Mark 11:27-33

Mark 11:27-33

1. Let us observe how much spiritual blindness may be in the hearts of those who hold high ecclesiastical office.
2. Let us observe how envy and unbelief make men throw discredit on the commission of those who work for God.
3. Let us observe what dishonesty and equivocation unbelievers may be led into by prejudice against the truth.

"Their acts and teaching must always be tested by the word of God. They must be followed so far as they follow Scripture, and no further. There is only one Priest and Bishops of souls, who makes no mistakes. That one is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him alone is no weakness, no failure, no shadow of infirmity. Let us learn to lean more entirely on Him. Let us "call no man father on earth," (Matt. 23:9.) So doing, we shall never be disappointed."

"The first question after all is this--"Is a man for Christ, or against Him? What does he teach? How does he live? Is he doing good?" If questions like these can be answered satisfactorily, let us thank God and be content. We must remember that a physician is useless, however high his degree and diploma, if he cannot cure diseases, and a soldier useless, however well dressed and drilled, if he will not face the enemy in the day of battle. The best doctor is the man who can cure, and the best soldier the man who can fight."

"The plain truth is that we ought to be very slow to give credit to the unconverted man's professed reasons for not serving Christ. We may be tolerably sure that when he says "I cannot," the real meaning of his heart is "I will not.""

Questions:

1. Have you ever been disappointed with a leader? If so, how disappointed? Does it show a leaning more on a leader than on Christ Himself?

2. Although it can be a valuable thing, do we find confidence in the credentials and degrees a person has earned more than the evidence of fruit and their usefulness toward others?

3. Do we know of this ‘mighty blessing’ of an honest spirit in religious matters? Do we make things sound better than they really are when it benefits us?