Mark 9:38-50

Mark 9:38-50

1. We see the mind of Christ on the great subject of TOLERATION in religion.
2. We see the need of giving up anything that stands between us and the salvation of our souls.
3. We see the reality, awfulness, and eternity of future punishment.

"Is our neighbor warring against Satan? Is he really trying to labor for Christ? This is the grand question. Better a thousand times that the work should be done by other hands than not done at all."

"Our bodily members are ready instruments of evil, but slow to that which is good. The eye, the hand, and the foot are good servants, when under right direction. But they need daily watching, lest they lead us into sin."

"Were there no boundless mercy in Christ for all that believe in Him, we might well shrink from the dreadful topic. Were there no precious blood of Christ able to cleanse away all sin, we might well keep silence about the wrath to come. But there is mercy for all who ask in Christ's name. There is a fountain open for all sin. Let us then boldly and unhesitatingly maintain that there is a hell, and beseech men to flee from it, before it be too late."

Questions:

1. Although we should be firmly convinced in our own minds, do we think less of those doing gospel work because they disagree on other important, but not gospel issues? Are we filled with pride or do we rejoice and pray for those other gospel ministries?

2. Do we hear warnings like those of cutting off hands and tearing out eyes and ignore it, or do we take fighting sin seriously? Do we think our liberty in Christ makes God soft toward the sin in our lives? Does this cause us to rightly fear the sins that cling so closely?

3. The doctrine of hell has been called a ballast, that if missing, means that many other doctrines are in peril with it. Are we ashamed of the doctrine of hell? Does it cause you to blush or are we tempted to soften it’s sharp edges when talking to others?