Blog Archives - GOSPEL OF MARK PROJECT

GOSPEL OF MARK PROJECT

Prayer and Worship

1/29/2021

We want to invite you to take some time in prayer and reflection today. Read through Romans 7:14 - 8:39. There are many great things found in this passage: brokenness and renewing, victory and warning, and ultimately a hope that is unconquerable in Jesus our Lord and Savior.

"Do you mortify? Do you make it your daily work? Be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you." John Owen

Scripture to Reflect on:
2 Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Revelation 2: 4-5 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Join with us in worship as we prepare for Sunday celebration
Sunday January 31 Worship List

"Repent" throughout the Bible

1/28/2021

Read Ezekiel 14: 1-6 1 Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of the Lordcame to me: 3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocksbefore their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? 4 Therefore speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet, I the Lord will answer them myself in keeping with their great idolatry. 5 I will do this to recapture the hearts of the people of Israel, who have all deserted me for their idols.’ 6 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

In Hebrews chapter 1, it is said that in these last days God has spoken to us through His Son. It seems that the Lord did indeed "answer them myself", as said in Ezekiel 14: 4
In Ezekial 14:6 we come across the word repent and if we look at the Bible we see the theme of repentance littered throughout the whole narrative. Take some time and do a search of the word repent (repentance) through the Bible. Click here for an online bible study tool to help out.

Questions to Consider:
1. What does it mean when it says that God repents? (Ex. Genesis 6:6-7, 1 Samuel 15:11) Additional resources on this topic: The Repentance of God by John Piper; Why God Repents and changes His Mind in the Bible
2. Do you see teaching on repentance after Jesus?
3. What leads us to repentance?

Theology of Repentance

1/27/2021

Jesus was the fulfillment of John’s message about, “One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.” If you notice, John did not preach the Gospel message, yes the message was similar “repentance” and “forgiveness of sins”, but the amazing thing about the Good News is that it was brought by God himself, about himself, to the lost. This is the message that changes lives. No matter how we package it, or present it, we cannot change it. To do so is to present, at best, a watered-down version, and at worst, a false gospel that will still lead to death. The Good News is that God himself made a way for us to be reconciled with Him, to end the exile that started so long ago in the garden, however, in order to have saving faith in Jesus we must first repent and turn from sin, that has separated us from God, toward faith in God. (Acts 3:19, Hebrews 6:1) In the Gospel of Mark, Mark does not water the Gospel message down but instead reduces it, to its very core, so that we know, without a shadow of doubt, what the Gospel message is that Jesus brought...repent and believe for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Questions to Consider:

In your own words what is repentance? (Words that might be helpful: Greek word metanoia "to change one's mind" and the Hebrew words Naham "to be sorry"; Shubh "to return")
Outside of the fact that Jesus preached repentance, is this message still relevant today?
Why is TRUE repentance so important in our walk with God?
Read Luke 18:9-14. What does this teach us about repentance?

Luke 18: 9-14 (NASB95) 9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be [f]merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus Fulfills Prophecy

1/26/2021

Parallel Passages:
Matthew 4:12-17 (NASB) 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
[a]By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--16 “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Luke 4:14-20 (NASB) 14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. 16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” 20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Questions to Consider

Both of the references contain prophecy about Jesus; Isaiah 9:1-2 is fulfilled in the Matthew narrative and Isaiah 61:1-2a is fulfilled in the Luke narrative. Please read both Isaiah passages.
What is the significance of fulfilled prophecy concerning the Bible and Jesus?
Read the prophecy in Isaiah 61:1-11 , do you find it interesting that Jesus, in the Luke account, stopped reading half-way through verse 2? What is the significance of this?

Something to consider as we read through the book of Mark is how Jesus was misunderstood; really how the first advent of the messiah was missed! Is He a prophet, a teacher, a carpenter? Even Peter who declared to Jesus, "You are the Messiah" in Mark 8:29 turned around in Mark 8:32-33 and rebuked Jesus for teaching about the suffering and rejection, of the messiah, that would take place. The people of Israel were so focused on their "kingdom of THIS world" and their mighty conquering King, who would break the shackles of the Roman Empire, that they completely missed what the Kingdom of God is truly about and who the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 is revealed to be, namely Jesus. How we view Jesus matters, He is both the glory and greatness of God seen in Isaiah 6 and the sacrificial lamb in Isaiah 53 and He is coming back!

Jesus Preaches the Gospel

1/25/2021

Text: Mark 1:14,15 (NASB) 14 Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

The Big Idea: Repentance is often cast as being negative; however, repentance is actually a very positive step that brings about freedom, life and future hope. Repentance cannot be uncoupled from the Gospel message and has, in fact, been a part of the Biblical narrative from the beginning, contained in both the Old and New testaments and emphasized by Jesus himself. We should not try to avoid the message of repentance but should instead look deeper into the true meaning of it and how it leads us to a saving faith.

Questions to Consider:

Why did Jesus wait for John’s ministry to end before starting his public ministry? (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” What is the kingdom of God? How did the Jewish people's views of the “kingdom of God” affect their treatment of Jesus?
Do you think “repent and believe in the gospel” is the only message Jesus preached? Why did Mark highlight this message above everything else Jesus may have said?

Strategy for Temptation

1/22/2021

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NASB) 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

1 Corinthians 10:13-14 (NASB) 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

In some circles there is probably as much time spent in talking about Satan as there is in talking about God. That is a shame, because Satan in not the evil equivalent of God. Demon powers tremble at the name of Jesus; and God has already put a plan in motion that will forever curtail the works of the Enemy.

It is true, that the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. As Believers in Christ we have nothing to fear for "we" are covered in the power of Christ's blood. James 4:7 goes so far to tell us that we "submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us." Did you hear that? The roaring lion will flee from you!

There is a completely different strategy for temptation. The wisdom of God instructs us to "flee from temptation." The question is why? Why should we flee or run away from temptation? It is pretty clear, the flesh is weak. The flesh will always be the more vulnerable part of our human essence. That is why to stay away from environments, people, or situations that tempt our flesh. So, we stand against the devil and we "stay away" from the things of this world that tempt our flesh.

Questions to Consider:

The Apostle Paul gives us a list of things to pursue: faith, love, peace. How does the pursuit of Godly virtue help in our battle against temptation?
The key to standing and resisting the devil is being in right relationship with the Lord? How can we maintain a right relationship with the Lord? (What does that look like?)
What makes the flesh so susceptible to temptation? (What lengths should we go to in order to avoid temptation?)

Sunday Worship Service Set List

Theology Behind Christ's Temptation

1/21/2021

Hebrews 4:12-16 (NASB) 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

God, the Father had a very specific purpose in exposing Jesus to temptation. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for the express purpose to be tempted by the Devil. The question is, "why?"

Let's start with the first theological hurdle. It is the question of how could Jesus, being God, even be tempted? As scripture declares: James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. The Answer: Jesus was both the Son of God and the Son of Man. In other words, He was God and He was man. It was the human part of Jesus that was subject to temptation.

There was a purpose in Christ's temptations. It provided us a Savior who is sympathetic to our weaknesses. God (through Christ) has experienced what we experience. He was tempted as we are tempted. Therefore, we have a high priest, seated on the right hand of the Father, who understands us, acts as our advocate, and makes intercession for us.

Questions to Consider:

Jesus experienced all the passion associated with the emotions that compose the human experience. What are some the emotions that seem to get out of hand in your life?
God made the impossible possible when He sent Jesus to live as God in the flesh; now God would experience life through the eyes and experience of man. Why is this important?
Why do we need Jesus to act as our advocate? (This seems to be God's answer for the "accuser of the brethren.")

Matthew's Account

1/20/2021

Matthew 4:1-11 (NASB) 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" 5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" 8 Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

All three of the Gospels that "cover" the Temptation of Christ refer to the fact that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the "Spirit." (The Holy Spirit) This tells us that the Temptation of Christ, although carried out by the "tempter" (The Devil), was a part of God's plan. Matthew records three specific temptations, which reflect different strategies of the Devil.

Christ's "flesh" was tempted by hunger. Within "us" there is an ongoing struggle between the desires of the flesh and the call of the Spirit.
Christ's "will" was tempted by the desire to be in control. We face the same temptation when we pray petitions according to our own desires rather than God's will.
Christ's "soul" was tempted by a future where He could avoid the pain of the cross and be in control of the Kingdoms of this earth. This struggle revealed itself in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed for the "cup" to pass from Him.

Jesus submitted His flesh, His will and His soul to the purposes of God. His resolve to submit to God's purposes were revealed in His words, "Never-the-less, Your will be done!" Satan had one more opportunity to tempt Jesus. As Jesus was hanging on the cross, Satan spoke through the voices of the crowd. "If you are the Christ, come down and we will serve you." Remarkably, Jesus prayed for them and stayed the course of God's plan, and indeed, "It was finished!"

Questions to Consider:

Out of all the temptations that Jesus faced, which one do you think would have been the most difficult to overcome and why?
What was the major shortcoming of Satan's version of Christ ruling the Kingdom's of this earth? (While it is true (in theory) that Jesus could have ruled this earth without going to the cross, it would not have addressed the problem of sin)
Do you think that Jesus had the "free will" to fall into temptation? (Why or why not?)

Luke's Account

1/19/2021

Luke 4:1-15 (NASB) 1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." 4 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'" 5 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 "Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours." 8 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 9 And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; 10 for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,' 11 and, 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is said, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" 13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. 14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

In terms of the synoptic Gospel accounts of Christ's Temptation, both Luke and Matthew give us a more complete version of the facts surrounding said event. Let me point to some of the striking revelations from Luke's account.

v.2. "for forty day, being tempted by the devil..." According to Luke, Jesus was being tempted and worked over by Satan for the entire time He was fasting in the wilderness. Luke gives us the specific details of the temptations towards the end of Christ's sojourn, however it makes one wonder about the nature of the temptations that occurred over the stretch of Christ's time in the wilderness.

After forty days of fasting, Jesus was hungry. The most natural temptation at that point would have been food. Mind you, there is nothing particularly evil about eating food. However, the temptation dealt with "how" Jesus would use His power as God in the flesh. Jesus could have easily served Himself by turning stones into bread. As you read through the Gospel accounts of Christ's ministry, Jesus never used His divine powers to serve Himself.

v.13. "When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him (Jesus) until an opportune time." Satan left this occasion of temptation waiting for a better opportunity. No doubt, Satan left the door open for Jesus to seize the kingdoms of this earth and avoid the cross. When Jesus told His disciples of His coming demise, Peter (obviously motivated by Satan) told Jesus that He did not need to suffer the things to come. Jesus responded, "Get thee behind me Satan."

Questions to Consider:

What are some of the more difficult temptations that you face in your own life?
What source(s) of spiritual strength to you turn to in the midst of temptation?
Satan tempted Jesus where He was most vulnerable, this is why "we" should not take the Enemy lightly. What can you do to fortify yourself against the Enemy's attacks?

Temptation of Christ

1/18/2021

Text: Mark 1:12,13 (NASB) 12 And immediately the Spirit *brought Him out into the wilderness. 13 And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.

Big Idea: Although the Gospel of Mark does not give us the details of Christ’s Temptation, we know that this experience was divinely appointed by God as Jesus is being led by the Holy Spirit. This is also an affirmation of Christ’s humanity. God cannot be tempted, but the human side of Christ was not immune from the attempts of the Enemy. This truly makes Jesus into an advocate who understands “us.”

The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, descended upon Jesus during His baptism. Immediately, after being baptized, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. What is waiting for Jesus in the wilderness? A time alone with the Father and a time of fasting. Jesus would be fasting for 40 days, and after that time, He would be tempted by Satan. In the meantime, Jesus was living among the wild animals of the wilderness, and the angels were serving Him.

This week we are going to be taking a closer look at the Temptation of Christ; and temptation in general. So, here are some working definitions for temptation: “The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.” “Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals. In the context of Christian theology, temptation is the inclination to sin.”

Questions to Consider:

How would you describe or define "temptation?"
How long without food does it take for you to get hungry? (How hungry would you be after fasting for 40 days?)
After 40 days of praying and fasting, Jesus would have been spiritually strong and physically weak. How do you think Jesus' spiritual and physical status impacted His time of temptation?