Christ Reformed Presbyterian Church-PCA

Jesus returns to home as one with a national reputation only to be greeted with cynicism and unbelief. Mark has two important warnings for us as he follows that account with another one of his sandwiched stories.

Two desperate people approach Jesus seeking healing. They face hopeless situations. Jesus acts in surprising ways as he responds to them and asks more of them than they expected.

Jesus commanded the disciples to take him to the other side of the sea after teaching. They land on the shore of an area the fishermen would have never visited, and immediately have an encounter with a man who places them completely out of their comfort zones.

Jesus falls asleep in the stern of a fishing boat after a long day of ministry. A dangerous storm develops and the disciples panic. Jesus discloses more of himself to them intending to awaken faith in them.

Jesus' primary method of teaching was parables. The parable of the Sower is the most important of the parables of Jesus and holds the key to understanding all the rest. This text is both a warning and an encouragement to those who listen to Jesus.

One of Mark's story telling methods is to interrupt one narrative and insert another set of events. Here Mark does this and we need to see that the separate parts help us understand each other. The parts add up to mean something more when we consider them as a whole.

Here we see Jesus create a new community around himself. We see that being a disciple is more than mastery of content. This passage is a mirror to evaluate our own progress as a disciple.

This is the last three of five scenes in which Jesus scandalizes the spiritual leadership in Israel. The conflict with them will intensify with the Pharisees joining forces with others to put Jesus to death. Contrasts between what it means to follow Jesus and the soul crushing burden of the Pharisee's distortion of the Old Testament.

This is the first two of five scenes in which Jesus scandalizes the spiritual leadership in Israel. Here his authority is displayed in the forgiveness of sins and the forgiveness of sinners.

Mark in a series of scenes shows us what happens in one day of the life and ministry of Jesus. His authority shines through every moment.

Mark shows us in a series of scenes Jesus' early ministry in Galilee. We see his authority and identity revealed as he teaches, heals, delivers people from demons and calls disciples.

Mark mirrors the opening words of the Bible, to convey that God in the person of Jesus is finishing the story of what he had started when he created the world and called Israel to be his people. Here we see how we can enter into God's new beginning.

We find both encouragement and challenge as Acts closes with Paul in chains but the message of the transcendent Kingdom of God marching forward. The spread of the gospel is unstoppable.

Luke closes the story of Acts by encouraging Christians about how they should meet hardship and affliction as they live for Christ in a hostile world. We also see some of how we are to negotiate the challenge of living in a pluralistic society that at times brings religious or governmental opposition.-Outline--I. Look for God's Invisible Hand-II. Expect Gods Comforting Presence-III. Follow Paul as a Model of a Life Well Lived in Hardship and Adversity

Compelled by the Holy Spirit, Paul urgently journeys to Jerusalem. Along the way he strengthens the churches. In this speech, the only one in Acts that is addressed to Christians, he gives us timeless teaching about church leadership and how the gospel works to carry forward a church.