So much to give Thanks to God for so much.
What a good God we serve. I invite you to come with me to
the Book of Books in Mark Chapter 7.
Please meet me in your Bibles. It's always an honor and a
privilege to be in the House of God with you in Mark Chapter 7.
Please meet me in verse 31. I will wait for you.
I will not rush ahead. Mark 7:30.
One and follow with me, not just with your eyes.
But. With your heart, then he.
Returned from the region of tire and went through.
Side on to the sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapilis.
And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech
impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.
And taking him aside from the crowd, privately, he put his
fingers. Into his ears.
And after spitting. Touched his tongue, and looking
up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, if a fafa that is be
opened, and his ears were opened and his.
Tongue was released and he spoke plainly, and Jesus charged.
Them to tell no one. But the more he charged them,
the more. Zealously, they proclaimed it.
And they were astonished beyond. Measure saying he has done.
All things well. He even makes the death here and
the mute speak. Lord, give liberty to the
delivery of this word. Let there be unction, let there
be reverence, let there be freedom from any confusion or.
Intrusion of thoughts. We pray, Lord, that this would
be. A powerful time for your word is
powerful. Or may it melt our hearts.
May it sanctify our minds are. Every part of who we are, we.
Pray would be in alignment with you according to this text.
And Lord we realize that apart from the spirits grace this will
be futile. But with him there can be life
and we pray that life would be known in this time.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
There is a remarkable statement in this short excerpt that I
just read to you and I'm not sure if you caught it.
Maybe you have. But I want you again to turn
your. Eyes to the last part of verse.
37 And focus with me on the first few words that this crowd
exclaimed in light of a miracle that Christ performed yet again,
it says. Here and they were astonished.
Beyond measure saying. He has done all things well, if
there is anything that you take from this message.
If there is only one. Thing that you can leave.
This place with let it. Be this marvelous declaration.
He has done all things well. He has done all things well.
That was the response of. The people, when they learn of
this glorious grace that Jesus bestowed upon this very poor
man. But it wasn't just the immediate
response, it was a unanimous conclusion that the.
People have made about. The ministry of Jesus thus far.
All the reports that they've heard, all the things that.
They have witnessed. Brought them to.
This moment where they said he has done all things well and we.
Could take it further, can't we? We should take it further
because all things means all things, not some things,
everything. What has he done?
Well, does any create has any created?
He's done it. Well, his.
Creation. Not just his creation of this
world, I'm not sure how many of us would be confident enough to
say that he has created. Me Well.
He has done all things well. His creation.
What about his? Provision.
Has he not done it well? Has he not been sufficient?
Has he not been? Faithful.
What about his permission, what he has sovereignly?
Allowed in your life what he has given to you, though in the
package that seemed to be. Sorrowful and dark and
questionable in. Hindsight, you look.
Back. And you realize if it had not
been for my affliction, I would not have kept his precepts.
What about his direction in your life?
Though not always clear. Though not always with an
audible. Voice if at all.
But here you are. God has brought you, and you see
it exactly where you need to be. Through his direction, through
his. Protection and how about his
salvation? Everything that he has ever.
Done. He has done well, he has.
Never done anything halfheartedly, he has never
been. Misdirected.
He has never made a wrong calculation and.
Certainly he has. Never, ever.
Failed. He has done.
All things. Well, remember that.
Don't just. Remember the reference I?
Encourage you to inscribe it. On the trophy case of all of
God's past mercies in your life. More than that, would you please
etch it on your heart? Would you etch those words?
He has done all things well in order to prepare you for the
times in which you will be. Challenged and your trust in the
goodness of God he has. Done all things well.
Would that be a statement prepared in your mouth?
To share it with great conviction to those who might
doubt or question the Lordship. Of Jesus Christ He has done all
things well, and what we see here is an example of just that
in this specific testimony of a blind and a mute man.
Who received from the? Hands of this gracious God, and
when you. Consider Matthew's account of
this story. You will quickly.
Learn that this story is important.
That God had put. It in this gospel account for a
specific reason, and I want you to see that with.
Your own eyes in Matthew 15 go to Matthew 15 very.
Quickly and come to verse 29 at this point Matthew is following
with Mark here chronologically. So what we're going to see in
Matthew is what we're seeing here at this point of Jesus
ministry in Mark Chapter 7. But notice what Matthew does
with this season of Christ. Ministry by the Sea.
Of Galilee, Matthew 15 verse 29. Jesus.
Went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee.
And he. Went up on the mountain.
And sat. Down there, and great crowds
came to him, bringing with him the lame, the blind, the
crippled, the mute, and many others.
And they put them at his feet, and he healed them so that the
crowd wondered. When they saw the mute.
Speaking the crippled healthy, the lame walking and the blind
seeing. And they glorified the God of
Israel. So Matthew's version is very
general, and Matthew tells us that there are many more,
possibly hundreds, thousands of people who are healed.
But when you read Mark's. Version he hones in he.
Zooms into one of those healings out of the many.
Clearly there is something about this particular encounter that
the Holy Spirit wants us to. Learn there are some gleanings.
In here that are absolutely vital for our instruction and I
believe the best way. Perfectly preparing this message
is to divide our thoughts. Divide our thoughts as
meticulously as possible. If we want to know what it is
that the Lord has to say to us through this text, and consider
with me #1 the. Region where the healing took.
Place the. Region where the healing took.
Place and from there look at the request.
For the healing and. Then from there we would look at
the method. Of the healing and then.
From there, we would look at the instructions after the healing.
And lastly, we will conclude. With the remarks about the
healing the region of the. Healing Mark was more specific.
He said that it was not just by the sea of Galley, it was in the
region of the Decapilis. The capitalist is just a word
that means 10 cities and it was heavily populated by gentiles.
And there is more to that than just Jesus having extra crumbs
in his pocket to give to. Gentiles concerning his.
Power and mercy. Remember, right before this
there was a Lebanese woman. Or one Syrian by birth.
In the southern region of Lebanon, who received mercy from
Jesus concerning her daughter. But that mercy now spills over
into the Decapilis, and now these other Gentiles are
receiving a touch from the Lord. But here's.
What's so interesting is. This the first time that.
We read of the Decapilis. In the book of Mark.
If you've been with us, somebody nodded and said no, you're
right, this. Isn't the first time.
That the Decapilis has been made known to.
Us and I want you to see where was first mentioned and you will
see how this is so. Significant.
Go to Mark chapter 5. This is where Jesus does.
Another powerful demonstration of His Grace, and it wasn't.
For a blind man, it wasn't for a deaf man, it wasn't for a
crippled man. It was for a man who had 10.
Thousands of demons living inside of him, nobody knows the
exact. Number It could have been two,
could have been three, but there were thousands of demons living
inside of this man. And Jesus delivered him.
And this man was right in his own mind, and he was rightly
clothed and we're told there. That after he was touched by
Christ, he comes to Christ, He says, Would you let me travel
with you? Please don't leave me here.
I want to go with you where you go.
I know there's some extra room on that boat.
Please let me come. And in Matthew 519 you see
Christ's response. And he did not permit him, but
said to him, go home to your friends.
And tell them how much the Lord has done for.
You. And how he has had mercy on you.
And he went away and began to proclaim into the capitalists
how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone marveled, Lord
says, you can't come with me. I need you to be an evangelist.
And so go to the Decaplis. Go to those ten cities and
proclaim to them what you just experienced.
And here we. Are two chapters.
Later, Jesus visited the capitalists and there are
thousands of people waiting for him.
I want you to think about that for a moment.
One man's testimony stirred the hearts of 10 cities.
One man's testimony. It was an undeniable testimony.
It was a profound testimony. It was.
It was incredible. But the the.
Point is more than just the man's testimony, because we
might not be that encouraged with that I wasn't filled.
With 10 thousands of demons. That's not something that I can
really share without lying. I grew up in the church and I
love the Lord as early as I can imagine.
What does this have to do with me in terms of inspiration?
Well, it goes deeper than his testimony.
It has. More to do with his.
Submission to the wisdom of God than anything.
Else, what was his initial desire after he was?
Restored by Christ, Please let me go with you.
That was his. Dream so to.
Speak. That was his hope.
That was his greatest desire. And what happened?
Christ denied it. No, you can't come with me.
And you know. What didn't happen?
His zeal. Wasn't dampened.
He wasn't offended. And began to question the.
Kindness of God and his providential leading He didn't.
Pull back from serving the. Lord, because he didn't really
get what he wanted. He chose to obey regardless.
He chose to serve him. Regardless.
He chose to go where he told him to go.
Though he may not have understood it immediately.
And so it's more than just a man's.
Testimony. It was his.
Willingness to trust. In God's leading and here's the
point for you and I. What will you do?
When the Lord does not. Give you what you want, as holy
as it might seem, as great. As it might seem as.
Good as it might seem, will you in some form of payback become
bitter and say, well, Lord, if you're not going to answer my.
Cry after I've been faithful. For this long, then, I'm not
going to give you what you want. You may not say it out rightly,
but maybe in your. Actions maybe in your devotion.
And what you have to understand is that on the other side of you
willing to say, OK, Lord, if this is where you want me to be,
if this is who you've called me to be, if this is where I'm
supposed to be an endure. Then I will do it.
Maybe on the other side of. That there are blessings that
you can't even. Imagine.
Take that from this truth. Here's a man who thought the
best thing was for him to be with Jesus and Jesus.
I know better than you. Going to the.
Decapolis And he goes. And revival breaks out.
What if he had said no, But he said I thought you were.
Kind and merciful. What's this?
Well, thanks for the healing, but I'm going to go my way.
What if? What if?
And it's so sad. Over the years, I've seen
Christian. Shrivel up and become sour.
Because they've made desperate pleas to God, and God hasn't
realized it for them, and they're nowhere to be found.
Who knows? What God could have done through
them, they said. Well Lord, if you don't give me
what I think is best for me, I will still serve you regardless
and or what blessings he has in mind for those who trust and
obey the region of the healing. This man prepared others to meet
Christ. But now?
We come to the request of the healing mark zooms in.
And verse 32. And we see here that.
They brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech
impediment. And they begged him.
Here's more begging. They begged him to lay his hand
on him. Who are the they?
We don't know. But whoever they are clearly are
people who love this man. They love this man enough to
take the time out of their day. To make the effort to cross.
Through the chaotic crowd. And to present to Jesus someone
who is in a desperate condition, they brought him to Christ.
You know when it comes. To bringing people to Christ,
there is energy involved. There's sacrifice involved.
There is effort involved, and sometimes it may seem demanding.
But no matter how demanding it is, it is our primary calling
among many other callings. And it's amazing how so many
temptations flood our hearts in the pursuit of witnessing to the
loss, right. It's incredible how much?
Encourages us to do just the opposite, and I'm one of them.
I can attest to those temptations.
For some, it's fear. We're just terrified of the idea
of confronting or. Communicating or sharing others
it's it's a sense of. Unworthiness I I just don't feel
like my life is. Holy enough in order.
To be a representative Christ. And then there are others.
If the honest St. is honest, that the thing that tempts them
the most to reserve their witness is their schedule, their
schedule. And I want to.
Re encourage you here right I want to realign.
This is the point of coming to church, we we remind.
Ourselves through singing and preaching.
Why I'm here? Why it is that I?
Have been left here on earth and not rapture the moment I confess
Christ. No matter what our personal
projects are, no matter how ambitious they are.
No matter how. Much they promise.
You know it, don't you? Nothing is more rewarding than
knowing you planted the seed of the gospel in the heart of a
receptive person. Nothing.
And here are these friends.
Who willingly, intentionally took this man?
Who? Who was probably very.
Disoriented, being deaf, who had no.
Ability to share what he. Desired at least with his
tongue. And they said we're bringing you
to Christ. They loved him by bringing him
to Christ. And more than that, then they
begged Christ that that's a picture of intercession.
We're going to ask Christ on your behalf to do something in
your life. But there's more than just the
bringing. There's more than just the
begging. There is the specific request.
That they made that is worthy of our meditation.
What did they ask Jesus to do for the man?
Put your hands on him. Christ, lay your hands on him.
That that doesn't seem like an outlandish thing, That that's
something that they probably witnessed with their own eyes.
Maybe they saw Christ, according to Matthew, do it with hundreds
of others. And so they just knew what they
saw. They just.
Interpret it as out. Christ does things.
What would you lay your hands on him Now we might just read pass
through that say well that. That just something that's
obvious. Right until you look at verse
30. Three, and see how Christ
answers their plea. Does he lay hands on him, and
taking him aside from the crowd, privately he put his fingers
into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue and.
Looking up to heaven, he sighed. That's not the same of laying
hands on him. That's not.
That's very elaborate. Very different.
Might be even very curious. And so these men.
Came to Jesus. Asking for a specific.
Method and Christ had another method in mind.
And I think this is important for us to consider.
You saying why? Because if we're not.
Careful and our. Petitioning to Christ, and our
seeking of Christ and our waiting of Christ.
We might have. A list of things that we believe
Christ should do and how he should do it, and when he
doesn't, if you're not prepared to realize that he's sovereign.
You might set. Yourself up for disappointment?
Do you remember naming the Syrian?
Maybe you don't naming the Syrian was.
Littered with leprosy, he hears of a man in Israel who can heal
the sick who is in tune with God, Elijah the prophet.
So he comes to Elijah's house after he was directed by the
government. And when he arrives there,
Elijah doesn't even come out to say hi to the guy he sends a
messenger out the front door to. Give him instructions.
Like, talk about disrespect. At least in the eyes of a man
who deserved who thought he deserved.
Respect. He sends a message.
That's like a politician coming over to your house, knocking on
your door, asking for your attendance and you.
Send out somebody else to deal with them.
That's what, Elijah. Does.
Why? Is he rude?
No, he he's trying to highlight his pride.
And it was highlighted because the instruction that Elijah gave
to this man, you know it well, OK, if you want to be healed.
And verse ten of Second Kings 5 going washing the Jordan 7
times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.
Simple, straightforward, just like the gospel.
Repent and believe. Nothing complicated, nothing
philosophical, nothing sophisticated, Just go to the
foot of the cross, repent and believe.
And what happened to this man? Name it he.
Was offended. Let me read to you his response
in verse 11 and 2nd Kings 5 But Naman was angry and went away,
saying, Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me
and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave
his hand over the place and cure the leper.
I I wanted something more honorable than this, more showy
than this. More sophisticated in this I had
an expectation and it wasn't realized.
And he became angry and he almost missed out on the
blessing. If it wasn't for.
A servant who reminded him. And how does that work for us?
I think it works in many ways. Lord, I want to serve you.
I want to serve you in this way, and I want to serve you at this
time, and I want to serve you with this kind of an influence,
and I want to serve you with this kind of people, and I want
to serve you at this capacity, with these kind of giftings and
the Lord. Is pleased to use.
You and I. But then he gives you a ministry
that he wants you to have. Will you be like naming?
Behold, I thought. Lord, at this point of my life,
let me just check. Here my blueprint for my
existence at this point I would like to have this kind of a
spouse, this kind of a house, this amount of.
Kids, this kind of. Region this kind of property
taxes. This kind of church, a church
that preaches. Well, and does things well.
Doesn't get involved in my business and.
I have all these things, Lord, that I have in mind.
Here you go and the. Lord is pleased to provide for
you. But then in his.
Providence, When he brings you where you're at, does it meet
your expectations? And if it doesn't, will you be
like naming? Behold, I thought.
Here are these men, they said. Lord, would you place your hands
on him? And he honored their faith.
You see the point that I'm trying to drive into your soul?
Is not that. Trusting in God means that you
should expect less. Than what you hope for.
It's to believe that he is better than what you prayed for.
It's to realize that he will honor your faith and he will do
above and beyond what you. Expected or imagined?
No matter. How much you think that?
It is the way it should be. Christ comes and.
He brings this man privately. He honored their faith.
He didn't. Scold them.
Notice that because. We should be specific.
In our request. We should seek, we should ask,
we should knock, but we should also have the faith enough to.
Believe that if it does not come in the specific way that we had
imagined, that His sovereignty is greater than mine.
And so this man comes. Helplessly, Jesus brings him
privately, which transitions us perfectly into the next thought.
Not just the region of the healing, not just the request
for the healing, but the method of the healing.
You read it. Jesus takes him.
He doesn't want to make this show in front of people.
He doesn't want to advertise this man.
He has enough attention. And so he pulls him.
Aside, he looks at him. And maybe the the friends that
came with the man. Look from a distance and they
said OK, it shouldn't take too long.
And Jesus sticks his fingers in his ears and he spits and takes
some of his saliva and he places it on his tongue.
And then more than that, we're told by Mark, very
descriptively, that he looks up to heaven.
He sighs. He uses an Aramaic word that
simply says it means be opened and the man was healed.
That's not the method that they had thought.
Christ has different methods. Be careful of comparing.
Your life. Because the way he provides for.
You the way he uses, you the way he leads.
You may have some overlap with other people, but it is often
very. Unique.
It's very unique. I mean, just think about the way
people were saved in this very room.
Some of you heard a preacher in person.
And that's how God got your attention.
Some of you receive a tract while you went to the mall.
Some of you read your Bible privately.
In your own room. Some of you got saved through a
podcast, others through miraculously.
TikTok, TikTok. I've been hearing that TikTok,
TikTok, TikTok, TikTok of all places.
Some of you through Divine. Healing God has different ways
of working and we see here that he proves that and in the case
of this. Healing.
It was very unique. And for a glorious reason, why
couldn't he have just said a word I.
Would have saved a lot more time.
Why didn't he do? What Naman would have imagined.
Just waved his hand and this man's ears could have popped
open and his tongue could have been loosened.
Why this complicated and technical procedure?
It's no accident. You should know that by now.
I think that what Christ is doing at this time with this
specific man is. Showcasing what we've seen in.
Christ and many of his healings. A deep personal concern and care
oozing. Out of a place of compassion,
here's this man again, Death unable.
To speak, unable to really. Speak for himself and in the
natural. Sense, not really knowing
what's. Happening.
We don't know how long he was deaf for.
And so you can just imagine these friends.
Trying to communicate with him, We're taking you.
And here he is just going along with them.
And they come before this. Jesus, did he see it?
Did he himself see him perform miracles?
We don't know. But here he is before Christ,
not knowing what is about to take place.
And it could be that when Christ comes to this man and using his
hands and signaling to him in this way, he is in essence
communicating to him. In other words.
This is Jesus using sign language to meet this man where
he was at. This is Jesus coming to this man
and placing his fingers in his. Ears to say, I know where the
problem. Is placing his finger with.
His saliva on his tongue to say I know that you cannot speak.
Looking up to heaven right before him to show I I'm showing
you where the. Source of this power comes from.
And even Mark giving us the exact.
Words of Jesus at this time. We have reason to believe that
this man could read lips. And so, as Jesus says, be.
Opened, this man would also see the authority of Jesus.
Christ. And so you have these friends
begging Jesus, would you lay your hands on him?
And here's Christ in his mercy and grace, going above and
beyond what they've even asked? I will heal him, but I want to
show him that I am deeply. Concerned for him, and I care
for him as an individual, as a person.
I realize his condition at this time.
And so let me take him away from the crowd and give him my full
undivided attention. And let me place my hands in
these ways and perform these gestures so he knows what is
about to take place. So his faith can be encouraged,
so he is aware of why he is here and why I am here.
This is Christ showing that he cares.
And would you know it, this is Christ performing this.
Kind of a miracle. Of all the Gospels in the Gospel
of Mark. I hope you didn't.
Forget what the theme of Mark is concerning Jesus, the perfect
servant of God, the perfect minister.
And here's Jesus ministering to this man.
And it's no. Wonder why this account is?
Provided under Mark's authorship.
It's for our instruction as well.
Yeah, this is unique to Christ's authority anointing in power.
But his model as a as a servant serving people, you know what
Jesus is doing here. He's meeting this man at his
level of understanding. He's willing to take the time to
convey in the language that he might have understood the most,
because Jesus doesn't see ministry as some drivethru
experience. Jesus doesn't minister here out
of compulsion, and he never does.
Jesus' heart is in what he does. No matter how weary his bones
were, no matter how much the demands were on his flesh at
this time, he gives his full attention, and he speaks to a
man in the language that he would have known most.
I was reading this thinking about this laying in bed last
night, and I and I said, Lord, give me the wisdom, please.
And give me the. Grace and the patience to know
how to convey your truth. Help me be mindful.
Help me be patient. And understanding that every
single. Person has a different condition
and not one method works the same for all.
Help me understand. That if I'm going to.
Reach people. There's a grace that I need to
exercise an awareness that needs to be implemented in order to be
most effective. I hope you leave with that truth
in your. Heart.
There are people. Who are broken in different
ways. And it's not that we compromise
in order to minister and disciple them, but it does
require an attentiveness and A and a willingness to be able to
meet them at their level, meet them at their level, and help
them to grow in the revelation of the goodness of God.
So here's Christ, fingers in his ears, touching his tongue.
Looking up to heaven wording with his mouth so that this man
could see and understand what was about to take place.
That his heart would be comforted, that his faith would
arise, and Christ would be glorified.
The method of the healing. What a wonderful master we
serve. But notice now after the method,
the instructions. Verse 35.
And his ears were open, his tongue was released, and he
spoke plainly. You know what's so significant
about speaking plainly? The word they're.
Plainly is that he became fluent in the language.
It could be that this the man didn't even know how he he
didn't know anything, right? People debate whether he was
born deaf or not, but he. Couldn't speak.
And the miracle? Is that it?
Passed through all the need for therapy, all the need for
sitting in a room with a tutor to learn how to speak and he was
able to communicate right away. It was a complete restoration.
And so this man was able to put sentences together, to
understand verbs, to to give speech right in that moment.
And then Jesus does something. Remarkable verse 36, he charged
them. To tell no one, Lord, the guy.
The guy just started to speak and you're telling him not to
speak. We feel the same way sometimes.
Don't worry about the commands of Christ and our natural
thinking. It doesn't make sense.
He charged them, not just. The men, but his friends, I'm
sure they. Were fully aware of what?
Just happened. Don't say anything to anybody.
Not one. Soul charge is a very.
Strong word sternly commanded them.
Now one person should hear about this.
And hear what we see in the second part of.
Verse 36 the. More zealously, they proclaimed
it. The more he charged them.
The more zealously they proclaimed it.
Can you imagine that? The Lord more than once telling.
Don't say a word. And the more he said no, the
more they were. Wanting to do, it does.
That sound familiar to a specific.
Demographic in life, yeah. We get facial hair, we get
taller, we. Get wrinkles and some of us
still act like children don't okay.
And the moment he turned his back.
Go, go, go, go, go. Tell as many people as you can.
Why? Is the Lord asking not Lord?
Don't you want people to be exposed to your power, Your
unmatched mercy? And we've explored this, haven't
we before? But it's here again, And it's
here again to remind us and to teach us and to because we're
creatures of. Repetition to solidify this
truth. Why is Jesus saying no?
And we've touched on this, so let me remind you 2.
Reasons at least. From the human standpoint of why
they. Would do it though.
He said no. The first one is something that
we kind of see plainly. They were excited.
How can you hold it in? This man couldn't hear, he
couldn't speak, and now he can formulate sentences.
You're asking us not to say anything, Lord, we love you, but
come on. And so here they are, exploding
with exuberance and. They go to the streets and they
proclaim this good news at the expense of obedience, and it's a
lesson for us to remember that. Often times you were here Friday
and some of. You were here Friday.
That emotions can often lead us into disobedience.
That we can be emotionally invested in something to the
degree. That it steers us away.
From Christ's clear commands and we looked.
At that this Friday with Saul, Saul slaughtered.
The Gibianites and the Gibianites.
Were protected people among the Israelites through a covenant.
They were to never be harmed for the rest of their.
Days and yet. Saul It says there in Second
Samuel 21 verse two that out of his zeal for the.
People of Israel and Judah. He slayed them.
His zeal, he felt very. Strongly about this cause, even
at the expense of. A covenant that was made.
And so let me repeat what I said.
Friday that there is a. Culture now.
That we're in, that is more and more.
Permitting absolutely, almost everything.
As long as you feel strongly about it.
You'd be made to know what you do in counseling sessions.
And all you're trying to deal with, really, is people who feel
strongly. About something, though, it is
plainly wrong. And so these.
People felt very strongly about telling others of what Jesus
did, though. Jesus command was as plain as
can be don't do it. But we were excited about it.
And that. Excitement can lead us.
Into sin and sometimes lack of excitement can lead us into.
Sin, the presence of certain. Feelings.
The absence of certain. Feelings should never determine.
The driving seat of your devotion to the Lord.
Or maybe it's something else. Maybe it wasn't the.
Sheer emotion of it, maybe. It was the human wisdom element
of it and. So here's Jesus, who just does
this awesome thing. And the people hear.
From him, right after tell. No one.
And I'm sure some of them thought really no one.
Lord, we love you. We're so grateful for what you
just did here. But telling no one doesn't.
Really help your cause. We heard some of your teaching.
We heard. Some of your claims and there
are other people who are a little.
Confused about who you are? Wouldn't this help?
You wouldn't. This give less ammunition to the
spiritual leaders. Who try to?
Accuse you of such. And such let us.
Assist you in this. You're great in so many ways,
but in this area, Lord, I think you need a little help.
We'll go and do it anyway. And again, this is a reflection
of human nature. You have people who love.
Christ, you have people who who who love components of who he.
Is and what he has done. But there are some parts in his
word that don't seem to. Help his cause in this day of
age. And so it's clear, it's playing,
It's obvious, but this might push people away.
From Jesus and so let's. Tweak it a little bit.
Let's skip over it. Let's reinterpret it.
Christ means well, and maybe this meant something at some
time, but for now this doesn't apply.
So, Lord, we know what you're saying, but we're here to.
Help. This is why we're seeing the
nominations fall apart. This is why we're seeing
different churches invite things because their intentions might
be just like these. People we're trying to aid,
we're we're trying to assist. When in reality, in Christ's
wisdom, he knew that this was going to bring more harm than
anything. Else.
So what's the take away from this?
With these instructions, it's very simple.
Whatever, he says, just trust it.
Okay. Just trust it, no matter what,
he says. No matter how your feelings
attest to it, no matter how much you think that it is
counterintuitive. Just trust his word.
You'll never go wrong and more importantly, your honor the one
that matters most. They don't.
They were zealously running in the other direction, and with
that, quick. Disappointment, we said.
We see some. Kind of light.
At verse 37 with the remarks. About the healing.
They were. Astonished beyond measure,
saying he has done all things well.
If you don't believe that now, precious St. if you're attempted
to doubt that, there is a day coming where you will be
glorified and you will look back, and despite all the pain
and all the strange providential leadings, you can look back and
you'll say he's done all things well.
That day's coming. I'm encouraging you.
I'm encouraging your little faith today.
That they will come. He's done all things well.
He even makes the death here and the mute speak.
Now here's what's fascinating. The word mute here is not the
same word that Mark uses when he narrates the request for the
healing. What was the specific request
and what was the? Diagnosis according to Mark,
verse 32. Again, look with your Bibles.
And they brought to him a man who was deaf.
And had a speech impediment. Do you see those collection of
words there had a speech impediment in the.
Greek. That's one word.
It's one word in the Greek. And this one word in the Greek
is actually only found. Here in this place, in all of
the New Testament, mute is a different.
Word the word in the Greek here. Which is Mogo lalos is actually.
A very simple definition, very difficult to speak.
That's all it means. But it's a rare word, and Mark
chooses to use it to describe this man's ailment.
And you think, well, why? Why didn't you just go with what
the word? The people used and here's
what's so fascinating it is. The only word that is.
Found in the New Testament in the Greek language.
But there is one other. Place in all of the Bible that
this word is used. It's actually in the Old
Testament. You think?
Hold on. The Old Testament was written
in. Hebrew, you're right.
But there was a Greek version written of the Hebrew scripture.
It's called the Septugent that was compiled 2 to 300 years
before. Christ and it was a.
Translation of the Hebrew scriptures that was very
available at this time in history with Jesus and the
disciples and so in all of the Bible if you go with the Greek
version of the Hebrew scriptures.
You would realize that this Greek word that Mark uses is not
just found here, it's actually found somewhere else, a total of
two times that it is mentioned. And when you realize where it is
mentioned, that you also realize why.
Mark used it. Do you know where it was used?
I'll tell you where it's used in the book of Isaiah.
Go to Isaiah with me very quickly and go to chapter 35 and
allow. Me to read a few.
Verses. Isaiah 35 will begin in verse 3.
This is a prophecy. And it's a.
Prophecy of a specific era. And here's what the prophecy
says. Strengthen the weak hands and
make. Firm the.
Feeble knees, say to those who have an anxious heart.
Be strong. Fear not.
Behold your God will. Come with vengeance with the.
Recompass of God he will. Come and save you.
Verse five, then the. Eyes of the blind.
Shall be opened and the. Ears of the deaf unstopped, then
shall the layman leap like a deer.
And the tongue of the mute sing for.
Joy for waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in
the desert for the. Tongue of the mute sing for joy.
And so if you had a Greek version of the Hebrew
scriptures. And you saw Mark's letter.
And you? Read that word there.
For speech impediment. You would look back at Isaiah
and realize. That he uses the very same word
that the prophet used. So you see.
Why Mark used it now, right? To show that Jesus is the
fulfillment of what is being said here, though partially.
Why do I say partially? Because what Isaiah is depicting
and describing here concerns the millennial reign of Christ.
He describes what will happen to the.
Universe itself, namely what will happen with.
Us who are creating in the image of God and what we see here with
Mark and Jesus miracle being performed is a preview of what's
going to happen when he does rule and reign on the earth
forever. And so Jesus here gives us a
taste of what the world. Will be like.
When he exercises his governance in the nations.
When he comes to rule from that throne in Jerusalem, what will
take? Place in the lives of so many,
not just one or two. It will be even greater.
Than his days here on earth 2000 years ago and Mark wants you to
get a sample of it. And Mark wants you to realize
that this Jesus is who Isaiah spoke about.
And this Jesus. Will.
Fully realize all that Isaiah spoke about in this text when he
comes again. When he comes again be opened.
And it was opened. And they said he has done great
things, He has done all things well, I want to let you know I'm
closing as we prefer prepare to partake in the table that yet
again we have another testimony that Christ can do the
impossible. And if you just come, if you, if
you just let go and allow yourself to come to the foot of
the cross, wonders can take place in your life.
I want to speak to the person here who does not know Jesus
Christ. You have not opened your life to
him yet. You haven't.
You've heard about him, but you're spiritually deaf.
And your mouth. You can't find yourself.
With your mouth to proclaim the glories of God.
You Can't Sing about it. You can't testify about it.
You haven't tasted it in one moment.
Christ can change it. He can.
He can actually change you in this very setting, right here,
right now. And maybe one or two friends
have brought you in love. And though they might have.
Been nervous because they understand that.
Sometimes from this pulpit, things can get a little intense.
But they brought you in love. Not to meet with a preacher, not
to meet with some musicians, but to meet with the living Christ.
Do you? Realize that that person.
Loves you. More importantly, do you realize
the love of Christ to bring you at this moment and to receive
him? And maybe you're in this place
and you're a believer already, but you're a disappointed
Christian. You had expectations.
Before you even dare to question, please take the time
to ask yourself, Am I here because of my own sin and
foolishness? If you are, if you are, Christ
is still willing to forgive you and still willing to restore you
and do incredible things in you and through you.
But if you believe wholeheartedly, well, I've tried
to walk in as much obedience as I can, and yet still here I am
with a mess. With an absolute mess, I've made
these specific prayer requests and they have not come.
In fact, it seems like the opposite is experienced.
Realize that if you are honest before the Lord, if you're
broken before the Lord, he has something in mind for you.
Through this, it may not make sense.
The method may not make sense, just like the ear thing and the
tongue thing and all of that. You may not understand it, but
he's doing something you don't get.
You just want him to lay hands, but he has something more
because he knows more. Trust in him today.
Let your heart be renewed and trust in him today.
I want you to leave this place for you to be able to say he has
done all things well. He will do all things well.
And that's what we pray. Lord, in this time of
meditation, we trust in you. And the feebleness of our faith.
We trust in you and the strength of our devotion.
We rehearse our trust in you and Lord.
As we come to this table. We reflect upon what really
matters the most, the salvation of our souls, that despite the
temporal trials and pain, we have eternal life.
And there is a time coming, like Isaiah foretold, Where there.
Will be no more tears. There will be no more handicap.
There'll be no more sorrow. There'll be no more.
Fear looking over our shoulder. To see who will fail us next.
There is a time coming where all of that will be removed and you
will be the object of our desire, our love and our joy.
And we come to this table to remember that you will feast
with us one day. And so, Lord, please help us
reflect, selfexamine to repent, to be cleanse of all
unrighteousness, so that we may come in a worthy manner in your
presence. In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.