The Undivided Heart & The Tale of Two Kingdoms

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 19, 2020

Series Title: “Discovering Our Own Life in the Life of Jesus”

Today’s Title: The Undivided Heart & the Tale of Two Kingdoms

Today’s Text: 6:14-29

Gospel Parallels:  Matthew 14:1-12, Luke 9:7-9

 

The Undivided Heart

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. – Psalm 86:11

 

The Tale of Two Kingdoms

 

THE KINGDOM OF THE HERODS

 

- Herod the Great

 

                - Herod Antipas

               

THE KINGDOM OF JESUS

 

Jesus & John the Baptist

                - “cousins” – Luke 1:26-38

- grew up together? - Luke 1:39-56

- John’s preaching prepares the way for Jesus – John 1:6-8 & 19-28

- John identifies Jesus as the One God has sent – John 1:29-31

- John’s disciples who became Jesus’ disciples – John 1:35-42

- Jesus begins preaching when John is put into prison – Mark 1:14-15

- Jesus encourages & compliments John – Matthew 11:1-19

 

The death of John the Baptist - Mark 6:14-29

                - This is the same Herod that Jesus was taken before on the night he was arrested

- Herod respected John, but John called him out for his adulterous relationship with Herodias

                - Herod tried to play every side but clearly had a divided heart

                                - he tried to keep his wife happy, whom he never should have married in the first place

- he tried to keep the Jewish leaders happy, but they could not get past his marital infidelity

                                - he respected John the Baptist, and seems to fear God, but not as much as he feared losing his power

- A foolish moment of drunken lust he forces him to choose

                                - his relationship with his wife & daughter (step-daughter?) was on the line

                                - his standing with Rome was on the line

                                - his standing with the Jewish religious leaders was on the line

                                - his word was on the line

                                - John the Baptist’s life was on the line

                                - His faith in God was on the line

                                - If he refuses her barbaric request he could lose everything 

 

The news of John’s death comes to Jesus - Matthew 11:13-23

- Jesus feels the pain of death deeply, especially this one

- We see this also in the death of another friend, Lazarus - John 11:35 (“Jesus wept”)

- Though deeply hurt, “he had compassion” on the crowds who followed Him to this “solitary place”

– Matthew 11:13-14

 

The Undivided Heart

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. – Psalm 86:11

 

                - THE DIVIDED HEART CREATES GRIEF FOR OTHERS

 

                - THE UNDIVIDED HEART SUSPENDS GRIEF FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS