Sermon Series: Getting To Know Jesus 

The Right of God 

Mark 11:27-12:12 

PSBC 7/28/02

In a nutshell: Jesus teaches how those who don't care about the rights of God, wind up rejecting God, and ultimately suffer the judgment of God.

I. Introduction

A. AWANA illustration

When I was Pastor of Christian Education at Scottsdale Bible Church, we made a program switch from one of the other weekday club programs for kids, to AWANA. Most of the kids responded well to the change. But a few had real problems with the discipline and authority structure that's part of the AWANA program.

Well, one evening, I saw a group of boys, who were about 10 years old, running around the outside of the buildings, at a time when they were supposed to be in with their AWANA leader. So, I stopped them and asked them why they weren't where they were supposed to be. And they looked all sheepish-like and said, "In AWANA. But we don't like it. We like the other program better." I said in the nicest way possible, "Too bad. Your parents have brought you to AWANA, and until they tell me you don't have to attend, you have to go. So get back in your room." All of them agreed to go back to their room, except one. His name was Edward. And Edward said, "You can't make me go. My dad's a lawyer, and he told me I have rights."

So, I said, "That's interesting. My father is God, and He told me I have responsibilities! And one of them is calling your dad right now." So I proceeded to pick him up, throw him over my shoulder and carry him back to my office, where I called his father and asked him to come and meet with me immediately over the issue of his "son's rights."

After the meeting, the young man never brought up the issue "his rights" again. That's because dad applied some persuasion to the boy's bottom when he got home.

B. The Issue of Rights for the Declaration of Independence

Rights. There is a lot of talk in our day about rights. Rights are something every American of every age is keenly aware of. We talk about human rights violations in emerging countries. We hear about women's rights, criminals' rights, abortion rights, and gay rights. There is the right to life and the right to bear arms. There are spousal rights and children's rights. In America, we understand rights.

In the Declaration of Independence we are told of certain unalienable rights given to all people by their Creator. They are listed as the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Recognizing those rights and valuing those rights for all our citizens builds a certain amount of self-worth and pride into the people of the United States.

The founders of our country and the people this country attracted from its beginning were individualists. They left the old world in small wooden ships, with literally only a hope and a prayer of finding a new world where they could be free. After they had arrived and had became settled, they weren't satisfied until they explored the far boundaries of this land. They wanted freedom. They wanted self-government. And they made their desires became a reality. We are a nation of independent people. We pride ourselves on personal autonomy. We are our own boss. Our Declaration of Independence says we have rights.

But did you know that the rights we enjoy as Americans come from a distinctly biblical principle. The Declaration of Independence says that all of us are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. Now, inherent in that statement is the idea that God also has rights.

Because He's the Creator, God is supreme. He is the ultimate authority. That means He is the author and owner of everything. That means He owns all rights. And our forefathers recognized that. In our Declaration of Independence it says that it's from Him that all rights are derived. Without God, friends, there are no rights.

So, it follows that the Creator's rights are supreme over the creations' rights. That just makes sense. And if the Creator's rights are supreme, they should receive top priority in our thinking and in our obedience if we are His creation. But unfortunately, sometimes the rights of God aren't given a second thought.

C. Transition

And in our text today, Jesus teaches how those who don't care about the rights of God, wind up rejecting God, and ultimately suffer the judgment of God.

Many people in Jesus' day had hard hearts. Some things never change. That's the way it is for many today, isn't it? But let's get personal. Let's not talk about "them", let's talk about us… What about you? How do you respond to the rights of God? For instance… …Do you question His right to your life? …Do you elevate your own rights over His? …Do you even know what the rights of God are? …And if you know, do you humbly surrender your rights to Him by submitting your life to Him?

Friends, everyone of us who claim to be followers of God must be aware that God has the right of leadership in each of our lives. Everyone of us must see the importance of responding to that right, and see the danger in not responding to it. This concept is absolutely vital. In fact, to say it is just important is a gross understatement. In the verses we're going to be looking at this morning, Jesus will give us four pictures that are all designed to teach us about God's right to leadership, and our response to that right.

II. Four pictures concerning God's Rights

A. The Right Of God Challenged

Mark 11:27-33 27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" 29 Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John's baptism-was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!" 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32 But if we say, 'From men' . . . ." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

1. The Leaders' Question

Jesus had returned to Jerusalem after the Triumphal Entry. He was walking in the Temple, probably on Solomon's porch. This was an area on the east side of the Court of the Gentiles-one of the most beautiful areas of the Temple. Above was a richly ornate roof, supported by a forest of huge Corinthian columns, each rising almost forty feet. The view looking out from this porch was of the Kidron Valley, 450 feet below. It must have been breathtaking.

But Jesus wasn't interested in the scenery. He was occupied with teaching the people. There was more to do than simply stand on this cool, stone veranda and enjoy the view.

The verses we just read say that the chief priests and scribes and elders came to Him with a question. But in reality it was an accusation. "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you authority to do this?"

Talk about rights. Here we have the rights of Jesus-God-challenged. In essence they were asking Him, "Who do You think You are asking people to follow you?" These religious leaders really didn't believe Jesus was God's Son. And so to excuse their own beliefs, they questioned His authority.

But, in a stroke of brilliance, Jesus asked them a counter-question. It was designed to expose the depth of their hypocrisy. He asked, "John's baptism-was it from heaven, or from men?" And He said if they would answer that question, He would answer theirs. This quickly put these Jewish leaders in a quandary.

You see, they had refused to receive the message of repentance that John the Baptist taught. They were not interested in any messages from any source other than themselves. Even if those other messages came from God. So, they were hypocrites.

I want you to notice something here. Look at how concerned they were about how they would answer the question rather than the truth. Verse 31 says that they began discussing among themselves. Their real interest was not in truth, but in what to say. …If they said they believed John's baptism was from heaven, they knew Jesus would rip into them. He would expose their hypocrisy by asking them why they didn't follow John. So, they knew they couldn't answer the question that way. …They also were afraid to say what they really believed-that John's baptism was not from God, but from men. But they were afraid of what the multitudes might think. The vast majority of people considered John to have been a prophet. The crowds might lose respect for them if they answered truthfully. So they decided to evade the issue, and said, "We don't know." And Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." They had played their game of questions. And Jesus beat them at it.

2. The Question for us

But this first picture raises a question for us. Are we doing the same thing? I mean, do we, like these religious leaders, question the authority of God over our lives? Do we question the right of God to have us submit to Him?

Let's get very practical. -When Jesus speaks to you from the words of the Bible, do you obey, or do you treat His words as optional? (like speed limits on the freeway-merely a suggestion?) -Do you feel there are times when you can choose to obey or not to obey?

To do anything less than obey the words of God is, in effect, to question God's right to lead your life. The religious leaders here questioned Jesus' authority because they did not want Him to lead them. That's the first picture. But there's a second picture…

B. The Kindness of God

Mark 12:1-5 1 He then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

1. The Meaning of the Vine

The second picture is of a vineyard. Everyone in Jesus' day understood that the vine was a national symbol for Israel. As a matter of fact, at the very Temple where Jesus stood, there was a richly carved grape vine. This grape vine was sculpted around the door which opened into the holy place. It was over 100 feet high. The branches and leaves were made of the finest gold. The grapes were very costly jewels. It was first placed there by King Herod and over time, rich and patriotic Jews added to its glory by contributing a new grape or a new leaf whenever they could. The vine was a very meaningful symbol for the Jews.

And here it says that God is the owner of the vineyard-Israel is the vineyard-and the farmers are the religious leaders of Israel who rejected God's authority. But the picture Jesus paints is a story of the kindness of God.

God comes to these farmers again and again, through His representatives. First, he sends a servant and they beat Him. Another servant is sent, and they wound him. Still another, and they kill him. But God keeps sending more servants. And every one is mistreated or killed. Friends, this is a picture of the kindness and mercy of God as He deals with Israel's leaders. Even though they reject His right to leadership in their lives, He keeps coming back with kindness every time.

These servants that are in this story are the prophets who came to Israel in the name of the Lord with the word of God. But down through the centuries, the religious leaders rejected the prophets. They killed them and beat them and mistreated them. -Elijah was driven into the wilderness by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. -Isaiah was sawn in half. -The prophet Zechariah was stoned to death near the altar. -John the Baptist was beheaded. Death and torture were the fate of many of the prophets, or servants of God, sent by God, because of His kindness.

Hebrews 11:37-38 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

The farmers rejected the owner of the vineyard and His servants because they wanted the vineyard for themselves. They didn't want His authority, they wanted their authority. But even in that rebellion, the kindness and mercy of God was plainly evident. And friends, as He came to them, so He comes to you and me, again and again.

2. The Question for us

The questions this pictures asks are: Do you understand God's kindness? Do you realize just how great the mercy of God is toward you? How do you respond to the right of God to lead your life? Do you demand your rights first, or do you submit to His? How you respond makes all the difference. But there's a third picture…

C. The Rejection of the Son

Mark 12:6-8 6 "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 "But the tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

1. Not finished

In the third picture we're shown that God was not finished with Israel. Finally, He sent His Son. But instead of respecting His Son, the farmers saw an opportunity to take the vineyard for themselves. Like many do in our culture today, they assumed that God was dead, or was so far away that He couldn't do anything. So, if they killed the only one who claimed to possess what they wanted to possess. They thought they would be able to take over the vineyard. So they took this son and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the owner's son represents Jesus. In fact, what He's doing here is predicting His own death at the hands of these religious leaders. In a few short days, they would deliver Him to the Roman authorities who would carry out His death sentence. They did not want to hear God. They wanted to be their own God. And so, they not only rejected the prophets sent by God, they also rejected God's Son Himself.

2. How do we respond

How you and I respond to Jesus, friends, makes all the difference. The question here is: When God says, "This is the way - walk in it," do you respond with instant obedience? Or do you say, "God, not now. Maybe when it's more convenient I'll respond. Lord, you don't understand my circumstances. You don't understand what I'm facing. You don't understand my problems."

Oh, friends, listen. When we say that, or act like that, we are saying exactly what these religious leaders said to Jesus: "By what authority, Jesus? Who do you think you are, Jesus?" Well, I'll tell you who He is… …HE'S GOD!-THAT'S WHO HE IS! Do you reject God's right to lead your life? How arrogant can you get? But just wait, Jesus isn't done yet. There's a fourth picture… D. What will happen?

Mark 12:9-12 9 "What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven't you read this scripture: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" 12 Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

1. Judgment

For anyone who questions God's right to lead your life, who rejects His kindness, who spurns His messengers and ultimately rejects His Son, there is only one thing left. JUDGMENT!

The picture here is of the wrath of God directed toward the evil farmers. There is really nothing left for Him to do. He judges them because they have judged themselves. They refused to submit to His right of leadership over theirs. They rejected His kindness over and over again. They treated God's messengers shamefully. Finally, when He sent His Son, they rejected and killed Him. In doing so, they sealed their own fate. And so do we… if we reject God's leadership in our lives.

2. Personal

If you go to hell, friend, you will have to trample on God's mercy and kindness to get there. You will have to push God aside to enter that horrible place.

But that picture isn't just for people who haven't accepted Jesus as the forgiver of their sins or leader of their life. It is for people who say they have a relationship with Jesus, too. -If you miss the abundant life that Jesus came to give, it is because you have ignored God's right to lead your life. -It is because you have pushed Him out of the way. -And It is because you have rejected His kindness and mercy to you.

Folks, listen to me. Because this applies to every person in this room today…Did you know you can reject God's right to your life by simply choosing not to act. By simply choosing not to respond, you can reject Jesus. By being unresponsive, by putting off following His leadership, you in effect are deciding against Christ.

Illustration: If you are at the airport and the plane is leaving, and you choose not to get on board-in essence you have chose to do nothing. But you haven't, really. In reality, you've made the decision not to go. Taking no action, still has consequences!

And that's the way it is for anyone who claims to follow Jesus, or someone who is seeking after the truth. If you are unresponsive, or fail to act-you have made a decision.

You have decided to reject God's right to lead your life. And when you do that, you will suffer God's judgment-it could be a lack of a worthwhile life here on earth, or removal of rewards in heaven, or both for the Christian. And it will mean eternal hell for the seeker. The last picture Jesus portrays says…, Judgment will come. No one will escape it.

III. Conclusion

So, in closing, let me ask you… How are you responding to the right of God to lead your life? The devotional writer, Oswald Chambers once said the words on the front of your copies of "This Week…"

"You and I must affirm His right to our life, to lead us and guide us in the way He chooses. Whenever God touches sin it is independence that is touched, and that awakens resentment in the human heart. Independence must be blasted clean out, there must be no such thing left, only freedom, which is very different. Freedom is the ability not to insist on my rights, but to see that God gets His." (Oswald Chambers)

-Do you need to affirm His right to your life? -Is the Lord speaking to your heart today about your life, and your relationship to Him? -Does that relationship need to get better? -Do you need to stop running away from God and turn to Him? -Do you need to take care of where you're going to spend eternity? -Is God calling you to respond today to His right to lead your life?

If He is, then respond immediately. Do not delay. And receive true freedom today.