June 2, 2016
C.R.U.S.H.IN' IT CHRIST'S WAY
Mark 9:42–50
Erin Donner
Central Truth
Christ, who paid the most extreme price to conquer our sin, calls us to extreme measures in combating its effects.
Key Verse | Mark 9:43
And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. (Mark 9:43)
Mark 9:42–50
Temptations to Sin
42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, 1 9:42 Greek to stumble; also verses 43, 45, 47 it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, 2 9:43 Greek Gehenna; also verse 47 to the unquenchable fire. 3 9:43 Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48) 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 4 9:49 Some manuscripts add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Dive Deeper | Mark 9:42–50
Do you know Aron Ralston? What if I said, “Remember the guy who cut his arm off to escape from a mountain climbing accident?!”
Aron was trapped for five days and seven hours on the side of a canyon with very little food and water. Interestingly enough, he went hiking by himself and told no one about his plans. Aron's story can teach us about how Christ would have us battle our sin.
So, is Christ really asking us to cut off our hand? No. However, Christ is calling us to deal with our sin in a bold way. Sin destroys our relationships. It keeps us in bondage when Christ has bigger plans for our lives. Some of us have grown comfortable with our “pet” sin. Some of us think our sin is too big to conquer. Christ is saying to all of us, “Cut it off!”
Aron saved his life because he took extreme measures, but he didn’t do it alone. Hikers found Aron on the trail. They fed him, gave him water, cared for his wound, and got help. Dealing with our sin is not done in isolation.
Ready to do something extreme? Let’s C.R.U.S.H. sin!
Confess—Tell others; bring your sin into the light.
Repent—Seek forgiveness; turn away from sin and toward God.
Unite—With other Christ followers, make a plan that biblically encourages and admonishes you.
Seek God—Fight lies with the truth of God’s Word and His character; make it a priority every day.
Hope in Prayer—Ask Him for help, and talk with Him throughout the day so that you are leaning on His strength, not your own.
No sin is too small to ignore. No sin is too big for God's grace to overcome. If you have confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you have been saved from the penalty of sin. (Romans 10:9; 8:1) Now it's time to fight against the power of sin that exists on earth and in our hearts, putting to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13b), and using the provisions God has made available to us. Let's C.R.U.S.H. sin together!
Discussion Questions
1. What are some “pet” sins that you struggle with and need to bring into the light (e.g., anxiety, materialism, lust, half truths, etc.)?
2. Do you have sin in your life that you believe you cannot overcome?
3. Which of the C.R.U.S.H. items are you handling well? Which ones do you need to improve on? Make an action plan for those items you need to improve on and share it with your community.
4. If you are C.R.U.S.H.ing sin right now in your own life, what are some ways that you could help someone you know who is struggling with sin?