IDENTITY | Appearance vs Reality

September 18, 2021 9:00 PM
September 12, 2021

INTRODUCTION
  • Mark's gospel is paced like an action film. Chapters 1-10 span 3.5 year. The action moves in slow motion starting in chapter 11. Chapters 11-16 span 7 days.
  • Sunday - Triumphal Entry
  • Monday - Cleansing of the Temple and Cursing the Fig Tree
  • Tuesday - Questioning Jesus & Jesus' Teaching
SCRIBE'S HUBLE SEARCHING
  • Mark 12:28-34
  • The Great Commandment in 3 Parts:
    • The Lord Our God, The Lord is One (God Alone is God)
    • Love God (Indicative, not Imperative, because of who God is, when you surrender before him, he will require your everything).
    • Love Others (Because of who God is, your loving surrender to God will produce loving sacrifice toward others).
  • "Ones heart is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" Mark:12:33, Proverbs 21:3, Hosea 6:6.
THE MESSIAH IS GOD
  • Mark 12:35-37
  • The Scribes were teaching that the Messiah would be fully human from the line of King David to re-establish an earthly kingdom.
  • Jesus shows from Scripture that King David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, believed the Messiah would be God himself.
SCRIBE'S FALSE APPEARANCE
  • Mark 12:38-40
  • Beware of people who care more about...
    • Appearance | "They like to walk around in long robes..."
    • Recognition | "Like greetings in the marketplace..."
    • Privilege | "The best seats in the synagogues and feasts..."
    • Power | "devour widows"
    • reputation | "for pretense make long prayers..."
WIDOW'S TRUE VALUE
  • Mark 12:41-44
  • The rich gave out of their excess, their leftovers
  • The widow gave her everything for the sake of others
APPLICATION
  • How are you still trying to keep up appearances?
  • To whom or what are you surrendered?