Lesson Overview
12/06/2009
We are now moving into a 13 week study of Mark.
Some background information about Mark:
1. Earliest of the four Gospel accounts (around the 60's AD)
2. There is no direct evidence that the author was John Mark, Paul's travel companion. Most scholars still believe it was him.
3. Mark helped Paul and Barnabus (Mark's cousin) on Paul's first missionary journey, but left early. This upset Paul quite a bit (the account of which is in Acts). This event caused disagreement between Paul and Barnabus, but Barnabus later gave Mark another chance. Later, Mark joined Paul again (Philemon) and Paul commended him for his work (2 Tim).
4. In 1st Peter 5, Peter calls Mark his "son" which implies that Peter was Mark's mentor or spiritual teacher.
5. Most scholars believe Mark's Gospel account is actually his writing of Peter's memories of Jesus' ministry.
6. It appears that Mark wrote at a time when Christians needed encouragement in their early persecution in Rome.
7. Mark gives a different perspective of Jesus than the other Gospel writers. It is very practical, picturing Jesus as perfect, but still a man.
8. Mark is referred to as the "action Gospel" because he describes Jesus as busy obeying His Father and taking care of people. It speaks more about Jesus' actions than His teachings.
Today we are looking specifically at the first chapter of Mark, and zeroing in on verses 14-31.
The first chapter outlines the purpose for Mark's Gospel account. In short, it is to confront the bad news of sin with the good News of salvation. It introduces Jesus in the beginning stages of His ministry.
- Starts with the preparations that were made for His ministry in verses 1-13.
- John the Baptist calls for repentance and proclaims the One who was to follow.
- Jesus then presents Himself for baptism by John as a way to identify with this.
- Mark introduces Jesus as the Good News and Jesus takes up John's call for repentance once John is out of the picture.
- Jesus begins gathering his assistants (disciples).
- Jesus then began to exert and prove his authority over God's enemies and news of Him begins to spread.
- The chapter concludes with Jesus continuing His focus on God's will.
I recognize that this is a lot of information, but I think it is important to put it all into context as we begin the new series.
Side Note: Jeremy sent out a Bible reading plan this past week, and I want to reiterate my response to that. It has really been cool to have that plan to follow. I encourage you to use it as a READING plan, and to also spend time STUDYING the Word. These are two different things. Perhaps a good option for your study time is to follow along with what we're studying in this class!
Perscripted title for lesson: How Can Jesus Help Me?
My title for the lesson: What Is Jesus' Desire For Me?
This Scripture passage gives four things that Jesus desires for us.
Reading of Mark 1:14-15
These are the first "red" words in Mark. Jesus comes out of the gate with His first desire ... the first thing He wants for each of us ... His whole purpose summed up in one line ... "The kingdom of God is near, REPENT and BELIEVE the good news!"
Jesus' 1st desire for us: SALVATION
Since the fall of mankind, there has been a power-struggle within humans. It is a choice between the rule of sin and rule of God. How amazing is it that God Himself is on our side in this struggle?!
Something else that stands out in this, and something that is so pertinent with Christmas coming. A sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of the universe thinks enough of ME as a human being to humble Himself to the point of taking on flesh - to come to the earth to proclaim the good News of His existence - to give ME the opportunity to repent and believe in Him, and therefore to experience the gift of eternal life. And then He chooses ... because God chooses ... there is nothing that requires Him to love us ... He CHOOSES to be on our side and help us follow Him! That is absolutely amazing!
So the first desire that Jesus has for us is that we allow Him to save us (SALVATION).
Reading of Mark 1:16-20
Jesus' 2nd desire for us: THAT WE FOLLOW
Wouldn't it have been entirely possible for Jesus to show up on the scene on a huge, cosmic video projector for the whole world to see? He could have popped in, given us instruction, and then headed back home to the right hand of the Father. Why didn't He? (some answers given: "to relate to us," "so we can relate to Him," "to teach us," "to lead by example," etc)
What are some of the responses that Simon, Andrew, James, and John could have given to Jesus' command? (some answers given: "too busy," "I have to make money," "I'm not qualified," "my family is here," "let me finish what I'm doing," "why?" etc)
Point is, it's not the end of the road for Jesus to say "follow Me." It wasn't then, and it isn't now. They had to FOLLOW Him. They had to IMMEDIATELY follow Him.
Jesus' desire is to lead us. He is calling ALL of us to FOLLOW. Calling on someone to follow you implies that you believe you are capable of leading. Being willing to follow someone implies that you believe they are capable of leading. Our words may quickly say "of course, Lord, I will follow," but what are our actions saying? Do we believe that Jesus is capable of leading? Are we willing to immediately follow?
Reading of Mark 1:21-28
Jesus' 3rd desire for us: FREEDOM
We know nothing about this man with the unclean spirit. We know nothing about what this unclean spirit was. Why? Is it possible that this was intentional? This way, it encompasses everything. Whether it was the spirit of pride, lust, murder, anger, fear, ... it doesn't matter. Jesus, here, shows his authority over ANYTHING that serves to stand in the way of our following Him.
Notice something else ... this man was in the synagogue. Why? Evil people don't typically frequent church. It's not their favorite place to be. The answer to this question is not found in this passage, but here is my thought. This man was seeking. He wanted to find Truth. He was striving to spend time in the presence of the Word of God. What he needed freedom from simply could not remain in him under these conditions.
Which brings another question to mind ... did this man even perceive the presence of this spirit to this point? While he may have known there was something holding him back, did he know that he was inhabited by an enemy of God? The spirit recognized Jesus, and Jesus obviously recognized the spirit, but was this something from which the man even realized he needed freedom?
What battles go on within us, what spirits are allowed to take up residence within us while we passively sit by?
Jesus' desire is to FREE us not only in those areas where we KNOW we need freedom, but from EVERYTHING that hinders us from following Him and experiencing Him fully!
Reading of Mark 1:29-31
Jesus 4th desire for us: ABILITY
Why are these three verses here? It is safe to say that not everything Jesus did in His ministry is recorded in the Bible - it is only a snapshot - so why this story? There could be several reasons, but here are two:
1. If the Gospel of Mark is actually the recollection of Peter, the healing of Peter's mother-in-law would be significant.
2. Peter's mother DESPERATELY wanted to serve. She yearned to serve, but she was hindered by something very legitimate - sickness. This passage shows Jesus enabling her to serve and fulfill her purpose.
3. This passage solidifies one of the intentions of Jesus' ministry. It was one of compassion and healing, and an example of caring for other people.
What are some things that hinder us from serving and following God?
- sickness
- time
- money
- lack of skill
- embarassment
- fear
Over which of these things does Jesus NOT have authority?
Recap:
1. Jesus desires to save us IF we repent and believe.
2. Jesus desires to lead us IF we will follow.
3. Jesus desires to free us IF we are willing to let go.
4. Jesus desires to enable us to fulfill His purpose for us IF we repent, believe, follow, and are willing.
So what's stopping us? What's stopping you? Why are we not following? Why are we not free? Why are we hindered?
It is certainly not lack of desire on His part! It's all available, but we MUST, like Simon, Andrew, James, and John, IMMEDIATELY lay it down and follow!
