Great Millstones Hung Around Your Neck | Mark 9.38-50 with Sarah Stenson

The disciples report there is someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and Jesus says whoever is for Him cannot be against him. This spurs our conversation with Sarah Stenson about what it means to be ecumenical: who can Lutherans share the altar and pulpit with? What does it mean to have, “right doctrine?”

Sarah explains how right doctrine matters because it reflects Scripture. Right doctrine shows our righteousness is in Christ, not in our self-righteousness or human tradition. 

We also discuss what it means to be a stumbling block. In this lectionary text, Jesus is being terrifyingly serious: better if you’d be thrown into the sea with a millstone around your neck than to cause someone to stumble. 

Sarah explains that a stumbling block is something that causes us to sin. The forgiveness of sin, eternal life, salvation itself is at stake! But that’s the beauty of this text. When you have Jesus coming out of your mouth, you will be preserved with your faith in Christ. 

CONFIRMATION 

Does your church have a confirmation class? Luther House of Study is excited to present a comprehensive online confirmation curriculum. The curriculum includes interactive digital lessons and supplemental teacher guides featuring custom videos, quizzes, drag and drop tasks, discussion questions, scripture passages, and prayers about the Apostles’ Creed, the 10 Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Sacraments. Visit lutherhouseofstudy.org/confirmation to dive into the curriculum and share it with your church or your pastor. 

SING TO THE LORD 

To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. 

• 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3IjGmMa
• 🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VHikh3
• 💻 Luther House of Study's website: http://bit.ly/SingtotheLord

GOSPEL 

Mark 9.38-50

38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. 

42 "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 44  45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., 46  47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. 

49 "For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

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