The heart of the matter, part 2:

1. The heart of the matter, part 2: Jesus’s Stupid Disciples Mike Taylor Forest Community Church Sunday 5 May 2019

2. “Stupid” is a Bible word It occurs 17 times in the NLT.

3. “Stupid” is a Bible word It occurs 17 times in the NLT.To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. — Proverbs 12:1.

4. The disciples were constantly making mistakes Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?” — Matthew 17:17.We will look at six of them.

5. 1. The yeast of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:5-7)

6. 1. The yeast of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:5-7) Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

7. 1. The yeast of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:5-7) Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.

8. 1. The yeast of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:5-7) Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.This is just a silly mistake. It became serious when theyfell into arguing because of it.

9. 2. Afraid to ask him what he meant (Mark 9:30–32)

10. 2. Afraid to ask him what he meant (Mark 9:30–32) Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.

11. 2. Afraid to ask him what he meant (Mark 9:30–32) We often don't understand something.There's nothing to be ashamed of in that.

12. 2. Afraid to ask him what he meant (Mark 9:30–32) We often don't understand something.There's nothing to be ashamed of in that. The problem was that the disciples were afraid to ask.Their pride keeps them in their ignorance.

13. 3. Feeding the four thousand (Mark 8:1-4)

14. 3. Feeding the four thousand (Mark 8:1-4) In Mark 6:31-44,Jesus feeds the five thousand.

15. 3. Feeding the four thousand (Mark 8:1-4) In Mark 6:31-44, Jesus feeds the five thousand. Then: About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”

16. 3. Feeding the four thousand (Mark 8:1-4) In Mark 6:31-44, Jesus feeds the five thousand. Then: About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”They had already seen this miracle, but still didn’t believe!

17. 3. Feeding the four thousand (Mark 8:1-4) Compare with all the Old Testament passages where the Israelites remind themselves of what God had done for them.

18. 3. Feeding the four thousand (Mark 8:1-4) Compare with all the Old Testament passages where the Israelites remind themselves of what God had done for them. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them … You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham … You saw the misery of our ancestors in Egypt, and you heard their cries from beside the Red Sea. You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his officials, and all his people … You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! — Nehemiah 9:6–7, 9-11.

19. 4. Who is the greatest? (Mark 9:33-34, 10:35-37)

20. 4. Who is the greatest? (Mark 9:33-34, 10:35-37) Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

21. 4. Who is the greatest? (Mark 9:33-34, 10:35-37) Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

22. 4. Who is the greatest? (Mark 9:33-34, 10:35-37) Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”More concerned with their own glory than with God's purposes.

23. 5. Calling down fire from heaven (Luke 9:51-56)

24. 5. Calling down fire from heaven (Luke 9:51-56) As the time drew near for [Jesus] to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.

25. 5. Calling down fire from heaven (Luke 9:51-56) As the time drew near for [Jesus] to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.They were quick to judge, not to forgive.

26. 6. Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:31–35, 69–75)

27. 6. Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75) On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

28. 6. Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75) “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. [...] Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

29. 6. Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75) Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying — I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

30. 6. Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75) Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

31. 6. Peter denies Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75) Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.He was ashamed of Jesus.

32. But Jesus loved the disciples He was often frustrated by them. He could have dumped the worst disciples and brought in others. But he kept them with him to the end. He obviously saw something in them that he really liked.

33. But Jesus loved the disciples What was it? That they kept coming back to him.

34. But Jesus loved the disciples What was it? That they kept coming back to him. • When Jesus tells them to distribute food to the four thousand, they do.

35. But Jesus loved the disciples What was it? That they kept coming back to him. • When Jesus tells them to distribute food to the four thousand, they do. • When Jesus asks James and John “Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”, they reply “Oh yes, we are able!”

36. But Jesus loved the disciples What was it? That they kept coming back to him. • When Jesus tells them to distribute food to the four thousand, they do. • When Jesus asks James and John “Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”, they reply “Oh yes, we are able!” • When doubting Thomas sees Jesus, he responds “My Lord and my God!”

37. But Jesus loved the disciples What was it? That they kept coming back to him. • When Jesus tells them to distribute food to the four thousand, they do. • When Jesus asks James and John “Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”, they reply “Oh yes, we are able!” • When doubting Thomas sees Jesus, he responds “My Lord and my God!” • When Peter sees that Jesus is on the shore, he jumps overboard to reach him.

38. What about us? We make all the same mistakes that the first disciples made!

39. What about us? We make all the same mistakes that the first disciples made! • We misunderstand what Jesus says — and then argue about it.

40. What about us? We make all the same mistakes that the first disciples made! • We misunderstand what Jesus says — and then argue about it. • We don't understand something — and refuse to ask.

41. What about us? We make all the same mistakes that the first disciples made! • We misunderstand what Jesus says — and then argue about it. • We don't understand something — and refuse to ask. • We see God doing something — and don't believe he can do it again. We don't trust him.

42. What about us? We make all the same mistakes that the first disciples made! • We misunderstand what Jesus says — and then argue about it. • We don't understand something — and refuse to ask. • We see God doing something — and don't believe he can do it again. We don't trust him. • We care more about our own glory than about God's plan.

43. What about us? We make all the same mistakes that the first disciples made! • We misunderstand what Jesus says — and then argue about it. • We don't understand something — and refuse to ask. • We see God doing something — and don't believe he can do it again. We don't trust him. • We care more about our own glory than about God's plan. • We are quick to judge, not to forgive.

44. What about us? We make all the same mistakes that the first disciples made! • We misunderstand what Jesus says — and then argue about it. • We don't understand something — and refuse to ask. • We see God doing something — and don't believe he can do it again. We don't trust him. • We care more about our own glory than about God's plan. • We are quick to judge, not to forgive. • We are ashamed of Jesus.

45. We are Jesus’s stupid disciples

46. How do we respond? When we fail, we must respond thesame way the disciples did: Return to Jesus.

47. How do we respond? When we fail, we must respond thesame way the disciples did: Return to Jesus. When we feel furthest from God,we want to run away: That is the time to run to him.

48. How do we respond? When we fail, we must respond thesame way the disciples did: Return to Jesus. When we feel furthest from God,we want to run away: That is the time to run to him. Like children returning to their parents.

49. How do we respond? This is not “must try harder”. “If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try again”? No.

50. How do we respond? This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:Return to me, and I will return to you. — Zechariah 1:3.