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Christmas feels like Easter- Mark 16

One Year: The Difference A Year Can Make

Luke 13
He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

1. You were planted to produce fruit!

Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Faithfulness = Fruitfulness
"Don’t despise small starts, and don’t be impressed with rapid results."

2. The fruit you produce is not for yourself.
Philippians 2.3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
“If you are seeking a goal out of selfish ambition you are inevitably going to be disappointed with the result.”

3. You must be open to caretaking.
Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
“There is a difference between barrenness and a lack of proper tending.”
James 4:17
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

4. Those that do not bear fruit will be cut down.

Jesus suffers and dies- Mark 15

“If Jesus was only born and died, Christmas is merely inspirational, but because he was resurrected, Christmas is transformational.” 
The resurrection story feels a lot like Christmas…

Mark 16:1–8 (ESV) 16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

The Resurrection feels like Christmas

1. A Joseph and Mary

2. A repurposed place

3. Surprises
-A Full womb
-An Empty womb

4. Angels are present
 

5. Fear and Assurance

Angel comforting Mary:
Luke 1:30–33 (NIV) 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Angel comforting Mary’s "
Mark 16:6 (ESV) He said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

6. The Good News Spreads
Luke 2:17–18 (NIV)17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Mark 16:7-8 (ESV) But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Mark 16:15(ESV) He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Our Response: 
1. Believe the news: the best gift we can receive.
The message of Christmas: Incarnation: 
“The eternal takes on mortality only to reclothe himself with immortality so that mere mortals can take on immortality.”

2. Spread the News: the best give we can give. 

—————
Additional Reading:
The Resurrection of Jesus: Matt. 28:1–8; Luke 24:1–9
The Appearances of Jesus: Luke 24:13–48; John 20:1–10
The Ascension of Jesus: Luke 24:49–53; Acts 1:9
The Christmas Story: Matthew 1&2 Luke 1&2

Jesus Gives An Offering- Mark 14

5 points of suffering Jesus faced.
1. Bound
Mark 15:1–5 (ESV) And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
2. Rejected
Mark 15:12–15 (ESV) 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

3. Mocked
Mark 15:16–20 (ESV) 16 They called together the whole battalion. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.

4. Condemned
Mark 15:24–32 (ESV) 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.

5. Felt Abandoned
Mark 15:33–39 (ESV) 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

How is his suffering Good, Good News?
1. Because he was bound, we can experience freedom.
2. Because he was rejected, we can experience acceptance.
3. Because he was mocked, we are affirmed.
4. Because he was condemned, we can be saved. 
Mark 15:31–34 (ESV) 31 The chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him

“He could have come down and saved himself; instead, he remained on the cross to save us.”

John 3:16–18 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

5 . Because he experienced abandonment, we have access. 
Mark 15:37–38 (ESV) Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Jesus provided full access. 

Romans 5:17 (NLT) For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.


Additional Reading:
Pilate Tries Jesus: Matt. 27:1, 2, 11–23; Luke 23:1–5, 13–23; John 18:28–19:15
Jesus is Beaten: Matt. 27:26–34; Luke 23:24–32; John 19:16–22
Jesus is Crucified: Matt. 27:35–56; Luke 23:33–49; John 19:18, 23–30
Jesus is Buried: Matt. 27:57–61; Luke 23:50–55; John 19:38–42

The End Is Near- Mark 13

Mark 14- Jesus gives an offering.

Mark 14:3–9 (ESV)
And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded herBut Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Mary’s Offering...
1. Pure. 
2. Costly. 
3. Broken.
4. Poured out.

It didn’t just cover Jesus it filled the room.
  • It was Beautiful
  • It was Remarkable
  • It was Memorable

Fragrant offerings are often criticized. 
There will always be somebody who will say your offering to Jesus should be spent in another way.”

“In her offering, she was preparing a place for his purposes to be carried out.”

Mark 14:32–42 (ESV)
32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Jesus’ Beautiful Offering
1. Pure
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

2. Costly
Destiny ain’t always easy.
Jesus paid full price.

1 Peter 1:18–19 (NLT) 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

3. Broken
The garden prepared him for the grave.

4. He was poured out.

Mark 14:22–25 (ESV)
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Gets Wholistic- Mark 12

Mark 13:1–13 (ESV)
1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 
And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Mark 13:19 (ESV)  For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.

Exhortations in this age and in the age to come.
1. Be Watchful 
Mark 13:28–37 (ESV) 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

  • There is a difference between being awake and being alarmed. 
  • Stay awake and you won’t be alarmed.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 (NLT) You aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

2. Stay Faithful
Mark 13:13(NIV)  You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

“If God’s Love can’t motivate you now, fear won’t sustain you then.” 

Faith-Full not Fear-Full.
“ Any Eschatology that is rooted is fear is pathetic not prophetic.”
Romans 14:23 (ESV) Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

“God I want to be found faithful in this hour and in the hour to come.”

3. Live Hopeful
For those who are His, The End is good, good news!

Mark 13:24–27 (ESV)
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NLT)16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
Mark 13:31(ESV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

His Words: 
  • To be with us always (Matthew 28:20)
  • To comfort us(Matthew 11:28)
  • To resurrect us(John 11:25)

John 16:33 (NLT) Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Additional Reading:
Questions from the Disciples: Matt. 24:1–3; Luke 21:5–7
The Abomination of Desolation: Daniel 9, 11, 12)
The Tribulation: Matt. 24:4–26; Luke 21:8–24
The Second Coming: Matt. 24:29–31; Luke 21:25–28
Parable of the Fig Tree: Matt. 24:32–35
Exhortation to Watch: Matt. 24:36–51; Luke 21:34–36

Jesus is Hungry for Fruit-Mark 11

Jesus Gets Wholistic- Mark 12
Mark 12:12 (ESV) 12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

1. Pharisees: Question him about civility
Mark 12:13–17 (ESV) 13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
 
2. Sadducees: Question him about eternity
Mark 12:24 (ESV) 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 
27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” 

3. Scribes: Question him about morality.
Mark 12:28–34 (ESV) 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

One Lord
One Command
Jesus wants wholistic love for him. 
  • Most compartmentalize their Love for God.
  • Some prioritize love for God.
  • “He didn’t ask to be fist on a list, he is the point of the list. 

Wholistic Love
1. 
Heart: Motivation.

2. Soul: The immaterial self. 

3. Mind: Intellect

4. Strength: Might and Ability

5. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark 12:38–40 (ESV) 38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Mark 12:41–44 (ESV) 41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”


-Render unto God. Whose image is on you? Have you rendered unto God what is Gods?
We don’t give him what’s left. We give ourselves to him until nothing is left.


Additional Reading:
Parable of the Vineyard Owner: Matt. 21:33–46; Luke 20:9–19
Question of Taxes: Matt. 22:15–22; Luke 20:20–26
Question of the Resurrection: Matt. 22:23–33; Luke 20:27–40
Question of the Greatest Commandment: Matt. 22:34–40
Jesus Questions the Leaders: Matt. 22:41–45; Luke 20:41–44
Jesus Condemns the Leaders: Matt. 23:1–14; Luke 20:45–21:4

The Last Becomes First- MARK 10

Mark 11: Jesus is Hungry for Fruit
1. Jesus rebukes a fruitless tree
Mark 11:12–14(ESV)
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. 

We are not called to a fruitful season but a fruitful life.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT). 7 “Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” 

Our fruit is not dependent upon our season but on our depth.

2. Jesus cleans a fruitless temple 
Mark 11:15–18 (ESV)
15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

Prayer had been replaced with profit.
Jesus is re-establishing purpose!

3. Jesus teaches on fruitful prayer
Mark 11:19–25 (ESV)
19 And when evening came they went out of the city. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Fruitful Prayer
1. Have Faith in God

The lack of fruit from prayer is often the lack of root in prayer.

John 15:4–7 (NLT)
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

Fruit is not forced; it is yielded.
 
2. Say to this mountain
-Identify mountains: Distractions / Hindrances.
  • We focus on hindered prayer, but What is hindering you from prayer? 

Jesus identifies the mountains of Doubt and Unforgiveness. 

- Speak to the mountain 
  • We don’t ask mountains to move we tell them to move

3. Believe and don’t doubt. 

The Disciples Dilemma -Mark 9


Mark 10:17–22 (ESV)

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him,  “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
1. He had good intentions
2. He was asking the right questions
3. He was doing all the right things
4. He lacked one thing
5. He went away sad.

Surrender is a great idea until it actually costs us something.
How often do we treat requirements like requests?

Mark 10:23–28 (ESV) 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

Mark 10:46–52 (ESV46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Learning from the least
Mark 10:31 (ESV) Many who are first will be last, and the last first.

1. Listening is critical.

Listening to Jesus is hearing and heeding.

2. Hunger is everything, so get it right.

3. Everything is a small price to pay
What I have isn’t worth keeping if it costs me more than I am lacking!

Jesus Claifies-Mark 8

The Disciples Dilemma -Mark 9
Mark 9:14–10 (ESV) 14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”
The environment….
1. Drama
2. Demons
3. Disappointment

Other things going on with the Disciples in Mark 9
The Disciples Dilemma
1. They were powerless
Mark 9:28-29 (ESV) His disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
They were powerless because the were prayerless
“You are only as powerful as your prayer life.”

2. They were promotion conscious 
Mark 9:31–32 (ESV) 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and we’re afraid to ask him.

The main mission was death and resurrection.

Mark 9:33–35 (ESV) 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
“If serving is below you, then leading is above you.”
“It’s God’s job to promote; it’s our job to give ourselves fully to whatever He places in our hands.”
James 4:10 (ESV) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
“Sadly, for most being great in God's eyes is simply not enough.”

3. They were partial/ tribal
Mark 9:38–40 (ESV) 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us.

4. They lacked pruning 
Mark 9:43–48 (ESV) 43  if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

...
Mark 9:20–29 (ESV)
20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anythinghave compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Encountering Interventions
1. Ask.
2. Believe the impossible.
“Yes must become our default when mentioning the impossible.”
3. Position your trust.
Vulnerable trust is bold faith
4. Pray Again.

Ministry:

Additional Reading:
The Transfiguration Lk 9:28–36 Mt 17:1–13
Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit: Mt 17:14–19; 22,23; Lk 9:37–45
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time: Mt 18:1–5; Lk 9:46–48
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us Lk 9:49,50

Jesus Breaks Tradition- Mark 7

Mark 8:14–21 (ESV) 14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” 

Jesus is frustrated with the disciples:
1st, They were missing the point.
2nd ,They had enough bread. 

He expects the miraculous.” 

Mark 8:22–25 (ESV) 22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

The Mercy of multiple encounters.
“Jesus extends the mercy to accomplish his means.”

Peter has an encounter
Mark 8:27–38 (ESV)
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”…
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” 34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Jesus gets intense: Identifies & rebukes the thoughts of men.
 Do you want to follow Christ or a caricature of him that culture has created? 
  •  Some rebuke the lord when he has a standard they don’t like
  • Every act of disobedience towards God is telling God we know better. 

Following Jesus, with clarity. 
1. Deny yourself. 
Following Jesus is not about you.

2. Pick up your cross. 
“We can’t follow Jesus without carrying a cross.”
It’s time we get off our thrones pick up our cross!"

3. Follow Him. For real though..
“He values you as you are but loves you enough to transform you into whom he intended you to be.”
The Gospel= Jesus is savior AND King.

4. For the sake of Jesus and His Gospel.


Colossians 3:3–10 (NIV) 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Jesus Doesn’t Heal- Mark 6

Jesus Breaks Traditions
Mark 7:7–9 (ESV)
7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and 
when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!


Jesus is exposing motivation.
  • They were honoring tradition over people.
  • They were honoring tradition over God
Jesus was saying “You have clean hands but your hearts are filthy.”

“Being traditional doesn’t make you moral.”

Mark 7:14–23 (ESV)
14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15
 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Matthew 12:35 (NLT) A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.


They had made up their mind about God….based upon their tradition. 

You may not have methodical practices or rituals but you have trending mindsets—predetermined ways of viewing the world, viewing others, of viewing God.

Reforming our inner-man
1. Re-think thinking
  • “Having a strong mind is not the same as a stubborn mind.” 
  • A weak mind is one that is un-willing to change. “Hard-Hearted”
  • “We must unlearn what we have learned.” -Yoda
“In the Kingdom, repentance is always at the threshold of what we are coming into.”

Think about your thoughts….
  • Don’t dismiss all your thoughts, ask questions about them.
  • “Why am I thinking this way?”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2. Renew & Reform patterns
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

"That the way that you feel is determined by how you think."

3. Re-learn what you have leaned

4. Reconnect and realign
Encounters will reconnect and realign our inner-man.
Mark 7:31–36 (ESV) 31 He returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

Ephphatha:
What comes into man, the way we hear.
What comes out, the way we speak.

Ministry:
Ephesians 3:16–17 (NLT)
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

—————
Additional reading:
  • What defiles a person: Mt 15:1–20
  • Jesus heals a deaf and mute man: Mt 15:29–31

A Woman Interrupts Jesus- Mark 5

A Farmer goes out Mark 4
Mark 4:1–20 (ESV)
The Parable of the Sower
Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

10 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, 12 so that 
“ ‘they may indeed see but not perceive, 
and may indeed hear but not understand, 
lest they should turn and be forgiven.’ ” 
13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 
14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

1. The Seed is the Word. Incorruptible seed.
1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
  • A seed is potential….the fruit is the product.

2. Jesus is the word!
John 1:14 (NIV)  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

3 conditions that keep us from being fruitful:
#1. Hardness of heart.
Satan steals it. 

#2. The shallow emotional hearer
Quick fruit is not always lasting fruit. 
Trials are mandatory for your development.

No Root, No, Fruit!

#3. A focus on worldy things


The Process of fruitfulness
1. Conception
2. Cultivation
3. Fruition
  • Healthy things don’t just grow. They multiply.

Additional reading:
  • Parable of the sower: Mt 13:1–23 Lk 8:4–15, Isa 6:9,10
  • Mustard Seed: Mt 13:31,32; Lk 13:18,19
  • Jesus Calms the Storm: Mt 8:18,23–27; Lk 8:22–25


A Farmer Went Out- Mark 4

JESUS MAKES A STATEMENT- MARK 2

Mark 2:1–11 (ESV)
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” 

“Jesus was doing more than performing a miracle, he was making a statement.” 
“Jesus is always making a statement.”

Jesus is revealing his identity.
1. The discerner of hearts

2. The forgiver of sins
“Jesus turns sinners into sons.”

3. The Son of Man
Daniel 7:13–14 (NLT) 13 I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

“Only 1/3 of those that identify as Christians affirm that Jesus is God.” - Lifeway research March 2020

If you don’t believe Jesus is God, then you are serving a different Jesus, one that is unable to save you.”

Jesus is one who with two whats.
A Human Nature & A Divine Nature

4. The great physician
Sickness is not always the cause of personal sin but is a result of original sin. 
John 9:2–3 (NIV) 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

5. The rewarder of faith
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Mark 2:27–3:6 (ESV)
 
27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.




Jesus heals and forgives a friend: Mt 9:2–8; Lk 5:18–26
Jesus on fasting: Mt 9:14–17; Lk 5:33–38
Calling of Levi, a friend of sinners: Mt 9:9–13; Lk 5:27–32
Lord of the Sabbath: Mt 12:1–9; Lk 6:1–11


Jesus Builds a Family- Mark 3

Mark 6 Jesus Doesn’t Heal

Mark 6:1-6 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

If we want to see healings, we must seek to do three things:
1. Honor People
“Honor Up, Honor Down, Honor All around”

A. Honor Up
A. Honor our Parents
Deuteronomy 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD
your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD
your God is giving you.

B. Honor our Pastors
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
Honor our Governmental Leaders

Romans 13:1-2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed,and those who resist will incur judgement.

B. Honor Down
John 4:6,7 Jacob's well was there; so, Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, wassitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”

C. Honor all around!
“We don’t necessarily honor people because they are worthy of honor, we honor people because we are honorable.”

2. Honor the Lord
A. Recognize what the Lord has done
B. Spend time with the Lord
C. Don’t do things that will separate you from Him
1 Corinthians 10:23
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,”
but not all things build up.
Mark 6:53-56 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

3. We try to reproduce His works
John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

Jesus Makes a Statement- Mark 2

2 Chronicles 7:12–16 (NIV) 12 the Lord appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

Previously…

2 Chronicles: Solomon builds the temple.
 Excellence | Extravagance |Energy 

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (NIV)
Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers 
raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang“He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God. 


Dynamics of the Dwelling Place
Reminder: Under the new covenant, we are the temple. 
2 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV) For we are the temple of the living God.

1. The weight of God- Glory
  • Kabod: There was a heaviness, a weight.
  • Shekinah
  • Psalm 22:3 (NLT) You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

2. Sustained weight
2 Chronicles 6:40-42 (NIV) 40 “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 41 “Now arise, Lord God, and come to your resting place…

When we try to manage God, we diminish glory.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (NIV) 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

God rules from a position rest.
We rest when we trust! 

“ANYWHERE HE IS SEATED ENEMIES ARE DEFEATED.”

3. Fire 
2 Chronicles 7:1-3(NIV) When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” 

Romans 12:1 (NIV) 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.



The King is here- Mark 1

JESUS BUILDS A FAMILY- MARK 3

Mark 3:7–15 (ESV)
7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. 
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. …

1. Jesus had circles.
-Community: Knew Jesus publicly. 
-Crowd: Knew Jesus socially. 
-Committed: Knew Jesus privately. 
-Core: Knew Jesus intimately

2. Intimacy is his highest value.
“He is a relational creator.”

John 15:15–16 (NIV)15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

3. Relationship > Assignment
Mark 3:15 (ESV) 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach...

“Working FOR God typically involves working apart from God.” 

John 6:28–29 (NIV) 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
“In the Kingdom, relationship is the greatest accomplishment.”


4. 
Some won't stick
Mark 3:20-22 (ESV) 20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

John 6:66–68 (ESV) 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…”

Are you with him?
You are as close to him as you want to be.
“Following Jesus closely is costly.”

Mark 3:25 (ESV)  If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

Jesus desires undivided devotion.

Mark 3:31–35 (ESV)
31 His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”


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Additional reading:
  • Crowds Follow Jesus: Mt 12:15,16; Lk 6:17–19
  • Jesus Appoints the Twelve: Mt 10:2–4; Lk 6:14–16; Ac 1:13
  • Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law: Mt 12:25–29; Lk 11:17–22, Mt 12:46–50; Lk 8:19–21