Mark 5:21-42
Faith in the God-Sent King
Introduction:
In this text we have two severe crises and one great need in the midst of these crises.
The great need is to have faith that Jesus Christ is the God-sent King whose Kingdom triumphs over all kingdoms.
On the surface it may seem that the great need is to be delivered from a crisis, and in both of these instances the external crisis was resolved. But the deeper crisis in the lives of these two people and the disciples is the crisis of faith.
Do we believe that the kingdom of Jesus triumphs over the kingdom of Satan? Even though that kingdom is not here in its fullness, is the kingdom present and growing?
Both of the miracles that take place are signs and promises of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They are not ends in and of themselves nor are they ultimate final deliverances. Eventually both people that are delivered will die. The ultimate deliverance is that from unbelief to faith. Read more »
Mark 3:31-35
Our study of the book of Mark has endeavored to look at the words and actions of Christ and those with whom he interacts. Besides the voice of Christ, we have heard from John the Baptist, God the Father, The Disciples, The Outcasts of society, The Religious Leaders of Israel, and even Demons. Today we are going to take a look at the next group, one that was partially introduced to us by Pastor John last week – The Biological Family of Jesus Christ. Just as the Gospel has invaded other resistant realms and created conflict with the status quo, so too this last group in this series of detractors resists the invasion of the Kingdom. Let’s review the text together. Read more »
Mark 3:22-30
Prejudice that Blinds to the Power of God!
The text we will be looking at today is Mark 3:22-30. Between the text of last week and this week’s text are verses 7-19 which introduce what some would call the “later Galilean ministry of Jesus. The earlier ministry was prior to the religious leaders plot to bring about his death. The later Galilean ministry occurs after that plot and continues through 6:6a. Read more »
The Gospel and Patriotism
Dr. John P. Davis
Note: I am indebted to Steve Wilkins’ article on “Biblical Patriotism” for some of the major points and the basic thrust of this blogpost.
Recently in the United States, the last Monday in May was marked by the remembrance of those who have given their lives as members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. In just one week on July 4 we will celebrate Independence Day. National occasions such as this raise the question of ‘what does it mean for a Christian to be patriotic?’ Were you to draw a continuum of Christian opinions on this subject you would have a myriad of views including pacifists, ‘just war’ proponents, some who will not swear loyalty to any earthly government, others who are actively involved in the political process, etc. Read more »
Mark 3:1-6
1Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Introduction:
What is happening in these early chapters of Mark is what we might call a paradigm shift – A paradigm shift is a change in the way in which you look at and interpret life and the world. Read more »
“The Disciples Plucking Grain on the Sabbath” by Gustave Dore (1832-1883)
Mark 2:23-28 (ESV) One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Read more »
Jesus Meets the Greatest Human Need
Mark 2:1-12
Mark 2:1-12 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the paralytic– 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
You may feel at times as we go through Mark that some of what is being said about Jesus is strangely familiar. (Did I take the same content from another encounter and transfer it to this one. Yes and No) We will find a persistent consistency in who Jesus is and what His concerns are. Read more »
In this text we will be gleaning from Jesus’ encounter with a societal outcast – someone who has been pushed to the edge of a stable life in the city.
Listen to this unusual story:
Mark 1:40-45
40 ¶ And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Read more »
Uncategorized, church, evangelism, gospel, grace of God, humankind, mercy ministries, ministry, salvation, sin, social issues | Dr. John P. Davis, Sr. | 
May 31, 2010 7:57 am | 
Comments (0)
- Already a Kingdom in which the King offers redemption through his death and resurrection; not yet a kingdom in which redemption is applied to all of creation.
- Already a Kingdom which one sees and enters through repentance and faith (John 3:3-5); not yet a kingdom which one sees with the physical eye.
- Already a spiritual kingdom in which the King rules over the hearts and lives of his subjects, not yet, a geo-political kingdom in which all the universe is in subjection to His righteous rule.
- Already a kingdom in which the subjects of the King are learning to love one another and live in unity; not yet a kingdom in which the subjects of the King perfectly love another and live in unity.
- Already a kingdom in which its subjects hold title to an eternal inheritance; not yet a kingdom in which the subjects are in full enjoyment of the inheritance.
- Already a kingdom in which its subjects are granted the New Heavens and Earth; not yet a kingdom in which they possess the New Heavens and Earth.
- Already a kingdom which is in conflict with the powers of darkness; not yet a kingdom which is fully triumphant over the powers of darkness.
- Already a kingdom in which the power of the King over death, disease, and the devil is evident; not yet a kingdom in which death, disease, and the devil are banished forever.
- Already a kingdom growing mysteriously and gradually (Matt 13); not yet a kingdom manifested in power and glory.
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