choose to believe and trust will follow

mark 8:11-21

the danger of the world● christians are called to be separate and holy● NOT hermits otherwise how would the

gospel spread?● the danger is that the thinking of the world

can compromise our faith-walk● this was a danger during the apostles time

mark 8:11-2111 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. 14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

mark 8:11-2116 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”“Twelve,” they replied.

mark 8:11-2120 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.”21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

scene one: sign seeking● the pharisees wanted a sign… more than just

a good old fashioned miracle.● this grieved his heart● “We see because we believe, not we believe

because we see.”● why not a sign? Because the issue was not

evidence but wilful disbelief.

scene one: wilful disbelief?● why?

○ arrogance○ pride○ might be challenged to change and live differently○ comfort

● evolution versus creation parallel

scene two: the situation● they have just witnessed

the feeding of the four thousand and the five thousand.

● they are now in a boat with only one loaf and they are getting concerned.

scene two: the warning● the danger is that their thinking could

become like that of pharisees - a wilful disbelief and a hardening of the heart

● their response? They stay stuck on the fact that they have not enough bread.

● Jesus then challenges them on what they have seen and heard.

what is leven?● leven or yeast is

here a symbol of sin, in this case the sin of unbelief

● leven works its way into things and multiplies.

● like a wedge!

the leven of today?

● striving for comfort and security, “knowledge is power”, arrogance of man’s abilities○ what do you trust in?

● at the heart of this is unbelief and a lack of understanding of who God is!

● why is it so tempting?

are our hearts hardened?● when troubles come where do our thoughts

go?● to trust and belief in the power of God or to

fear and to hanging on tighter?● are we conscious of the fact that maybe God

is working and wants to work in and through our circumstances?

● like the disciples, do we only see the needs of the moment in front of us?

what is the remedy?● choose to believe in God and trust will follow● understand who He is… read and remember● live a life of adventure and risk - John

Ortberg quote

● finally, ask God to help you with your unbelief!

take it home● When life gets kind of rocky, what is your

response? ● Grab a coffee and a friend and talk about the

things in life that cause you the most anxiety.● Is there a way you could do something

adventurous this week? Something that will require that you trust.

● Read Mark 9:14-29