A Blossom Bible Podcast
A Blossom Bible Podcast
Mark 3:7-19 Unity in Diversity: Lessons from Early Christian Fellowship
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What happens when the sheer power of miracles attracts crowds from all corners, and even the closest followers of Jesus need to find a balance between ministry and rest? Explore this and more in today's episode where we dissect Mark 3:7-19. We uncover how Jesus navigated the pressures and oppositions from the Pharisees and Herodians while ensuring His mission continued uninterrupted. Learn how He strategically appointed the twelve apostles, entrusting them with the monumental task of spreading the gospel, and the significance of these twelve men as both His disciples and apostles.
Christian fellowship is often seen as a gathering of like-minded individuals, but what if it’s truly about celebrating diversity? Inspired by Paul's experiences documented in Acts and 2 Timothy, we discuss how early Christians united through their shared connection with Jesus despite their vastly different backgrounds. This unity in diversity not only strengthens our faith community but also mirrors the inclusive nature of heaven. Discover how we can apply these principles to our modern churches, creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and valued.
Lastly, we examine Jesus' most profound commandment: to love one another as He has loved us, found in John 13:34-35. Genuine love, the kind that stands as a testament to our discipleship, isn't something we can muster on our own—it’s a gift of the Holy Spirit. We also delve into the vital role of prayer in embodying and expressing this love, encouraging us to go beyond surface-level interactions. Tune in as we share insights and practical advice on fostering intentional fellowship and relying on God's strength to love others sacrificially, just as Jesus did.
Mark, chapter 3. As we continue through the Gospel of Mark here chapter 3, verse 7, we see the continued ministry of Jesus, and that's kind of what it talks about in verse 7. Let's read it and then we'll jump into the rest of our time here today. But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea and great multitudes from Galilee followed him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idiomaiah and beyond the Jordan and those from Tyre and Sidon a great multitude. When they heard how many things he was doing, they came to him. So he told his disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for him because of the multitude, lest they should crush him. For he healed many so that as many as had afflictions pressed about him to touch him, and the unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him and cried out saying you are the Son of God. But he sternly warned them that they should not make him known. So a lot of sensational stuff going on here miracles and exorcisms and all sorts of things. It's a continued ministry of Jesus and it's exciting Now, while we see this going on, the kingdom of God breaking forth in the kingdom of this world. There's a bit of controversy, you'll remember. We ended our time last time in verse 6. The Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against him. So a couple groups of people at least here they're already headed out to try to get rid of Jesus. He doesn't do things their way, he doesn't honor their traditions or any of that, and they want to kill him. Right, they want to destroy him. And so a lot's going on for Jesus and his disciples, lots of ministry to be had. It's the heart of God shown to humanity. Here there's a bit of controversy. And Jesus it says in verse 7, withdrew with his disciples to the sea. So it seems this isn't the only time, but it would seem that Jesus realizes him and the boys need to take some time and just rest. Now it doesn't go so well. As they withdrew to the sea, a great multitude follows them and the ministry continues. But we read on in verse 13.
Speaker 1:This is attempt two at maybe some time alone. And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he himself wanted, and they came to him. Those whom he himself wanted, and they came to him, and he appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have power to heal sickness and to cast out demons. Simon, to whom he gave the name, peter James, the son of Zebedee, and John, the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanderes. I think James and John is probably an easier one to say. That is, sons of thunder, so you can call them sons of thunder Andrew, philip Bartholomew, matthew, thomas, james, the son of Alphaeus, thaddeus, simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him, and they went into a house.
Speaker 1:So here's round two of rest and relaxation, it seems, or at least retreating and getting away. Jesus goes up onto the mountainside. Now Luke and Matthew let us know that he went there and he prayed. He spent some time in prayer, but it just seems to be an opportunity to get away and just rest. It's good to have times like that. So many times in our life we can just be busy, busy, busy and, as we talked about even the Sabbath last time, it's time to rest and really kind of realign your attitude and your sights on what's important. Jesus goes up onto the mountain, and I think it's a kind of to just get away and rest.
Speaker 1:Now, here we see, though, jesus calling his disciples, calling his. We'll see his apostles right, these 12 guys known as disciples, apostles. Notice, there we see this in verse 14. He appointed 12 that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach. So this is where we get the fact that they're disciples and apostles. Jesus calls them first to be with him, but then also that he would send them out. A disciple is somebody who is with a teacher. A disciple, as you know, is a follower. So in this these 12 are disciples, but then Jesus is going to ultimately send them out to do their own ministry. We know the book of Acts is coming around too right, where they're going to be sent to the uttermost parts of the world. And that idea of being sent out is where we get the word apostle from. An apostle is someone who is sent out, an ambassador for someone else. So in that verse there we see the fact that these guys are disciples and these guys are apostles.
Speaker 1:Now, the wonderful thing, in a different kind of way, we're all called as Jesus' followers to be his disciples and his apostles that God brings us in and teaches us. We're disciples that God sends us out to the world. In a sense, we're apostles. Now clear the water a little bit. I don't believe we're apostles anymore today in that sense of writing the New Testament or establishing, you know, doctrine in the church. Paul says in Ephesians that the church is built on a foundation of the apostles and prophets. Once you lay the foundation, there's no need to lay the foundation again. So I believe prophets and apostles are things that we don't have in today's world. But check it out, come back for us, you are disciples. If you're a Christian, you're a disciple. If you're a Christian, you're sent out into this world. You're an apostle. Like an apostle, you're sent out, and these are things that we all do. So check it out.
Speaker 1:When I was in youth ministry myself, I had a heart to serve the kids in my youth group and my youth leader, steve Bambacci. He was as Italian as Italian got. It was great. He was a surfer and he invited me into discipleship. Now he told me about Jesus and he taught me about Jesus. But he also let me come along for ministry type things. Check it out Youth ministry. He let me along and this was a huge thing for me. He let me help set up the chairs for youth group. Yeah, let me, but I learned so much because you know, he taught me, he discipled me in that and said, hey, we're going to put out chairs, but think about this, somebody's going to sit in that chair. Pray for the person that's going to sit in that chair. Pray for the person that's going to sit in that chair. That was discipleship. And I still think about that when I set out chairs even now. You know somebody's going to sit in that chair.
Speaker 1:Discipleship. He would take me with him to study. Carl's Jr was the place we would go and it was amazing because they had just opened it up to like all, you can drink soda, right, I know that's been around for a while, but there was a time where you only got one and that was it, you know, and we would sit there and I would drink all the Dr Pepper you could imagine. And you know he carried a briefcase. So I carried a briefcase, you know, and we sat and we, we studied together and he kind of took me along.
Speaker 1:This is what it is to be a youth pastor and he discipled me. We're all called to be disciples, mainly of Jesus. Right, we're there to follow Jesus, but that's part of the normal Christian life being a disciple and discipling other people is part of the Christian life. Being an ambassador to this world notice again verse 14,. His desire, jesus' desire, was to send them out to preach the good news. That's something that Jesus would eventually do with his disciples. But we're all called to that same thing. We're all called to represent Jesus to this world. But how does it all come down? I think we see a lot here in verse 14, as he appointed the 12, notice that they might be with him. So being a disciple means to be with Jesus. That means that life is all about Jesus. I think this is kind of surprising to us in the church, because we can get this idea that being a Christian is.
Speaker 1:Well, you know, I vote a certain way. I go to church on Sunday. I might read my Bible. I don't talk the way other people talk. I'm a little different, but I'm a Christian and that's true. Right, the Christian life should look different, but life as a Christian is meant to be life with Jesus. Think about that for a second Life done with Jesus. That means the decisions that you make in life aren't just pros and cons. Right, the decisions are made. Where is Jesus going? Where does God want me to go. What does God want me to do with my time? Right, what is life all about? To live as Christ, as Paul said.
Speaker 1:And that's the normal Christian life. That's not just, you know, the pastor's life or something. That's the normal Christian life, life with Jesus Time that we have where you know it's just quiet. I do a lot more of this, I think at four in the morning it seems like you know, and you wake up and you wonder what to do with your time. You start checking the news, you check the weather or something like that Bad idea. Don't look at your phone, it'll just make you stay up longer. But you know, there's those times that you have with Jesus in the quiet part of the night when nobody else is up, and you just say you know, here's what's on my mind, god, I want to give it to you. You know, here's what I'm thankful for right now. I want to offer that to you. Life with Jesus is the normal Christian life.
Speaker 1:Check out this passage Acts, chapter four, verse 13. You can always turn there, but Acts 4, 13. Peter and John are arrested for doing some good and they're standing in front of a council, some very smart, important men, and there in Acts, chapter four, some very, you know, smart, important men. And there in Acts, chapter 4, verse 13,. It says this about the guys in the early church. It says now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and they realized that they had been with Jesus Interesting. They looked at these guys and they said you know, I'm pretty sure they haven't been to school so much, I'm pretty sure that they're untrained in our ways. But you know what I know about them They've been with Jesus. Maybe it was the way that they talked, maybe it was the heart that they were showing when persecuted, but people looked at them and they said these guys have been with Jesus, they've lived their life with Jesus.
Speaker 1:There's a sweet moment a little bit later in the book of Acts when Paul is in a similar situation. Right, paul went to Jerusalem, he was on his heart. He went to Jerusalem and everything fell apart. You'll remember Jerusalem, he was on his heart. He went to Jerusalem and everything fell apart. You'll remember he went there into the temple, wasn't doing anything wrong, and they accused him of defiling the temple and all the religious leaders surround him and they just a mob. They push him out of the temple and the door to the temple is shut and they're arresting him and he's just you know he's frustrated. I'm guessing you know frustrated because things weren't necessarily going the way he thought they should.
Speaker 1:But check it out what we read in Acts 23, verse 11. But the following night the Lord stood by Paul and said be of good cheer, paul. As you've testified for me in Jerusalem, so you shall also bear witness in Rome. And Paul looked back at this time in his life there and he writes in 2 Timothy 4.16, at my first offense, no one stood with me, but all forsook me. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. So check it out Paul goes through a lot of ugly stuff, but he went through it with Jesus In a real way. He knew that God was right there with him. The Lord stood with me. Be of good cheer. But that's life with Jesus. It's meant to be all of our life, every part of our life, and that's the average Christian life. I think we should know that's just the way it should be. That's not for those that are super serious about their Christian walk. That's everybody. If you're a Christian, life should be about Jesus through and through. And so here he calls these 12 disciples, and the thing that he wants at first there is that they would be with him. Our life ought to be about that.
Speaker 1:Now, notice this list. We could read all these names again, but if you look at this list and you know a little bit about their character, this is a pretty rowdy bunch of guys, a pretty diverse group of guys. A good chunk of them are fishermen, right, so the scent of fish is in the air, right. A good chunk are, you know, working men fishermen. We got Matthew that we talked about a few weeks ago, who worked for the government. He had an office job there, so to speak, and he worked for the Roman government.
Speaker 1:You see a guy there at the end, simon Some versions say the zealot, and it probably is more the zealot A guy who was looking to overthrow the Roman government. Right, he maybe had a dagger in his pocket and he was like ready, we're ready, is it now? You know, a little shifty maybe, but you got all these people from all different walks of life. You got some that are are freaked out when even a little girl confronts him. Peter, right, a little later on he gets confronted about Jesus and he goes I don't even know him to a little girl. But then you've got James and John there. Jesus nicknames them the sons of thunder I love that one, right, the sons of thunder. And we get a picture of this as they go into a Samaritan village, I think it is at one point, and nobody accepts Jesus. They all reject him. And James and John say Lord, do you want us to call down fire on this city? They're like ready to just burn the place, you know. And so you got all these different people, people that are a little nervous sometimes, people that want to, you know, put down the government. You got people who work for the government, people from all walks of life, and you look at this and you go and, together with Jesus in the center of them, they had fellowship.
Speaker 1:Now, we read of some times where there was controversy amongst the disciples. We read some times where they were asking questions like who's gonna be the greatest in the kingdom and they murmur about each other, you know, and stuff like that. There was some fighting, but there was a fellowship. Even with all that diversity in the group, there was a fellowship. Now, check it out. This is what the group there was a fellowship. Now check it out. This is what the church is supposed to look like.
Speaker 1:Now, you can't make it happen. That's the hard part. But really, the church, the church as a whole, shouldn't be divided in ages or race or culture, or even even, to some degree, language. Right, these kinds of things shouldn't divide us and unfortunately, we divide over sillier things like what kind of music we listen to. We divide over. You know what kind of hobbies we have and we're really good at dividing. You know what kind of hobbies we have and we're really good at dividing.
Speaker 1:And you know, in my experience in the church, we would try to come up with ways to diversify the church. You know how can we get people that aren't like us in? And honestly, it got weird so many times. It would get weird. You, I remember there was a, you know, a community like Thanksgiving service, where, you know, the white churches and the black churches were to get together and enjoy Thanksgiving together. It's a nice thought, you know, but it was the weirdest time, you know, everybody was just on edge and and you know, know well, let's not say the wrong thing, let's not do the wrong thing, you know, and we're collecting an offering, would you? Let's all count together? Hey guys, we're all here counting the offering together and, honestly, it was the weirdest, most contrived thing that ever was. It's a nice thought, but it was weird, but check it out.
Speaker 1:The church isn't really supposed to be like that. It was weird, but check it out. The church isn't really supposed to be like that. We really although I get it, you know, I have a lot in common with y'all. It shouldn't be that the church is just about people like me. Right that I find a church where people are like me right, I get it. I understand why we go that way, but that's not really the essence of what it's supposed to be like. It really should be more like heaven. You know, the cool thing is, when we get to heaven, there's not going to be different sections or denominations, you know, and all the things that I struggle with are going to be out the window. We're just going to be one together.
Speaker 1:But this is called fellowship, right? Fellowship we use that word a lot. Well, you know, just having some fellowship, but fellowship is a huge part of what the church is supposed to be like. Take a deep breath, because I feel like I'm just kind of racing here. Take a deep breath and let's talk about fellowship.
Speaker 1:The word is koinonia. Let's all say it. That sounds fun One, two, three, koinonia. You weren't even hearing what the word was. The word is koinonia One, two, three, koinonia. Okay, don't ever do that again, all right, so koinonia seems like a cool Greek word, but it means commonality. It means to have stuff in common. The way that it was used most in the Roman world was that thing that pulls us all together Greek culture, greek language pulled people from all over the Roman Empire together, and so, because of language and culture, everybody could live next to each other in the Roman Empire.
Speaker 1:Commonality Now check it out, that's not what we're talking about in the church having the same hobbies and stuff. Commonality is Jesus. It has to be what God's done for us. That has to be the one thing that brings us together. And fellowship is more than just hanging out with people. When we used to do youth ministry, we would have fun, food and fellowship. On the flyers. Those are the three F's of flyers Fun, food and fellowship. But fellowship is not just hanging out. Now listen to this part. Fellowship is not just hanging out. Fellowship is deep conversation and relationship with people. That can only come in our relationship with Jesus.
Speaker 1:This last week I had lots of fellowship, honest fellowship, which was great because it's not easy to come by Monday. I think it was a family from back in our school days, with the boys, invited us to go out to dinner and they're Christians, we're Christians and we got together and we had dinner. They asked us out and we just sat, we talked about life that's good life but it came around and we talked about our relationship with God, praying, what God's doing in our hearts, and it came down to this thing of fellowship where you're talking about what's most important in your life, your relationship with God, and there's just this weight that comes on that like in a good sense. You know this is the real deal. These are real conversations and you end the time by praying for one another. You know I had a few of those last week. It was just like.
Speaker 1:You know, I guess God knew I needed some refreshment. You know I had a few of those times with guys where I just sat down and we talk about life, we can talk about the weather, we can talk about work, we can talk about whatever, but then it comes down at the end and you go. But here's what God's showing me lately. Those are hard conversations to have because it's not natural, but it's so amazing. I think that's where it comes down and you go. I am so glad for Christian fellowship in my life because if it wasn't for that, I think I would give up. You know what I mean. And you look at what sort of is a picture of the church here and these disciples and you say, well, it's not necessary that we're all the same, it's not necessary that we all like the same stuff, but when Jesus brings us together, we can mix, and it's such a blessing to have that. So check it out.
Speaker 1:This is a good ministry for you to consider this week. Finding Christian fellowship, finding people that you can talk to about things more than just the weather, but about life, about what God's doing. That's a good ministry for you to look for this week. I'll put that on your list of to-do things. But even more than that, the great thing about real Christian fellowship is that it's not just you putting out, it's you receiving. And it's the most refreshing thing when you really find time to pray with someone, time to talk about the things that really matter in your life and and you look at it and you go. It's a two way street. You know, I encourage and I'm encouraged. You know, and, and I think that's something that God would have us to more purposefully look for this week. Again, I hate to make a list, because that's kind of what I'm so good at doing making a list for you guys. But put it on your list this week to find those kinds of encouraging things. It takes purpose, because for me it's really easy just to enjoy my time. You know it's really easy just to enjoy my time. You know it's really easy for me just to find some time alone, and that's not bad. But find on purpose, find those kinds of conversations, those ways to encourage someone and be encouraged. It's not just ministry. You need it and I need it. So Check it out here.
Speaker 1:Jesus in verse 14, he appointed 12 that they might be with him, life with Jesus, life together with Jesus, and that he might send them out to preach. So fellowship is amazing, but we also want to know in this that Jesus sends us out, every single one of us. He told all of his disciples go into all the world and preach the good news. That involves telling people the truth, man, that's a hard thing, even with friends, isn't it? To tell them the truth about things in their life, like I love you, but you know that attitude is sinful. You know I love you, but those things that you're doing, they're not okay. Right, that's part of preaching. The good news is that life doesn't have to be this way. You don't have to live that way. But also the good news about a restored relationship with God. Right, that's the good news. We were once enemies with God and Jesus brings us in where we can actually have a relationship with God. But check this out the good news of the relationships that we can have with one another. Right, the good news that you're not alone in this life. God gives us friends. God gives us really family. I hear that, you know, I love that about you know what I hear from you guys sometimes and what I know in my own heart that it's not just friends. So many times it feels like family. You know, man, that's good news. That's really good news to have.
Speaker 1:Let's turn and see what Jesus says one last time here, john, chapter 13. About this being sent out, this being a witness, this being an ambassador, john 13. Verse, verse how? About 34, 13, 34? So it's the night before jesus goes to the cross and he's got some last words for his disciples, john 13. And he says this he's washed their feet, I believe, by this point. Yeah, he has, and he says this, a new commandment. I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. And by this we'll all know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. And so Jesus really kind of shows us what this being an ambassador to the world being sent out would look like to his disciples. He says you'll love one another, be my disciples, love one another. But look at verse 35 again. By this we'll all know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. So we know this right, that the biggest witness that we can have in this world is love, love for other believers, love for the world. Now, check it out, come back on the list this week.
Speaker 1:Love one another. Oh, that's a good one, right? Well, that should overwhelm us, honestly, because I don't actually think you can show real honest love in the flesh in your own strength. And we see that sometimes, don't we? You know we're like I am. You know what that person just torques me every time I see him. I'm going to love him. I'm going to love him. You know, I need to determine. I'm going to love him today, that family member that I just don't really like hanging out with, I'm going to love them today. And you know, when it falls apart, don't you Right? Because they say that thing that they're always saying you know they do that thing that they know bugs me so much, and you go, ah, like you know that character from the movie with the fire coming out of your head. You know, and and and you go. I really meant to be loving today? I guess not.
Speaker 1:Well, love is a decision for sure, right, we can decide to love, but to truly love it's a spiritual gift. That in Galatians, it's spiritual fruit. The fruit of the spirit is love. So if we're gonna go all the way on true, selfless, agape kind of love, we absolutely need God to give us that love for the people in our lives. But isn't it amazing I'm not saying we succeed in this all the time that we're just loving, determined to be loving In the spirit, the time that, oh, we're just loving, determined to be loving in the spirit. We're loving and we're always loving.
Speaker 1:But isn't it amazing, I mean, you could see where that would really be the proof that you're Jesus disciples by the love that you have for one another. You're just surprised by love that you have in your heart for someone that you absolutely don't like. You know what I mean and you go, but somehow my heart's breaking for them right now. It's probably not in your own willpower that that happened. It's a gift of the Holy Spirit. I think it's an evidence of the Holy Spirit in our life that we can give love, like Jesus gives, Absolute, sacrificial love. And I think that's why Jesus says but you know what the biggest evidence of all that you're my disciples is love one another. We go wow, that's pretty intense.
Speaker 1:God, I need your spirit to show love, and so this week, not another checkbox, that's just going to get. You're going to get tired, you're going to get really tired, but something just to consider God. I know my default is to get frustrated. I want to be loving. I know my default is to be impatient. I want to have some compassion on this person. I really want fellowship, offering fellowship, purposefully going out, taking time to say God, this is what I want. God, work it in my life.
Speaker 1:God, certainly a list of impossibilities as we look at our own heart and we know how selfish we can be. I know how selfish I can be. God, it's my time, it feels like, but yet you've blessed us as far as we can tell. You've blessed us with a week in front of us. Just ask that we would offer our time and purposefully enter into relationships with other people. Fellowship, not just hanging out, but encouraging and being encouraged, god, that's a wonderful thing. I just ask that you give us those opportunities and help us to take them this week. But just to be a witness to this world around us, help us in this area of love, with you in the center of our life, god, that we would love one another not the way we want to love, but, god, the way you've loved us, and that is absolutely beyond us. So we need your spirit to show love to the world around us this week. God, go before us in these things and help us. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.