Sermon Central
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Studies In Mark
Contributed by Greg Nance on Jan 12, 2006 (message contributor)
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1. Jesus Call To Come And Become
Contributed on Jan 12, 2006
When Jesus calls us it is not a request, but a command. His universal authority over us is not optional, but the blessing of being in the kingdom is.
Open by reading chapter one. (Or, if you are willing, memorize it and present it as if you are Mark telling about Jesus to the church. This is very effective. If you are not confident in your memory, use notes, but let me encourage you to tell the church what you are attempting and try ...read more
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2. Attractions And Objections
Contributed on Jan 17, 2006
Faith or unbelief determines what we see when we look at Jesus. Jesus brings us to the valley of decision where we either become his followers or his enemies.
(Begin by reading chapter one as if you are a messenger from Mark. Better yet, memorize it and share it as if you are Mark himself). In chapter two of Mark we have four more vignettes in Jesus’ life recorded for us. In each of these Jesus expresses his authority in both freeing and disturbing ...read more
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3. Five Kinds Of Relationship With Jesus
Contributed on Jan 26, 2006
Mark reveals a one to five scale of relationships with Jesus, from his enemies to his selected servants. Do you see yourself in one of these?
Read or recite Mark 3. In this chapter the opposition against Jesus is mounting. It began in chapter 2 as Jesus broke several traditions that stood in the way of reaching out to the needy and lost. Remember? 1. Jesus announced the forgiveness of sins to the paralytic. 2. He had dinner ...read more
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4. Your Assignment
Contributed on Feb 7, 2006
Jesus has a job for you. When you come and bow to him, he not only blesses your life, he changes your life. Then he puts you to work for the kingdom.
Think back on people that have had the greatest impact in your life. Your parents. Your brothers or sisters. The person you married. Your children. It is usually those closest to us that shape our lives the most. How do you get close enough to Jesus so that he has the greatest impact ...read more
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5. What Kind Of Dirt Are You?
Contributed on Feb 8, 2006
Jesus makes it plain that our hearts determine how we respond to God’s word. What kind of heart do you have?
Read or recite Mark 4 Mark records three parables of Jesus in this chapter that all have to do with gardening. The Four Soils, the Seed and Earth Producing of Itself, and the Mustard Seed. How many gardeners are present here today? Sun, rain, seed and soil are all important components of ...read more
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6. Harsh Words
Contributed on Mar 15, 2006
Jesus tongue is a sword. His words are God’s words and they have power to heal or destroy. How do we handle hearing harsh words from heaven’s holy herald?
Read or quote Mark 7. Does God’s word ever say something that bothers you? I dare say, if you have never had that experience, you must not be reading your Bible much! The word of God comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable, does it not? God told Jeremiah, (23:29) "Is not My word ...read more
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7. Keeping It Fresh
Contributed on Mar 15, 2006
Can the awesome presence of Jesus become too familiar? Looking to Jesus and carrying our own agenda produces problems with vision.
Read or quote Mark 8. We are half way through Mark’s gospel today. What does Mark do for you and I as readers? Just think of the way we get to be in on all this action in Jesus’ life and ministry. We are allowed to overhear Jesus’ public and private conversations and observe the reactions ...read more
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8. "Divorce And Remarriage = Adultery" Jesus.
Contributed on Mar 15, 2006
What did Jesus call it when someone divorced their mate and married another? What do we call this? The Creator wants marriages to last a lifetime. It is no small matter to break such a covenant bond.
Read or quote Mark 10 Mark 10 begins with Jesus teaching on marriage, divorce and remarriage. It was a difficult teaching then, and it is a difficult teaching now. Most people want to marry. No one who knows God gets married with the intent of ending the marriage with divorce. Today we ...read more
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9. What's He Like?
Contributed on Mar 15, 2006
Have you seen Jesus lately? Mark’s amazing witness reveals a complex Messiah. Jesus in our world is both comforting and disturbing.
Read or quote Mark 6. It is tempting in this study to jump to Matthew and Luke for a broader perspective on these events recorded in Mark. I have purposely resisted doing that so far, so that Mark can tell the gospel to us himself and we can see Jesus with his witness. What happens when we ...read more
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10. Faith, Fruit, And Answered Prayers
Contributed on Mar 20, 2006
Jesus wants fruit. Faith and prayer are supplied to us through him for this purpose.
Mark 11 The final week of Jesus’ life begins with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem among cries of Hosana and blessing. This chapter begins on Sunday of that week and takes us through part of Tuesday as Jesus begins to force the hand of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Jesus knows what ...read more