Hitting the Mark with Jesus wk. 31

HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 31

January 11, 2026

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

Mark 6:14-30

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

 

 

What are you willing to die for?

 

 

Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV) Jesus said, ³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark 6:14a (NIV)¹⁴ King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEXT:

Mark 6:14-30 (NIV) ¹⁴ King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

¹⁵ Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

¹⁶ But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

¹⁷ For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”¹⁹ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,²⁰ because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

²¹ Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.²² When the daughter ofHerodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”²³ And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

²⁵ At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

²⁶ The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.²⁷ So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,²⁸ and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.²⁹ On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

 

Highlights:

 

 

THREE RESPONSES TO GOD’S TRUTH: 

 

1.   TO THE TRUTH

 

Example:

 

 

Mark 6:18 (NIV)For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

 

 

 

 

 

Leviticus 18:16 (NIV)”Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.”

 

 

Leviticus 20:21 (NIV)”If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother.”

 

 

 

 

Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

 

 

 

Matthew 11:4-6 (NIV)”Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.”’

 

 

 

How do you respond to the truth?

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. OF THE TRUTH

 

Example:

 

 

Mark 6:17-19a (NIV)¹⁷ For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”¹⁹ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.

 

 

 

Mark 6:19b-20 (NIV)But she was not able to,²⁰ because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.

 

 

 

 

Romans 1:18 (NIV)”The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…”

 

 

 

 

 

Philippians 1:20-25 (NIV)²⁰ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. OVER THE TRUTH

 

Example:   

 

 

 

Mark 6:19 (NIV)Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark 6:20 (NIV)Because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

 

 

 

 

Indecision is a decision.

 

 

 

Hebrews 4:7 (NIV)“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts.”

 

 

 

 

 

Mark 6:25 (NIV)At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

 

 

 

CONCLUSION:

 

 

 

John 8:31-32 (NIV) Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

 

 

 

PRAYER:

 

ALTAR:

 

WORSHIP:

 

 

 

 

 

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