Mark 9:42-48

TITLE: Do you have worms? TEXT: Mark 9:42-48 PROPOSITION: QUESTION: How? KEY WORD: Punishments READING: Same INTRODUCTION:

1. Jesus uses an unusual phrase here.

2.“Their” worm dies not; “The” fire is not quenched.

3. Note this chart.

Their Worm The Fire Internal External Personal Universal Conscience hurts Spirit, mind, soul Body hurts OFFEND Offend = cause to sin, cause to stumble, the cause of the fall, to entrap, snare“Scandalidzo” - The plate where the bait goes and holds the trap open The idea is - entice them to the bait, the plate moves and springs the trap DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD ENTICE A BROTHER TO SIN. Don't offend little one - better for millstone around neck thrown in the sea Hand offend - cut it off Foot offend - cut it off Eye offend - pluck it out Romans 14:21 - Don't eat or drink to cause a brother to stumble 1 Corinthians 8:13 - I will eat no flesh while the world stands

THEIR WORMS

The punishment most painful is on the inside

1. Guilty conscience, angry spirit, hateful soul, lustful mind

2. Ability to remember mistakes, sins

3. Rich man (Luke 16:1-31) told, “Son, remember.”

Degrees of Punishment = understanding, willful rejection, guilty conscience

1. Some punishment is external - jail, take a way a privilege, time out, etc.

2. Some punishment is internal - memory, conscience, guilty

Worms are parasites that live inside, do harm, destroy, and cause pain and injury.

1. Psalms 68:21 - God wounds the head of one who walks in his guilt

2. 1 Timothy 5:12 - having guilt because they cast off their faith

3. Psalms 32:1-5 - Description of a guilty conscience

DO NOT DIE

These worms (guilty feelings) do not stop, wear out, slow down, and diminish Only God can cleanse the conscience - Hebrews 9:13-14 Baptism can cleanse the conscience - 1 Peter 3:21