What To Say, When to Say It! Mark 13:9-13

Text: “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”

Exodus 4:12.

Good morning, shy Christian!  Often have been the times when your heart has been heavy due to the shy character you possess.  There have been times when you knew exactly what words you could have contributed to a conversation, words which would have added Christian salt and light to the subject being discussed - yet the shy trait of your personal nature has hindered you from speaking.  Well, dear sister/brother in the Lord, fret no longer, for this Scriptural message tonight is just for YOU.  (John 14:1)

In tonight’s Bible reading we find Christ prophesying to His disciples the things which shall befall His followers as we wait His return to take us Home to Heaven. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Many shall be the occasion when we are placed in positions where we must testify to unbelievers the glorious Gospel message of Salvation in and through Christ Jesus alone.   (Acts 4:12)

For some of us, these circumstances may be circumstances of great opposition and persecution, circumstances where the threat of physical or psychological violence shall be present and sorely threatening.  Yet testify, BOLDLY, we must!  (V. 9)

So, it is not merely the shy natured Christian who is the target of my message tonight, the principle is set down for all who are born again; all who are called to be witnesses of what God has provided for elect sinners at Calvary’s Cross.  We are all commanded of God to speak out for Him.  (Acts 1:8)

What to say:  If we are daily studying God’s Word contained in our Bibles, then the question of what to say is obvious - we say what the Holy Spirit teaches us to say, as we daily ask Him to instruct us from Scriptures.  It’s as simple as that, my friends.  (John 16:7-15)

Christians cannot speak out what they have not first taken into their hearts and hidden there prayerfully.  (Psalm 119:11)

When to say it:  Paul clearly teaches us when we must speak up in the service of the Lord; at all times the Holy Spirit leads and inspires us to speak; always in the proper Christian attitude of love; and to all people, red, yellow, black, or white.  God saves, not according to race, past religious beliefs, nor colour of skin.  So, be instant in thus speaking out at every God-given opportunity.  (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Whose authority?:   Remember, shy Christian, when we speak God’s truths we speak with God’s Authority - we speak ONLY what is contained in God’s Word, and by God’s power we shall always prevail. Our own personal thoughts, feelings, or opinions mean little when seeking to faithfully proclaim Christ and Him Crucified for the sins of ‘His people’.  We mush speak God’s Words, God’s doctrines, God’s instructions with Bible Chapter and Verse authority, or we would be better just keeping our foolish mouths closed.  God’s Word is truth.

“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.”  (John 17:17)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“There is a promise in the passage now expounded which is often much perverted. I allude to the implied promise contained in the words, “Take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that time, that speak ye.”  (Mark 13:11)

“The perversion I mean, consists in supposing that this passage warrants ministers in getting up to preach unprepared every Sun­day, and in expecting special help of the Holy Ghost in addressing regular congregations, when they have neither meditated, read, nor taken pains about their subject.

“A moment’s reflection must show any reader, that such an ap­plication of the passage before us is utterly unjustifiable. The passage has no reference whatever to the regular Sabbath sermon of a minister, and only holds out the promise of special help in special times of need.

“It would be well for the Church if this was more remembered than it is. At present it may be feared this promise is not unfrequently made an excuse for ministerial idleness, and undigested sermons. Men seem to forget, when they enter the pulpit, that what costs nothing is worth nothing, and that the “foolishness of preaching” and foolish preaching, are widely different things.”  (Footnote to Mark 13:9-13, in J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)

“But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do you premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” (Verse 11)

Naturally shy Christians, if they are studying their Bibles/listening to sound preaching/teaching regularly – can indeed take comfort in this wonderful promise of Holy Ghost help to openly speak the Gospel message to all with whom they come in contact.  This is an inspired (God-breathed) promise from God, of God the Holy Spirit’s Divine assistance to speak a ‘…word in season…’ to others – yes, even by naturally shy Christians.  There are no ‘secret Christians’ or ‘very private about personal faith Christians’!  Speak out boldly!

Go forth then, shy Christian soldier, for you are more than assured from today’s Bible lesson exactly what you must say, and precisely when to say it.  God’s Word is your strength.

Thought:  God gives extra power to a willing, yet stammering tongue. Use it well!

“The Beginning of Sorrows…” Mark 13:1-8

Text: “Tell us, when shall these things be?  And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Mark 13:4.

Good morning, enquiring Christian!  The Lord God has blessed you and I with what we might call ‘enquiring minds’: we read or hear something from Scriptures or a sermon in church, and we get a healthy curiosity as to the import, the exact meaning of what we have heard or read.  For the genuine Christian this can, very often, be an inspired desire from God the Holy Spirit Himself; a hunger to know further detail of the knowledge God’s Word imparts to our souls, personally, and as to what is going on all around us in daily life.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the Living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”  (Psalm 42:1-2)

By further enquiries into the more profound depths of God’s Word, we also show a willingness to be obedient to the instruction of God, through His inspired Word, to “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen`.”  (2 Peter 3:18)

As the Lord Jesus and His disciples went out of the Temple in Jerusalem, one of the disciples posed a question from his enquiring mind, after pointing out the manner of the Temple structure to Christ, and boasting of the structure of the building.

The Lord Jesus responds to this disciple’s boasting by prophesying to him of future events, and revealing that the Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, “…there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”  (Verse 2)

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple In 70 A.D. By Robert Clifton Robinson on September 9, 2019.

“One of the most stunning proofs for the authenticity of the Bible is found in our discovery of history. Jesus told His disciples that Jerusalem and the Temple would be surrounded by an army and destroyed. Just 38 years after He spoke these words, Titus accomplished the fulfilment of Jesus’ words precisely.

Luke 19:43-44 “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”

Matthew 24:34-35 “Verily (truly) I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”

“The context of Jesus’ revelation to the disciples, in Luke 19:29-21:24, is directly after Palm Sunday, 32 A.D. Jesus is describing the judgment that will come upon Israel for her rejection of Him as the Messiah. The fulfilment of this prophecy occurred within one 40-year generation, in 70 A.D., as Titus brought his army against Jerusalem. Titus sacked the city and destroyed the Temple, burning it to the ground. Literally, “not one stone (of the Temple) was left upon another,” just as Jesus had predicted.” (Robert Clifton Robinson in The Prophesies of the Messiah)

How many today are totally ignoring God’s Word contained in our KJV Bibles?  How many are proving themselves just as blind and irresponsible as the Jews in Jerusalem were at the time of Christ’s Divine prophecy?  Doom came quite suddenly upon Jerusalem just 40 years later, and 1.1 million Jews were murdered by Titus and his Roman army; while 97,000 were carried away as captives. 

God’s Word must be heeded, if such horrors are to be averted. (John 17:17)

“Jesus’ Prophecy Is Fulfilled”, Documented by Secular Writers, by Robert Clifton Robinson on September 9^th 2019.

“The Jewish historian Josephus describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the murder of 1.1 million Jews, with 97,000 others taken as captives of war. Thousands were sold as slaves, with many more dispersed all over the world. This entire event is recorded by Josephus in the “Book of Wars,” Book 5, Chapter 22, Sections 1-3.

“Jesus warned His disciples ahead of time to flee Jerusalem before the siege began. He told them to watch for this sign:

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days!  For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24).

“The Jews who had believed in Jesus as their Messiah evacuated Jerusalem after its first siege in 66 A.D., ahead of the final Roman siege of 70 A.D. Just as Jesus had predicted, there was a massive slaughter of those who remained in Jerusalem and did not believe His words.” (Robert Clifton Robinson, in The Prophesies of the Messiah)

Thought: Today, in these times of unbelief, we see clearly, wars, and rumours of wars…nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…earthquakes, famines and troubles.  Take heed!  These are the beginning of sorrows; the Lord Jesus returns real soon to put all things right!  Repent!  Why should you perish Eternally?

Cheerful Giving? Mark 12:38-44

Text: “Every man (woman) according as he/she purposeth in his/her heart, so let him/her give; not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7.

Good morning, poor Christian!  Have faith, dear friend, for though you are financially poor, you can be both rich in Spiritual wealth, and a sincere and cheerful giver.

“Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom, for with the same measure that ye mete (weigh/give) withal it shall be measured to you again.”  (Luke 6:38)

Today’s Scripture reading sets forth two types of givers; two types of religious professors; two types of religious practice - which we must consider wisely.

One set of givers, while SEEMING to give plenty, gave little - because they had much more to give.  The other seems to be giving little, yet is in fact the greater giver!  Paradox and parable instruct us when we study God’s glorious Word.  (2 Timothy 2:15) (Psalm 119:18)

The Sly Scribes: (Vs. 38-40) The Lord knows the hearts of humankind; we can fool other mere mortals; we can sometimes even fool ourselves - but the Lord God always KNOWS the true motives of every person’s heart.

Thus, Christ warns us to beware of the sly scribes among us, and depicts quite clearly their practice.  (Jeremiah 17:9)

“…Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”   (1 Samuel 16:7b)

Such professors are the fickle facades of any Church group.  They are always there at Church meetings, total legalists - yet sad to say, never become an integral part of Christ’s Body, the Church.  (Matthew 7:15-23)

Sly Scribes are the peacocks of Church meetings - always dressed in the latest fashion; you will hear them before you see them; and they always need to sit where they can be clearly seen by all others.

These professors frequently possess vast material wealth - yet the Lord reveals how they have accrued it, often by ungodly cruel means - and thus their begrudged giving is unacceptable in His Holy sight.  Damnation is the fool’s reward. 

“The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.”  He/she has actually said, “No, God!”    (Psalm 53:1)

The Wise Widow: (Vs. 41-44) Praise God, the Church has always its share of wise widow types.  These true Christians may not be attired in finery at meetings, nor have a great deal of material/financial gifts to give to the Church - but the sincere Scriptural way they share the SPIRITUAL gifts God has given them, is a joy to behold and they are often the backbone of any Church group.

It is akin to the difference in having a John Baptist in the congregation, or a Pharisaic peacock - one clothed in clean rags, or one attired in filthy finery. (Mark 1:6-8) (James 5:1-7) (James 2:1-10)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us learn, in the last place, from these verses, how pleasing to Christ is self-denying liberality in giving. This is a lesson which is taught us in a striking manner, by our Lord’s commendation of a certain poor widow. We are told that He “beheld how the people cast in” their voluntary contributions for God’s service into the public collecting box or “treasury.” He saw “many that were rich casting in much.” At last, he saw this poor widow cast in all that she had for her daily maintenance. And then we hear Him pronounce the solemn words, “This poor woman hath cast more in than they all,”—more in the sight of Him who looks not merely at the amount given, but at the ability of the giver; not merely at the quantity contributed, but at the motive and heart of the con­tributor…

“The stinginess of professing Christians in all matters which concern God and religion, is one of the crying sins of the day, and one of the worst signs of the times. The givers to Christ’s cause are but a small section of the visible church. Not one baptized person in twenty, probably, knows anything of being “rich towards God.” (Luke12:21) The vast majority spend pounds on themselves, and give not even pence to Christ.

“Let us mourn over this state of things, and pray God to amend it. Let us pray Him to open men’s eyes, and awake men’s hearts, and stir up a spirit of liberality. Above all, let us each do our own duty, and give liberally and gladly to every Christian object, while we can. There will be no giving when we are dead. Let us give as those who remember that the eyes of Christ are upon us. He still sees exactly what each give, and knows exactly how much is left behind. Above all, let us give as the disciples of a crucified Saviour, who gave Himself, for us, body and soul, on the cross. Freely we have received. Let us freely give.”  (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)

Human ‘books’ are not judged by their covers.  The wise widow gave what she could with a cheerful heart.  The sly Scribe keeps all he/she can and gives merely what he/she must to keep up appearances.  (Luke 6:38)

Let us therefore, seek to be liberal and cheerful in all our Christian giving.

Thought:  God blesses not what we give - but how we give it!  Give now!