Mars Hill Fellowship

MESSAGE |

The Father Has Need of Us

SERIES |

Heaven Is ...

SCRIPTURE |

Mark 11:1-11

SPEAKER |

Pastor Joseph Ardayfio

KEY THEME |

I. Mark 11 records the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem during His passion week. As they are nearing Jerusalem, Jesus gives specific instruction to his disciples: (1) Go to the village ahead of you; (2) find a colt tied at the entrance of the city; and (3) untie the colt and bring it to Jesus

1. Jesus’ instructions raised difficulties about identity, devotion and endurance that we are also likely to experience as disciples of Christ.
2. (1) What is our identity? Can we face the challenges that come with affirming our  identity as Christ followers.
1. The disciples were going into a town that was not favorable towards them. They had the potential to endure ridicule and shame because of their identity as disciples of Christ, but they had to decide their allegiance.
2. Peter was an example of a disciple that failed this identity test three times. When asked whether he was a disciple of Christ, he denied his relationship with Christ in order to please men. (Luke 22:54-60)
3. (2) Are we focused and devoted to the mission?
1. The disciple’s mission was to go ahead of Jesus and find the colt that had never been ridden before. The disciples had to be focused to find the right colt which had been prepared in advance for this occasion. Devotion to God pays attention to the details of walking in God’s will.
4. (3) How will we respond when opposition results from obeying the Lord’s instructions? Will we immediately give up because there is pushback or will we persevere to see the mission of the Lord accomplished in the earth.
1. The Lord prepared the disciples for questions about why they were untying the colt for Jesus, but they were not to shudder at the pushback. The disciples only had to say what the Lord instructed them to say. (Matt 10:19)

II. The colt was released into the hands of the disciples because it was a part of God’s ultimate plan. Despite any seeming opposition, God is able to make all things work according to His plan and purpose.  The disciples answer was that “The Lord needs it”

1. Why did Jesus choose to orchestrate his plan this way? (1) It was a part of God bigger plan to fulfill the prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9; (2) The time had come for Jesus to set into motion God’s plan of salvation through the cross (the Passover Lamb); and (3) Jesus was demonstrating that even in his death, he was in control over every situation and circumstance..

III. So Jesus stayed on mission, even though he knows that ultimately his mission will be brutal, unfair, and unjust – it must be done for the glory of God and ultimately because “God needs him” We have to understand that heaven is our home, but the Lord needs us here on this earth to be His agents of transformation. That is our mission and focus.