HE CAME TO SERVE AND TO SAVE
Six Snapshots of a Gospel Writer
Text: The Gospel According to Saint Mark
Introduction:
•Photo albums contain snapshots of a person’s life…years may pass between one picture and the next
•Scriptures give us 6 snapshots of the life of John Mark
•John is Hebrew; Mark is Greek; Marcus is Latin
I. Mark was a curious follower. (Mark 14:51, 52)
•It is thought by some that this young man was John Mark
•His family may have owned the “upper room” of the last supper.
II. Mark became a convert of Peter. (1 Peter 5:13; Acts 12:12)
•This occurs 16 years later
•He was exposed to the teachings of Peter and the other apostles
•Don’t be content to follow from a distance; give your life to Christ.
III. Mark was an immature believer. (Acts 12:25 – 13:5, 13)
•Mark was the nephew or cousin of Barnabas
•Immature Christians need guidance from mature Christians.
IV. Mark became a source of disagreement. (Acts 15:36 – 40)
•Four years pass
•Worked with Barnabas, then with Peter
•Mark’s Gospel is thought to be the recollections of the apostle Peter
•God can use “bad things” to further His kingdom.
V. Mark was a growing Christian. (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24)
•10 years after Acts 15
•Christians should progress in their faith.
VI. Mark became a valuable ministry partner. (2 Timothy 4:11)
•8 years later, Paul asked for him
•Be willing to give others a second chance.
Conclusion:
•After Paul and Peter are both executed, Mark leaves Rome and preaches in Alexandria, Egypt
•He founds a very influential church, and is later martyred by being dragged through the streets and burned
•Failures do not automatically disqualify us for service.
•Do you need guidance and forgiveness in your life like John Mark did?
