Mark 9:38-50 – “Salty or Sweet? Why Being Salty Could Save You?” Have you ever been told you’re too salty? This Bible verse says you might be on the right track!  Ready to learn why being ‘seasoned’ is your secret weapon?

Table of Contents:

• Welcome to Worship
  • “A Warm Greeting to You All”
• Opening Prayer
  • “Let’s Ask for God’s Presence”
• Introduction to Scripture
  • “How Jesus Teaches Us About DiscipleshipThe Events in Mark 9:38-50
  • “What Happened in This Passage?”
  • Scripture: Mark 9:38-50 (NIV) “Jesus’ Words to His Disciples”
  • Intercessory Prayer
    “A Prayer for Guidance and Strength”
  • Congregational Prayer Response
    “Our Response to God’s Word”
  • Sermon Title: “Why Jesus Takes Sin Seriously”
  • Sermon Introduction
  • Historical Context
  • Sermon Title: “Why Jesus Takes Sin Seriously”
    Expository Outline for Mark 9:38-50
    1. Be Open to God’s Work in Others (Mark 9:38-41)
    Introduction: Don’t Limit God’s Work
    2. Avoid Causing Others to Stumble (Mark 9:42)
    Introduction: The Responsibility of Influence
    3. Take Sin Seriously—Cut It Out (Mark 9:43-48)
    Introduction: Radical Action Against Sin
    4. Be Salted with Fire—Live a Life of Purity (Mark 9:49-50)
    Introduction: The Power of Purity

Need Help With Your Sermon?

Paid Content Includes:

• Expalantion: Understanding Each Section & Learning from These Verses
• Personal Thoughts: What This Scripture Means for You & How this Scripture speak to your heart?
• Personal Commentary: Deepening Our Walk with God: See how these words draw us closer to God.
• Christian Discipleship: Following Jesus & Let this Scripture guide your steps as you follow Jesus.
• Spiritual Growth: Growing Spiritually & Discover how these verses help you grow in your faith.
• Ask yourself this question: How can you live out this Scripture in your daily life?

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Welcome to Worship “A Warm Greeting to You All”

Good morning, church family! It’s always a joy to come together in God’s house, and I’m so glad you’re here today. We gather as one, ready to hear from the Lord, to encourage one another, and to grow in our walk with Jesus. No matter what you’re facing right now, you’re in the right place. God has something special for each of us today, so let’s open our hearts and minds to His Word.

Opening Prayer “Let’s Ask for God’s Presence”

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts. Thank You for bringing us together as Your children. We ask for Your Spirit to be with us now—fill this place with Your presence. As we look into Your Word, give us wisdom and understanding. Help us to see Your truth clearly, and may it shape our lives for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction to Scripture “How Jesus Teaches Us About Discipleship”

Today, we’re going to look at a passage from the Gospel of Mark that might seem a little intense at first, but it holds powerful lessons for us about living as Jesus’ disciples. In Mark 9:38-50, Jesus talks to His followers about the seriousness of sin and the need to remove anything in our lives that pulls us away from God. His words remind us of the importance of staying focused on our walk with Him, even when it’s hard.

The Events in Mark 9:38-50 “What Happened in This Passage?”

In this passage, the disciples tell Jesus about a man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name, even though he wasn’t one of them. Jesus tells them not to stop him because anyone who is not against Him is for Him. Then, He teaches about how serious it is to cause someone to stumble in their faith. Jesus uses some strong images—like cutting off a hand or foot that causes you to sin—to show us how seriously we should take removing sin from our lives. He talks about the importance of having “salt” in ourselves, meaning we should live in a way that brings God’s goodness into the world.

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50 (NIV) “Jesus’ Words to His Disciples”

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,
40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
44 where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
48 where ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Intercessory Prayer “A Prayer for Guidance and Strength”

Lord, we come to You today knowing that we all struggle with sin and distractions in our lives. Help us to be serious about removing anything that keeps us from following You fully. Give us the courage to make the changes we need to grow closer to You. We pray for strength to overcome temptation and for Your grace to guide us every step of the way. Thank You for Your forgiveness and love that never fails. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Congregational Prayer Response “Our Response to God’s Word”

Lord, we thank You for Your Word that calls us to live with purpose and holiness. Help us to have the strength to cut out anything in our lives that pulls us away from You. May we be filled with Your Spirit, to live as salt in this world, bringing peace and light to those around us. Amen.

Sermon Title: “Why Jesus Takes Sin Seriously”

Sermon Introduction

Have you ever heard someone say, “Just cut it out!”? Usually, it’s a phrase we use to tell someone to stop doing something annoying. But in Mark 9:38-50, Jesus takes this phrase to a whole new level. He’s not just telling us to stop bad habits—He’s talking about cutting sin completely out of our lives. Jesus uses strong language to show how serious sin is and how we need to handle it in our walk with Him. Today, we’ll dive into this challenging passage and discover what it means for us to live fully for Jesus, no matter the cost.

Historical Context

In Mark 9, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the radical nature of discipleship. At this time, the disciples were still figuring out what it meant to follow Jesus. They didn’t fully understand His mission yet, and they struggled with pride, division, and misunderstanding. The passage begins with the disciples upset because someone outside their group was casting out demons in Jesus’ name. This was a time when people were trying to figure out who Jesus was and how to follow Him, and there was confusion about authority and power. Jesus corrects their thinking, showing that His kingdom is bigger than their group. Then, He teaches about the seriousness of sin, using powerful imagery to drive home the point that nothing is more important than being fully devoted to God. This teaching still impacts us today, reminding us to remove anything from our lives that hinders our relationship with God.

Sermon Title: “Why Jesus Takes Sin Seriously”

Expository Outline for Mark 9:38-50

1. Be Open to God’s Work in Others (Mark 9:38-41)

Introduction: Don’t Limit God’s Work

Jesus’ disciples were concerned that someone outside their group was casting out demons in Jesus’ name. They thought, “He’s not one of us!” But Jesus teaches that anyone who is not against Him is for Him.

• Lesson: God is working in people beyond our group, our denomination, or our circle. Don’t be quick to judge others who are doing God’s work differently.
• Application: How often do we limit God’s work to just our circle? Let’s open our hearts to see that God’s Kingdom is bigger than we think.

Scripture:

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.”

2. Avoid Causing Others to Stumble (Mark 9:42)

Introduction: The Responsibility of Influence

Jesus gives a stern warning about causing others—especially young believers—to stumble. He uses the image of a millstone being tied around someone’s neck and thrown into the sea. This shows how seriously Jesus takes our influence on others.

• Lesson: Our actions matter, and we must be careful not to lead others into sin.
• Application: How are you influencing the people around you? Are your words and actions helping others grow in faith or causing them to stumble?

Scripture:

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”

3. Take Sin Seriously—Cut It Out (Mark 9:43-48)

Introduction: Radical Action Against Sin

Jesus uses extreme language to emphasize the seriousness of sin. He talks about cutting off a hand or foot or gouging out an eye if it causes you to sin. Of course, Jesus isn’t speaking literally—He’s using this vivid imagery to show how drastic we need to be in cutting sin out of our lives.

• Lesson: Sin separates us from God, and there’s nothing more important than our relationship with Him. We need to remove anything that leads us away from God, no matter how painful or difficult.
• Application: What areas of your life are causing you to stumble? What do you need to “cut out” to grow closer to God?

Scripture:

43 “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.”

4. Be Salted with Fire—Live a Life of Purity (Mark 9:49-50)

Introduction: The Power of Purity

Jesus finishes by talking about salt and fire. Salt was used for preserving and purifying, and fire was often a symbol of judgment or refining. Jesus calls us to live pure, “salty” lives that make an impact on the world.

• Lesson: Our lives should be marked by purity and peace. We are called to be the salt of the earth, making a difference for God’s Kingdom.
• Application: Is your life reflecting the purity and peace Jesus calls you to? Let’s ask God to help us live lives that are “salted with fire” and bring His love to the world.

Scripture:

49 “Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

This expository outline helps us understand Jesus’ radical call to take sin seriously, live in peace, and be agents of His Kingdom in the world today.

Need Help With Your Sermon?

Paid Content Includes:

• Expalantion: Understanding Each Section & Learning from These Verses
• Personal Thoughts: What This Scripture Means for You & How this Scripture speak to your heart?
• Personal Commentary: Deepening Our Walk with God: See how these words draw us closer to God.
• Christian Discipleship: Following Jesus & Let this Scripture guide your steps as you follow Jesus.
• Spiritual Growth: Growing Spiritually & Discover how these verses help you grow in your faith.
• Ask yourself this question: How can you live out this Scripture in your daily life?

Purchase this Complete Service: Only: $4.99

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