What is The Unforgivable Sin?

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

According to Mark

The Unforgivable Sin

Mark 3:20-35 (28-30) 

(To view the entire message on Fellowship's Vimeo page, click here.)

This section of Mark is described by many commentators as a “Markan Sandwich.” Mark sometimes sandwiches a specific teaching or truth inside another story or context. That’s what he’s done in this passage. Here, verses 20-21 form one side and verses 31-35 form the other. Verses 22-30 form the center of the sandwich and this week’s sermon focused on verses 28-30, the central truth of this passage. 

Remember: One of the themes in Mark is what it looks like to be a disciple.

Discipleship depends on: 

• Being with Jesus

and 

• Doing His will

• A Serious Statement

²⁸ “Truly, I say to you,

Here in Mark - this is the first time we see it.

• It always introduces something very important.

This is an AMEN! Truth.

Typically, this would come after a statement of importance, much like when a preacher says something you like and you say “AMEN!” in response. Here, Jesus turns it around and introduces what He’s about to say this way. This happens 75 times in the Gospel. 13 in Mark. It’s only found in the Gospels, it’s only seen on the lips of Jesus, and this is the first time we see this in the Gospel of Mark.

He’s going to tell them two things. And that’s the core of this passage. These two things.

The second thing, while it’s certainly the primary point of this passage, shouldn’t eclipse the first point.

The first point is simply that God forgives. 

This is not universal salvation - 

That God is willing to forgive us at all is truly amazing.

• What is Forgiveness?

all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter

The root word is “to send away” - it’s intensified here the way it’s used.

• Forgiveness is the complete cancellation of the punishment that you rightfully deserve from a holy God whom you have sinned against. 

This is the heart of the gospel. Don’t miss this.

• There is no record in Scripture of anyone asking forgiveness and being denied it.

• The Unforgivable Sin

but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— ³⁰ for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

• It is the Spirit’s task to convict men of sin and reveal to them the gospel. To reveal Christ

In the midst of this beautiful forgiveness - there is an exception.

There’s an irony here that it was those who were so focused on defining what sin is - and who debated what sins are forgivable and which are not - they themselves were the ones guilty of the unpardonable sin. 

The scribes were rejecting God.

1.What the Unforgivable Sin Is Not

• It’s not just a “Time of Jesus” thing

If the forgiveness of Verse 28 broadly applies across time, then Verse 29 does too. 

• It’s not generic unbelief.

In this day, there was much unbelief. This addresses some within the crowd who have had a full disclosure of gospel truths and rejected it in a specific way. This is a specific sin.

• It’s not committed by a true Believer

Hebrews 6:4-6 is about someone not truly saved. A true Believer will not lose His salvation and will not “fall away.”

• It’s not a specific “huge” sin

We see many “huge” sins in Scripture (murder, adultery, etc.) - and they’re forgiven.

• It’s not denying you know Him

Peter did this and he was forgiven

• It’s not casual or unknowing

Blasphemy by its definition isn’t casual. Blasphemy is intentional. You’ll know you’re doing it.

2. What the Unforgivable Sin is

• It’s intentional rejection

Hebrews 6:4-8 – Turn to this passage and read it.

This is just a quick overview (Thanks to Steve Lawson for this helpful overview)

1. Enlightened

The HS brings clear understanding. The details are clear. You understand what the Gospel is.

2. Tasted (the gift and the Word)

There’s a huge difference between tasting and swallowing. 

3. Shared (in the Holy Spirit)

It’s not “in dwelt.” Just that you’ve come under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

God’s Word is living and active and powerful and convicting.

You’ve shared in this, but His Spirit hasn’t in dwelt you. You’re not a Christian.

4. Fallen Away

You heard it clearly. It was proclaimed faithfully. 

Gospel Truth was shared with power and clarity. 

Yet - it was not swallowed. It was not believed as described in Romans 10:9-10

5. Crucified Again?

Your conclusion - Jesus should have been crucified. They were right to do this.

In your heart - right now you would - “crucify Him” all over again

6. Land

A reference to the heart

7. Rain

God’s Word (see Isaiah 55:10-11)

8. Thorns and Thistles

Close to being cursed - a step away from hell. It will end up being burned

This is someone who has heard the Gospel.

They have  been there. They know it’s true.

But they don’t want it.

It’s a serious thing to hear the truth of the Word of God.

Even more serious to hear it then reject it.

• It’s a Reversal of the Truth

It looks back to the charge in v. 22

They called the work of the Spirit of God a work of Satan This is a serious thing.

His Word isn’t to be taken lightly. It’s a serious thing.  We should take it seriously. 

This Unforgivable Sin is a serious thing. In fact - all sin is serious.

• It’s a pattern

It’s not a single act, a single statement, or a single thought.

Their hearts were being hardened.

Those who knew the Scriptures the best. Those who should have been the first to get it.
 They didn't get it at all. Those who should have been least likely to respond, came to Jesus for forgiveness. 

The Scribes had hardening hearts

The Sinners sought forgiveness

You’ve may have heard this:

• The same sun that melts the snow hardens the clay...

J.C. Ryle calls it:

• The sin of deliberately rejecting God’s truth with the heart while that truth is clearly known in the head.

It’s putting yourself far above God. It’s blatant, ongoing, all encompassing idolatry of self.

3. The Results

See: John 12:37-40, Romans 11:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, Romans 9:17-18, Romans 18:1-218

Again - J.C. Ryle says: Let us pray that we may be delivered from this.

Here are my Questions for You:

• Do you understand the seriousness of God’s Word?

Read Hebrews 4:12 

When God speaks - it’s serious. It should never be taken lightly.

Think twice before you say God “told you” to do something other than what you read in Scripture.

When you read God’s Word - you will find what He has told you to do. Now do it!

• Do you “Get” forgiveness?
Do you really understand what it means to be forgiven? Believers should study this. 

• Are you comforted, or afflicted?

John MacArthur says that this passage should “Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.”

Those that are the most entrenched in the “church” culture are the ones that should look at their lives the most closely. 

Every true believer in Christ will say “Jesus is Lord”

And they will say it not only their lips, but with their whole lives.

If you are worried that you have committed the Unforgivable Sin, you probably haven’t.

Remember: Mark wants us to see what it looks like to be a true believer.

The Bottom line of being a disciple is this:

• Be with Christ

• Obey Christ

Aiming for Koinonia, Part 3 of 4

Building a solid foundation on the Word of God

Aiming for Koinonia

•~Evangelism~•

Determining our Direction and Purpose

Matthew 28:19-20 & Selected Scriptures

• The Church:

The church is a body/group of sinners who have been given:

• repentance from their sins & 

• belief in the gospel

Resulting in salvation. It’s all by grace.

• Purpose 1: Exaltation of God

Assembling, Worshiping in Spirit and Truth, Praying, The Exposition of God’s Word, Singing, 

The Ordinances, Giving 

• Purpose 2: Edification of the Body

Prayer, Discipleship, Knowledge, 

The Bottom Line is Koinonia

1 John 1:3

• Purpose 3: Evangelism of the Lost

The Definition: To proclaim the Gospel to sinful people hoping that they might repent and believe in Him as their only hope. 

We’re not just sharing something nice. Sharing a feeling, or a warm story. We’re not merely making a presentation of some information that we’ve done a little bit of research on. 

• We are proclaiming the most important thing that anyone will ever hear. 

We proclaim God’s Word to people. Because it is God’s Word that saves. 

James 1:21, 1 Peter 1:23, Romans 10:17, Ephesians 1:4, John 17:17

Repent - metanoia - change of mind that leads to a change in direction/behavior/action. 

You must acknowledge that you’re sinful, deserve God’s wrath and are headed for hell.

Believe - trust in, rely on, cling to Christ alone

The Central Passage:

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

• Go is a participial verb - action verb. An “ing” verb (running, playing, doing). 

• It’s also aorist, a snapshot, an action picture. Looking at something as it is happening. 

Here’s how we should think about this verse’s instruction to us:

• As you are in the course of your daily life - you are to be all about making disciples.

Simply put: We must to be involved in Evangelism.

•  Elements of Evangelism

1. Prayer (always central)

Pray for God to be glorified

First and foremost pray for God’s glory.

Salvation has always been about God’s glory

Ephesians 1:13-14 

Pray for your fellow believers in their evangelistic efforts. 

Ephesians 6:18-19, Colossians 4:2-4

Pray for the lost to be saved

Romans 10:1, 1 Timothy 2:1, Matthew 5:44• Prayer is the foundation of evangelism.

Prayer is essential.

2. A Right Foundation (Sola Scriptura)

There is only one Gospel. – Galatians 1:6-7

Sola Scriptura is called the formal principle of the Reformation because Scripture is what forms everything. If you’re not committed to Sola Scriptura - you’ll end up with another gospel really quickly. 

• Evangelism is a proclamation - the proclamation of a specific message. 

Mark 4:1-20 – “The Parable of the Soils.” Jesus’ main teaching on Evangelism.

The farmer sows the seed. We don’t see the farmer doing anything but sowing the seeds.

How do the seeds grow? That’s a mystery. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

• Farmers sow seed – That’s what they do.

• Believers share the Gospel – That’s what we do.

The Great Commission is the summary and natural conclusion of who God is. 

George Peters - The great commission is the command that gives life to all other commands given to the church.

1 Corinthians 9:16 – necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Learn this from Paul’s Evangelism:

1. You’re a herald, a proclaimer

1 Corinthians 1:23 – we preach (kerysso) Christ crucified,

• Preach (kerysso) – to blaze everywhere what you have been told to make known.

Paul’s divine mandate was to deliver the Gospel message precisely, faithfully, passionately, adding nothing, removing nothing, changing nothing.

2. Proclaim: the only Gospel

He was specific. He proclaimed the whole truth.

Paul one time preached all night. Romans is the full exposition of the Gospel.

3. Goal: See Sinners Saved

He wanted to see people saved. Acts 26:18, 20

Look back at the definition of Evangelism. You’ll see Paul’s example. 

3. Actual Proclamation (not theoretical)

• We all need to be able to communicate the gospel clearly, and accurately using Scripture. 

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

you will be - indicative - it simply says what is.

• When we have been truly, deeply affected by the Gospel (when we’ve been saved), we will be reaching out to others.

It starts next door, but it always been a proclamation with a global intent. 

Matthew 28:19,  Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8 

• The Bottom Line: 

1. Responsibility

We must think of Evangelism as a responsibility.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

2. Privilege

It is the good news, the news that brings joy.

Luke 2:10,  John 15:11, Acts 13:52, 1 John 1:3-4 (so that our joy may be complete.)

• It is such a joyous privilege to share the gospel.

God could have chosen any means He wanted to announce the gospel. He could have written it across the sky. But He chose to use people like us to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. 

One question:

• Will you be engaged in Evangelism?

Almost everyone who doesn’t share the Gospel has one of two reasons:

1. Not sure what to say.

2. Afraid of how it will make them look

• Evangelism is never presented as an optional activity.

The bottom line is:

Will you be obedient and proclaim the Gospel to others.

    Or....

Will you be disobedient?

Aiming for Koinonia, Part 2 of 4

Building a solid foundation on the Word of God

Aiming for Koinonia

•~Edification~•

Determining our Direction and Purpose

Ephesians 4:11-29 & Selected Scriptures

Hebrews 4:12-13 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

Characteristics of the Word of God.

Inerrancy: There are no errors contained in The Bible.

Inspiration:. 2 Peter 1:21 – men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

Clarity: If we could not understand it, it wouldn’t be very helpful.

Authority: God Himself is it’s author. So it speaks with His Authority. The Bible does not merely contain the Words of God - it IS the Word of God. 

Infallibility: God’s Word will do all that it claims it will do. 

Sufficiency:. God’s Word is sufficient. We don’t need clever marketing schemes to lure people here. We need God’s Word. For it is God’s Word that they need.

Luke 16:19-31 – The Rich Man and Lazarus.

The point of this story is this: they had the Bible, but clearly weren’t interested in its message. They hadn’t believed it. They hadn’t followed it. They had ignored it. And if they won’t listen to what God has spoken through His Word, then even someone who rises from the dead won’t convince them. 

If we don’t acknolwedge, recognize, then follow what the Bible teaches, then even Jesus Christ Himself wouldn’t convince us. 

In Scripture alone we find everything we need for life and godliness. (Sola Scriptura)

2 Peter 1:3, 2 Timothy 3:16-18 Through the teaching of God’s word, we will be equipped for all that God has planned for us. (Ephesians 2:10). 

• The Church:

The church is a body/group of sinners 

who have been given:

• repentance from their sins & 

• belief in the gospel

Resulting in salvation. It’s all by grace.

• Purpose 1: Exaltation of God

The second purpose of the church is:

• Purpose 2: Edification of the Body

The word “edify” is the Greek word oikodome which means – to  build. (like a building)

The focus is on the process with an eye toward the goal.

• Edification – growing as individual believers as together we strive to grow as a body. 

It is both an activity and a goal - something we do & something we aim toward

The Church is referred to as a spiritual “building” in five places:

1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 2:5

This whole concept and idea permeates the Bible’s teaching on the church. 

Acts 20:32 - God’s Word builds us up

Romans 14:19 - pursue peace and edification/mutual upbuilding; 

Romans 15:2 - build up your neighbor

1 Corinthians 8:1 love builds us up- ; 

1 Corinthians 14:3-5, use spiritual gifts to build up the body

1 Corinthians 14:26 – Let all things be done for building up.

2 Corinthians 10:8 - pastoral authority is for building up

Ephesians 2:21 - the structure grows

Ephesians 4:12 - building up the body of Christ, 

Ephesians 4:29 - our speech should build up; 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - encourage and build up

1 Peter 2:5 - built up into a spiritual house

• We must be a church that is about Edification.

Focal passage: Ephesians 4:11-16; 23-25; 29

• Elements of Edification

1. Prayer

• Charles Spurgeon – If a church does not pray, it is dead. Everything will hinge upon prayer in the church. 

Ephesians 1:16, Philippians 1:3-4, Colossians 1:9

We pray:

In Thanksgiving to God for One Another 

(Romans 1:8; Philemon 1:4; I Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:11)

For Our Unity with God (John 17:20-26)

For Our Sanctification (I Thessalonians 3:10)

For Our Love in Discernment (Philippians 1:9-11)

For Our Renewed Fellowship (2 Timothy 1:3)

For Our Boldness in Speaking the Word (Acts 4:31)

For Our Times of Persecution (Acts 12:5)

For Our Spiritual and Physical Health (James 5:13-18)

For Our Effective Evangelism (Ephesians 6:18)

2. Unity & Humility

Philippians 1:27,  2:3-8

Our relationships as believers should have a foundation of humility. The humility that we see in Christ Himself. When we truly have this humility - it will lead to unity. Read through the Ephesians passage again - look for unity and humility (unity of the faith, joined together, members, fullness, true righteousness...)

3. Discipleship

Luke 9:23 – If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me

Jesus demonstrated discipleship. He trained 12 men. Paul continued this pattern in his instructions to Timothy: 2 Timothy 2:2. Women are also mentioned Titus 2:3-5. Everyone is to be involved in the process of discipleship.

A disciple is a follower and the term “walk” is significant - it refers to how we live our lives. 

Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:17, Ephesians 5:2, 15

4. Knowledge 

• You will never “arrive” when it comes to knowledge of the Bible, of Jesus, of the Gospel....

Knowledge means knowledge of the Bible.

Ephesians 1:17, Philippians 1:9, Colossians 1:9

Ephesians 4:13 – until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

Knowledge relates to personal study and to being taught:

2 Peter 1:5, Titus 1:9

There is a dynamic of learning that should always be present in the life of a believer. And as we are a body of believers, how can there not be a dynamic of learning that dominates what we do as a body?

5. Serving (Spiritual Gifts)

You must serve the church. You must be participating.

Ephesians 4:15-16, 1 Peter 4:10

Every believer is given a spiritual gift - so that they can serve the church. Participating in the Edification of the Body

The church needs every member to serve. Every member needs to serve the church.

The body will only work properly when each part is working properly. 

There is no “well, I’ve done my time. I served for many years. Now it’s time for me to just sit back and relax and let others take their turn.

Malachi 3:18: the righteous serve.

• Serving is not an option.

• The Bottom Line: Koinonia

Koinonia is the Greek word for fellowship. 

The idea behind Koinonia is connectedness.

Here’s Koinonia. 1 John 1:3 – that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ

Koinonia is rooted in fellowship with God. The one who walks with God - walks with His children as well

Koinonia with God leads to Koinonia with His people.

As we look closely at the idea of Koinonia we’ll see four dimensions in a couple of categories.

• Sharing Together

1. It Starts in Relationship

As the church started, they weren’t devoted to an activity. Their fellowship with God logically brought them into fellowship with one another It wasn’t their common goals or common purpose that brought them together. (A community of fishermen or farmers.) It was their common life in Christ.

2. It’s Also a Partnership

It’s a partnership that is formed around an objective. The objective of glorifying God. 

Relationship is about community. Partnership is that community in action. 

Biblical Community – the idea of an active partnership in the promotion of the gospel in the building up of believers.

• Sharing With

3. Communion with Others

This is communicating intimately, or sharing with one another on a close personal and spiritual level.

Sharing what God has taught you from the Scriptures, the word of encouragement, 

If we are to truly experience the NT concept of Koinonia within our community, we must move beyond the generic conversations and really begin to share with each other on a level that will elevate our spiritual lives. That will elevate our spiritual relationships with each other and with God.

4. Sharing material possessions

Romans 12:13, 2 Corinthians 9:11,13, Hebrews 13:16

An important element of Koinonia is a willingness to share our possessions with one another. When we come to understand what edification and Koinonia really are - it should naturally lead us to sharing our material possessions with others. 

We are all partners in the Gospel. Members of the same body - sharing together is part of that dynamic. 

2 Corinthians 8:14 – your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need... He wasn’t saying, “I’ll buy lunch today - you buy next time...”

He was saying dig deep into your pockets - help meet the needs of believers. Together we share a common life in Christ - and that includes sharing what God has blessed us with financially. 

One question:

• Will you be engaged in the Church?

Not merely involved. Not merely showing up, but truly engaged in the church?

Aiming for Koinonia, Part 1 of 4

Building a solid foundation on the Word of God

Aiming for Koinonia

Determining our Direction and Purpose

John 4:22-24 & Selected Scriptures

• What is the Purpose of the Church?

It’s important that we’re all on the same page when it comes to the purpose of the church. If we’re not solidly grounded in God’s Word, it can be easy to stray from the clear principles laid out in Scripture. 

These things have all been seen in Sunday Morning Corporate Worship Gatherings at “evangelical” churches in recent years:

The Pastor enters on a zip line.

A Cirque du Soleil “act” as part of the worship

An Obstacle course elimination style competition.

James Bond and Ozzy Osbourne songs used in worship sets.

and a few other bizarre things.

Before we start talking about our direction and our purpose, we need to make sure that we have a clear understanding of who we are. 

• What is the church?

The church is a body/group of sinners 

who have been given:

• repentance from their sins & 

• belief in the gospel

Resulting in salvation all by grace

Today we will look at the first of the three Primary Purposes of the church.

•  The 1st Purpose: Exaltation of God

We must understand worship. It’s at the center of what the Bible teaches.

John MacArthur rightly explains worship this way: If you are not a true worshiper, everything else in your life will be spiritually out of sync. Nothing will accelerate your spiritual growth and sanctification more than gaining a right understanding of true worship.

• Worship is critically important. 

Not only is worship of critical importance all through the Bible, it’s one of the primary purposes and functions of the church. 

The main idea when defining worship is giving. 

• Worship is giving something to God.

Anglo-Saxon word is worth-ship (weorthscipe). It is tied to the concept of worthiness. Worship is ascribing to God His worth, or stating and affirming His supreme value.

Worship is honoring and adoring God. Responding to Who God is and what He has done with all the details our lives.

•  The Two Sides of Worship: 

1. Individual

Worship doesn’t just happen at church. It should happens in your daily living.

Romans 1-11 is a beautiful lengthy exhaustive exposition and  explanation of the gospel. Probably the richest, densest theology of the gospel in all of Scripture. Immediately we are told what our response to that should be. Here is the gospel as detailed as I can make it, now here is how you live your life in response to it: live a life of worship

Romans 12:1-2  is a powerful statement about the concept of whole-life worship.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

2. Corporate

If we believe that Scripture is sufficient (and we do) then, all we need to know about our corporate worship gatherings can be found in the Bible. So what should our corporate worship gatherings look like?

• Elements of Exaltation

1. Assembling

Hebrews 10:24-25 – let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, 

Acts 20:7 – On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together ...

Again in 1 Corinthians 16, we see the body gathered.

The church must regularly gather together.

If you are not regularly, consistently - and I would say the definition of that is weekly - you are not being obedient to God’s Word.  This should be the highlight of your week.

2. Spirit & Truth

John 4:23 – the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 

Worship should flow from the inside out. It is not an activity that we create an environment for. It begins on the inside.

• Worship is a heart activity.

When God has transformed your heart, (stone – flesh)  and your heart is enraptured with who He is and what He has done, there will be so much there that it overflows and comes out and that’s worship in spirit.

Matthew 12:34 - out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Psalm 103:1 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 

It’s not just about feelings and emotions. It’s not mystical. 

John 17:17 – Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Worship is directly connected to truth. We must understand His word. 

His word is truth. 

John Stott: The Word and worship belong to each other. All worship is an intelligent and loving response to the revelation of God, because it is the adoration of his name. Therefore acceptable worship is impossible without preaching. 

Preaching is making known the name of the Lord and worship is praising the name of the Lord made known.

True worship doesn’t just happen.

Preparation is an essential part of worship.

The choir prepares

The musicians prepare

The preacher prepares

• The most important preparation, however, is the worshiper’s heart. 

What does worship in spirit and in truth look like?

• The Holy Spirit is involved.

• Someone who isn’t saved cannot worship God. 

Indeed they have no desire to worship God. His enemy.

• Mental Focus

• Your thoughts must be centered on God. 

Our whole culture is designed to shorten our attention spans, but we must focus our minds on God.

• Heart Focus

You need to be overwhelmed and consumed with a passionate love for Christ.

• Love for Christ must overflow, overwhelm, and overtake every other affection you have.

• Repentance

You must deal with your sin before you come into the presence of God. Remember: God requires holiness. We can’t live lives saturated with sin and then turn and come in and worship God rightly. 

3. Prayer

Charles Spurgeon said – If a church is to be what it ought to be for the purposes of God, we must train it in the holy art of prayer. Believe me, if a church does not pray, it is dead. Instead of putting united prayer last, put it first. Everything will hinge upon the power of prayer in the church. 

Prayer is a vital component of all that we do. Not just in our corporate worship services, but also in private devotional life. 

• Prayer is part of worship. Prayer is worship.

We must be devoted to prayer if we are to truly worship God.

4. Exposition - God’s Word is Central

The exposition of the word of God must always be central.

.

• Scripture is what God uses to sustain the Christian life. It’s what He uses to grow and cultivate the Christian life.

Romans 10:17 – faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

James 1:21 – receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

1 Peter 1:23 – you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 

2 Timothy 3:16-18 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

• We must have an intense, passionate commitment to the centrality of Scripture.

The Bible is sufficient to meet every need of the human soul. (Psalm 19:7-10) When it comes to what we do in our corporate worship service, we look to the Bible alone. 

5. Music – Singing

When we gather for corporate worship, music is an indispensable part of that.

Psalm 96 – Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; 

It’s no coincidence that we are told over and over to sing His praises.

Sadly, the controversy is usually about style, not theological content.

• Musical style should not be our primary concern when we discuss singing. What we should primarily be concerned with is the substance of the song.

Many contemporary songs being written today are sentimental poems about personal experience and feelings. Their messages are shallow and ambiguous. Worship music must be about who Christ is and what He has done. 

• All true worship music, is written to teach and reinforce the Scriptures in an effort to direct our worship to God.

Worship music focuing your mind’s attention & heart’s affection on the person and work of Christ

Singing a song that could just as easily be about your boyfriend as it could be about Jesus is not true worship. 

6. Ordinances

• Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are both pictures of the gospel. 

They are a way that we can experience the gospel tangibly. They’re are ceremonies that point to the gospel.

7. Giving

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 tells us that we are to give, regularly, willingly, cheerfully, and generously

One question:

• Will you be engaged in the church?

Not merely involved. Not merely showing up.

But truly engaged in the church. And deeply engaged in all of the purposes of the church?

What We Can Learn from Five Guys*

What We Can Learn from Five Guys*

(not the Burger place)

The greatest thing you can do

is bring someone to Jesus.

There is always something more to learn about evangelism. No matter how many training courses you’ve been to or how many books you have read. There’s more to learn. The four friends in Mark 2:1-12 who brought their paralytic friend as well as what we see in Levi/Matthew in Mark 2:13-17 help us learn several principles for evangelism. Spend a few minutes going over these principles. As you spend time in prayer over the next few days, let these principles guide you. Remember, prayer changes us, we don’t change God’s mind by asking Him things. When we pray rightly, we will be changed and we will come to love what Jesus loves and hate what Jesus hates. 

This cannot help but drive us to be more evangelistic.

What we can learn from the Four Friends:

1.  Deep concern

We must be deeply concerned for others. Specifically, their spiritual condition. While meeting physical needs is of definite value and shouldn’t be ignored, their spiritual needs should be our main concern.

2. They believed

We must be 100% convinced that Jesus can save them. That He is ultimately the solution to their biggest problem (and He is).

3. Action

You must do something. Take action. We can get bogged down in strategizing and planning and never get around to doing if we’re not careful.

4.  They overcame obstacles – creatively

Rarely will it be simple. Rarely will it be easy. There will be something in your way. Don’t let that stop you. Don’t give up and decide ‘well, I guess it’s not God’s will’ just because it didn’t go exactly like you had planned for it to go. 

5. They worked together.

You don’t have to do it on your own. You’re called to be a part of the body of Christ. The task of taking the message to the World has been given to the church. We should be working together on many levels to take the Gospel to the world. Every time you walk out the doors of your church you are entering the mission field.

6. Keep going, and going, and going....

Principle #4 is so important. Don’t stop. Do whatever it takes to bring your friends to Jesus. 

What we can learn from Levi/Matthew:

1.  Start Now

Don’t wait until you are “fully trained for evangelism.” You never will be. If you know enough about the gospel to be saved, then you know enough about the gospel to start sharing with others (but never stop trying to learn more). If you are not sharing the gospel with others, there is something wrong with your spiritual life!

2.  Start Close

Start with those that are around you. In your circle of friends, associates, etc. God has placed you where you are so that you can share the gospel with those around you.

3. Invite Them In

You don’t necessarily have to invite them to your home (although that’s a great pattern and habit to get in to), but bring them to a place where everyone can be comfortable. Be intentional about inviting them into your “world” and share with them. 

4. Joy!

There should always be an element of joy woven in. This isn’t a funeral. It’s a celebration. Levi threw a big party. Let an attitude and “vibe” of joy be woven in whenever you share the Gospel. How can you not be joyful when you’re sharing what Christ has done for you?

5. Passion/Excitement

There’s not a word in the text that means “passion,” but I can’t imagine Levi wasn’t excited. Did He go around saying to his friends, “well.... if you’re bored tonight and don’t have anything better going on, you might want to possibly think about considering stopping by my house... maybe...” NO! He would have been excited, begging his friends to come over. Telling them they have to come because Jesus will be there! We should always be excited to about the one who has so radically changed our life.

Now – read Mark 2:1-17 and START NOW! You should definitely pray and do a little bit of strategizing, but don’t get bogged down in that. Get started. Where do you start? (you might even already know....)

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

* These principles are inspired by Steve Lawson’s exposition on these passages in Mark.