The Essential Jesus as

Revealed in the Gospel of Mark

April 28, 2013

Sharpening Our Focus on Christ!

Five passages each week to help us “fix our eyes upon Jesus!”

Hebrews 12:1-2 . . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

Essential Jesus Initiative

The Essential Jesus as

Revealed in the Gospel of Mark

April 7, 2013

4:35-41 – Jesus’ sovereignty over the natural realm (wind and sea)

5:1-20 – Jesus’ sovereignty over the supernatural realm (demons)

5:21-43 – Jesus’ sovereignty over disease and death

Mark chapters 4-5

Two quick snapshots of Jesus and his ministry (vv. 1-13)

One out-of-character narrative that really

does not focus on Jesus (vv. 14-29)

Mark chapter 6

Mark 1:1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Mark 1:2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?”

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Mark 1:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?”

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

John 8:41 They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality..."

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Mark 1:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

“skandalon” “scandal”

Mark 1:4-5 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Mark 1:6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Mark 1:6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Snapshot #1 – Jesus’ hometown rejection (vv.1-6)

Mark 3:13-15 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

Mark 6:7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two . . .

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

1. To strengthen their testimony

Deuteronomy 17:6 On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

To strengthen their testimony

Mark 6:7-8 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two . . .

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

1. To strengthen their testimony 2. To strengthen their hearts

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

To strengthen their hearts

Mark 6:7-8 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

Luke 22:35-36 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.”

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

Acts 1:8 You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

Mark 6:10-11 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

Mark 6:12-13 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Snapshot #2 – Jesus sends out the Twelve (vv. 7-13)

Two quick snapshots of Jesus and his ministry (vv. 1-13)

One out-of-character narrative that really

does not focus on Jesus (vv. 14-29)

Mark chapter 6

1. As we seek to make Christ known, we must prepare ourselves to face

indifference, resistance and sometimes downright hostility!

Reread the parable of the soils

(Mark 4:1-20) PRAY FOR FERTILE SOIL!

Today’s Takeaways

Sunday Mornings at 8:15

(Room 204)

Pray 8:15

1. As we seek to make Christ known, we must prepare ourselves to face

indifference, resistance and sometimes downright hostility!

Reread the parable of the soils

(Mark 4:1-20) PRAY FOR FERTILE SOIL!

Today’s Takeaways

2. Strive to amaze God with your faith!

*According to gospel record, only two things amazed Jesus: faith and a

lack of faith!

Today’s Takeaways

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Today’s Takeaways

2. Strive to amaze God with your faith!

* The better you get to know God ... the stronger your faith will grow!

Today’s Takeaways