Some years ago a joke was told about the PCA ministry. As the story went, an evangelical pastor was being drawn into our fellowship because of our biblical reputation. As this pastor got to know the presbytery he noted the competitive positioning and assertive ministry goals of the group. So he confided to his friend that while he was impressed with the biblical stance and intellectual foundation of most PCA pastors he was disturbed by the herd mentality towards worldly accomplishments. It seems like they all wanted to publish a book, broadcast on the radio and acquire a demon. The pastor was very disturbed by the last desire and asked how any christian could want such a thing. The PCA pastor quickly explained that the D/Min (Doctor of Ministry) was only an abbreviation for an advanced degree in some aspect of the profession of ministry.

Now we can certainly chuckle at that assessment of an outsider looking in, and with my first and probably only book published and a standing invitation to broadcast weekly whenever we can afford it; I have only to begin a doctorate degree to be considered fully professional. But what a picture Peter paints through Mark's description of a typical Presbytery or Ministerial Group in every other denomination here in this passage! Those of you who have ever visited a Presbytery can certainly shake your heads and appreciate the gospel truth of Mark's report in this passage!

After my ongoing problems in the old liberal church I certainly decided that the last thing I ever wanted to be was a professional churchman. That is one reason I have such an aversion to suits and ties. My personal idiosyncrasy there, is widely shared by the younger members of our society. My students certainly know a "suit" when they see one, whether that "suit" be a lawyer, doctor, educator or even a pastor. A Japanese visitor to our country certainly understood the implications of today's text when he observed that in Japan, the religious leaders were recognized as holy men, but the pastors he had met here were just another group of businessmen who actually believed they were in a sales business when they should have recognized the necessity for serving those who had been called into Christ's Kingdom.

And it is to this truth that Jesus would admonish the disciples at the end of the day's travels. Dr Cole would tell us that: "As they walked along, they were strung out in a long 'crocodile' behind their Rabbi. No Eastern pupil dares to walk abreast of his teacher, nor indeed would the narrow Eastern bridle-tracks allow it. They had been bickering up and down the line, and doubtless occasional angry words had reached the ears of the lonely figure, pressing resolutely on in front. So His question sounded natural enough, no doubt; but there was a hint of rebuke already in the verb [disputed], which implies 'bickering' as well as 'reasoning'.

One of the best things I ever heard about the old United Presbyterian Church in North America was the fact that while the people dearly loved their pastors for their ongoing love and ministry, they had to put up with second rate preaching. At least that denomination got something right, even though they should have worked on the other aspect as well! You know, this is why it is so important that the whole session must be considered when we seek the gifts necessary to lead Christ's Church.

I am certainly and always pleased that we have so many godly, intelligent and hardworking men willing to serve together on our session where their various gifts are manifest in the body as a whole. And I have felt particularly honored that our ruling elders are welcome to preach in other churches when those pulpits are providentially empty. Also, this fall, as we welcome Phillip Ruiz into that sessional fellowship as a Seminary Intern, I would urge the whole congregation to get to know him, discover his gifts and encourage him as he learns the biblical skills implied in our text today.

I also realize that even should the Lord have the same admonishment we see here to say of our own Presbytery, at least I would hope and pray as you all should, that this is not an observation valid for our own session. Let us all take to heart the admonishment of Christ: "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

The last point of this first section of our text is also important. The only good thing to ever come out of the French Revolution was the fact that any man of talent, imagination and hard work could rise to the responsibilities of leadership. The Old Covenant observes that one man in ten will have those gifts for leadership and within Christ's Church at least - we should consider that revelation carefully and never let a man's position in worldly society determine our recognition of what the Lord would make of him.

When I was in the old liberal church and hoping to work part time, little regard was given to the grocery work that I was doing to make my education possible. I was encouraged to do something important like the work of a psychologist. My own prejudice shows when I say - I would rather have been an honest garbage collector than a professional shrink! However, I have learned over time that there are even a few honest people in every profession, no matter what I might think of their calling.

In the Jewish society - children were at the bottom of the social totem pole, and thus by illustration Jesus pushes home the admonition of humility and service. Years ago, a small Scottish church session gathered to consider the ministry of the last year. They were disappointed that only a seven year old boy had turned up from their evangelistic efforts. But they persevered and instructed the boy, trained and encouraged him to grow in grace and knowledge. He went on to become a doctor. And Dr Livingston went out to serve in the mission fields of Africa.

Sometimes I wonder that some few of my students are only in a pre-penitentery program, and yet I am often pleasantly surprised. One such student accosted me in a public restaurant to tell me how the Holy Spirit had suddenly and permanently changed his life! Praise the Lord. May we always be found in ministry to any whom the Lord places before us.

The second section of our text warns against something just as likely in our society as Professionalism. And that is Sectarianism as the New Geneva Study Bible outlines these verses. This summer, Dave Brown has been reviewing some materials prepared outside of our denomination. While the final report is not yet completed - in general we can clearly see that the groups in question are on a parallel course to our own Reformed thinking. Yes, there are minor differences - but none that should not keep us from walking together towards similar goals.

You all know form our collective interest in the pro-life area that our best allies are members of the Roman Catholic communion. While we may not share communion bread and wine with them, our hearts and minds are united in working towards a common goal to stop the destruction of the unborn.

I hope that you all understand that I am the first to admit that the Lord's invisible church is scattered through many and varied denominations and congregations. We also certainly understand that there are degrees of faithfulness and I, like most Reformed pastors, am very careful with whom I should and would appear with in public.

In particular I would like to call your attention to verse forty: "For he who is not against us in on our side." At first glance, we have here a passage that seems the opposite of Matthew 12:30, where we read: "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." However, when we consider the context of each passage and the groups to which each applied, we find no difficulty with the Biblical accounts. The difference is in application. Matthew 12:30 should be applied to ourselves and members of our own fellowships. This passage in Mark should be the guiding principle in our relationship with other fellowships.

Several years ago I met with someone who belonged to the "only group" going to heaven! They began their well rehearsed sales pitch. I interrupted, with tongue in cheek, by stating that the Westminster Confession seemed to have solved all important points of Christian Doctrine. Further, it was obvious that their group was outside the orthodox mainstream since they totally disagreed with the five points of Calvinism. Their response was incredulous! How could I be so obviously bigoted to draw a circle which left them out? Didn't I know that my narrow mindedness was an affront to the Gospel? I suggested that we both pray for forgiveness for our theological stands. End of discussion!

Certainly, there are differences of belief within the three hundred and some Christian denominations in America! Some groups are obviously outside the mainstream when they deny the supernatural reality in which the Christian Message is wholly rooted. But for the most part, we have to recognize the power of the Holy Spirit as it is made manifest in so many diverse groups. Yes, you can be a Baptist, a Catholic, a Presbyterian, etc. and be saved through the power of Jesus Christ. The power of Christ may even be used by people who do not know Him personally, as shown in the context of our passage today.

If an organized group does not deny the existence of God, the historicity of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit and man's necessity to repent and believe; then we must, avoid the temptation of trying to stop their actions in demonstrating the power of God. Now, some will immediately react and cry out that now the circle has been drawn too big! During World War Two, Winston Churchill was condemned for even considering aid to the Communists when they were drawn into the terrible conflict of nations. He replied that we must aid all co-belligerents against Hitler. He even went so far as to say that "if Hitler invaded Hell, he would at least make favorable comments about the Devil on the floor of the House of Commons."

Once I had the privilege of attending a Francis Schaeffer conference on Whatever Happened to the Human Race? The primary purpose of this conference was to mobilize Protestant support for the Right to Life Crusade. The first day, one group spoke out against his personal stand in another area of Christian witness. Schaeffer responded by suggesting we keep our minds on the task at hand, since we could never agree on everything. . The whole point of the conference was to organize as co-belligerents in the long struggle to stop the secularist slaughter of innocents.

That specific issue still needs to be addressed by the Christian Churches. For too long we have tolerated the Authority of the World in this and other areas. What we, and all others who call themselves Christians must be concerned with is the Authority of the Word! And in the spirit of our text, we must accept all who submit to a high view of the supernatural revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

As I described this denominational and congregational relationship once: Within the family of God, there are brothers and sisters with whom we feel confident enough to share the table of our Lord together. The next circle are those cousins and distant relatives of whom we have a fond regard, knowing that the Lord loves them even as we respect their devotion to the Word and to the essential principles of what constitutes a true church. The third circle are those held captive by theologically destitute bodies whose only claim to a sincere believer's devotion is the fact that some denominational agency now owns and controls their local group's property and administration.

A last group is the world in general with whom we share not the second birth. However, we still owe to those who know not our Lord the same kindness and attention that we would give to our own spiritual children since we know not whom the Lord our God will call into fellowship with Jesus Christ.

So then, let our ministry in word and deed be given freely and without prejudice to all whom our Lord God may set in our midst. And let us at the very least - humbly respect all of His true servants who may serve Him, even in "christian" religious organizations whose dedication and faithfulness may be suspect at best! Knowing full well that the Lord of heaven and earth providentially arranges to make His precious Name known - so that any person may hear and learn that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Amen.