Leave A Mark - See Yourself in the Parable

German theologian Helmut Thielke says that we cannot comprehend the parables of Jesus until we see ourselves in the story. Like a small child recognizing himself in the mirror for the very first time, when we see ourselves represented in the story, we finally get it. 

Once we see ourselves in the story, the story takes on a whole new meaning, and then we understand. 

In Mark 4 we have discovered that the sower sowed the seed, but only 25% of the field was productive. The sower was the same, the seed was the same but the variable was the condition of the soil. The other variable in the parable is the strategy of satan make sure that the seed does not produce a harvest in the soil of our life.  

So let me suggest 3 ways to resist satan's efforts to defeat the Word of God as you hear it.

1. Prepare the Soil of Your Heart
Verse 20 says that good soil is the key to a fruitful hearing of the Word. Devote some time Saturday night and Sunday morning to prepare your heart for hearing the Word of God at Sunday Worship Celebrations. If we formed the habit of conscientiously preparing our hearts for hearing God's Word, we just might hear what the Lord is speaking with such power that amazing changes would come into our lives. 

2. Listen Actively
Focusing your attention on the Word of God is a constant challenge. Remember the Word is not just in the sermon, but the songs, prayer, and words given. Go hard after God. Don't coast in worship. Again and again Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Strive to have those ears and not to be among those who "hearing do not hear and seeing do not see."

3. Hear and Obey
Verse 20 says, "But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." We must listen actively but we also must obey the message heard. Set your mind to be open to the Word of God, even if it is new or challenging. Have a receptive attitude, not a resistant one. Love the Word of God. Snatch up the Word of God as precious pearls. 

At TFH, let's be prepared soil; deeply plowed, free of thorns, free of rocks, and moist from the rains of the Spirit. As we receive the power-packed seed of the Word of God, this church will overflow with growth—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold!

Let us be a fruitful people by His Word.

Leave A Mark - Kingdom Serving

In an earlier century, a large boulder laid in the middle of the roadway. Traveler after traveler walked past the boulder, veering off the side of the road to get around it. 

All the while, they were shaking their head and muttering, "Can you believe that? Someone should get that big thing out of the way. What an inconvenience!" 

Finally, a man came along and, seeing the boulder, took a branch from a tree and pried the boulder enough to get it rolling and rolled it off to the side of the road. Lying underneath the rock, he found a small bag with a note. The man picked up the note and read it. 

It read as follows: "Thank you for being a true servant of the kingdom. Many have passed this way and complained because of the state of the problem and spoke of what ought to be done. But you have taken the responsibility upon yourself to serve the kingdom instead. You are the type of citizen we need more of in this kingdom. Please accept this bag of gold that traveler after traveler walked by simply because they didn’t care enough about the kingdom to serve."

I wonder what “bags of gold” we miss out on, simply because we don’t bother to get involved in serving the Kingdom of God.  

Where can you Leave a Mark today by serving the Kingdom of God?  

Ask God to show you one thing you can do today. 

Leave a Mark - Lessons from Growth Parables

There are some tremendous lessons to be learned from the Parables in Mark 4:

• Kingdom Growth is God's Business. 
  We plant the seed, like a farmer, and wait for God to do the work. We do the natural and He does the Supernatural. The farmer didn't manufacture the seed, it was created by God. The potency of the seed is inside the seed. God's Word is the seed and it will produce a harvest.

• Growth is Intentional. 
  God expects growth. The nature inside the Kingdom is growth, as is the nature inside a seed.  God does not expect His Kingdom to grow accidentally or surprisingly.  Too many churches don't expect growth, they are merely in a maintenance mode. But you know, no farm can stay in existence very long if it just keeps the machinery oiled, repaired and up to date. No farmer, that I know, is satisfied by simply saying, "We have a farm located in our community."

• Growth occurs during difficulties. 
  Preparing the soil, planting, watering, and weeding takes planning, time and energy.  Often setbacks occur because of storms, floods, drought, or pests. But difficulties do not mean that growth will be totally cancelled. Difficulties in life can cause us to do many things: spend more time in prayer, realize we need each other, share resources, realize our total dependency is on God.  We will reap if we don't give up.

• Growth is continuous.  
  The seed lies beneath the soil, unseen to the naked eye but growth is happening below the surface. Soon the blade will shoot up from the soil. There are times that we think nothing is really happening, but at those moments we cannot see what is happening in the unseen realm.  That is where faith becomes so valuable.  Even when we can't see what we are hoping for we know without a shadow of a doubt that the growth process is continuing.
• Growth means that smallness is not God's intention. 
  Even though the mustard seed seems small and insignificant, it grows into a useful tree.  The mighty oak tree spanning high into the air started as a small acorn.  Anything that is not growing is dying!

Don't be discouraged by the "smallness" of today, but rather be encouraged by the fact that God's Kingdom plans can grow and will grow if He has faithful people who hear and obey His Word.  People who are lazy and full of excuses will never see things change.  They are looking for the supernatural, but are not willing to do the natural.  

Take time to apply these lessons to your life.  What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?  Write it in your journal and pray it into your life.

Leave A Mark - New Teaching Style

In Mark 4:2 we discover that Jesus is using a new style of teaching, "Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching." Someone said that parables are EARLY STORIES WITH HEAVENLY MEANING.

Parables (PARABOLE) comes from the verb PARABALLO, meaning to cast alongside.  So the use of parables was a form of teaching by which an earthly story was cast alongside a spiritual truth in order to give understanding to the latter.  It should be noted that a parable teaches one primary truth.  While many secondary meanings may be involved, they all contribute to the central truth.

Why did Jesus teach in parables? A parable both concealed and revealed.  It concealed truth from those who used Jesus' teachings only as a means of criticizing Him, but also revealed truth to those who were prepared to receive it. In chapter 3, unbelief by the religious crowd was blatant and they were already conspiring to destroy Jesus. (Mark 3:6)

A parable is different than a fable. A fable is not necessarily true to life, but a parable draws spiritual truth from life as it was lived by its hearers.  Jesus used parables to interpret the nature, growth, fulfillment, and consummation of the Kingdom of God. 

In Mark chapter 4 Jesus teaches 3 parables of the seed, He is describing the Kingdom of God and how it grows.

Take time to read the parables:

•  The Seed and The Soil (4:1-20) - It reveals how people respond to the Gospel.

• The Seed and Strength (4:21-29) - It tells how the seed has ability and strength, the emphasis is on growing.

• The Seed and Success (4:30-34) - The emphasis is on faithfulness.  The Kingdom may start out small but it will grow.  Growth of the kingdom and the Word of God can be assured success.  

Leave A Mark - Bold Faith

Paul Harvey once said, “If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it.”

You see, faith is never something just to be talked about - instead you Leave A Mark by living it. There’s a story in Mark 2 that demonstrates this principle. Verse 5 states, “Seeing their faith...” but how do you see faith? Faith is not in the visible realm.

This passage records the story of four men who brought their friend to Jesus. He was a paralytic, which literally means to be "loosed on one side." In essence, his arms hung on his side and his legs were as limp as spaghetti. Now if he was going to get in to the presence of Jesus, somebody was going to have to take him.

But when they got near the house, they saw that there was no room to get through. The house was full. People jammed the doorways. Kids were sitting in the windows. Nobody could move. It was standing room only and this man could not stand.

The four friends would not be stopped, they decided to go to the roof and let their friend down into the presence of Jesus.  According to some scholars, the roof was usually made of beams about 3 feet apart. These beams would be filled with twigs, then packed with clay and covered with dirt. If that were the case, it would have been an easy matter to dig between the beams without doing much damage to the house.

The paralyzed man was lowered down to Jesus, and when Jesus “saw their faith”, he both healed and forgave the paralytic.

The action of bringing their friend showed their faith. It made their faith visible to Jesus and to any others who saw it.

Our actions will make our faith visible to the watching world. A visible faith is a faith that works. 

What does Jesus see in you?  Who are you bringing to the presence of Jesus? Is there anything bold about your faith?   

Let's LEAVE A MARK!

Leave a Mark - The Compassion of Jesus

He was a man who had leprosy and there was no cure in Bible days. The story begins in Mark 1:40. It simply says, “Now a leper came to Him…”

The society in which Jesus lived went to great lengths to separate the clean from the unclean. There were clear-cut boundaries between the two. The leper dressed like a mourner going to a burial service -- his own burial service. And he had to constantly cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” lest anyone get too close. And people did keep their distance. In his book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Alfred Edersheim reports the standard practice of the day. He writes, “No one was to salute a leper... no less than a distance of six feet must be kept from a leper or if the wind came from that direction, a hundred were scarcely sufficient.”

And so, you can imagine that as this leper walked down the street, he was shunned.  Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’” (Mark 1:40)

Notice that Jesus doesn’t come to the leper -- the leper comes to Jesus. Remember that this was a violation of the rules and regulations concerning lepers. He was supposed to shout, "Unclean!" to keep Jesus away! But instead he runs to Jesus. And Jesus does not run away like all the rest. Like a mother welcoming her crying, mud-covered son, Jesus allows the leper to approach Him. 

“Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:41)

The word “compassion” suggests a depth of feeling. In fact, the word “compassion” literally means “to feel with.  And Jesus touched him.  Imagine not feeling a human touch for years and then to experience the gentle touch of the Son of God.

We can come away from this story about the leper with the realization that Jesus still has the power to cleanse when we come to Him and allow Him to touch us with compassion. 




.

Leave A Mark -

In Mark 1 we get an eyewitness account of the power of Jesus: He teaches with great power and authority in the Synagogue, commands unclean spirit to set a man free, heals Simon Peter's mother in law, after the Sabbath ended (6PM Saturday Night) he stands in the doorway and heals a steady stream of suffering humanity that lined up in the street.

Then Mark pulls back the curtain to reveal the source of Jesus' power, authority and miracles.  It is very late in the evening, Jesus has been ministering for hours but that didn't keep him from a very important appointment - time with His Father in prayer. 

Prayer was the continual link in Jesus life, He prayed:

• When He was baptized (Lk. 3:21)
• When He dealt with the crowds (Lk. 5:16)
• When He was transfigured (Luke 9:29)
• Before choosing the twelve (Lk. 6:12)
• When people tried to make Him king (Mt. 14:23)
• When He prayed for individuals (Lk. 22:32)

Prayer in our life must be more than spontaneous, hit and miss prayer. Give prayer the priority it deserves.  Don't let the busyness of life crowd out your daily time with Jesus, He is waiting for you.  Don't keep Him waiting. 

Arms of Prayer

Today, we are pausing in our study of the Gospel of Mark to pray for the victims of the storms in Oklahoma.  Prayer has a long arm.  It can reach all the way to heaven and to Oklahoma.

The Bible declares this truth.   
"Let's lift our hearts and hands at one and the same time, praying to God in heaven:" 
Lamentations 3:41 (MSG)  

"Lord, I lift my hands to heaven and implore your help. Oh, listen to my cry."  
Psalm 28:2 (TLB)

Whether we literally lift our hands or spiritually lift our hands, God hears the prayers of His people.

Our prayers not only reach heaven, but the arm of prayer can also reach to any part of the world through intercession.  In times of crisis, people want to respond in some physical way.  Although we never underestimate physical response, there is need for intercessory prayer in times like this. Not everyone is close enough to the crisis to respond physically.  Prayer can touch someone who needs you, even thousands of miles away.  This is not make-believe.  This is spiritiual reality. 

It is an amazing thought that we as finite human beings, saved by the grace of God, are given the almost unbelievable privilege of reaching our hands to heaven and to people in need around the globe. Prayer enables us to touch God's throne with one hand and the needs world with the other!

Today let us lift our hands in prayer for the people in Oklahoma.  Pray for the victims and hope for survivors. Pray strength for the first responders. 

God Is Our Refuge

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
(from Psalm 46)

Leave A Mark - Jesus Sees What Others Can't

Several years ago I ran across an example of the truth that man judges from what he can see but Jesus evaluates from what can be.  The principle is so powerful in His selection of His disciples.  It is a good thing that He didn't allow a company to determine His disciples:

 Jordan Management Consultants’ Assessment of Jesus’ Disciples

Jesus, son of Joseph
Woodcrafter, Carpenter’s Shop
Nazareth, Galilee

Dear Sir,

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the 12 men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken a battery of tests and we have run them through our computers. It is the staff's opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, educational and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would suggest that you continue your search for persons with experience and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has no leadership skills at all. The 2 brothers, James and John, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to inform you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James and Thaddeus have radical leanings and registered high manic-depressive scores. Only one of the candidates shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness who meets people well and has a keen business mind. He has contacts in high places and is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely yours,
Jordan Management Consultants
Jerusalem, Judea 

Today He sees you where you are for who you are but most importantly for what you can become.

Leave A Mark - Authority of Jesus

Mark continues to describe the life of Jesus to help us see His great ministry and His compassionate heart of the Healer.  When the synagogue services ended, they were usually followed with a meal.   It was customary to take the main Sabbath meal immediately after synagogue, at the sixth hour (noon).

The disciples must have been so excited by what they had seen and heard in the synagogue.  They didn't have a Wendy's or a Taco Bell, so they went to Simon Peter's house for the meal.

What they found when they got there is described in verses 29 & 30: "Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once." Instead of a great meal prepared, they found the cook in bed with a fever (fire as the text literally says).

Verse 31 recounts what happened next: "So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them."  Notice what Jesus did, He took her by the hand.  We have a picture of Christ standing close to her bed, taking her by the hand, rebuking the fever and gently raising her up before Peter and his wide-eyed friends.

Jesus healed people in many ways, some times by a simple word or creating a spittle and mud compress, but here He takes the suffering woman by her hand.  By this single act we can see the compassionate heart of Jesus that meets someone at their point of faith and need. 

Jesus' touch tells us volumes about what He like.  This is what He wants to do for you today.  I believe that Peter's mother in law was so glad that Peter didn't leave Jesus at church but took Him home with him.  We need Him in our homes not just visit Him at church. 

We can see a couple of applications for our life from this passage:

• Jesus doesn't need crowds to exert His healing power.
• Disciples take their troubles to Jesus and their home was changed.

What about you?  Where in your home do you need His compassionate touch today?  Ask Him!

Leave a Mark - Authority of Jesus

In Mark 1:21-28, we find Jesus teaching with such authority that the congregation was astonished at His teaching. While He was teaching in the synagogue, a man with an unclean spirit begins to interrupt the teaching.  I wonder how many services the man had attended previously without stirring up the evil spirit within him.  But in the presence of Jesus the unclean spirit was exposed but also commanded to depart from the man. 

The people were amazed (1:27) at the authority of Jesus to not only preach powerfully but power to cast out evil spirits and set a man free.  The people realized something new had appeared on the scene - a man who spoke with authority and demonstrated a new power.

His Words produce great Works!  For Jesus and the early church, exorcism was sign of the coming of God's kingdom, signs of the redeeming power of Jesus.

His Word of command freed the man.  There were other exorcists in those days - they customarily identified themselves with some divine name and often used spells, incantation, and magic.  But Jesus used nothing but the Word alone.  A word from Jesus was invested with power for which there were no parallels in their experience. 

As the Church, the Body of Christ on earth today, we are to speak the Word of God authoritatively.  Jesus is with us!  His authority rests with His Church.  There are individuals in the world that are troubled by "unclean spirits" of torment, difficulty and trouble.  They need to hear the authority of Christ's Word and experience the power of His deliverance. 

Leave A Mark - The Authority of Jesus

As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark we discover Jesus teaching in the Synagogue. The Jewish synagogues developed during the nation's exile when the people were in Babylon after the temple had been destroyed.  Wherever there were 10 Jewish men above the age of 12, a synagogue could be organized.  It was not a place of sacrifice but of reading the Scriptures, praising and worshiping God.   (Mark 1:21-28)

Other teachers spoke from authority, but Jesus spoke with authority.  Others would repeatedly quote the teachers of the past, "Rabbi so and so said this..." Their teaching was deliberately unoriginal.  They rarely gave personal views or independent judgments.  Jesus didn't quote previous Rabbi's or religious experts, His teaching were fresh and authoritative. We are not told what Jesus taught, but Mark focuses on the reaction of the audience.  "And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Mark 1:22

The people were astonished and amazed at His teaching.  Literally the word astonished means "to strike with panic or shock".  It means that His preaching struck them like a blow.  Barclay renders it that they were left "thunderstruck."  Jesus' preaching carried a powerful punch. 

When Jesus preached the Word, He was clear and painfully direct in His application, as we see again and again in the Gospels.

If we want to communicate in our walk and talk, God's authority must be a part of our life.  We need not so much to possess the message, but rather to let the message possess us.

Leave A Mark - Followers

The mission statement of TFH declares that "we are leading people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus".  Everything we do is evaluated through the lens of this mission.  We are endeavoring to continue what Jesus started over 2,000 years ago on the shore of Galilee.

Jesus' challenge was direct and convincing: "And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. "Then Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Mark 1:16,17 (NKJV) 

Disciples were a common feature of Jesus' day.  The followers would seek out a rabbi or teacher whose message appealed to them.  But Jesus came and took the initiative to seek out followers.  He saw them where they were.  He saw them for what they were.  He saw them for what they could become as a follower. 

Fishermen were common in Galilee.  Josephus, the Jewish historian says that in his day as many as 330 fishing boats sailed the lake.  Fish was the staple diet for ordinary people who could rarely afford other meat.  

Jesus chose ordinary men (Acts 4:13) to follow Him, not the richest, well-taught religious leaders.  These fishermen were probably in their late teens or early twenties.  Christianity began as a youth movement!!

He did not call them to read a book, to enlist in a class or join an organization.  The basis of discipleship was to follow Him.  He didn't say "there is a road, follow it".  His challenge was to walk the road of the Kingdom of God with Him. 

CHRISTIANITY IS A PERSON WHO INVITES US TO A PILGRIMAGE FILLED WITH GREAT PROMISE AND POTENTIAL OF POWER. 

What are you doing today to follow Him more closely?

Leave A Mark - Jesus' Preaching

If ever a man spoke God's truth with authority, it was Jesus Christ (Mt. 7:28,29).

It was said that the scribes spoke from authority but Jesus spoke with authority. Mark does not record the beginning of our Lord's ministry, since He had already ministered in other places (John 1:35-4:4).  Mark is reminding us why Jesus left Judea and went to Galilee: Herod had arrested John and common sense would say it is time to move to another area.

Mark 1:14 and 15 explains to us what Jesus' preaching was like: "After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!" The text literally says that Jesus heralded this truth, calling it out loudly. 

There were three powerful points Jesus emphasized: the Kingdom of God, repentance, and belief.

Kingdom of God -
No doubt many of the Jews read "political revolution" into the phrase "kingdom of God," but that was not what Jesus had in mind at all.  His kingdom has to do with His reign in the lives of His people; it is a spiritual realm.

Believe -
The only way to enter God's kingdom is by believing the Good News and being born again.  Specifically He called them to believe the good news that the King was here.  "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31) 

Repent - 
Jesus preached that people should repent (change their minds) and believe (Acts 20:21).  Repentance alone is not enough to save us.  Repentance and belief are inseparable. We must also put positive faith in Jesus and believe His promise of salvation.

The response to Jesus' preaching was remarkable.  People began to follow Him.  They did not understand how, but were sure the Kingdom expansion had begun.  They had repented, and they were beginning to see that their beliefs were making demands on their life. 

There was a radical "now-ness" to Jesus' preaching.  Now is the time to believe, and now is the time to repent.

Next Step: Examine your life today, have you repented and believed, if not "now is the time"!

Leave A Mark - Memorize God's Word

On yesterday's blog I talked about the importance of journaling. Today I want to encourage you to write the Word on your heart through memorization. Proverbs 7:2,3 says this, "Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down and also keep them deep within our heart."

There are Personal Benefits of Memorizing God's Word

• It helps me resist temptation. 
  "I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You."  Psalm 119:11
  
• It helps me make wise decisions. 
  "Your Word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105
  
• It strengthens me when I'm under stress. 
  "Your promises to me are my hope.  They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!" Psalm 119:49
  
• It helps me witness to unbelievers. 
  "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15

How to Memorize a Verse:
(Choose a version that is easy to understand, i.e. New King James or New Living Translation)

• Say the reference before and after the verse.
  
• Read the verse aloud many times.  Record it!
  
• Break the verse into natural phrases.
  
• Emphasize key words when quoting the verse.
  
• Write out the verse on a card to carry with you.
  
• Review the card throughout the day.
  
• Display your verse where you will see it often.
  
• Put the verse to music. 

Next Step: 
Memorize Mark's theme verse which summarizes his gospel  -
Mark 10:45
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

LEAVE A MARK - How to Journal

I am so glad that you are studying the Gospel of Mark with us for the next several weeks.  My goal is that you will listen to the Sunday Sermon, follow the weekday blogs, read through Mark several times, and make observations in your journal.  

Here is what we use at TFH - we use the SOAP method!

S -  SCRIPTURE
O - OBSERVATION
A - APPLICATION
P - PRAYER

It works like this:

S for Scripture. 
Read the text prayerfully. Take notice of which scripture(s) seem to catch your attention and mark it in your bible. When you're done, reread the passage you marked and look for one verse that particularly speaks to you. Write it in your journal.

O for Observation.
Focusing on that scripture, tune in and listen to what God is saying to you in His Word. What is it about this verse that specifically stands out? What does God want to reveal to you or teach you? Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide and show you what God is saying. Write your observations.

A for Application. 
Think of how this passage applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise or correction for a particular area of our life. Use your journal to write how this verse applies to you today.

P for Prayer. 
Wrap up your SOAP time in prayer. Talk to God about what you've just read. This can be as simple as thanking Him for revealing a truth from the scripture, or it may be asking Him for greater insight or wisdom as to how it applies to your life. Remember, prayer is all about relationship. It's a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say, and write out your prayer in your journal.

NEXT STEP:
Read the theme verse of Mark (10:45) and apply the principles above. 

Leave A Mark - Kingdom of God

"The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." 
Mark 1:15

Jesus' message concerned the Kingdom of God. We find that phrase 14 times in Mark's Gospel and over 100 times in all four Gospels. The Kingdom of God is here is evident in His first recorded message and in His last messages according to Acts 1:3.

Jesus' parables were parables of the Kingdom. What did Jesus mean by Kingdom of God?

At the time of Jesus, the idea of the Kingdom was common in Jewish thinking. Scholars looked forward to a new age of peace and material well being when Israel would be free from the oppression of Rome. The phrase had taken on a political tone. But Jesus' presentation of the Kingdom was different.

Firstly, for Jesus, the Kingdom was not national but personal. It was about God's rule in a person's heart. It was not a territory to be found on a map, but God's reign as King in an individual's life.

Secondly, the Kingdom was not material, but spiritual.  It is not a place of earthly prosperity, but spiritual blessings.

Thirdly, for Jesus, the Kingdom was not only future, but also here and now. With the coming of Jesus, God's rule among men had begun. The day the prophets had dreamed of had arrived. The Kingdom was here because Jesus was here.

How do we enter the Kingdom of God?  Repent and believe! 

NEXT STEP: As you are reading through Mark, underline every time you see "Kingdom of God".

LEAVE A MARK

A Study in the Gospel of Mark 

Mark, who was the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately all that he remembered, whether of sayingss or doing of Christ, but not necessarily in order of the actual events. 

Mark was young, perhaps in his teens, at the time of Jesus' death and resurrection.  Evidently his mother, Mary, was a well-to-do widow who had come to faith in Christ. Many surmise that Mary's house was the site of the Last supper (14:12-26) and the home where the disciples gathered at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4); some believe that Mark was the young man who ran away naked when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (14:51-52).  

Mark also enjoyed a very close relationship with Peter.  In fact, Peter may have led Mark to Christ because he calls Mark "my son" (1 Peter 5:13).  After Paul's release from prison in A.D. 62, Mark may have stayed in Rome to work closely with Peter.  Mark probably left Rome in about A.D. 65 or 66, during Nero's intense persecution.  Both Paul and Peter were executed by Nero in about A.D. 67 or 68.  According to tradition, Mark died soon after.

The outline of the Gospel of Mark closely follows the skeleton of Peter's preaching (Acts 10:36-41).  

Mark presents the Gospel History.  The first 13 verses set it up with clarity.  It is the story of the life of the son of God who gave Himself redemptively for the world.  As you read the gospel you are challenged to discover the mystery of the Person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the point of Mark's story.  

CHRIST'S SERVICE OCCUPIES THE BULK OF MARK

CHRIST'S SACRIFICE CLOSES THE BOOK

Leave A Mark

Thanks for joining us for our study of the Gospel of Mark - Leave a Mark!

These blogs will add depth to our Sunday Teachings.

To get the most from this study:

• Read the Gospel of Mark
• Read the daily blogs
• Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you from your daily journey in the text
• Add your insights to your Journal
• Commit to attending the 10 week series

WHY STUDY THE GOSPEL OF MARK?
It is widely accepted that Mark's Gospel was the first of the gospels written and was probably used by both Matthew and Luke when they wrote their books.  It is brief, gets to the point in a hurry, has an urgency about it.  It quickly moves from scene to scene revealing snapshots of the work of Jesus.

WHY FOUR GOSPELS?
Each writer had a specific audience in mind and wrote from a particular perspective to bring various views to the same truths about Jesus Christ. 

• Matthew:
  Very logical, national, rabbinic in thinking, more Jewish in its nature. Includes the legal genealogy of Jesus.  Has birth narrative tracing Christ's lineage back to Abraham.

• Mark:
  An experiential Gospel, uses dramatic devices. Written for the young church at Rome who was being persecuted.  No genealogy, written to the Romans who were not interested in man's origin but what He does. 

• Luke:
  Very traditional, written with the universal world in mind.  The Prophet of Jesus is emphasized. Not written to Jews, or Romans but the whole human race, traces the linage back to Adam.  Shows Jesus as the Savior of all man. 

• John:
  Profound, very poetical and beautiful, imaginative, reveals the theological perspective of the Word (Logos) of God.  No birth narrative, shows the lineage beyond Abraham, beyond Adam to the Eternal Word in the beginning.  

 NOW WHAT?  Read the Gospel of Mark.