GOSPEL OF MARK PROJECT - Discipleship Plan

GOSPEL OF MARK PROJECT

Let Everything that has Breath Praise the Lord!

9/17/2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 150:1-6 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. [2] Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. [3] Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. [4] Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. [5] Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!

The Spirit who Raised Jesus

9/16/2021

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:9,11-17 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. [11] But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. [12] So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— [13] for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [15] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Commentary: The resurrection of Jesus is celebrated around the world every Easter. It is a big deal! Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried; but death could not hold Him. The enemy of all mankind; the finality that highlights the futility of life; the tragedy of passing generations of loved ones... All defeated by the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.
When it comes to sin, the pull of temptation, the weakness of our flesh, and opposition from the powers of darkness; we must never forget that, "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." How much greater? According to the words of the Apostle Paul, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is living inside of those that have put their faith in Jesus.
What is the practical application of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? It certainly includes the following: 1) We have the power to resist temptation and overcome the "pull" of the flesh. 2) We have hope, because the same power that raised Jesus will give life to our mortal bodies.
The Holy Spirit plays an important role in the "abundant life" that Jesus promised those who believe in Him. The abundant life is a life that experiences freedom from the bondage of sin, and the promise of life after death.

Questions to Consider:

What is your view of death? (Is it possible to live with Paul's understanding that to "die is gain?")
How can the Holy Spirit help us in our struggle with sin? (How can we be more pro-active in living according to the Spirit?)

The Holy Spirit Origins

9/15/2021

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. [3] Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. [4] God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
Psalm 139:1-10 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. [2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. [3] You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. [4] Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. [5] You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. [7] Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? [8] If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. [9] If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, [10] Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

Commentary: Sometimes "we" (followers of Christ) act as if the Holy Spirit showed up for the first time in the Book of Acts. But, point in fact, the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the second sentence of the Bible. He was there in the very beginning. He participated in the miracle of creation.
Of course, there are people in the world today who dispute the very idea of creation. Here are some selected thoughts collected from the Humanist Manifesto. (Which is at the core of "progressive" post-modern thinking) “Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created...we begin with humans not God...we can discover no divine purpose or providence for the human species…no deity will save us; we must save ourselves.”
For those who question the existence of a creating God, I find the idea that the universe "just happened" to be beyond absurd. Job suggested (Job 34:14,15) that if God, "Should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would cease to exist." How pervasive is the Holy Spirit in everything that exists?
According to David, it is impossible to escape from God's Spirit. The Spirit of God has always been. The Spirit of God is in and throughout all that exists. He is the "glue" that holds creation together and the force that keeps it moving. The Holy Spirit is not the "weak" member of the Holy Trinity as some suppose. He stands with God the Father, and God the Son, in fulfilling the divine purpose for the universe.

Questions to Consider:

"Nothing can come from nothing," according to French Philosopher René Descartes. How would you explain your faith in a creator to an atheist?
It is impossible for finite beings to fully comprehend the first words of Genesis, "in the beginning." Does it bother you that "our" faith is actually based on things that we accept by faith?

The Spirit Brings Life

9/14/2021

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:9-11 [9] However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. [10] If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Inspirational Word: "The Christian's life in all its aspects--intellectual and ethical, devotional and relational, upsurging in worship and outgoing in witness--is supernatural; only the Spirit can initiate and sustain it. So apart from Him, not only will there be no lively believers and no lively congregations, there will be no believers and no congregations at all." J.I. Packer

Commentary: The Apostle Paul continually makes the correlation between the Holy Spirit and life. His emphasis could be summed up this way: "With the Holy Spirit there is spiritual life; and apart from the Holy Spirit there is no life. Truly, apart from the Holy Spirit, Christians become merely and singularly religious.
When I think of religion in the context of trying to go it without the Spirit onboard, I become acutely aware of just how dead it all would be. Building have no life. Books have no life. Rules have no life. Communion loses its meaning. Fellowship becomes unnecessary. Giving becomes a unwanted obligation. In fact, if the Church is separated from the life that comes from the Spirit, there is no reason for the Church to exist.
"We" should be desperate for the Spirit of God to dwell with us and in us. We cannot go it alone. We should not even try to go it alone. So, my prayer remains: "Come, Holy Spirit. Find a welcome place in my heart and in my life. Bring the fulness of Your life and purpose to my existence. Bring forth fruit that brings glory to God." Amen

Questions to Consider:

Many critics consider "religion" to be one of the biggest social problems on planet earth. How does the work of the Holy Spirit change the Church into a religion that is a blessing to all?
How does the work of the Holy Spirit authenticate what we believe?
How can you as an individual Believer stir up the work of the Holy Spirit in your own life?

Spirit Impelled

9/13/2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:9-13 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; [11] and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” [12] Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. [13] And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.

Commentary: When "we" talk about the arrival of the Holy Spirit, we generally think of the events that happened in the Upper Room. However, the Holy Spirit (at an earlier point in time) was involved in initiating Christ's public ministry.
The Holy Spirit is mentioned twice in our scripture reading. When Jesus was baptized in the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove. After Jesus' baptism the Holy Spirit "impelled" Jesus to go out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This means that Jesus was being led by the Holy Spirit in a way that is similar (if not the same) as He leads Believers today.
Many Bible scholars believe that Jesus was filled with power by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of doing Kingdom work.

Questions to Consider:

What do you think; if Jesus had divine power in and of Himself, why was the Holy Spirit necessary to the ministry of Christ?
We know that Jesus was led or impelled by the Spirit, how do you know if the Holy Spirit is actually leading you?

Sing for Joy

9/10/2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 33:1-22 Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. [2] Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. [3] Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. [4] For the word of the LORD is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness. [5] He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD. [6] By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host. [7] He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses. [8] Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. [9] For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. [10] The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. [11] The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. [12] Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. [13] The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; [14] From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, [15] He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. [16] The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength. [17] A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. [18] Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, [19] To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine. [20] Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. [21] For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. [22] Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.

Things Revealed

9/9/2021

Scripture Reading:Deuteronomy 29:29
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

Job 36:25-33 “All men have seen it; Man beholds from afar. [26] “Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable. [27] “For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist, [28] Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly. [29] “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion? [30] “Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea. [31] “For by these He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance. [32] “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. [33] “Its noise declares His presence; The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.

Commentary: It is impossible for finite beings to define or comprehend an infinite God. Throughout the Apostle Paul's Epistles, he refers to God and the things concerning God as mysteries. This makes the formation of doctrine challenging. How can we effectively build solid and reliable doctrine concerning issues that are shrouded in mystery?
Deuteronomy points us in the right direction: Build doctrine on the things that God has "clearly" revealed. Also apply the converse: "Do not build doctrine on the secret things that God has not revealed." It is critically dangerous to build doctrine and practices on the claims of a person or group of persons who promote themselves as the answers concerning the mysteries and secret things that belong to God. (This is the territory of the cults and false prophets)
So, we build our beliefs and practices on the things that God has clearly revealed. Some of the more significant truths of God's Word are not difficult to understand, but at times they are very challenging to live. Let us build lives of obedience based on the things that God has clearly revealed to us.

Questions to Consider:

Why are Believers drawn by teachers who claim to have secret knowledge? (B-T-W, this was the serpent's approach in convincing Eve to sin)
Has the Word of God challenged any of your own beliefs that might have been erroneous?
Do you understand the difference between exegesis and eisegesis? (See Below)

Note: Exegesis is a legitimate interpretation which "reads out of" the text what the original author meant to convey. Eisegesis reads into the text what the interpreter wishes to find or thinks that they find there.

Testify

9/8/2021

Scripture: John 15:18-27 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you, ‘ A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. [22] If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. [23] He who hates Me hates My Father also. [24] If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. [25] But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ [26] “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, [27] and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

Commentary: Should I be concerned? Should you be concerned? According to Jesus, if you are a follower of Christ, the "world" will most likely hate you. "Hate" is a pretty strong word, but it is an appropriate word to describe the motivation behind those that persecute and even murder Believers in Christ.
Jesus explained the reason behind the hubris. Verse 19: "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world...the world hates you." So, I ask again, should you be concerned?
As American Pop Culture turns away from God and the Biblical values that established the moral foundation of our nation; every Believer who defies the darkness and lets their light shine will become more conspicuous. Standing and declaring the truth is our testimony.
The Spirit of Truth testifies that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and that no-one comes to the Father, but by Jesus. We too testify that Jesus is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. This truth grates on the powers of darkness.
Where does the power to testify come from? In Acts 1:8 Jesus declared, "When you receive the Holy Spirit, you will receive power to be witnesses, even to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit fills Believers with the boldness to testify. To declare the "Good News" to a world shrouded in darkness. Our light reveals the darkness for what it is.

Questions to Consider:

The Greek word translated as "Witnesses" or "Testify" is the word (μάρτυς) martus. This is where we get the word "martyr." How far do you think the persecution of Christians in America will escalate in your lifetime?
Do you actively "testify" of your faith? Would you be willing to be a martyr for what you believe?
Have you ever suffered from prolonged persecution for being a Believer in Christ?

To Your Advantage

9/7/2021

Scripture: John 16:5-15 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ [6] But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. [7] But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. [8] And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; [9] concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; [10] and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; [11] and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. [12] “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. [13] But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. [14] He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. [15] All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Commentary: Jesus had some convincing to do. As He shared His last supper with His closest friends and followers, He needed to allay their collective fears. Not only was Jesus leaving them, He had just finished teaching them about the vine and the branches, which contained one giant caveat. "Apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
What were the disciples to think? "OK, Jesus, just to set the record straight; You are leaving us and apart from you we can do nothing." The disciples were filled with dread and fear.
Jesus began to teach them about the coming of the Holy Spirit--the Spirit that would invigorate and ignite the spiritual life of the Church that was about to be birthed. God's plan for the disciples was revealed in verse 7. "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you: but if I go, I will send Him to you."
The disciples probably did not fully understand the magnitude of what Jesus was sharing until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. Suddenly, the disciples who had been hiding away from the authorities that were responsible for Jesus' death, took to the streets and boldly declared the Gospel. The Church was born and the disciples were filled with a purpose and with the power to fulfil their destiny!

Questions to Consider:

Which of Jesus' disciples do you personally identify with and why? (Examples: Peter, who denied knowing Jesus. Judas, who betrayed Jesus. John, who was supporting the women at Jesus crucifixion. Etc.)
Two events happened after Jesus said, "It is finished," and gave up the ghost: 1) He was resurrected. 2) The Holy Spirit filled the Church with power on the Day of Pentecost. What role did these events play in establishing the Church?

The Helper

9/6/2021

Scripture: John 14:1-17 NASB95
"Do not let your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. [3] If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. [4] And you know the way where I am going.” [5] Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. [7] If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” [8] Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. [11] Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. [12] Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. [13] Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. [15] “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. [16] I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; [17] that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

Commentary: Jesus was leaving... The disciples were perplexed, confused, and more than a little upset. They had given up everything to follow Jesus. They were (somewhat) patiently waiting for Jesus to set up His Kingdom, and they were ready to take their rightful place in "helping" Jesus govern. Jesus said He was going to leave them...was this a bad joke? Was Jesus serious? How could they rule over the Kingdom without their miracle-working teacher?
The disciples must have felt betrayed. They certainly demonstrated that they did not understand the plan. (God's plan) They were in good company, because all of Israel was looking for the coming of a Messiah that would defeat all the enemies of Israel. A Messiah that would be a warrior King, like David, and take on the Roman Legions.
God, the Father, had a different plan in mind for the Messiah. Rather than fighting the Romans, God's Messiah would defeat the powers of darkness. Rather than ruling on earth, God's Messiah would be an advocate for all who put their faith in Jesus.
Jesus was leaving, but He was not leaving His disciples as orphans. Jesus asked the Father to send "another" Helper. This Helper would be of the same essence as Jesus. However, this new Helper would do something that "God in the flesh" could not do. You see, Jesus was called Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." The new Helper, the Holy Spirit, would be "God in us."
For a little over three years, the disciples had been completely dependent on "God with them." If there was a teaching to be given, they looked to Jesus. If there was a miracle that needed to take place, they looked to Jesus. If there was a direction to take, they looked to Jesus. A radical change was about to take place.
The coming of the Holy Spirit would bring the same Spirit that was in Christ Jesus into the life of His followers. Of this new "Helper" Jesus clearly stated: "You will know Him because He abides with you and will be in you!"

Questions to Consider:

Why do you think that both the disciples of Jesus and the religious rulers of the Jews had such a misconception concerning the Messiah?
How would you have felt if you had been one of Jesus' Disciples and discovered that He planned to leave you?
In what capacity does the Holy Spirit act as a "Helper" in your life?