1. Authority
2. Popularity
3. Priority
Whenever I speak with a pastor who has just moved to a new congregation, I find myself always asking him the same question. I ask him, "Are you still in the honeymoon stage?" "People still love you?" "People still love your teaching?" "You can do no wrong in their eyes?" And then, I tell them, "Enjoy it while it lasts."
I remember the honeymoon stage at Rock Valley Bible Church. It was wonderful. We had just begun our ministry here in Rockford. By God’s grace, we were attempting to do a great thing: start a church. Things were exciting. I had sacrificed much for these people. I had quit my nice computer job. I had moved to Rockford. The people at the church loved me. I could do no wrong in their eyes. The church was at peace. And then the phone call came. Through that call, I was alerted to the first major strife that existed among the members of the church. The strife wasn’t directed toward me. But, it was between two members of our congregation. Their conflict cost me much heartache and disappointment. My wife reminded me of the drive that we were taking one day. She told me where we were. She told me what I said. I said, "I received a phone call the other day. I can’t tell you all of the details. But, I can tell you that the honeymoon is over at Rock Valley Bible Church."
Due to the sinfulness of men, churches will have conflict. That’s the way that it is. It is inevitable. And yet, when a new spiritual leader comes among a group of people, there is often a time of great peace. Everything he says is new and fresh. He hasn’t been among the people long enough to sin against them. But, the day will come when expectations aren’t met, when something offends, when conflict comes. On those days, the honeymoon will be over. Sometimes this is a long time; sometimes this is a short time.
I recall talking with a friend of mine who was a candidate for pastor at a church down south. He was hired, and had flown down before his family. So, one of the more influential women at the church came to the airport to give him a ride to his new home. He told me his honeymoon ended on his ride home from the airport. The woman had shared all of the issues that the church had and all of her expectations of what he would do as their new pastor.
Well, today as we come to our exposition of the book of Mark, we will see Jesus during the honeymoon stage in His ministry. As you know, Jesus faced much conflict in His ministry. But, in chapter 1, we see Jesus coming on the scene. And all is well. The people are amazed. They love His authority. The crowds are coming. News about Jesus is spreading quickly. His ministry is growing. Listen for these things as I read the text, ...
Mark 1:21-45
They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.
When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and *said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." He *said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
And a leper *came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and *said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He *said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
Again, I have taken a big chunk of Scripture this morning -- more than I’m naturally inclined to do. But, I’ve done so, because Mark seems to be pushing us along with all of his "immediately" statements. In our text alone, Mark writes, "immediately," some seven times. [1]
And as the sense that Mark gives us of the life of Christ is fast-action gospel, I don’t want to drag. And besides, this will help us get the big picture of what’s going on in the life of Jesus, rather than merely getting the stories as they stand alone. And what’s going on in chapter 1 is a thriving ministry of Jesus. Or, as I have chosen to call it, "The Honeymoon."
There is nothing negative in this chapter at all. Jesus is doing great things. People are being healed of their diseases. The teaching of Jesus is wowing the multitude. The crowds are coming to Him. They recognize His authority. The negatives begin in chapter 2, when they claim that Jesus is blaspheming (2:7), when they take offense at His associations with people (2:16), when they question His religious practices (2:18, 24; 3:2). But, chapter 1 is all positive.
By way of outline this morning, I have three words which
characterize this time of ministry of Jesus. Here’s my first
word:
1. Authority
This is one of the first words that pop out at you when you read through this text. Look at verse 21, ...
Mark 1:21-22
They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Capernaum was a city on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its ruins are still present to this day. When my wife and I visited Israel, we stood on this very spot where the synagogue existed. It’s right on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. It was the Sabbath day (that is Saturday), when Simon, Andrew, James, John and Jesus all entered into this synagogue. Surely, by this time, Jesus had a reputation of being a religious teacher, and was invited to teach in the synagogue.
We have no record of exactly what Jesus was teaching on that occasion. But, we do have a record of how the people responded to Jesus’ teaching. "They were amazed at His teaching" (verse 22). We could expect that. Wherever Jesus went, this was the reaction that He received. When Jesus healed the paralytic, who got up and walked home, the entire crowd was "amazed" (Mark 2:12). When the Herodians tried to trap Him by asking about the taxes, Jesus replied by telling them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s," the crowds were "amazed at Him" (Mark 12:17). When Jesus demanded that the rich young ruler to go and sell all of his possessions and give to the poor, the disciples were "amazed" (Mark 10:24). Often, when Jesus taught, his audience was "amazed."
And yet, we have a reason here why they were amazed. We read in verse 22, "For He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." In one measure, they were amazed because His teaching was different than the scribes. Their custom in the synagogue was to quote from the Rabbis who had come before them.
And Jesus didn’t do that. In fact, whenever Jesus refers to the traditions of the elders, it’s almost always in a negative light. The keeping of the Sabbath laws according to man-made rules, which contradicted mercy (2:23-3:6). The washing of hands according to the traditions of the elders, which missed the heart of God (Mark 7:1-8). The pledging of possessions to God, so that they can’t be used to help your family in need, which invalidated the word of God (Mark 7:9-13). But, Jesus didn’t come quoting the Jewish Rabbis. In fact, we never see Jesus quoting the tradition of the Rabbis in favorable light. His teaching was different. It was authoritative.
I believe that Jesus was eminently Biblical. In Luke’s gospel, when Jesus came to preach in Nazareth, He took the scroll from the book of Isaiah 61, read it, and expounded it (Luke 4:16-30). And throughout Jesus’ ministry, He constantly took people back to the Old Testament - not to the Jewish traditions. And when you speak on God’s behalf, you can be authoritative, knowing, "Thus saith the LORD."
Furthermore, I believe that the teaching of Jesus was authoritative because of the high demands that He placed upon people. When Jesus called His disciples, He told them, "Follow Me." When Jesus set the bar to be His disciple, He said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me" (Mark 8:34). He demanded that we forsake all and follow Christ (Mark 8:35-38). The only way that you can say these things is if you have, authority.
But, it wasn’t only the teaching of Jesus that had authority. His actions had authority as well. Look at verse 23, ...
Mark 1:23-24
Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!"
OK, you have to picture the scene. Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. A demon-possessed man gets up, interrupts the entire service, and cries out, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God." Can you imagine that happening here this morning? A guy from the third pew stands up and begins shouting against me. I’m sure that it would cause quite a ruckus.
This doesn’t happen in church all the time, but it does happen. Recently Andy Stanley was preaching in his home church, Browns Bridge Community Church, a church of thousands. Near the end of the service, a heckler started yelling at him. He was confronting some of Andy Stanley’s theology. Within a few moments, security teams began to act, as this man continued his rampage against Stanley, who stood composed upon the stage. And this man didn’t stop his rage. He continued to shout out against Andy Stanley. Within a few minutes, this man had been ushered from the auditorium. With quiet restored, Andy Stanley then gave an explanation to what the guy was saying, and how he would refute him. And then, he calmly said, "Let’s pray for us and [for] him." Andy Stanley prayed and soon ended the service.[2]
And I imagine that something similar would happen here if that took place. Some of you men would arise and surround the guy who was heckling me. You would usher him out of the auditorium and possibly even call the police. But, this isn’t what happened in the synagogue in Capernaum. Notice what the text says in verse 25, ...
Mark 1:25
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"
Jesus didn’t wait for the men of the congregation to arise and subdue the man and take him out of the synagogue. No, Jesus took matters into his own hands. He rebuked the demon Himself. In verse 26, we see what happened to this man and to the demons.
Mark 1:26
Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.
My suspicion is that calm was restored in the man. When we get to Mark, chapter 5, we will see a demon possessed man filled with a legion of demons entirely changed shortly after the demons left him (in Mark 5:1-20. But, I doubt that calm was restored to the synagogue, because the people were in shock of what Jesus did.
Mark 1:27
They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."
Such was the ministry of Jesus. It was a ministry of authority. And the demon knew full well of the authority of Jesus. Look again at exactly what the demon said to Jesus. "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God!"
This demon knew who Jesus was. He identified Jesus as "the Holy One of God!" Now, it’s not like this demon had a special insight that other demons were not privy to. Look down at verse 34, "And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was." The coming of Jesus to earth may have caught the people of Israel by surprise. At least that’s what we see with those here in Capernaum, as in verse 27, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." But, it didn’t catch the demonic world by surprise. No, they knew very well what was happening.
God had come into the flesh, in the person of Jesus. And He had come to wage war with the demonic powers of the earth. And right here in Capernaum, the battle lines were being drawn. And there’s no doubt who is in control.
The demon asked, "Have you come to destroy us?" He doesn’t resist. He doesn’t challenge Jesus in any way. He merely questions the intent of Jesus at this moment. Is now the time that you have come to destroy us? The demons know full well who is in charge of the universe. As James 2:19 says, "The demons also believe [that God is one], and [they] shudder." Such was the posture of this demon. He believes that Jesus was the Holy One. And he was fearful! He was fearful that he was going to be destroyed.
Jesus cast the demon out. We have no idea what happened to the demon, but the battle lines were drawn.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus will encounter those possessed by demons on multiple occasions. Look at verse 32, "When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed." Look at verse 34, "And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons." And at verse 39, "And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons."
In chapter 5, we’ll read of Jesus encountering the demoniac who lived in the tombs. In chapter 7 tells of Jesus encountering the woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit. And in chapter 9, we will read of Jesus casting out a demon from a little boy, who was afflicted from youth. He can heal you, too! And, Jesus gives this power to His disciples as well (3:14). We will read of them going out and casting out demons (6:7).
This encounter with the man in the synagogue put forth the authority of Jesus. He had authority in His teaching. He had authority to cast out demons.
Well, let’s move on to my second point this
morning. Here in chapter 1, we see the ministry of Jesus, filled with Authority. The
ministry of Jesus was also filled with ...
2.
Popularity
Look at verse 28, ...
Mark 1:28
Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
When Jesus cast the demon out of the demoniac in the synagogue, news about Him began to spread like wildfire. I can picture neighbor talking with neighbor.
"Did you hear what happened at the synagogue this morning?"
"No."
"A new preacher showed up in town."
"Who?"
"His name is Jesus."
"He delivered a good message?"
"Yes, but it wasn’t the message that was so amazing."
"Then, what was it?"
"It was the disturbance caused by Zebadiah, you know, the crazy man who walks up and down the seashore."
"He showed up at the meeting? And they let him into the synagogue?"
"Yeah, and he disturbed the service."
"What did he do?"
"Right in the middle of the message, he shouted at Jesus, the visiting preacher."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but Jesus yelled back at him, and the demon fled out of this man; and calm was restored in his life."
"Wow."
"Yeah, we were all amazed. We have never seen anything like it before."
And that news went from one house to the next to the next and to the next. And all the while this is happening, Jesus is spending the afternoon at Peter’s home. Look at verse 29, ...
Mark 1:29
And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Archeologists have uncovered a row of houses that date back to the first century, very close to this synagogue. It is presumed that one of these homes was the home of Peter, where Jesus retired after His eventful morning at the synagogue. Jesus was there with His first four disciples which he had called (in verses 16-20). As Jesus arrived, he was told something about the household.
Mark 1:30-31
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.
There, sick in the house, was Peter’s mother-in-law. Perhaps Peter didn’t mind that so much? I mean, mother-in-laws don’t have the greatest of reputations. People say that a mother-in-law can caused mixed feelings, like when she drives off the cliff in your new BMW. People say that there’s only one thing worse than bringing your mother-in-law into the emergency room after a heart attack : when you hear the doctor say, "She’ll be alright." People say that they want their mother-in-law to go ice-fishing soon, before the ice gets too thick.
And yet, when Jesus found out about it, He went to her, took her by the hand and healed her instantly. At the end of verse 31, we read that "she waited on them." Peter’s mother-in-law didn’t need any time to recover. She instantly began serving Jesus and the disciples. Throughout all of the accounts of Jesus, we see the same thing over and over again. When Jesus heals, He heals completely. This shows the authority of Jesus over sickness. He can heal with a touch. We’ll see this all throughout the gospel of Mark.
And perhaps the news about this event spread further and further that afternoon as well. So, look at what took place at the end of the day. Verse 32, ...
Mark 1:32-34
When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
The Sabbath day began at sunset on Friday evening. As Saturday evening rolled around, the Sabbath was over, and people could travel. People could now carry burdens, like sick people. And they brought the sick to Jesus, so much so that "the whole city had gathered at the door" (verse 33). Capernaum had never seen anything like this. Here was a man who could cast out demons with a word. Here was a man who could heal with a touch. And so, all who were ill were being brought to Jesus. These things speak of His popularity.
The ministry of Jesus exploded in its early days. Here it is, only a few hours after preaching in the synagogue, and the entire city is at His doorstep seeking Him. This speaks to His popularity. Jesus performed one miracle, and the crowds were all around Him.
Such popularity continued on into the next day. Look at verse 35, ...
Mark 1:35-37
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and *said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."
Here was Jesus, the master-healer, who had been in the city for less than 24 hours, and the entire city was looking for Jesus, even before the sun came up. Such was the ministry of Jesus. He’s being sought. He’s being pursued -- not in a bad way (as will come in later chapters -- see Mark 3:6), but in a good way.
Here was a man who could heal our diseases. Here was a man who could cure our ills. And the people were pursuing Him. They wanted help!
But, in the midst of the popularity of Jesus, we also
see His ...
3. Priority
This is my third word this morning. Authority; Popularity; Priority. You see His priority in verse 35.
Mark 1:35
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
At this point, I can do no better than to read a little portion of a little booklet that was given to me by a friend. It’s entitled, "The Tyranny of the Urgent!" by Charles Hummel. It’s a good little essay that helps us to see the difference between the urgent and the important. And too often, the urgent can keep us away from the important. Hummel comments on this passage. I’d like to read it for you.
What was the secret of Jesus’ ministry? We discover a clue in Mark’s report of what happened after the very busy day of teaching and healing. ... "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35). He prayerfully waited for his Father’s instructions. Jesus had no divinely drawn blueprint or schedule; He discerned the Father’s will day by day in a life of prayer. Because of this he was able to resist the urgent demands of others and do what was really important for his mission.
When Simon and his companions looked for Jesus and finally found him, they exclaimed, "Everyone is looking for you!" (v. 37). The disciples had become embarrassed over their leader’s delay. Didn’t Jesus realize that back at the house people who had not yet been healed were crowding around the door asking for him?
Jesus’ answer couldn’t have been more shocking. "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come" (v. 38). He then turned away from the waiting crowd and traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons." [3]
When Jesus escaped away that early morning, He wasn’t basking in the "success" of the previous day. He wasn’t resting up, so as to gather another great crowd in Capernaum. Rather, He was worshiping His heavenly Father. He was seeking wisdom for what to do the next day.
Jesus’ priority was to preach. And He didn’t want to let the urgent of the multitudes that needed healing to get into the way of his purpose in life. He was the Messiah, who had a message to bring. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15). And the crowds seeking physical healing were not a help to Him. So, Jesus went to the next city.
With a discerning eye, you can see the priority of Jesus. Such is the key to the strange-sounding words of verse 34, "And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was." Jesus wanted to get His message out more than He wanted to attract a crowd of people who would merely be in it for the healing. And permitting the demons to speak would deter His message from getting out.
At this point, let me just sound an alarm against always seeking a bigger and bigger ministry. The heart of every pastor (I think) is to have a bigger and bigger church, to have more and more influence in the world, to see more and more people impacted with the gospel of Christ. I know that this is my desire. Perhaps it is yours as well. I don’t know.
With a bigger church come more opportunities for ministry. With a bigger church come more avenues for the gospel. And these are wonderful things, which can be greatly encouraging to each of us. And yet, with such a desire, we can easily miss the simple things that come with a smaller crowd.
At Rock Valley Bible Church, we are life on life. We may not have all the programs in the world. We may not be able to offer all sorts of niche programs -- programs for recovering alcoholics, homes for unwed teens, Bible studies for widows, Children’s extravaganzas. But, what can offer is a genuine encounter with a body of Christ’s disciples who desire to live completely for Him. We can offer help to those who so want to follow in His paths.
In some measure, I think that this is what Jesus was pursuing. He didn’t merely want to be a voice projecting to the crowds. He wanted to be a life impacting people one on one. And His methods focused on the few, the disciples, the personal encounters, rather than merely to the crowds. That’s what verse 39 tells us that Jesus was doing.
Mark 1:39
And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
He went to many smaller places, seeking to spread His message of the gospel of the kingdom. So, let us not despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:9).
Let’s continue on. I do want to finish chapter 1 today, looking at Jesus’ honeymoon in the ministry, because everything is going to turn in chapter 2, verse 1. I simply want to walk through the story of the healing of the leper, noticing these three words: Authority, Popularity, Priority. Because, they are present in this of the healing of the leper.
Mark 1:40-45
And a leper *came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and *said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He *said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
In the day of Jesus, leprosy was the dreaded disease. Leprosy is a disease where nerves are damaged and as a result, muscles are weakened over time. In Biblical times, lepers were cast off into their own colonies. Lepers were regarded as outcasts. Nobody would touch them, for fear of getting the disease themselves. And yet, this leper knew that Jesus had the authority to heal him. If only Jesus were to be willing, "If you are willing, You can make me clean" (verse 40).
With a heart of compassion, Jesus said, "I am willing; be cleansed" (verse 41). And so, Jesus touched the untouchable, and this poor man was healed instantly (verse 42). It’s a demonstration of the authority of Jesus. In a day and an age when there was no cure for leprosy, Jesus had the authority over this nasty disease. And from that day on, this man's life was radically changed. No longer was he to be an outcast in society. Jesus had given him new life! Now, Jesus gave him very specific directions.
Mark 1:44
and He *said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
But, when people are given a new life, they can’t help but talk about it. I’ve seen it over and over and over again. When people are impacted by a particular book, they are excited about the help that it has brought them and they can’t help but want to share their enthusiasm with others. When people come out of some life-threatening situation, they feel like they have been spared death, and want to tell others of the experience that they had.
And so likewise here. This leper was given a new lease on life. You couldn’t have shut him up if you had tried. There is much that we can learn from such a man. Has Christ so impacted you, that you can’t help but to speak it to others?
Mark 1:45
But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.
Here we see the popularity of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus was so popular that he couldn’t even enter a city. He had to stay out in the unpopulated areas. This, then, gives us insight into the priority of Jesus. Why would he tell this man not to tell anyone? I believe that Jesus wanted to be with people, preaching the gospel to them in small settings, so that His life might touch their lives just like the leper had been touched by the life of Jesus. But, as the news got out about Jesus, He was forced into the country regions to continue His ministry.
The popularity of Jesus was abounding in these days. It was His honeymoon period. But, these days were limited. Conflict would soon come. The religious leaders hated Jesus; He was a threat to them. The conflict would only be resolved when they put Him to death on the cross. But, let's look at His honeymoon, and enjoy it. Rejoice when things go well in ministry.
This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on
January 29, 2012 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rvbc.cc.
[1] Mark 1:21, 23, 28, 29, 30, 42, 43.
[2] http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-how-to/157989-how-andy-stanley-handled-a-heckler.html
[3] Charles Hummel. "Tyranny of the Urgent". pp. 9-10, emphasis his.