Latest / Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago / John Mark: His Mistakes and God's Mercy | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Bible Study Series)

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John Mark: His Mistakes and God's Mercy | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Gospel of Mark Bible Study Series) · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

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Well, it is always exciting to be with you all on on the Lord's
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day. But I am particularly excited
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about today for many reasons and the main one is because as a
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church we are embarking on a new journey together through a book
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that we have never explored before.
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And the excitement of this fresh study is not just in the fact
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that we will be expounding on a new text, but also because you
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and I will be going through touring through.
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Genre, biblical genre that we have never, we've never really
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explored for some of you who may not know over the past few years
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on on Sunday, mornings in particular, we have taken the
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time to look at many of Paul's Epistles, but for the first time
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today, for the next several months, we will turn our
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attention to dissecting and discovering and declaring
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glorious truths from The Gospel. According to mark, The Gospel
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According to mark. And this gospel is so riveting
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for many reasons as we will see. But as we turn there you and I
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will comb through it by the grace of God.
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Chapter by chapter verse by verse with no time.
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And in mind we just going to trust the Holy Spirit as we go
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week by week and it is really my prayer that as we come to this
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book, we will all be eager to seek the Lord for his help to
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master. This scripture that deals
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directly with the, the person, the ministry, the life, and the
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death of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I believe the best way to
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crack the Seal of the scroll of scripture is by actually not
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touching any verse in the first chapter.
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But to try to understand by the word of God, who the author is,
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who is Mark Why is his name? The name that appears in the
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copy of Mark's gospel in our Bibles?
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Well many Church, fathers many scholars but those who lived on
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even close to the disciples that we love and study about
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unanimously, agree, that Mark, was the one who penned this text
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there is little to no debate about it.
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Tradition says, it and there are men who have lived even For 100
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AD. That really, really believe that
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Mark was The Man Behind the message.
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And tradition, also tells us that Mark when he wrote this
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from the human standpoint had an audience in mind and the
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audience that he had, in mind were actually Roman Christians,
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those who are Gentiles and there are things within the text
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itself that validate that conclusion, or at least give
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strong support to that suggestion.
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When you see, how Now, Mark omits certain truths that you
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would find perhaps In A Book Like Matthew who is writing to
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Jews primarily. And when you see how Mark even
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tries to explain certain things, though, briefly to those who are
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non Jewish readers, you can see that the, he's not really
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writing to those who might have an understanding a rich
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understanding of the Old Testament.
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In fact, a mark there is very few Old Testament references.
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And so, you see these clues, that Mark is actually speaking
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to Gentiles and people believed that he was actually speaking to
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Christians who were found in Rome and some of you who are
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here on Good Friday. Remember perhaps just one of the
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verses that might indicate that truth and if you don't remember,
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will go to Mark and go with me to Mark chapter 15, verse 21.
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And notice what Mark says. And they compelled a pastor by
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Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the country, the father
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of Alexander and Rufus to carry his cross.
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Some of you who are remembering what I'm referring to if you
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don't, if you weren't there on. Good Friday.
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It's interesting to know that Mark includes a certain detail
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about Simon of Cyrene and it is this that he was the father of
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Alexander and Rufus not to us that that doesn't really help
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necessarily and Unless we meditate upon it.
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But what's so amazing? Is that the named Rufus
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reappears and what book of all books the epistle to the Romans
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when Paul himself addresses different Believers.
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He says here in Romans 16 13 greet Rufus.
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Greet Rufus. Chosen in the Lord.
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Also his mother who has been a mother to me, as well.
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As we think about it, when he's writing in his gospel account.
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And he's saying, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander
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and Rufus, the immediate readers are believing, we know who Rufus
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is. Oh, Rufus your dad was Simon who
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carried the cross. Who helped Carry the Cross of
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our Lord and savior. And so there are great Clues and
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insights that indicate this is, in fact to he is speaking to But
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we should be further encouraged about Mark and this book because
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the scripture is even give us particular insights about him as
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a person about Mark himself. I'm so glad that we don't have
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to speculate or look to history or church fathers to try to
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figure out who this man was the Holy Spirit selectively brought
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us certain information and data about him that.
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If we take the time to this gather the different Aces, where
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Mark is mentioned you and I will be incredibly edified to see how
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knowing about, even just the men Mark will help us know what kind
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of God we serve? And other practical truths that
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will help us in our walk together as Believers.
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And the way we're going to do that today as we even begin.
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Mark is by dividing, our thoughts into three points.
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The first one is understanding what God reveals to us about.
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Mark, what is God revealed to us about Marc Rich things in there?
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And in secondly, what God wants us to learn in choosing mark.
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and when I mean choosing Mark, I mean choosing Mark to be an
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author of a portion of the Holy scriptures, And lastly, though,
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briefly what God wants us to learn about him through mark.
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So again what we're going to learn about Mark, what we're
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going to learn about God choosing Mark and what we're
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going to learn about God through mark.
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And as we come to the first thought, let's go to the first
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place where John Mark has mentioned and the first place
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where John Mark has mentioned, is in the riveting.
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Exciting, thrilling book of Acts and so turn your Bibles to Acts
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chapter 12. And verse 12.
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Mark's name is brought up during the telling of Peter's
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miraculous escape from prison. and this, this chapter,
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Primarily wants to teach us. The power of Prayer.
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Yes, God's Providence and his sovereignty, but this whole
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story is hinge around how a bunch of Christians crammed into
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someone's house. And they were pleading with the
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Lord on behalf of Peter and how God answered that prayer in such
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an amazing way. And as you come to this point,
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you realize That marks name is brought up in relation to where
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the prayer meeting was held. We see here in verse 12.
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When he realized this Peter, he went to the house of Mary, the
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mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were
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gathered together and were praying and when he knocked at
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the door of the Gateway, a serving girl named Rhoda came to
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answer John Mark is brought up in this place, for more reasons
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than trying to help us differentiate between the
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different Mary's that we find in the Bible.
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That is helpful because it was just me.
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Mary would think which Mary? So we know that it's the marry
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the one who, who is the mother of this, John.
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Whose other name is, Mark. That will that helps.
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But there's far more things in here to realize for our own
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benefit. The main thing to draw from this
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portion of scripture is to learn the kind of home that John Mark
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grew up in. Think about it for a moment.
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There is a detail here that suggests that marry that marry
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this, this woman who was the mother of John, Mark was a
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wealthy woman. And the reason why it's not just
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because she had enough space to host all these Christians.
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But that she even had, as we read in verse 13, a servant girl
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named Rhoda. And so, to have a home even with
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a gate and to have servants. Perhaps indicates something
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about this woman that she was independently strong and
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financially secure. The fact that her husband is not
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brought up, may suggest that she was a widow, but she was one who
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could take care of herself and I just take care of Of herself,
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but even host others in a special way.
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And I, when I read that, I thought to myself this woman,
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new great privilege. She knew great security.
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And this family including John Mark though, they have
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experienced such things. God was their priority.
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The Lord and his work. Was their priority of this
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household? Would it be a stretch to say
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that John, Mark, grew up with a mother who had a Zeal and a
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great love for this God, Not at all Rich's success security.
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A grand home did not change or corrupt this faithful woman.
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In fact, she utilized her resources for the sake of the
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advancement of God's kingdom. Because what dominated, her
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heart is what should dominate the hearts of every believer,
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rich or not rich. And that is to make much of
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Christ and to invest whatever God calls you to invest for the
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sake of the glory of Christ. Money was not her master.
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It was a means, it was a tool. It was an instrument, it was a
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way in which she could contribute to the work of the
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Gospel. And think about it.
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I mean how did Peter escaping prison instinctively know to go
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to this house? Why that house of all houses?
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And I believe that reason why he knew to go to the house of Mary
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was because Mary did not just have a one-time prayer meeting,
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but the church met at Mary's house regularly.
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The church met at This Woman's house and so Peter knew where to
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go to find the Christians and to tell them that God had rescued
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him in a miraculous way and it was very common in the early
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church for people to open their homes.
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For other Christians to come and sing and pray, and hear the
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teachings and the doctrines of the Apostles.
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You see it throughout the Epistles, Aquila and Priscilla
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at the end of 1st Corinthians, Paul says that they greet you.
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And also the church That meets in their house. and so I believe
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Mary was among those who, who had a regular meeting in her
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home, who had people come, where there is a place, they can seek
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the Lord together and worship and fellowship, but it's worth
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noting another detail about this household, especially about this
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woman and her faith, that gives us the impression that she made
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an impression on others, including her son, John, Mark,
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What was the background behind this prayer meeting what was
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going on behind the scenes. What was the?
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What was the environment? Like, what was the context?
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Like all you got to do is go to verse 1 of chapter 12 and see
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what was happening about that time Herod.
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The king laid, violent hands on some who belong to the church.
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That is not a convenient time to have a prayer meeting.
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When you have a politician, who has power and authority,
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sniffing out the Saints, and all these soldiers on highwomen,
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high alert for Christians. And yet at the same time, when a
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leader was just killed and martyred and another one was
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arrested where you feel, your faith is shaken and where you
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feel like those that were called to, to Bear the message of this
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truth are now in danger of losing their lives.
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You have one woman named Mary saying, we need to have a prayer
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meeting in my house. Fearless.
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Strong. Serious.
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Like a a serious disciple, she wasn't messing around so filled
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with faith that she would rather die, put her life at risk.
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Be put on notice so that she could pray with others and see
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God fulfill his promise of prayer.
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Even if Herod was looking out, And guess who was a witness to
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all of that John Mark. John Mark.
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He saw this. And because she was a woman who
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served the Saints. Her home was exposed to some of
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the greatest Servants of God. The history has known And in
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such a way that John Mark would develop some precious
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relationships with some of the most amazing leaders of the
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Church of Jesus Christ. Think about it, this is what he
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was exposed to his home. Was a church. think about the
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songs, think about the meetings, think about the Miracles like we
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just read so the question for fathers and mothers today, what
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kind of environment is your home?
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Is there an atmosphere of worship there?
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Does the Peace of Christ abide there because Jesus Christ is
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indeed Lord and sitting on the throne of that house.
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Is that a safe haven? Not just physically, but
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spiritually, or is or sin and evil and worldliness tolerated
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and entertained. And you don't even need a devil
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to knock on the door. They just have to come through a
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certain channel on that screen. Do your children.
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See like how John Mark saw how when there were problems mommy
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and daddy pray? They get the kids together.
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And they say, we really need God to hear us.
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Let's pray and ask Jesus to help us.
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Or do they see sheer panic? Do they see a distrust in the
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god, that they apparently claimed to serve because we go
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to church Sunday after Sunday. Can I talk to the Future mother
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and father's? A lot of young people here.
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Getting married engaged planning to have children soon.
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May I ask you something in light of this text?
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What kind of values are you establishing for your future
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children to register when they consider what you do with your
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resources, what you do with your time?
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What kind of relationships you have?
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Well, they come to the conclusion when they arrive at
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an age where they can think and they can put things together
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that Daddy loves money more than he loves God.
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That Mommy is more interested in fashion than her faith.
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These things are for instructions and I love how we
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are introduced to John Mark in his home.
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And with the mother that he had, and how she was a faithful woman
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when there is great persecution. And even when she had great
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prosperity in her name, the next thing we hear about John Mark is
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in the neighboring chapter and we go to acts 13.
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We realized that the Holy Spirit brought Paul and Barnabas
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together as a missionary team. But we also learn in that very
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same chapter that, that missionary team had an assistant
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had somebody tagged along with them and would you know, it in
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Acts 13 5? When they arrived at salamis,
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they proclaim the word of God in the synagogue's of the Jews and
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they had John to assist them. They had John to assist them.
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Now we know that John and Mark are interchangeably used for the
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same person we just read it. It's also emphasize again, acts
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1225. But what we see here though
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chapter 12 is the first time we're introduced to him.
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It is in this chapter that we are told the first detail about
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what he does. And what he did was assist, the
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man was not an apostle. He was not a leader in the
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church. He was not a prophet, he was not
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a teacher, he was one who helped alleviate any burdens from those
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who were dedicated to proclaiming the word of God.
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He assisted, he came along their side, he did menial tasks,
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perhaps he just helped make their Journey a lot easier.
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We might wonder well how did this even come about?
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How was John Mark able to even join this amazing team?
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And I believe the answer is because of his relations with
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Barnabas Colossians 4 tells us that Barnabas and Mark were
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cousins, talk about the legacy of that family.
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And even Barnabas was marks cousin, what were their family
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meetings? Like Barnabas and Mark were
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cousins. And so you can almost imagine
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how Barnabas knowing his cousin, very likely younger than him,
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which suggests him to Paul. Because he perhaps recognized
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the giftings of the potential of this young man and said he would
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really help us. If you just assisted Us in, Paul
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took him at his word, he trusted him.
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And this man comes along this young man, John comes along with
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them, but something very embarrassing happens.
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As, you know, something you can say almost tragic happens
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because what happens here, doesn't just happen with John
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Market. It affects even the relationship
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between Paul and Barnabas. In verse 13.
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Now, Paul and his companions set sail for pay photos and came to
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/. God pamphylia and John left
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them. He left them and returned to
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Jerusalem. He Abandoned Ship he walked out.
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I mean he just started. He just joined them.
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And something something crept into his heart to convince him
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that it's better for me to go back to Jerusalem.
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Why Jerusalem, that's where home was, that's where Mary's home
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was. And we are not told why I
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believe, that's my Divine Design.
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We are not told why, but it makes you think, was it?
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Because of what? He just seen the great
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resistance earlier in the chapter when Paul and Barnabas
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are preaching and a demon-possessed, man, comes and
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tries to bring about a curse and distractions.
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Here's this young and seeing this happen and realizing, we
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just started, we just started. And we have a whole journey
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ahead of us. So, you wonder if the desire to
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be, not warm bed of his back in Jerusalem to know, what it was
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like to have servants, to be there, where there is ready, mom
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cooked meals, the familiarity of his hometown, who knows what?
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It was mingle with the fear of what's going to happen?
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The unpredictability of ministering, the dangers I'm out
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of here. I didn't sign up for this.
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This. So, he walks out.
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And no matter what the reason was it was enough for a
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righteous, man, like Paul to be greatly disappointed, to be very
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frustrated with him. Frustrated enough, that after
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some time passes and they plan a second missionary journey.
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Barnabas suggest John Mark again, and Paul says no way.
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Absolutely not. And they go out and they go at
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it and they go at it to the point where Barnabas and Paul
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split and to missionary teams are created.
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Yes, by God's grace but that came with great pain.
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I'm sure. But what's so amazing is when
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you think about John Marks relationship with Paul?
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Again you many of you know this many years passed by and Paul's
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final letter, he bids his spiritual son, Timothy to come
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to his side before he dies, make haste, but he doesn't just say
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may case. He says, make sure you bring
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with you mark. Because he is very useful to me
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in the ministry. I can't help but imagine or
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wonder at least how is it that from acts 15 to 2nd Timothy?
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Paul went from not even wanting John Mark to be his assistant to
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wanting into his system at his, his Deathbed.
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Having a fulfill some kind of ministry that he has in mind
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before. He knows that he is going to
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enter into Glory what happened? Because many years have passed
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by between those times. And the only logical conclusion
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with understanding how Paul functions is that Mark, Clearly
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matured over time. That he developed character
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courage. He got some guts in them again.
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Enough to prove the Paul. You're the real deal enough to
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prove to Paul. I want you to work with me
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again. But here's a thought to
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consider. Could it be that the Catalyst?
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Could it be that the very thing that sparked the development of
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this young man's faith and his concrete Devotion to the
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ministry, was in connection to Some were willing to invest in
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him. And disciple him even after his
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disappointing, desertion. Because you know as I know that
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much of that credit goes to a man like Barnabas who fought for
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John Mark, who is willing to give him a second chance was
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even willing to split from Paul so that he can have John Mark
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get another shot at serving the lord.
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And yes, there is no question that much of that Grace and much
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of that patients came from his cousin Barnabas.
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But I also believe that there was somebody else who played a
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vital role in John Marks life. Maybe it's someone that you and
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I never thought would actually play a role in John Marks life
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but there is two little words in a certain letter that show us
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the great possibility of a great man who helped somebody who
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failed God at one point. Would you like to know who it
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is? First Peter chapter 5. and verse
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13 at the end of the letter, notice what Peter says, as he
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concludes his thoughts, She who is at Babylon.
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Who is likewise, chosen sends you, greetings, and so does Mark
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my son? So does Mark my son?
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Not his physical Sun, obviously his child in the faith and some
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would even say that. Peter very likely was the very
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instrument that led John Mark to Christ with the gospel to begin
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with that. We do not know for sure.
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But one thing for certain is this, that these to spend much
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time together Peter's not being loose with his words here, when
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you. And I understand the dynamic
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between Timothy and Paul, Paul often referred to him as my son,
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my son, meaning what there's relationship there, there's
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investment that does discipleship there.
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You're my spiritual son, I'm concerned about your
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development, I'm your spiritual father.
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You come to me for Aid, and Grace, and help and instruction.
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I mean, think about it. There must have been some
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connection people met, including Peter in Mary's home, John Marks
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home. So it makes me think that Peter
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spent a lot of time in that living room Conversing with John
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Mark, John Mark sitting at his feet, hearing the different
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stories of the Miracles that conversions here in the
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different teachings of an eyewitness account of Jesus life
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and Ministry. What's also amazing here is that
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even when he writes this in First Peter 5, you get the
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impression that even Mark is with him physically.
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I'm sending not just my greetings, but Mark, Mark is
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greeting you as well. My son mark.
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The relationship that these two shared.
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Has introduced the notion early on in church history that Mark
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received his source of all that he is written in the gospel of
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Mark through the eyewitness account of Peter himself.
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That he would sit with this man of God and Peter would explain
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or he would travel with him when he would go and preach in
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different places and he would hear over and over again Peters
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angle on the story of Jesus Christ.
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And he took notes, and he took notes, and he took notes, and
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could it be that with Barnabas has encouragement?
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And could it be that with that was also the investment of his
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spiritual Father? Peter, who taught him, who
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challenged him, who corrected him even after he deserted the
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work of Jesus Christ? Very, very, very likely and I
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can't help believe that. If that is the case, Computer
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had no problem doing so because he himself knew what it was like
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to receive a second chance. He knew what it was like to
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Desert the cause of Christ. I took it further, he denied the
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man. He denied his God.
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And whatever sourness Peter felt from that shame.
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At the same time, he was overwhelmed by The Compassion of
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the resurrected Lord, who opened his arms and said, let me
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restore you Peter I want to use you again.
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I want to use you again. And here's the news of John,
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Mark. He left Paul and Barnabas he
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created frustration. Look at the ripple effect of
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that of that choice. And who is ready to embrace him?
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Peter. Peter in fact, there is a detail
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in the gospel of Mark, when it comes to the account of Jesus,
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resurrection, that is not found in Matthew that is not found in
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Luke. And when you see it, perhaps
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your heart will soar a little bit.
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And perhaps the case that Peter was, in fact, the source of
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Mark's account is very, very true.
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It's in the last chapter of Mark and 16:7.
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Look how Mark depicts a detail. Let's begin in verse 5.
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And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right
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side, dressed in a white robe and they were alarmed and he
28:20
said to them do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who
28:24
was crucified, he has risen, he is not here.
28:28
See the place where they laid him but go tell his disciples
28:31
and who and Peter. Tell his disciples and Peter
28:38
that he is going before you to Galilee there.
28:40
You will see him just as he told you.
28:43
What's the detail? Was it detailed?
28:45
I'm that Matthew doesn't include that.
28:46
Luke doesn't include end Peter. The angel instructs them.
28:54
When you go back to the disciples, go back and inform
28:57
them that I want a personal meeting with them, but he could
29:00
have just said go and get the disciples and tell them.
29:05
But he doesn't. Because this messenger received
29:09
specific orders from Christ and what Christ wanted to make sure
29:13
that when these came back to the disciples that Peter would be
29:18
specifically called out. Make sure that Peter hears his
29:23
name, why is that? Because if I was Peter And I was
29:30
told the Lord wants to meet with the disciples.
29:34
I don't feel like a disciple after I denied him.
29:39
I'm not worthy to be known as a disciple.
29:41
I'm not in that category. I'm not in that group and the
29:44
Lord knows Peter's heart. He knows what's in his mind, he
29:48
knows that doubts, he knows the shame and the regret.
29:50
And so he makes sure that the message is loud and clear.
29:53
Call out Peter, he needs to be there.
29:58
Because I want to see him. I want to meet him and I want to
30:01
restore him. Make sure, Peter hears his name
30:05
and can you imagine Peter explaining that to mark?
30:10
It clearly made an impression on him because when he tells of it,
30:14
he he remembers that name, his name being called.
30:22
And here is a man who needs a second chance.
30:26
And we must meditate on this further, listen, very closely
30:30
this might set some of you free. What kind of Christians tend to
30:37
give others another chance? What are the ones who are much
30:42
more willing to do? So, I'll tell you who those who
30:45
have, truly tasted the healing forgiveness, and compassion of
30:47
the Lord. That's who If you ever feel like
30:54
you cannot, let go of your anger and bitterness towards someone
30:57
who has disappointed you agreeably hurts.
30:59
You even your ministry? I can I can give you something
31:03
according to the word of God based on this truth that can
31:05
help you let go of that grip or at least loosen it a little bit.
31:09
Have you ever in those times when you're rehearsing, what
31:12
they said, I can't believe it what they did.
31:15
How did they after all, I've given them and all the Opera in
31:18
the midst of all of that, all those crashing thoughts, take
31:22
the time to think about all the chances that the Lord has given
31:24
you. Really, unless you're perfect, I
31:28
would love to meet you. I'll be standing there. all the
31:34
times, the Lord has still used the all the times of the Lord is
31:37
still blessed you all the times, when where your thoughts have
31:39
wandered and the inconsistency of your own efforts And you've
31:45
evangelizing, you post and you preach and look at your life and
31:49
private yet. God has it's tricking you down?
31:53
I've said it before, I'll say it again.
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We are so willing to eat up all the mercy that God wants to give
31:58
us and we don't want to give a sip of it to anybody else.
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Think about, I assure you, if you truly meditate, if you have
32:06
a personal relationship with the Lord and you know what, it's
32:08
like to come broken before me and you know what, it's like to
32:11
grieve him. Even even the moment you've said
32:13
something or done something that you shouldn't have done and you
32:15
feel that piercing conviction and you come to the Lord can
32:18
gather all of that up and bring it before the offense of another
32:22
and say. How can I not when he is done?
32:26
So, Peter strong, Peter, Peter, confident, Peter, I won't deny
32:34
you. They can all deny you.
32:37
I ain't denying you Lord. I'll be killed with you.
32:42
That same overconfident proud. Self-righteous, Peter was broken
32:49
by his own failure. But he was also restored by The
32:53
Compassion of Jesus Christ. And so when he saw When he saw
32:58
John Mark come through those doors with with low, shoulders,
33:01
and embarrassment. Peter didn't go up and said,
33:07
yeah, I know, I didn't do it though.
33:10
Shame on you, you denied the work of Christ.
33:15
You just like the others in the garden who walked away.
33:17
I stood right there, nothing of the sort.
33:23
It's okay, John Mark. It's okay.
33:26
God is merciful, he's patient. You know, he called out my name
33:30
after he rose from the grave. He restored me personally.
33:39
It's amazing to know how meditating our own failures can
33:43
make us much more forgiving toward others.
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I know a lot of counseling says, don't think about your past
33:50
failures? Don't think about how you
33:51
disappoint. No, I actually do it sometimes.
33:54
Don't do it to crush you but do it to encourage you.
33:58
To be as merciful as he has been to you.
34:01
Meditate on your own failures, especially in light of you,
34:04
being challenged of how to forgive somebody else.
34:06
And you'll realize you'll realize something about the
34:08
grace of God. That is undeserved And Peter
34:13
knew how to patiently work with Mark as one who deserted Christ.
34:18
One point in his own life. The fragments of marks life.
34:23
If they teach us anything, let him teach us to reject the
34:28
cynical attitude that we might have towards other believers.
34:33
That says, he, or she can never change.
34:42
That's not love, love believes all things.
34:46
Love believes all things. Hopes for all things.
34:50
And we thank God don't we week after week day after day hour by
34:52
hour, that God doesn't think that way about us.
34:58
That's what we learn about Mark. But what does God want us to
35:03
learn in choosing Mark? Well if you and I have been
35:05
stunned by the grace shown through Barnabas and Peter and
35:09
be prepared to be amazed further and that's what we discover in
35:13
what God wants us to learn in choosing Mark.
35:15
I mean the man was an apostle like Paul.
35:19
He wasn't an order. Like a Paulo's.
35:20
He wasn't a revivalist. Like Philip, he was a helper, he
35:25
carried luggage for the preachers.
35:29
He fetched lunch when they were preparing or praying or
35:33
preaching that was John Mark, that's the ministry that we are
35:37
given concerning him, and the thought is even more profound
35:42
when you think about not just got choosing such such an
35:45
unlikely candidate to be an author in the scriptures, but
35:48
think about the theme at least one of the main themes in this
35:52
book in Mark's gospel. And it is this The depiction of
35:56
the perfect faithful suffering. Servant of Jesus Christ.
36:02
The Holy Spirit used Mark to paint the picture of fulfilled
36:06
prophecy from Isaiah. That Jesus Christ is the servant
36:11
Messiah of Jehovah. And that is why in Mark you see
36:17
no genealogy given in the beginning of the book.
36:20
Because a servant is not worthy of his ancestry line, being
36:23
recorded. That is why you don't hear of
36:26
those who come from a far land to bring gifts to this child
36:29
because a servant is not worthy or deserving of such honor.
36:34
That is why there are fewer Parables and teachings in
36:37
marking comparison to Matthew and Luke.
36:40
Because what Mark is depicting, here is one, who is working
36:44
miracles and serving people. Because a true slave works and
36:49
performs deeds and there are so many indications that make this
36:53
theme so clear. And really vividly illustrates
37:00
the one who humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point
37:03
of death, even death on a cross. What's fascinating, though?
37:07
Is how a book like Mark, gloriously portrays.
37:11
The diligence, the humility, the suffering of Jesus Christ as a
37:15
servant was written by someone who was Not steadfast.
37:24
And not exemplary at one point in his service, to God.
37:28
Why? Why is that true?
37:30
Because the perfect minister of God, in the person of Jesus
37:33
Christ is also perfectly merciful.
37:39
You feel unqualified, good. That's the only people that
37:41
Jesus really uses. He Delights in choosing the most
37:46
unlikely and undeserving to his service.
37:51
And the one that he selected that would write about the
37:54
perfect service in the person of Jesus Christ was imperfect in
37:59
his service to Jesus Christ. That's the grace of God.
38:04
That's his love. He invites failures to come in
38:11
and be a part of the drama of the advancement of God's kingdom
38:14
in the world. Imagine that the honor of being
38:20
a writer in, God's word was given to a man who could not
38:22
endure the first few steps of ministry.
38:28
When an encouragement to those who feel often that they are
38:30
unqualified, welcome to the club.
38:34
Now, there's much more to say about Mark, being chosen by God,
38:37
but that has come to the thought about what we learn about God
38:41
through mark. So far, we discuss what we learn
38:45
about Mark and what we can learn about God choosing Mark, but we
38:48
briefly come to the conclusion of what God wants us to learn
38:51
about himself through this man. And besides the message behind
38:57
many of the Miracles that we will learn in the next few
38:59
weeks. Besides the, the clear Authority
39:02
that Mark wants to depict about the person of Jesus Christ,
39:05
despite the teachings, despite some of the things that he has
39:08
to say, despite the trueness of his deity, and about his
39:10
Humanity, despite the perspective on his son, Brings
39:14
in his final days on Earth you and I will also learn something
39:17
about the wonderful pattern for practical Christian service.
39:24
Oh yeah, we're going to hear, we're going to we're going to
39:25
hear things about the deity of Christ and we're going to see
39:28
the depth of his knowledge and the glories of his authority.
39:32
But you and I are also going to see, not just Jesus Christ, the
39:36
son of the Living, God serving with such Grace and humility and
39:40
patience you, and I are also going to understand the quality
39:44
of his service. The quality of his Service as he
39:49
came to serve the father and do all that he was told to do.
39:53
And this book will be very helpful for those who have a
39:56
desire to serve God. If not, it will be very, very
40:00
frustrating to you. But for those who have a heart
40:04
too, I want to serve him. Well, Mark, gives us the perfect
40:07
servant. I want to please him Mark.
40:11
Gives you the one who perfectly please them.
40:16
There are so many elements that are before us as a model for
40:19
Ministry. I mean, some, some of you notice
40:21
just by first glance at Mark, that we are even told by the,
40:26
the word immediately in that book about the promptness of
40:29
Jesus service. The fact that we go from
40:31
immediately, it's like you almost trying to catch your
40:32
breath immediately. Immediately immediately me
40:35
neither so cool. Why?
40:37
Because that is by Design even in itself.
40:39
We want to see how even in that Jesus.
40:44
Is portraying his prominence in serving the father.
40:47
No delay. No hesitation Wanting to Longing
40:51
To yearning to immediately immediately immediately.
40:56
How so uncommon Among Us. We hesitate and we delay and we
41:01
have all these excuses and one week we're really into it the
41:04
next week, we're not one week were so encouraged.
41:06
And next week, I don't know if I'm into this anymore, not
41:09
Jesus. Not the perfect servant.
41:15
And there's so many gems and Mark, where you see the
41:18
qualities of his service that encourages a oh, I want to be
41:20
like you Lord, in my brief life. I want to serve, like you Lord.
41:24
Look what you did here, may, I show you want to whet your
41:26
appetite a little bit. Let's go to Mark, chapter 10.
41:43
In verse 20. What's happening here while
41:46
there's a rich young man? Who runs up to him and kneels
41:51
before him and asked him, good teacher, what must I do to
41:53
inherit eternal life? And Matthew writes about it.
41:58
Luke writes about it. Mark writes about it.
42:02
And then in verse 20, after Jesus gives them a challenge
42:08
about how he was really doing with the law of God, verse 20,
42:13
we read and he said, to him, teacher all these things I've
42:16
kept from my youth. And Jesus looking at him, loved
42:20
him and said to him, you lack. One thing, go sell all that you
42:23
have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in
42:25
heaven, and come follow me. Compare it to Matthew.
42:33
Compare it to Luke many similarities, Mark includes a
42:38
detail that Matthew and Luke do not have.
42:43
And it is this verse 21 and Jesus looking at him, loved him.
42:52
Loved him. Matthew doesn't say that Luke
42:55
doesn't say that. Mark says that, you know why
42:58
Mark says that I'll tell you why I believe he says it because
43:00
Jesus, as the perfect servant truly love those that He
43:04
ministered to He had real compassion.
43:12
This wasn't him saying okay father I love you deal with a
43:16
bunch of these humans. Now these despicable Sons and
43:19
Daughters of Adam. Okay, what do you want?
43:20
Do you want to know how to get to heaven?
43:21
Well, here we go. Jesus looking at him.
43:26
You know what that tells me when he looked at him there was love
43:29
in his eyes. Looking at him, loved him.
43:34
Can I ask you something? Do you love the people?
43:35
You serve. Or do you love the work?
43:41
Big difference. Does the preacher love the
43:45
people? He's preaching to it does he
43:46
love the sound of his own voice? Does he love the tops on the
43:48
back? You're so insightful preacher.
43:49
Well, I never saw that in mark. Jesus looking at him.
43:56
Loved him. And you see the compassion of
44:00
the Lord. Yes.
44:01
And all the gospels but even in mark because Mark has another
44:04
detail about Jesus service. You know what it is?
44:07
His hands, you'll see it in Mark.
44:09
How often he touches? How often he lifts?
44:14
How often he the hand is, brought up, he's intimate, he's
44:18
warm, he's in there, he's giving of himself when he serves and
44:24
he's not just compassion to those who were crippled with
44:26
disease or filled with demons. That wasn't the only suffering
44:29
that moved him, sympathy know Jesus was even move with those
44:32
who are suffering in their soul. He looked at this man who was
44:36
clearly struggling because there's an earnestness in him.
44:40
I want to know the truth. I want to know how I can inherit
44:43
eternal life, but there is this tug because he was wealthy.
44:48
And right before Jesus, he sees this tension, and Jesus looks at
44:52
him because there is a sincerity about him and he loved him as he
44:56
taught him. I want to be like Jesus.
45:02
I want to love those, I serve I want to look at them and I want
45:10
them to be able to see Christ in my eyes, there's nothing worse
45:13
than a minister when you really want to hold myself back here
45:18
who takes this as a job. Go be a businessman.
45:27
Loved him and said to him you like one thing even in his most
45:32
challenging words it was laced with love.
45:37
Even in his uncompromising message it was filled.
45:41
It was gushing with genuine compassion.
45:47
And these are just some of the things that you will see here.
45:49
His heart was moved. And he loved this man who was
45:54
wrestling with his soul. I'm excited to go through.
45:59
Mark, I hope you are. Because if we are faithful and
46:04
dissecting this word not just for insights, but for our own
46:07
sanctification, that one thing will be true of you.
46:10
And I coming out of this series, we will become better Servants
46:13
of the Lord Yeah, yes. We're going to we're going to
46:17
unpack. How Parables work and compare
46:19
them and be taught things. But again, let's start off,
46:23
right? Let's start off, right, say O
46:26
Lord, as we come to the Fulfillment of the prophecy of
46:30
the suffering, servant, I'm not in this for knowledge, the
46:33
knowledge is important, but Lord, I need you to do something
46:36
in my heart. So that as I seek to serve you
46:38
as a blood by child of God, people will see Christ in me.
46:43
Let's pray. Yes, Lord.
47:07
We come before you today. Thanking you for how rich your
47:12
word really is. And Lord, we just ask that in
47:16
this moment, you would give us the right heart as we approach
47:20
the word. Protect us from being like the
47:23
Pharisees who had so much knowledge but missed Christ.
47:28
Lord help us Behold Him in the next few weeks and months to
47:32
cherish him to understand him so that we would love him and
47:36
imitate him by your power by your grace.
47:43
And Lord, we are just moved already. by how Mark depicts
47:48
you, how the Holy Spirit through that man has shown us the great
47:53
love in Jesus, And Lord, we want to Worship You.
47:58
The King who came to serve to serve us to serve us to the
48:02
point of suffering for us. Lord, we are moved.
48:06
And we just want to give you praise in Jesus name, amen.