Mark_3
ScriptureMark 3:30-3530 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Observation- What does it say?Jesus had just appointed his 12 disciples and entered a house where a crowd had gathered. During this time, he was accused by His natural family for being out of His mind (vs. 21) and accused by the teachers in the law for being possessed by the devil and drawing His power from an evil spirit. Jesus put them in their place and then pointed out who His true brothers and sisters were….they were the ones who did the will of God. Understanding-What does it mean?Jesus works in community.Jesus’ community weren’t His natural family or the religious leaders of the time. His community were His 12 disciples and those who followed Him and listened to His teachings. His family and the church leaders of the time were actually the ones opposing Him! Life ApplicationLove your brothers and sisters in the Lord and stay connected to the Body of Christ, especially to those who live Spirit filled lives.Pastor Gary always says that a Christian without a Church family is a Contradiction. Putting God first on the throne of our lives is how we and the Body function in a healthy way. Here is what God’s Word says about loving the church (aka our brothers and sisters in Christ).His Word says in 1 John 4:19-21, "We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."The church (we, the bride) are not perfect, but Jesus is! We must stay connected together and forgive, reconcile differences and not give up meeting together, even if it is with 1 or 2 people for coffee and prayer. We need each other as much as we need Him. Jesus functioned in community when He was on earth because He chose 12 disciples. He continues to function in community through the Trinity. Let’s follow His example! “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 -Michelle Gaddi
Mark__2
Scripture Mark 2:14-15
As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. Observation-What does it say? The book of Mark was most likely written by John Mark, a close associate of Peter. This account of the life of Jesus Christ is a written version of Peter’s sermons to the early Christians and addresses their needs. Evidence of Mark’s close ties to Peter, Paul and the early church comes several times throughout the book of Acts. Mark even traveled with Paul and Barnabas during Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). In the second chapter of Mark, we see the introduction of Levi, also known as Matthew (the author of the gospel). Matthew was a tax collector, which was one of the most detestable groups of people. “As a class, the tax collectors were hated by their fellow Jews. This was almost inevitable. They represented the foreign domination of Rome. Their methods were necessarily inquisitorial. That they often overcharged people and pocketed the surplus is almost certain. In the rabbinical writings they are classified with robbers” (biblegateway.com). Jesus, through his interactions with characters like Matthew and Zacheous, showed his deep love for all humanity. Additionally, Jesus proves himself to be a pursuer of the church, His bride, as described in the book of Song of Solomon. Understanding-What does it mean? As a young man I was quite persistent. As I get older, that persistence looks a little more like stubbornness. The persistence, though, is what made me successful as a runner. My size, contrary to popular belief, makes me not very suitable to be a runner. While my long legs could give me a longer stride, my height also gives me the disadvantage of carrying more weight than my competitors. But, my persistence and my willingness to endure hardship also helped me to be able to outwork my competitors.My persistence also helped me marry a woman above my class. When I began to show interest in my wife, she turned me down...a lot. I asked Jen out for dates on several different occasions (somewhere north of ten times over a period of several months), before she finally told me yes. If you ask her, she’ll probably tell you I pulled a fast one on her and left a bag in her trunk, which I needed to get and then had her cornered for a short period of time. Luckily for me, my persistence paid off again. Jesus is more persistent than me in His love for His chosen and beloved. Where I would have taken a hint at some point, Jesus never took a hint, he showed His love for us and took it to the ultimate lengths by dying for us. Jesus didn’t even care what people thought about his love. He wasn’t ever embarrassed to be seen around those he loved. He didn’t care about his reputation or his appearance, He just needed to be with the ones he loved, no matter what. It didn’t matter to Jesus that Matthew wasn’t popular, He loved him anyway. And Jesus loves us the same. Jesus’ love knows no end. Life Application Jesus, help me to love with abandon like you. Help me to reach those who are on the fringes of society. Help me to place the mission above my reputation.
-Tyler Galloway
-Tyler Galloway
Mark_1
Scripture - What stood out?Mark 1:34
And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Observation - What does it say?The gospel of Mark is another recounting of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Chapter one moves at a very rapid pace highlighting John the baptist’ role and quickly moving into Jesus healing ministry and teaching ministry. Understanding - What does it mean?I sometimes forget that Jesus was human when he began his ministry here on earth. In other words he chose to limit himself (God) by adhering to all of our human rules. My pastor once asked us to imagine taking our human bodies and trying to stuff it all into a little cockroach. Unsavory imagery but point understood. And with all of Jesus' limitations we see him overpowering demons, overcoming sickness, and teaching with authority. And so I find myself asking God, “Am I able to do that too?” In this chapter alone here are some of the things we know about Jesus:
- He moved in the power of Holy Spirit - 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
- He knew the old testament scriptures fairly well - 21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.
- He spent time with the Father - 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?Is it really possible to pattern my life like yours Lord? Help me to stop making excuses and live the way that I am supposed to. Today I will spend time in prayer with you very early in the morning, I will pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you teach me your words Father God. And may you be gracious to me as your face shines upon me.In the name of Jesus, amen.-kenneth lee