Mark 9.38-41 Luke 9.49-50

Mark 9:38-41
38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 “For he who is not against us is for us. 41 “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.
Luke 9:49,50
49 John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”
We all have a tendency to be critical of the things that others do because we want to be recognized for the things that we do.  Different churches and denominations will fall into a trap of comparison and even go so far as to be critical of those in a different group even though their essential doctrines are basically identical.  This is an age-old problem that has its roots in selfishness and we must be careful not to fall into that trap.  The unity of the Body of Christ is fundamental and we must do all we can to promote love and respect for one another within the Body.  There are obviously false teachers who must be refuted and exposed but those who are different are not wrong or false.  There is a wide variety of people who are legitimate brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we should enjoy very open and close fellowship.

DON’T FEEL COMPETITION: Pride and a sense of competition usually walk hand in hand.  John saw someone who did not belong to the group of the disciples casting out demons.  This was threatening to John, so he tried to prevent this person from continuing to do this.  John saw the disciples as being an exclusive group who were the only ones authorized to perform these types of miracles.  Jesus instructed John and the others to not interfere with the ministry of others who were serving the same Lord.  In essence, He was letting the disciples know that those who were not against Him were for Him and should be treated with kindness.  Jealousy and pride are very destructive to the work the Lord wants to do in our lives and we must be very careful not to allow these sins to come between us as believers.  When anther church or ministry that preaches the Gospel grows it should be a source of joy and not jealousy.  God is not pleased or honored by a sense of competition between members of the same family.

DON’T FEAR COOPERATION: As we serve the Lord we will need the help and cooperation of others on a regular basis.  When people help to support our efforts to spread the Gospel, they will enjoy the same rewards in eternity.  This should motivate all of us to cooperate with one another and participate in one another’s ministries.  God uses different people and different styles of ministries to reach a wide variety of people from a wide variety of backgrounds.  Those who are different from us will be more effective than we are at reaching certain groups.  This should encourage us to do all we can to participate in what they are doing through encouragement and financial support.  God is pleased when He sees His children loving and living as brothers instead of fighting with one another.  In order for us to be productive in ministry we need to accept “cups of water” from others as well as be ready and willing to share “cups of water” with others.


APPLICATION: Examine our hearts for pride and jealousy that might promote a spirit of competition with other believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Pray for and contribute to the needs of other believers and ministries that are serving the people around us and reaching other nations with the Gospel.  Be ready to accept the help of others who God may use to cooperate with what He is using us to do.

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