The family church experience
Calling the King’s Men. Mark 1:16-20. Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And…
Transitioning to the King. 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 Dear Family, Mark, in his characteristic urgency, transitions us from the ministry of John to that of…
Testing the King. Mark 1:12-13. The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Dear Saints, Of the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Mark’s account of the temptation of…
The Identity of the King. Mark 1:9-11. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my…
The Messenger and the King. Mark 1:6-8. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached saying, “After I come one who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized…
The Herald. Mark 1:4-5. John appeared baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Dear Heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom, Mark reveals to…
A New Beginning. Mark 1:1-3. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, Who will prepare your way, The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.” Dear Servants of…
A Farewell Full of Hope. Philemon 22-25.At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord…
The Anticipated Outcome of the Appeal.Philemon 20-21. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. Dear Saints, As we approach the conclusion of this letter, Paul demonstrates to us how…
The Substance of the Appeal. Philemon 17-19. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it – to say nothing of your owing me…