not my ambition - IT WAS MY CALLING. 

I still have to ask God to help me - did this week as I spoke to the P4 classes at Lasswade primary and God was faithful. BUT I HAVE TO STAY IN THE WAY WITH JESUS DESPITE MY FEAR AND SO DO YOU.

app. Question - does fear stop you from following - or does it take you to your knees for God's enablement to follow despite your fear?

VIII. To be as they were you must be qualified.

...And he took again the twelve, 

exp. Special servants of Jesus - chosen by Him for their special ministry. 

ill. Replacing one of the twelve.

Acts 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

 exp.  Those who would preach and teach for Jesus have a special calling and ought to have spent some time in the school of Jesus. 

6  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

 app. God may not call you to pulpit or classroom ministry - but how prepared are you (mature, holy,....) to testify for the Lord? THESE MEN WERE GOING TO DECLARE THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF JESUS - THEY HAD TO BE READY FOR THEIR SACRED CALLING!

IX. To be as they were you  must be teachable.

....and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

exp. And so we come back to where we introduced this verse. Jesus teaching them as they walked the way to Jerusalem telling them about his crucifixion and resurrection.

ill. Watching Adonirum Judson's story on Thursday PM. THE WORD OF GOD IS WHAT OPENS THE HEART OF MEN - IT MUST BE DECLARED BY GOD'S SERVANTS.

exp. But before it can be declared it must be learned - are you teachable? 

2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

question: How can you learn - if you don't read your Bible, if you are not in the house of God, if you aren't engaged in taking in the truth?

conclusion: I hope team GB does well and I look forward to the inspiring stories. I'm sure many young people will find motivation in these athletes stories. WHO THEY ARE.

DO YOU FIND MOTIVATION TODAY FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR JESUS BY LOOKING BACK AT THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS AND CONSIDERING THEIR STORIES - WHO THEY WERE?

We need disciples like them today. To be like them you must be.....

1.) Committed.

2.) In the way.

3.) Progressing.

4.) Led.

5.) Reverent.

6.) Submissive.

7.) Bold.

8.) Qualified.

9.) Teachable.