Sermon Study Guide

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Maranatha Bible Church

Chicago

Sermon Study Guide

Three Leavens That Jesus Warned About | Mark 8:11-21 | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark)

Pastor Daniel Batarseh|Sunday, July 30, 2023

Scripture References

Mark 8:11-21Matthew 16:61 Corinthians 5:7Exodus 12Luke 12:1Luke 14:5Luke 16:14Zephaniah 3:7Acts 23:8Zephaniah 1:12Mark 6:20-22Ezekiel 33:30-32

Sermon Summary

Pastor Daniel Batarseh explores Jesus' warning regarding the 'leaven' of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod. This sermon identifies these as spiritual corruptions—hypocrisy, unbelief, and worldliness—that can subtly infect a believer's heart and warp their testimony.

Key Takeaways

1Leaven represents subtle, corrupting spiritual influences that can affect even dedicated disciples if they are not watchful.
2True hypocrisy is often revealed through partiality—demanding standards from others that we are unwilling to apply to ourselves or our loved ones.
3Spiritual complacency is frequently rooted in a heart-level unbelief that God will actually intervene or act in our current circumstances.
4It is possible to enjoy the 'performance' of preaching or worship without actually being conformed to the image of Christ; this is the leaven of worldliness.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.

1Why does Jesus use the metaphor of 'leaven' instead of just calling these things 'sins'? What does this tell us about how these influences spread?
2Pastor Daniel mentioned that 'even hypocrites hate hypocrisy.' Why is it so much easier to see the leaven in others than in ourselves?
3How does the belief that 'God will not do good nor will he do ill' (Zephaniah 1:12) practically manifest in a modern Christian's life?
4In what ways might modern church culture accidentally encourage the 'leaven of Herod' (treating the Word as entertainment)?
5Which of the three leavens (Pharisees, Sadducees, or Herod) do you feel is the greatest 'ever-present problem' in your own spiritual walk right now?

Application Points

Practical ways to apply this message to your life.

Practice humility by saying 'I am sorry' and admitting specific errors without offering self-justifying excuses.
Audit your response to correction: When rebuked, ask God if there is any truth in the message rather than immediately becoming defensive.
Read the Bible cover-to-cover to prevent the 'Sadducean' tendency of picking and choosing which parts of God's Word to believe.
Evaluate your prayer life and zeal: If you are stagnant, ask God to remove any 'leaven' of unbelief regarding His power to work in your life.
Commit to being a 'doer' of the Word this week by identifying one specific command from scripture and putting it into immediate practice.

Personal Reflection

Take time to quietly reflect on these prompts.

How is the Holy Spirit speaking to me through this message?

What areas of my life need to change in light of this teaching?

Who can I share this truth with this week?

What is one specific action I will take as a result of this sermon?

Prayer Points

Thank God for His Word and the truths revealed in this message.
Pray for understanding and wisdom to apply what you've learned.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out these truths in your daily life.
Pray for others who heard this message, that they too would be transformed.

Notes

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