Becoming a Stronger Disciple
(Mark
6:14-29) King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well
known. Some were saying, “John the
Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at
work in Him.” Others said, “He is
Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He
is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded,
has been raised from the dead!” For
Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and
put in prison. He did this because of
Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is
not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill
him. But she was not able to, because
Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy
man. When Herod heard John, he was
greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Finally the opportune time came.
On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military
commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and
his dinner guests. The king said to the
girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever
you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she
answered. At once the girl hurried in
to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John
the Baptist on a platter.” The king was
greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not
want to refuse her. So he immediately
sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his
head on a platter. He presented it to
the girl, and she gave it to her mother.
On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it
in a tomb.
WHO A DISCIPLE RESEMBLES
When we fearlessly stand for truth, we resemble Jesus.
1. Stand for Truth
(18) For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
A. Some of God’s truths are “Don’t Do’s.”
B. Some of God’s truths are “Must Do’s.”
* Acts 4:12 – Must trust in Jesus to get to heaven.
* James 2:17 – Must show my faith by my actions.
* Deuteronomy 6:5 – Must love God.
* Malachi 3:10 – Must tithe
* Matthew 22:39 – Must love my neighbors.
* John 13:34 – Must love each other.
* Ephesians 5:25 – Must love my spouse.
C. All of God’s truths are “Can Do’s.”
(Philippians 4:13) “I
can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
D. Always be on the side of truth.
E. Always stand for truth.
2. Scorn of Men
(18-19) John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.
A. People hate the truth if it makes them look bad.
B. People attempt to change the truth to make it suit them.
C. People may hate me and persecute me when I stand for truth.
3. Similar to Jesus
(16) When Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
A. When I am scorn by men because of my stand for truth – I become similar to Jesus.
B. Would my obituary say that I was similar to Jesus?