Mark Them

TEXT:  Rom. 16:17-18

INTRODUCTION:

A.  IF ASKED TO QUICKLY DESCRIBE THOSE WHO ARE TO BE MARKED, WHAT

          WOULD YOU SAY?

B.  SOMETIMES WE HEAR THE THREAT, “I AM GOING TO MARK YOU!”

C.  AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT – LET’S STUDY.

I.  WHAT DOES “MARK” MEAN?

A.  DOESN’T MEAN “WITHDRAW.”

          Associated with discipline è Mark and Avoid (Rom. 16:17-18).

B.  TRASLATED:  skopeo "to look at, behold, watch, contemplate" (Vine).

C.  ENGLISH WORDS:  Telescope, Microscope, Periscope.

II.  “MARK” AS A NEGATIVE ACTION.

A.  ALL TEACHERS TO BE EXAMINED.

          1.  Prove the spirits (1 John 4:1).

          2.  Ephesians and Bereans (Rev. 2:2;  Acts 17:11).

          3.  How are they tested – examine the Scriptures (1 John 4:6;  2 Thes. 2:15;  3:6, 14).

B.  WHAT IF THEY COME UP SHORT?

          1.  We want to teach them better, of course (Jas. 5:19-20;  2 Tim. 2:24-26).

          2.  Rom. 16:17-18.  Mark and Avoid (2 John 9-11).

          3.  Defend the truth (Jude 3;  2 Tim. 1:12;  2 Tim. 4:2;  Acts 20:26-27,  29-31).

III.  “MARK” AS A POSITIVE ACTION.

A.  Phil. 3:17.  MARK THOSE WHO DO THEIR BEST (vs. 13-16;  4:9).

B.  GODLY ELDERS (1 Pet. 5:1-3).

          1.  Examples to the flock (1 Tim. 5:17).

          2.  Men whose character is worthy of imitation (1 Tim. 3:1-7;  Titus 1:6-9).

          3.  Even after they have passed on (Heb. 13:7).

C.  GODLY WOMEN.

          1.  1 Pet. 3:1-6.  Sarah as an example.

          2.  Older women teach and set example (Titus 2:3-6;  1 Tim. 5:5, 9-10).

D.  GODLY PREACHERS.

          1.  1 Tim. 4:16.

          2.  Not all are worthy of imitation (1 Tim. 6:3-5;  2 Pet. 2:1-2;  2 Tim. 3:6-9).

                   Swaggert, Brannem, Graham, etc.  Some of our brethren.

          3.  Most are like Timothy (Phil. 2:19-21).

          4.  Most show evidence of their devotion in their work (2 Tim. 4:1-5;  1 Tim. 4:13-16).

          5.  Courage is also evidenced (Eph. 6:18-20).

E.  GODLY PARENTS

          1.  Providing for their families (1 Tim. 5:8).

          2.  Spiritual needs, too (Eph. 6:4 à 2 Tim. 1:5;  3:14-15).

F.  YOUNG PEOPLE.

          1.  We are to be separate (2 Cor. 6:17 – 7:1;  Rom. 12:2).

          2.  We are to be good and welcome examples (1 Tim. 4:12).

          3.  Beware! (2 Tim. 2:22).

IV.  WEAR THE NAME, BEAR THE MARKS.

A.  AN EASY TARGET (Matt. 5:14).

B.  PAUL WORE THE MARKS OF JESUS (Gal. 6:17;  2 Cor. 4:7-10;  Col. 1:24).

C.  ALL THE FAITHFUL WILL BE SO MARKED (John 15:20;  2 Tim. 3:12).

D.  IS THIS A SOURCE OF SHAME? (1 Pet. 4:15-16).

CONCLUSION:

A.  WHOSE MARK DO YOU WEAR?

B.  WHAT EXAMPLE DO YOU SET?

C.   HAVE YOU OBEYED THE GOSPEL?