Sermon
#57 Series:
Mark
Title: “Take Heed To
Yourselves
Text: Mark 13:9-13
Reading: 2
Corinthians 4:1-5:1
Subject: The Troubles And
Consolations Of God’s Elect In This World
Date: Sunday Morning - July 26, 1998
Tape # U-78a
Introduction:
Mark 13:9-13 "But take heed to yourselves: for they
shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and
ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony
against them. (10) And the gospel
must first be published among all nations.
(11) But when they shall lead you, and
deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye
premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for
it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
(12) Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the
son; and children shall rise up against their
parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. (13) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved."
The
title of my message this morning is found in the opening verse of our text. As
our Lord Jesus warns us of the trials, troubles, and persecutions we must face
while we live in this world, he admonishes us, saying, “Take Heed To Yourselves”.
My purpose in preaching this message is to remind us both of the troubles we
must expect in this world and the consolations God has given us in anticipation
of them, lest we be overcome by them. Let us ever beware of these
things and take heed to ourselves.
Proposition: We must through much tribulation enter
into the kingdom of God.
Divisions: Using the words of our Master in this text, I want to show you
three things in this message.
1.
The
Fact Of Our Problems
2.
The
Fulness Of God’s Promises
3.
The
Fruit Of Our Perseverance
I. The Fact Of Our Problems
I
begin my message by reminding you of the fact of our problems because many have
the dreamy-eyed idea that faith in Christ puts an end to earthly trouble.
Nothing can be further from the truth. There are many troubles that are sure to
follow faith in Christ.
It is
written, “Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).
Trouble, sorrow, heartache, and pain are the things assured to all men because
of sin. It is the common lot and portion of Adam’s fallen race. Where there is
sin there is sorrow. These are the thorns and thistles of our hearts.
Yet, there are specific troubles to
which all true believers are and must be exposed in this world. These
are our lot and portion as long as we are in this body of flesh. The believer’s
life is a checkered history of great sorrow and great joy. All the prophecies
dealing with the church of God on the earth between Christ’s first and second
advent speak this plainly, just as the text before us today does. Our Master
told us plainly, “In the world you shall have tribulation.” In Philippians 1:29,
the Holy Spirit tells us, “Unto you it is given in the behalf of
Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”
As long as we live in this body of sin, every believer has his divinely
appointed…
·
Miseries
and Mercies.
·
Nights
of Darkness and Days of Brightness.
·
Trials
and Triumphs.
·
Temptations
and Preservations.
·
Falls
and Deliverances.
·
Sorrows
and Joys.
There
is no question about the fact of our many problems and in troubles in this
world. But we are often surprised by their sources, though we shouldn’t be. Our
Lord told us plainly what the sources of our woes would be.
A. We must always expect trouble from people the world,
especially lost religious people.
Mark 13:9 "But take heed to yourselves: for they
shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and
ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against
them."
Mark 13:11 "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought
beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall
be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the
Holy Ghost."
Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake."
Never
look for help or favor from “rulers and
kings”. Our way of life, the gospel we believe, and the God we worship is a
constant annoyance to this world. These things will never bring us favor with
men. Our gospel constantly exposes their sin, their idolatry, and their
condemnation. Those who dream that
politicians and civil magistrates will one day serve help the cause of Christ
as they once did, have misread both the Word of God and history.
Many
there are who have been persecuted, imprisoned, beaten, and burned at the stake
for absolutely no reason except their adherence to the gospel of Christ.
Trouble from the world is not too surprising. But there is another source of
trouble plainly stated in our text, a source that every believer will
experience, which almost always shocks us. If
we are faithful to Christ and the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in
him…
B. We must expect trouble from our families, too.
Mark 13:12 "Now the brother shall betray the
brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to
be put to death."
Do
not be surprised, my brother, my sister, when those to whom you are most
devoted, even father and mother, brother and sister, son and daughter, husband
or wife, speak evil of you, hold you in contempt, and treat you as an enemy. We
must not be surprised if those whose hearts are enmity against our God are also
enmity against us. Cain will always persecute Abel. Esau will ever despise
Jacob. The seed of the serpent will always persecute the seed of the woman.
We will all be wise to remember these
things and lay them to heart. We must, if we would follow Christ, “count the cost” of being his disciples.
I know that we are living in days of great freedom. Physical persecution, at
least in this country, is not a fear to God’s church these days. But persecution is still sure to follow true
faith in and faithfulness to the Son of God. You can bank on it. Believers
still suffer in their livelihoods for the gospel’s sake. God’s children must
still endure scorn, slander, laughter, ridicule, isolation, and petty
hostilities for their faith in Christ, even from their families.
Illustration: The 15 year old boy I heard from yesterday.
·
“The offense of the cross” has not ceased.
·
“The natural man receiveth
not the things of the Spirit of God.”
·
Those
who are “born after the flesh” still
persecute those who are “born after the
Spirit.”
Let us never forget or doubt this word from our God and
Savior. It is as true as the declaration that Christ died for our sins. - “YE
SHALL BE HATED OF ALL MEN FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.”
NOTE: Add to these things the fact
that many of God’s people in this world live with indescribable…
·
Bodily
Infirmities.
·
Sorrows,
Bereavements and Losses.
·
Domestic
Troubles.
Still,
there is another source of great trouble. Indeed, the greatest source of our
trouble in this world is this third source.
C. We must, as long as we live in this world, expect to
have an unceasing warfare in our souls between the flesh and the Spirit,
between the old man and the new.
Romans 7:14-24 "For we know that the law is spiritual:
but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For
that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate,
that do I. (16) If then I do that
which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then
it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no
good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I
would not, that I do. (20) Now if I
do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I
would do good, evil is present with me.
(22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to
the law of sin which is in my members.
(24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?"
Galatians 5:16-17 "This
I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the
flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary
the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
Let
me illustrate what I am saying by asking you to consider a few questions. Be
honest with yourself. These are things which trouble me greatly. I am sure they
trouble you too.
Before God saved you, did you ever imagine that a
believer, a sinner redeemed by the blood of Christ, robed in his righteousness,
saved by God’s free grace, living in the prospect of heavenly glory, a person
truly born of God, one who truly believes and loves the Lord Jesus Christ…
·
Could
have so much difficulty with inward lusts as you do?
·
Could
find it so difficult to read the Word of God as you do?
·
Could
be so indifferent to the things of God as you are?
·
Could
have such a hard time praying as you do?
·
Could
love the world so much and love Christ so little as you do?
No
wonder our Lord said, “TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES!” We who
know ourselves to be such sinners have great reason constantly to give thanks
to God that salvation is by grace alone!
1
Corinthians 15:10 "By the grace of
God I am what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they
all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
Let us ever give thanks for him who is our
unceasing, all-prevailing Advocate with the Father.
1 John 2:1-2 "My little children, these things write
I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) And
he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
II. THE FULNESS OF GOD’S PROMISES
Our
blessed God and Savior holds before us in his Word an immeasurable, rich range
of promises to encourage us, comfort us, and inspire us in the midst of the
many problems we have in this world. Here are two sweet cordials with which we
may encourage our own hearts and one another.
A. First and foremost, we are assured that God’s
purpose of grace in Christ shall be fulfilled.
Look
at verse ten. Right in the middle of this list of woes, our Savior interjects
this blessed word of promise. “And the gospel must first be preached among
all nations.” He seems to be saying, These things are all necessary for the accomplishment of God’s purpose
of grace toward his elect. This is how I am going to bring about the fulness of
my kingdom and the glory of my name.
1.
There
is a people in this world loved and chosen of God, redeemed by the blood of
Christ, who must and shall be saved by God’s irresistible grace.
2.
God’s
appointed means of grace and salvation is the preaching of the gospel.
Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
(17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
3.
Therefore
the gospel must be preached among all nations.
Let men
and devils, kingdoms, empires, and nations do what they will, God’s purpose of
grace cannot be thwarted. These specks of dust, though they swell and burn with
rage against our God, his Christ, and his gospel, are as surely under God’s
control and as surely used by him to fulfil his purpose of grace toward his
elect as the angels of heaven. The Word of God is not bound and cannot be
bound!
2 Timothy 2:9 "Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil
doer, even unto bonds; but the word
of God is not bound."
B. Second, our Lord Jesus here assures
us that when special help is needed special help will be given.
Mark 13:11 "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought
beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall
be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the
Holy Ghost."
Many
pervert this text into an excuse for laziness and being unprepared for the
pulpit ministry. It has nothing to do with such foolishness! This promise has
nothing to do with preaching. It is talking about persecution. Our Master here
promises that as he gave words of wisdom to his apostles before their
persecutors, so he will give us words of wisdom to answer our persecutors as
needed, or else he will give us wisdom and grace not to answer them at all.
1
Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it."
Isaiah 43:1-5 "But now thus saith the LORD that
created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have
redeemed thee, I have called thee by
thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the
waters, I will be with thee; and
through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the
fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (3) For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave
Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and
Seba for thee. (4) Since thou wast
precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee:
therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (5) Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from
the east, and gather thee from the west."
2
Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto
me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me."
Romans 16:20 "And the God of peace shall bruise
Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
Illustration: “Tried and Proved”
III. THE FRUIT OF OUR PERSEVERANCE
Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that
shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Tribulations
shall come. But our Savior holds out a word of promise to those who endure to
the end, to those who will not forsake the gospel, who will not, for any
reason, receive the mark of the beast. Listen carefully to what I have to say
here.
A. Perseverance is a matter of personal responsibility.
We
must hold on our way. We must cleave to Christ. We must take heed to ourselves,
lest we wind up like those who perished in the wilderness. Demas, Diotrephes,
Judas, and Lot’s wife stand upon the pages of Holy Scripture like burning
beacons to warn us. Having put our hands to the plow, we must not look back. We
must not drop out of the race. We must resolutely take up our cross every day
and follow Christ.
B. Perseverance for God’s elect is a matter of absolute
certainty.
1.
Our
names are written in the book of life.
2.
We
are predestinated to everlasting salvation.
3.
Our
Surety, Christ Jesus, has already obtained the purchased possession for us!
4.
We
have the pledge of heavenly glory within us.
5.
We
are sealed unto eternal life.
6.
We
are kept by the power of God’s grace in Christ.
7.
We
have our Savior’s promise. - “THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH!”
C. All who persevere unto the end shall reap a rich
harvest of grace - “THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED!”
We
may sow in tears, but we shall reap with joy. We may pass through much
tribulation, but we shall pass through it into the kingdom of God. Our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, shall work for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory!
Application: When
those who hate our God, despise our gospel, and persecute us are cast into
hell, we shall enter into life everlasting with Christ!
Revelation 19:1-8 "And after these things I heard a great
voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and
honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
(2) For true and righteous are his
judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with
her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (3) And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up for ever and ever. (4) And
the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God
that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God,
all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (6) And I heard as it were the voice of
a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty
thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and
give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath
made herself ready. (8) And to her
was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the
fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
Revelation 21:1-5 "And I saw a new heaven and a new
earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was
no more sea. (2) And I John saw the
holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband. (3) And
I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,
and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any
more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all
things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and
faithful."
AMEN.