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The Gospel Of Mark: An Exposition
Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 31, 2020 (message contributor)
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1. " An Introduction To Mark's Gospel"
Contributed on Dec 31, 2020
This is the first in a series on Mark's account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, focusing on the background, theme, purpose, and testimony of those who were changed by the message and compassion of Jesus, both then and now.
The testimonies of the Early Church Fathers (A.D. 100-400) affirm that John Mark, first introduced in the book of Acts as a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul and his associate Barnabas, was the author of the Gospel that bears his name. Acts also notes that Mark, young and immature, ...read more
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2. "the Priority Of Preaching"
Contributed on Dec 31, 2020
The preaching of the Word of God does not go out or return void, despite what we might witness or think. The Sacred Word continues to convict the heart and give new life to all who are dead in iniquity.
Fellow under-shepherd, I've been there. I know the frustration you feel when it seems that you preached your heart out this past Sunday. You fed your flock the food of the Word and gave the message God placed upon you. I know what it means to study for long hours, to pray, to compose the ...read more
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3. "ordinary People For An Extraordinary Calling"
Contributed on Dec 31, 2020
Jesus rarely calls the famous, the powerful, the influential, or the religious groups to preach the Gospel. He works best with those who feel that that have nothing to offer Him but follow and obey Him anyway.
The message of Jesus has not changed in over two thousand years. He still tells those with ears to hear to repent and believe in the Gospel. In His early ministry, He preached in His hometown synagogue and nearly got Himself killed as a result (Luke 4:16-30). Wherever Jesus went, He either ...read more
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4. "a Typical Day In The Life Of Our Lord"
Contributed on Jan 1, 2021
Mark presents what Jesus did on one particular Sabbath Day, showing through His preaching, encounters with demonic forces, and healing the sick that He was God in the flesh, Having power and authority over all creation, and to show His love and mercy for HIs people.
Mark 1:21-34 presents a series of events in the life of the Lord Jesus that occurred on one particular Sabbath day. On this day of rest, He would teach the Scriptures as no one else had ever done, show that He had power and authority over the demons, and bring healing to the sick. He ...read more
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5. A Gracious Call To A Social Outcast
Contributed on Jan 25, 2021
So many people today feel like they exist more than they live, thinking that everything in this world is against them and that no one cares. Matthew, the tax collector, is just such a case. It turned out that Jesus had a plan for him, and for you as well.
Jesus' compassion for people is evident as we progress through this Gospel. This display of Divine love is recorded by Matthew and Luke as well. The Lord Jesus is not the exclusive property of any group or man- made religious system. Nobody can mold Him into one particular behavior to suit ...read more
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6. Let The Good Times Roll!
Contributed on Jan 26, 2021
There is a time for fasting for the glory of God, and then there are times to enjoy food, company, and good times. However, some people are not satisfied with anything and prefer to stay miserable, indecisive, and closed to what God has in store for them.
I was born and reared in south Louisiana, the heart of what is known as "Cajun Country". The city in which I grew up was surrounded by lakes, bayous, swamps, and refineries. You couldn't go ten miles down one of the major highways that went through town before you spotted your ...read more
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7. Three Responses To Jesus
Contributed on Feb 3, 2021
Mark 3: 7-12 presents a broad summary of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ thus far, getting the attention of three groups of people; those who are committed to Him; those who are curious about Him, and those who are hostile. Where do you stand?
The five verses presented here have been described by noted pastor John MacArthur as "a sweeping summary" of Jesus' work, describing the growing impact of the LORD'S ministry among HIs people and those outside of Judea. By now, multitudes are following Him, some out of ...read more
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8. The Things People Say About Jesus
Contributed on Feb 4, 2021
You cannot be neutral about Jesus. You can admire Him or loathe Him. You can try to understand Him or have nothing to do with Him. You can listen to Him or ignore Him. The truth is that you will face Him one day, and what you have done with Him will decide where you will spend eternity.
Wherever Jesus went, He caused a riot or a revival. The work and words of the Lord Jesus Christ have affected lives, changed the course of history, made us face our mortality and grow up in terms of character, morals, thought, and living. For countless millions of souls who have trusted in Him ...read more
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9. Who Was Afraid Of Jesus?
Contributed on Feb 9, 2021
Jesus Christ has all authority over both the natural and supernatural world. He brought freedom to a tortured soul, stirred a local crowd into anger, and calmed a raging sea. His ministry brought grace, mercy, love, hope, and for some, fear. Why would anyone fear Him? You would be surprised.
Chapter 4 of Mark's Gospel presented to us the authority that Jesus had over the forces of nature by rebuking a storm on the Sea of Galilee. He and His disciples were in a boat heading to the eastern shore of the Sea when a violent storm erupted, which was a common occurrence according to ...read more
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10. Two Women, Two Testimonies, One Glorious Lord
Contributed on Mar 9, 2021
Mark 5:21-43 tells of the healing of two women who received new lives when it seemed all was lost. Each one was a living testimony of the miracle-working power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark draws our attention in his Gospel to the miracles of the Lord Jesus. Thus far, He has shown HIs power over disease (1:29-31, 34, 40-45; 2:1-12; 3:16), over demons (1:23-28, 34; 5:1-20), and over the forces of nature (4:35-41). We will now read in our exposition of this Gospel about further ...read more
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11. The Rejected Savior Who Will Be The Final Judge
Contributed on Mar 9, 2021
The name and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ either brings about revival or riot, happiness or hatred, personal rage or personal redemption. It has been this way ever since His first appearing but all will bow to Him when He returns, whether they like it or not.
There are a lot of people today who want nothing to do with the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that attitude has been around since He departed this world (Acts 1:8-11). Every nation in the world (America included, unfortunately) hates Him and He is not even welcome in a number of ...read more
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12. A Practice Run For The Great Commission
Contributed on Mar 10, 2021
Jesus sent His apostles to the local towns and areas to proclaim the Gospel message, heal the sick, and cast out demons. They put what they have been taught by Him into action. We need to do the same if we're serious about our faith.
As we continue our journey through Mark's gospel, we come to an episode that could be described as a "trial run" of what the apostles and those after them will be doing in fulfilling Jesus' command to preach the Gospel to every living creature (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; ...read more
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13. Antipas: The Perverse And Putrid Puppet Ruler Of Galilee
Contributed on Mar 12, 2021
The story of Herod Antipas is one of treachery, murder, lust, cowardice, deceit, and perversion. He was responsible for the murder of John the Baptist and ridiculed Jesus on the day of His execution. The family of Herod had no redeeming qualities and are examples of unredeemed humanity.
It would make sense to say that the ministry of the Lord Jesus was attracting a great deal of attention and some scrutiny by virtue of His wondrous teachings, His compassion to all who came to Him in faith and trust, the way He handled the criticisms and pettiness of the Pharisees, His ability ...read more
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14. Jesus Christ: The Messiah, Not A Meal Ticket
Contributed on Mar 14, 2021
When Jesus fed the five thousand, as recorded in all four gospels, He demonstrated what He taught about God being the Provider of our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). Most of the crowd, however, wanted food, not faith.
The Lord Jesus never taught anything about the nature and character of God the Father that He Himself did not demonstrate or model before either His disciples or the people who followed and listened to Him. When we first read of this miracle, mentioned in all four gospels, we see the Divine ...read more
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15. Defilement Comes From Within
Contributed on Mar 22, 2021
It is not the food you eat or religious observation you practice that enables you to claim that you are right with God. Your attitude, behavior, and response to His commands show whether or not your life is defiled before Him.
Worship is supposed to come from a grateful heart and mind, focused on how God's mercy and grace has taken us off of the road to hell and by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, placed us on the narrow road leading to eternal life. Our submission to Him as Lord and Savior, ...read more
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16. He Does All Things Well
Contributed on Mar 23, 2021
Mark's Gospel continues to show us the numerous episodes of compassion, care, concern, and confrontation that made up the person, ministry and work of the Lord Jesus. He is beyond our poor words of description.
Our journey through Mark's Gospel continues with these words that describe the work and person of the Lord Jesus Christ; "He has done all things well." (7:37). No one could accuse Him of doing anything that had even a trace of fault, defect, mistake, or ineptness. His words and ...read more
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17. A Declaration And A Rebuke
Contributed on Mar 31, 2021
Jesus has been active for over two years, and His disciples have been there to witness His teaching and miracles. He asks them a question that we all need to answer: "Who do men say that I am?". Your answer determines your eternal destiny.
So far in reading about the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus, we see that He has been active for two years or more, preaching the Word, teaching the people, performing miracles of healing, deliverance from demons, feeding crowds, stilling storms, and showing His mastery over the elements by ...read more
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18. Bid Him Come And Die
Contributed on Apr 6, 2021
Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposal, and far too many so-called "believers" are riding the fence, playing a game, or trying to look devout when their character shows otherwise. Either follow and obey Him, or be honest in your unbelief and leave.
In today's social set-up, especially here in America, the prevailing philosophy seems to be, "I want it, and I want it NOW!" Young people are crying out for this at a pace that is bordering on the ridiculous, petty, and unrealistic. I do not see even the slightest awareness in most ...read more
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19. I Thee Wed: Jesus' Teaching On Marriage And Divorce
Contributed on Apr 16, 2021
Jesus taught that marriage is a sacred and serious undertaking by any man and woman who want to unite as one under the protection and direction of the LORD. We tend to make it less than God's ideal for us.
What I am writing down here is the product of a message I originally presented to a group of men and women during a chapel service at our local rescue mission. The topic of marriage was probably not on their list of favorites for the fact that many of them had left abusive and toxic ...read more
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20. The Peril Of Having Too Much
Contributed on Apr 28, 2021
The rich young ruler and his decision to walk away from the call of Jesus shattered the disciple's beliefs about riches being an exclusive sign of favor with God. Money and possessions tend to be a hindrance to faith in Him instead.
A young man whom the Scriptures refer to as a "rich young ruler" came before Jesus with a question on how to obtain eternal life. After using the Law as a means of examining his motives, Jesus instructed him to go and sell all his possessions in order to receive spiritual treasure and ...read more
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21. Greatness In Serving
Contributed on May 6, 2021
The disciples had to learn, often the hard way, that following Jesus does not mean favoritism from Him. They had to learn that service towards God and others is to be done with a loving, gracious attitude and not with an ego.
You have to admit that James and John thought a lot about their ability to serve the Lord Jesus. They wanted places of honor in the Kingdom of God without coming to grips with the hardship that follows everyone who gives their lives to Him. The disciples and all who would surrender their lives ...read more
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22. The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Cleaned House
Contributed on Jul 3, 2021
The Lord Jesus arrived in Jerusalem hailed by the Jews as the Davidic king who would restore Israel. He arrived not for that purpose, but to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy of the Suffering Servant who restored all of HIs people back to God. The first step was to restore His house.
The final week of Jesus' public ministry had started with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, being hailed as the rightful heir of David and the One who would finally drive out the hated Roman Gentile oppressors and restore the nation of Israel back to its former glory, or so the people ...read more
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23. The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Conquered His Critics
Contributed on Jul 3, 2021
In His final week of public ministry, Jesus confronted a series of challenging questions His enemies attempted to use as traps. One question dealt with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' surprising answer would settle the issues of loyalty and obligation to both God and Caesar.
Jesus had spent the first days of His final week shaking up the status quo concerning the worship of the LORD, the reverence due to the House of God, and to recall its purpose. He exposed the moneymaking schemes of the religious leaders, rebuked their practices, and drove out the merchants who ...read more
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24. The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Silenced The Skeptics
Contributed on Jul 3, 2021
Shortly after throwing the Pharisees and their cohorts for a loop over the issue of paying taxes to Caesar, the Lord Jesus confronted and rebuked the erroneous Scriptural teachings of the Sadducees, the skeptics of His day. The Scriptures are the best weapon in the arsenal of believers.
There were two main bodies of religious teachers who operated during the time of Jesus until the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. They each had their respective spheres of influence in Jewish society and beliefs. Scripture gives more attention to the Pharisees, and not in a good light as they ...read more
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25. The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Saw The Downfall Of Apostate Religion
Contributed on Jul 15, 2021
Jesus finished His final day of public ministry. He taught the crowds in the Temple, confronted difficult questions, and then left for good. The Temple and its religious system was corrupt, useless, and irredeemable, and would be judged by God.
Mark 12:28-44 gives us details about the final day of Jesus' public ministry and HIs departure from the Temple. He will go to the Mount of Olives and present to His astonished disciples the reality of what is to come in the future, and it does not involve a new Israel free from Rome, nor the ...read more
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26. The Terrible Last Days - A Survey Of Mark 13
Contributed on Jul 19, 2021
Mark 13, Matthew 24 and Luke 21 are all dedicated to the prophetic warning given by the Lord Jesus to His disciples as what to expect as it pertains to the spread of the Gospel and the increasing evil of the world.
Apostate Judaism has had its last chance. Jesus had finished with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and others who had challenged His authority, teachings, and miracles. He will again face them on the day of His crucifixion. He had shed tears over Jerusalem and had pronounced judgment upon it. The ...read more
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27. The Final Hours Of The Lord Jesus - From Gethsemane To Golgotha
Contributed on Jul 19, 2021
Chapters 14-15 of Mark's Gospel gives us an account of the final hours in Jesus' life as he faced hostility, mockery, torment, and the agony that would be placed upon Him as He stayed on the cross for the sake of our sins.
It was not long after the Lord Jesus presented His prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives that the drama of the crucifixion began to fall into place. At what is referred to as the "Last Supper", He told His disciples that the bread and wine they had consumed was a symbol of His ...read more
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28. The Final Hours Of The Lord Jesus -From Golgotha To The Grave (For Now)
Contributed on Jul 19, 2021
The Lord Jesus is in His last moments of agony and pain, both physically and spiritually as He completes His mission of redemption for fallen humanity. It looked on the surface, however, like a victory for his enemies and the devil as He died and was placed in a borrowed tomb, or so it would seem.
(Adapted from an outline by Mark A. Copeland) Following a night and morning of torture, ridicule, and mockery, Jesus was taken away to be crucified (Mark 14:53-15:25). For six long, horrendous, cruel hours He hung on the cross, and to add insult to injury, He heard the continuing mockery ...read more
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29. What Final Hours? Jesus Christ Is Alive Forevermore!
Contributed on Jul 19, 2021
Mark 16 presents the glorious day of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and concludes with evidence that we worship a risen Savior.
After Jesus was buried, His body lay in the tomb until early Sunday morning. The evening before, three women had bought spices to anoint the body, and came again to the tomb to complete their work. They were concerned that they could not get access to the tomb, for it had been sealed with a ...read more