BELIEVE

 

Mark 9:23 -  Dec 13, 2009

 

Intro:  This morning we are looking at the book of Mark and the lessons we can learn from it.  I love the book of Mark because it is quick in movement, active and impulsive in its main characteristics.  A little like me. 

 

Background

 

1.  The book of Mark was written by Mark who was the cousin of Barnabus and an associate of Paul and Peter.  Most say that Peter was his mentor.  It was written somewhere between 50 and 70 a.d.  Most scholars believe it was the first gospel written.

 

2.  One day I will share the life story of John Mark.  He is a story of failure and restoration.  But that is for another time.  Mark wrote his gospel to a Roman audience so it is fast pace and active.  Jesus is portrayed as the mighty God, the worker of miracles.

 

a.  Mark writes an account that moves from one event to another.  It is a moving picture

     Of Jesus’ ministry.  Mark takes time to explain Jewish customs but omits Jesus’

     Genealogy and childhood. 

b.  Description is one feature and action is the other.  Mark gives considerable attention to

     Jesus’ looks and gestures.  Mark is a master story teller.  You feel that you are right

     There as part of the audience.  You can see yourself as part of the story.

c.  The Romans were more interested in power so we find in Mark’s gospel  Jesus as the

     Conqueror of everything.  He is first the conquering servant but He is also the

     Triumphant servant in His resurrection.   

 

Mark Emphasizes

 

1.  The deity of Jesus Christ is constantly shown.  He is the Son of Man the Messiah and he gave his life for a ransom.  Like John, Mark opens his book with a declaration of the divinity of Jesus Christ but unlike John he does not explain it.  It is apparent that Mark’s aim here is to allow the reader to make up his own mind by the wonderful deeds Jesus does to show His divinity.

 

a.  Jesus for example in Northern Galilee heals a main of being deaf and dumb in Mark 7:30-37.  Have someone read.

b.  Jesus also proved this when he fed the 5000 and 4000.  In this cased he was Jesus the

Provider and the one who can meet any physical need.

 

2.  This is a gospel of Jesus Christ showing his power and glory.  The good news of salvation through His atoning death.

 

 

 

 

 

a.  Mark records 19 miracles and 4 parables.  The book is condensed but these miracles

     Are very dramatic.  Jesus also responded to needs quickly and efficiently.  The word

     Immediate is repeated over and over again.,  Mark gives a vivid, straight forward

     Description of the final hours of Christ.  He then closes with a powerful account of the

     Death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

b.  Mark at the end of his book then gives the believer what the resurrection has

     Accomplished.  The Christian has the same resurrection power available and a

     Mandate from Jesus Himself to carry on His work  

 

In His Name we are to:

 

1.  Bring the good news to all creation.

2.  Those that believe will be saved.

3.  Help others to realize the significance of water baptism

4.  Know that signs and wonders will follow us when we believe.

5.  We can drive out demons.

6.  Speak in new tongues.

7.  Protection from harmful animals, substances and situations.

8.  See the sick healed by the practice of the laying on of hands.

(Mark 16:15-18

 

c.  Jesus’ miracles show his power over all opposition.   Eight of his miracles show His

     Power over disease.  Five show his power over nature.  Four show His power over

    Demons.  Two show His conquest of death.

 

3.  Our scripture shows us that if you can believe, all things are possible.   Faith has been

     Described as knowing something exists or can be done without seeing it.  Faith is also

     Simple trust.  Jesus is the greatest man who ever lived and will ever live and He wants

     To help you and I.  He was also the tireless servant of God and man.  Jesus knew He

     Had a limited time to make an impact so he used His time wisely.  I am reminded of

    This everyday as I get older. 

 

a.  I am also reminded of the Lord continuous word of recognizing the time of our

    Visitation and Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians about redeeming the time.  I do not be-

    lieve we have a lot of time left.  So I want to make the maximum impact for Christ in

    The minimum of time. 

b.  Jesus seemed to have perpetual calls for service which He answered because he knew

     He would only make three ministry tours of Galilee, one tour of Perea, one in Tyre

     And Sidon and three short appearances in Judah. 

c.  Jesus was a man who walk in faith and trust in God.  He knew what His Father could

     Do and what He could do for Him.  Do you?  H.B. London wrote, “I want to live so

     Close to God that people will have confidence to ask me to pray for them to receive a

     Miracle.”  Jesus stated , “Everything is possible for him who believe.”