Thursday, October 13, 2011

How Is Your Heart?


Mark 3:1-12

The Lord Jesus Christ was in the synagogue on a Sabbath.

The Pharisees followed Him.

They were looking for way to trap Him, discredit Him and destroy His ministry.

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The Hard Heart Of The Pharisees

Their Plan (1-2)

There was a man there who had a withered hand.

He came to seek healing from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Pharisees were watching to see what the Lord Jesus Christ would do.

Their Problem (5)

The Lord Jesus Christ knew what they were doing.

He called for the injured man.

Then He asked the Pharisees whether it was lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill.

They answered Him not.

The Lord Jesus Christ was grieved by the hardness of their hearts.

Their Plot (6)

When the Lord Jesus Christ healed the man, they were outraged.

They considered this healing to be work.

They left that meeting and immediately sought the Herodians to plot together against Him.

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The Holy Heart Of The Savior

His Command (3)

The Lord Jesus Christ knew that the Pharisees were trying to trap Him.

But the man with the withered hand needed healing.

He told the man to step forward.

He wanted everyone present to see the power of God at work.

His Confrontation (4)

The Lord Jesus Christ confronted the Pharisees by asking them two questions:

Is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath?

It is lawful to save a life or to take a life?

The Lord Jesus Christ was trying to awake sympathy in the hearts of the Pharisees.

But His efforts failed!

His Consternation (5)

When they refused to answer His questions, the Lord Jesus Christ became angry.

He was angry because their hearts were hard.

They had continually refused to acknowledge the power and presence of God and He was offended.

He was angry because they had more concern for their man made rules than they did for a man who needs help.

His Compassion (5)

In spite of their attempt to trap Him, the Lord Jesus Christ told the man to stretch out his hand.

When he did, it was healed!

In spite of His anger at their hypocrisy, the Lord Jesus Christ still had compassion on the man with the withered hand.

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The Hopeful Heart Of The Needy

What They Saw In Jesus (10)

When the common people looked at the Lord Jesus Christ, they saw a Healer, a Savior and the Messiah.

What They Sought From Jesus (10)

They wanted to experience His healing power.

What They Said About Jesus (8, 11)

They spread the word about Him.

Everywhere, across the nation of Israel, the people were talking about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even the evil spirits were talking about Jesus.

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Whatever the Lord God is calling us to do, we must do.

Hardening our heart against the call of God is a serious matter.

We will reach a place where we no longer can hear Him calling.

We will reach a place where He will abandon us to our decision.

We will reach a place where the Lord will allow us to go our own way.

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