Mark: Christianity Made Simple

Preached on 7.13.08 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

Mark: Christianity Made Simple

“28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ 29 Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ 32 And the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mark 12:28-34 ESV

“scribes” Like the Pharisees. One of the religious scholars of Jesus’ day.
“Which commandment is the most important of all?” Debated issue. 613 total, heavy and light commands. Could also be “Which is binding for all people?”
“’Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” The Shema from the OT.
“heart…soul…mind…strength…” The totality of who we are as individuals.
“love your neighbor as yourself.” Everyone is your neighbor. Not psychobabble. You already love yourself; love others like you love yourself.
“You are right, Teacher” The scribe agrees with Jesus for once.
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.” He was close to becoming a Christian.

What Is Life with God About? Listen. Worship. Serve.

Listen to God.

Thoughts on Listening to God:
1. This is what God requires of us.
2. This is what is best for us.
a. Recognize there are consequences when we don’t.
b. Recognize God knows life better than anyone.
c. Think INVENTOR.

Do we live like this is true? If not, what steps do we need to take to change?

How to Listen to God:
1. Become thoroughly acquainted with the Scriptures (God’s primary way of speaking to and directing His people). Practice other spiritual disciplines.
2. Get involved in and leverage the community that God has given you.

Am I consistently engaging with God’s Word and God’s people?

Worship God.

Thoughts on Worshipping God:
1. Two Dimensions: Gathered/Corporate Scattered/Personal
2. Numerous Definitions: “Our response, both personal and corporate, to who God is! and what He has done! expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live.” – Louie Giglio. Entails “…Glory. Dedication. Sacrifice…” – Mark Driscoll
3. Every person, by design, is a worshiper.
a. The question is not “Will we worship?” but “What will we worship?”

Am I in the habit of worshiping something/one other than the one, true God? Apply the Gospel.

How to Worship:
1. Wholistically : “heart…soul…mind…strength”
a. Gathered : Participate not spectate. Be fully engaged. Rest up. Sing out. Take notes. Think about/pray for our gathering throughout the week.
b. Scattered : Think CONNECT THE DOTS.

Am I taking advantage of all my opportunities to worship God? If not, apply the Gospel.

Example: “I sinned” – - – “I repent” – - – “I worship God for forgiveness and that I can change”

Serve Others.

Thoughts on Serving Others:
1. This command is inextricably linked to loving God.
a. A vertical love for God must give way to a horizontal love for people.
2. This is a powerful apologetic for the Gospel.

How to Serve God:
1. It’s all about being OPEN (heart, eyes, hands).
2. Just do it!

Are we serving others in the way Jesus intended both inside and outside the church? If not, why not and what steps do I need to take to move forward in this area?

Works Consulted : Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Messages by Steve Hart, Tim Keller, Louie Giglio, Mark Driscoll