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April 4th Speaker: RJ In the Christian tradition, the Passion Week (Holy Week) encompasses the short final period in the life of Jesus. The "Passion" comes from the Latin verb patior, which means "to suffer, to endure or to bear." This is an apt description of Jesus' life over the last week leading up to the resurrection. The "Passion" generally includes the following events: Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem; His final cleansing of the Temple; the Last Supper with His disciples; His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane; His arrest, trial and crucifixion; His death and burial; and finally His resurrection.
Most Believers are aware of the significance of the "Passion," because it is what we call to memory every time we participate in Communion. Here are some scriptures that are apropos to the subject of the Passion from the Gospel of John. The Arrest John 18:1-11 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” “I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” In the Courtyard of the High Priest John 18:12-27 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. Jesus before Pilate John 18:28-40 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” the Jews objected. This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. Jesus the Crucified King John 19:1-16 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” The Jews insisted, We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “ Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. The Lifting Up of the Son of Man John 19:17-30 So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others–one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. The Burial John 19: 31-42 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. Resurrection John 20:1-18 (NASB) Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.
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March 28th
Speaker: Michael Dugone Text: Mark 2:13-17 13 And He went out again by the seashore; and all the [d]people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. 14 As He passed by, He saw [e]Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax office, and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. 15 And it *happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and [f]sinners were [g]dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the [h]sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating with tax collectors and [i]sinners?” 17 And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” March 21st
Speaker: RJ Dugone Text: Mark 2:1-12. When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3 And some people came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. 4 And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
The Big Idea: When Jesus was through healing and forgiving the sins of the paralyzed man, the people who had witnessed the "event" proclaimed, "We have never seen anything like this!" What Jesus did was a significant break from the mundane. It was supernatural. It was non-traditional. It even challenged the theology of the Jews. What does the present church need to experience? We need to experience God (both His person and acts) in such a way that it causes the people of our time to proclaim: "We have never seen anything like this!"
Parallel Accounts: Accounts from the other Synoptic Gospels. Matthew 9:1-8 1 Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city. 2 And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? 5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He *said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he got up and went home. 8 But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Luke 5:18-26 18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. 19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” 25 Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Cross References:
Quotes: “If we could collect all the authentic stories all over the world — from all the missionaries and all the saints in the all the countries of the world, all the cultures of the world — if we could collect all the millions of encounters between Christians and demons and Christians and sickness and all the so-called coincidences of the world, we would be stunned. We would think we were living in a world of miracles, which we are,” John Piper March 14th
Speaker: Travis Cunningham Text: Mark 1: 40-45 40 And a man with leprosy came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 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.” 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. Big Idea: No one is beyond God's power to save and cleanse from sin. This does not mean that everyone will avail themselves of Jesus' atoning work, but those who do will be clean. In the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow..." (Isaiah 1:18) Jesus cleansing of the lepers is proof that He came to save that which was lost; to restore that which was broken; and to cleanse that which was unclean. Theology & Apologetics: One of the main points in this passage is that the man approaches Jesus to receive healing. This man had lived his life up to this point as an outcast in society, seen as being an unclean man, and most likely without hope. Yet, when He hears about Jesus and the power that He has to heal the sick, he does not delay in coming to Him. He knows that in the heart of Jesus there is a compassion to associate with and heal people that this world calls 'outcasts'. In Mark 1:37-38, Jesus leaves a place where He had crowds coming to Him. In verse 45, the same thing happens again where crowds are flooding after Him but because of the testimony of a man healed of leprosy. Isn't it amazing how the praise and popularity of Christ was advanced more by a leper than a man whole and in perfect health? Compassion: splagxnízomai (σπλαγχνίζομαι) – "from splanxna, 'the inward parts,' especially the nobler entrails – the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These gradually came to denote the seat of the affections" to be moved in the inward parts, to feel compassion Compassion is not the same as pity. Pity is standing in a high place and looking down on someone in a low place and feeling sorry for them. Compassion on the other hand is a feeling inside of your body and heart that stirs you in such a way that causes you to move into action. Almost an uncomfortable feeling. Jesus moved with this type of love and compassion inside of Himself when He saw the pain and lostness of those He was sent to save. Leprosy- Leviticus 14. If a man was healed of leprosy, he was to go to the priest to be inspected by the priest and then to make an offering to the Lord for his healing. Jesus was telling this man to go to the priest as a testimony. The priest would have asked him how it came about that he was healed of leprosy, and the man would have said Jesus. Jesus told this man to do this so that He could have had an audience with the priests. The priests according to the law, would have had to go to the Father and offer a sacrifice on behalf of this man who was just healed by Jesus. He would have had to praise the Father, and offer thanks to the Father on behalf to his man who was just healed by Jesus. So, get the picture here. The priest would have been offering sacrifices, praise and worship because of what Jesus did. What a predicament they would have been in. Jesus was trying to show them that He was the source of healing and the object of worship. Jesus was demonstrating to the priests that the healing that lepers receive comes from the Healer, the praise, sacrifices and worship that the priests give also goes to the Healer. Jesus was trying to show them that the Person you were sacrificing to for centuries, was now walking around on earth doing the same things He had always done, bringing healing to the afflicted. The reality of this mans condition is seen in Leviticus13. “As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46“He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. Leviticus 13:45-46 Lepers lived "outside of the camp" and alone. They were avoided by the "clean" people because of the contagious nature of leprosy. Cross References: “In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will assemble the lame And gather the outcasts. Even those whom I have afflicted. 7“I will make the lame a remnant And the outcasts a strong nation, And the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on and forever. Micah 4:6-7 NASB For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29so that no man may boast before God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NASB “As for the person who has the leprous infection, his clothes shall be torn and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; he shall live outside the camp. Leviticus 13:45-46 NASB Questions to Consider: Why do you think Jesus told the man who was healed to go to the priests and offer his cleansing that Moses commanded? See Leviticus 14:4-7 Have you ever felt compassion for someone that caused your body or stomach to ache in pain for them? Why do you think the man with leprosy got down on his knees in front of Jesus? March 7th
Speaker: Travis Cunningham Text: Mark 1:35-39 35 And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. 36 Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him; 37 and they found Him and *said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 He *said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also [v]preach there; for this is why I came.” 39 And He went into their synagogues [w]preaching throughout Galilee, and casting out the demons. Big Idea: Jesus, the Son of Man, was a man of prayer. If Jesus, who was God in the flesh, needed to pray, how much more is prayer a necessity for the saints? Prayer is an expression of our dependence on God, and so we pray, on all occasions, about all our concerns, without ceasing. Isn't it fascinating that Jesus, the Son of God, had to leave the house and get to a secluded place to get to the heart of the Father? I'm sure Jesus was constantly in connection and communion with the Father, but even He had to make the choice to leave and get alone. It says in verse 36 & 37 that Simon and his companions were searching for Jesus because everyone else was looking for Him. They were eagerly searching for Jesus because the crowds were desperately looking for this Man who was healing the sick and casting out demons. As disciples, why do we eagerly search for Jesus? Is it for notoriety and popularity, or with selfish motives? In the face of crowds who were desperately searching for Jesus, Jesus decides that leaving was the next step to be taken. The love of people, the praise of people, the popularity of crowds shouting your name; these are all things that we as people seek. Yet, Jesus decides to leave it all to fulfill the will of his Father; which was to preach about the gospel of the kingdom. Cross References: “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. John 7:18 NASB How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Romans 10:14-15 NASB and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 4-5 NASB Questions to Consider: It says Jesus went into their synagogues throughout Galilee. Why do you think He targeted the synagogues to preach and cast out demons? Does casting out of demons and preaching go hand in hand? Do we talk to God about men, or do we talk to men about God more? Do we desire to be known by men or to be known more by the Father? February 28th, 2021
Speaker: RJ Dugone Text: Mark 1: 29-34. 29 And immediately after they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and they immediately spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she served them. 32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
February 21st-24th Spiritual Emphasis Week Schedule: Sun 9:30 & 11 Mon 6:30-8:00 PM Tues 6:30-8:00 PM Wed 6:30-8:00 PM Note from RJ: As you can see, Roy Brewer is going to be with us in a Spiritual Emphasis Week, starting Sunday, February 21st. That means that the Gospel of Mark Project will be on pause for the week leading up to our time with Roy. However, I will be writing on the Discipleship Blog with subject matter that is somewhat related to the subject matter that Roy will be teaching. Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 13-17 (NASB)
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
The Big Idea: At some point in the timeline of history, people will be living in the last days. Just like it was in the days of Noah, most people will live their lives totally oblivious of the dangers associated with the time in which they live. While we are not like the numerologists trying to nail down the date for Christ's return, we should have some awareness of the times in which we live. The challenge is this: We want to be like the people who were on Noah's Ark. We want to be people who are prepared and ready for the return of the Bridegroom.
Cross References: 2 Peter 3:3-14 (NASB) 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.
February 14th, 2021
Speaker: Travis Cunningham Text: Mark 1:21-28. 21 They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do you have with us, Jesus [r]of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are: the Holy One of God!” 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 After throwing him into convulsions and crying out with a loud voice, the unclean spirit came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding region of Galilee. Big Idea: Jesus had come to Capernaum and entered the synagogue to teach on the Sabbath. This wasn't like any other Saturday though, Jesus was teaching in a way that was unrecognizable to the crowds in attendance. They were accustomed to listening to the scribes way of teaching which was a very rote and rehearsed teaching where reading from the scriptures and providing some commentary was normal. But when Jesus taught, the people said that He did so with 'authority.' Just then, an unclean spirit cries out in the middle of Jesus' teaching and interrupts the whole thing. The demons speaking through the man knows who Jesus is and even calls Him the 'Holy One of God.' Jesus deals with this unclean spirit and everyone is amazed. The teaching of Jesus was with authority, and His handling of the unclean spirit was with authority. Everyone knew, this Man was no ordinary man. Cross References: And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; 32and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority. 33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34“Let us alone! 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!” 35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm. 36And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.” 37And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. Luke 4:31-37 “Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44“Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45“Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” Matthew 12:43-45 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:28-29 Apologetics/Theology: What does it mean that Jesus spoke “with authority”? The Greek word translated here as “authority” is ἐξουσίαν (exousian), which means “to (speak) out of one’s being or substance.” To speak with spiritual power or weightiness. Delegated empowerment ("authorization"), operating in a designated jurisdiction. In the NT, eksousía ("delegated power") refers to the authority God gives to His saints – authorizing them to act to the extent they are guided by faith (His revealed word). Where did the authority that Jesus have come from? The authority that Jesus had came from the Father. John 17:2 What else did Jesus have the authority to do when He was on earth? Not only did Jesus have the authority to cast out demons; He also had authority to forgive sins. Mark 2:10, Matthew 9:6-8. This caused a major issue with the religious people of the day. "Only God can forgive sins" was what the people would claim. But as we saw earlier, the Father gave that authority to Jesus. How do we know when someone is speaking with authority on a given subject? Matthew 21:23 The people witnessed how Jesus had authority over demons, the way He spoke and taught, the things He claimed about Himself and God; and they wondered who gave Him permission or authority to do these things. He seemed to be just another man, yet they could never deny the things they were seeing and hearing. How did the demons know who Jesus was but not the scribes and other religious rulers? Why didn't Jesus allow this demon to keep speaking and letting everyone know who Jesus was? The demons knew He was the Holy One of God and they declared it for all to hear. Why did this demon speak up and try and begin a conversation with Jesus? What prompted this exchange? The demons authority was being challenged. They had authority over this area and Jesus was threatening it which caused the demon to speak up. Luke 4:6 the devil tells Jesus that he has authority or domain over the kingdoms of the world. Why didn't Jesus continue the conversation and answer the questions from this demon? The demon tries to get Jesus into a conversation of why He was there and if He was going to destroy them. Jesus does not entertain the questions from demons or the devil. To allow the conversation to continue would have shifted the authority from Jesus to the demons. Jesus was not there to entertain the curiosity of demons, He was there to set a man free. What authority do believers in Christ have? Mark 3:14-15, Mark 6:7 Mark 13:33-37- walking in our authority causes us to stay alert for the return of Christ. February 7th, 2021
Speaker: David Fritz Text: Mark 1:16-20 16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. Big Idea: God's Calling vs. Vocation: Our world can fixate greatly on our education/vocation for our lives and for the lives of those we love. However, the embracing of God's calling on our lives may not always be our focus. When we embrace God's calling on our lives our vocation, as well as all areas of our lives, falls into place. But for areas of our lives to fall into place we need to first here from God 'Where are you calling me?' Cross References: Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. John 15:16-17 - 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another. Matthew 6:33 - But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Apologetics/Theology: Jesus calls his disciples to be 'fishers of men,' This is the call of God upon their lives, the beginning of their journey with Jesus. We watch as the fulfillment of their assignment come as they fellowship with Jesus and carry out the mission that he gives them (John 3:14). This is not the Simon and Andrew 'finding themselves' as much as it their first step towards a God given plan. Their faith is an example to us as they 'immediately' are obedient to Jesus' call. Several of Jesus’ first disciples were not poor but were self-employed fishermen or, as in this case (James and John), were part of a family business. Levi (Mark 2:14) was a fairly well-to-do tax collector.
Jesus’ words recall Jeremiah 16:15–17, where “fishers” and “hunters” of men will call people back from idols to God after judgment has occurred. This call happens in a context of purification (Jeremiah 16:17) and will include Gentiles (Jeremiah 16:19). Therefore God's plan for saving the world includes an active part we play. Here is Charles Spurgeon's commentary on this subject and scripture: The gospel minister is like the fisherman with a net. I have sometimes heard the comparison drawn as though the gospel fisherman had a hook and a line, which he has not. His business is not to entice a fish to swallow his bait but to cast the net all round him, and lift him, by his grace, out of the element in which he lies in sin, into the boat where Christ still sits, as he sat, in the olden days, in the boat on the sea of Galilee. To shut the sinner up to faith in Jesus Christ, — that is the main work of the true gospel fisherman. Date: January 31st
Speaker: Michael Dugone 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. Cross References: 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 [b]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 [c]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 [e]book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the [f]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 [g]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 [h]hearing.”
Theology/Apologetics: 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.
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!
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