YOUR MIRACLE: CHALLENGES AND ACCUSATIONS  

The Gospel of Mark #9

Mark 3:1-6

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

(Mark 3:1–6, NLT)  “Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him. He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.”

1. JESUS WILL CHALLENGE YOU.

(Mark 3:4, NLT)  “Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.”

a. JESUS WILL CHALLENGE YOUR CRITICAL SPIRIT.

b. JESUS WILL CHALLENGE YOU IF HAVE AN UNTEACHABLE SPIRIT.

c. JESUS WILL CHALLENGE IF YOU A SELFISH SPIRIT.

(Mark 3:6, NLT) “At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.”

d. JESUS WILL CHALLENGE YOUR PRIDE.

(Mark 3:3, NLT) “Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.”

(Mark 3:5, NLT)  “Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand!”

2. DON’T RESIST THE LORD, RESPOND WITH OBEDIENT FAITH.

(Mark 3:5, NLT)  “So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!”

a. Recognize and admit your need.

b. Believe in Jesus’ ability to heal.

c. Obey Christ’s command.

(Mark 1:15, NLT) “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

3. USE YOUR MIRACLE TO SERVE THE LORD.

(Mark 5:19, NLT)  “Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”

a. The source of the miracle was God.

b. The purpose of the miracle was to testify about Christ.

c. The character of the miracle was loving, good, and kind.

(Isaiah 55:10–13, LB)  “As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field—all the world around you—will rejoice. Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord’s name very great and be an everlasting sign of God’s power and love.”