11/11/20

"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" The Preaching Ministry Of Jesus - I (1:14-15) by Mark Copeland

 

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

             The Preaching Ministry Of Jesus - I (1:14-15) 
  
 INTRODUCTION

1. In Mk 1:14-15, we read of the beginning of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee...
   a. Which followed the imprisonment of John the Baptist - cf. Mk 6:17-18
   b. Which began at Capernaum, on the edge of the Sea of Galilee - cf. Mt 4:13

2. His public ministry involved "preaching"...
   a. "...preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" - Mk 1:14
   b. The word "preach" (Gr., kerux) means "to herald, to proclaim"

[But what was the message Jesus proclaimed?  Is it a message we should
be preach today?  From our text (Mk 1:14-15) we first see that...]

I. JESUS PREACHED THE KINGDOM OF GOD

   A. WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD...?
      1. That kingdom of God foretold in book of Daniel
         a. A kingdom which shall never be destroyed - Dan 2:44
         b. A kingdom, along with glory and dominion, given to the Son of Man - Dan 7:13-14
      2. The kingdom of God involves four interrelated concepts
         a. God's kingship, rule, or recognized sovereignty
            1) The term "kingdom" as used by the Jews often stressed the
               abstract idea of rule or dominion, not a geographical
               area surrounded by physical boundaries
            2) basileia - royal power, kingship, dominion, rule; not to
               be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right
               or authority to rule over a kingdom - Thayer
         b. This rule of God is spiritual in nature
            1) It is not a physical kingdom - cf. Jn 18:36
            2) But one that is spiritual - cf. Ro 14:17
         c. Its visible manifestation today is in the form of the Lord's church
            1) For the church is that community of souls in whose hearts God is Sovereign
            2) That the church constitutes the kingdom of God on earth, consider:
               a) The term "church" and "kingdom" used interchangeably - Mt 16:18
               b) Comments made to those who were in the church - Col 1:13; 1Th 2:12
               c) The description of those in the churches of Asia - Re 1:4,6,9
         d. It has a future element as well as a present one
            1) Future aspect as spoken of by Jesus - Mt 25:34
            2) Future aspect as spoken of by Paul - 1Co 15:50; 2 Ti 4:18
            3) Future aspect as spoken of by Peter - 2Pe 1:10-11
      3. Thus the kingdom of God is both present and future
         a. In the present sense:
            1) It is found wherever the sovereignty of God is accepted in the hearts of men
            2) It is a spiritual kingdom, for God rules in the hearts of men
            3) Its outward manifestation today is the Lord's church
            4) This rule or kingdom of God was "inaugurated" on the Day of Pentecost (Ac 2)
         b. In the future sense:
            1) The rule or kingdom of God will be "culminated" with the coming of the Lord
            2) It will involve that "news heaven and a new earth in
               which righteousness dwells", described by Peter and John - 2Pe 3:10-13; Re 21-22
            3) It will be experienced only by those in the church who
               are submitting to God's will today! - cf. Mt 7:21-23; 2Pe 3:13-14
      -- The kingdom of God involves good news (gospel)!

   B. DOES THE KINGDOM OF GOD NEED TO BE PROCLAIMED TODAY...?
      1. Most certainly!
         a. Philip "preached the things concerning the kingdom of God" - Ac 8:12
         b. The apostle Paul in his preaching and teaching:
            1) Spoke of the challenges in entering the kingdom in its future sense - Ac 14:22
            2) Reasoned and persuaded with people concerning the kingdom - Ac 19:8
            3) Had gone among the Ephesians, "preaching the kingdom of God" - Ac 20:25
            4) Solemnly testified of the kingdom of God to the Jews in Rome - Ac 28:23,30-31
         c. In his epistles, Paul wrote of:
            1) The nature of the kingdom - Ro 14:17
            2) Those who will not inherit the kingdom - 1Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:21; Ep 5:5
            3) Jesus giving the kingdom to God when He returns - 1Co 15:24-26
            4) How flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom - 1Co 15:50
            5) How we are in the kingdom now - Col 1:13
            6) His companions as fellow workers for the kingdom - Co 4:11
            7) How we might be counted worthy of the kingdom - 2Th 1:5
            8) God calling us into His kingdom and glory - 2Th 2:12
            9) Jesus judging us at His appearing and His kingdom - 2 Ti 4:1
           10) The Lord preserving him for His heavenly kingdom - 2 Ti 4:18
         d. Hebrews refers to our receiving a kingdom which can't be shaken - He 12:28
         e. James described the faithful poor as "heirs of the kingdom" - Jm 2:5
         f. Peter wrote how we might have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom - 2Pe 1:10-11
         g. John was a brother and companion in the kingdom of Jesus Christ - Re 1:9
      2. Yet there is an important difference in our message today
         a. John the Baptist, Jesus, His disciples in the Limited
            Commission...all proclaimed the kingdom "at hand" (drawing near)
            1) For the rule of God as foretold by the prophets was about
               to be manifested - cf. Mk 1:14-15; Dan 2:44; 7:13-14
            2) During Jesus' earthly ministry that kingdom (reign) was yet future
            3) That was the "good news" (gospel) of the kingdom then: it was near!
         b. After the ascension of Christ, the preaching of the kingdom
            proclaimed it both present and future
            1) The rule of God is now being fully manifested through
               Jesus Christ - cf. Mt 28:18; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22
            2) Those who "gladly receive" the message are added by the
               Lord Himself to His church or kingdom (i.e., the
               community of believers who submit to His authority)
               - cf. Ac 2:36-41,47; Col 1:13; Re 1:9
            3) Those who persevere to the end inherit the heavenly and
               everlasting kingdom of our Lord - Ac 14:22; 2Pe 1:10-11
      -- This is the good news (gospel) of the kingdom today:  it is both now and coming!

CONCLUSION

1. Thus "The Preaching Ministry Of Jesus" involved proclaiming the kingdom of God...
   a. The coming rule or reign of God
   b. As proclaimed by prophets like Daniel
   c. Was now "at hand", for "the time is fulfilled"!

2. But Jesus did more than just announce the coming of the kingdom of God...
   a. He called on people to repent
   b. He called on people to believe - Mk 1:15

We will examine His call for repentance and faith in our next study.  In
the meantime, we do well to ask ourselves, "Are we in the kingdom of God
today?"  The answer lies in whether we submit to the rule of God now
manifested in the person of Jesus Christ... - cf. Mt 28:18-20  
 
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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When Did Job Live? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

 

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=2516

When Did Job Live?

by  Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Q.

When Did Job Live?

A.

Neither the book of Job nor any other book of the Bible indicates forthrightly when God’s servant Job lived upon the Earth. Furthermore, no biblical genealogies with chronological information, such as that found in Genesis 5 and 11, help in approximating the century in which Job lived. Nevertheless, various clues within the book of Job seem to indicate Job lived sometime after the Flood, but long before the time of Moses.

First, Job’s postdiluvian status seems apparent from a question Eliphaz raised in his final speech. While accusing Job of wickedness, Eliphaz asked: “Will you keep to the old way which wicked men have trod, who were cut down before their time, whose foundations were swept away by a flood?” (Job 22:16, emp. added). As Wayne Jackson noted: “That this is a reference to the Flood of Noah’s day is almost universally conceded by scholars” (1983, p. 58).

Second, that Job was a patriarch who lived prior to the time of Moses, and probably closer to the time of Abraham, seems evident from the following facts:

  • Like other patriarchs of old (Genesis 8:20; 12:7-8; 31:54), Job, as the head of his family, offered up sacrifices to God (Job 1:5; cf. 42:8). In the book of Job, there is no mention of the Levitical priesthood, the tabernacle, the temple, the Law of Moses, etc.

  • Unlike Israelite law, where the family inheritance was passed on to daughters only in the absence of sons (Numbers 27:1-11; 36:1-13), Job gave his daughters “an inheritance among their brothers” (Job 42:15).

  • Job’s material wealth was measured, not in money, but in the amount of livestock he owned (Job 1:3; 42:12), which is more characteristic of patriarchal times.

  • Finally, that Job lived long before the time of Moses seems evident by the fact that the longevity of his life is more comparable to the long lives of the patriarchs who lived around 2200 B.C. The book of Job reveals that Job lived long enough to marry, become “the greatest of all the men of the east” (1:3), and then witness his first 10 children reach at least the age of accountability (1:5), and probably much greater ages (cf. 1:13,18). Then, after suffering greatly, losing all of his children and his material wealth, God blessed Job with 10 more children and twice as much wealth (42:10-13). The book of Job then concludes: “After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days” (42:10-17, emp. added). Thus, it would appear that Job lived well into his 200s or beyond. Interestingly, the Septuagint testifies that Job died at the age of 240—an age more comparable to the ancestors of Abraham (e.g., Serug, Abraham’s great-grandfather lived to be 230—Genesis 11:22-23).

REFERENCES

Jackson, Wayne (1983), The Book of Job (Abilene, TX: Quality Publications).

When Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

 

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=2813


When Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple?

by  Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Q.

Did Jesus cleanse the temple on the day of His triumphal entry?

A.

Many Bible students are aware that the apostle John placed Jesus’ cleansing of the temple near the beginning of His ministry, while Matthew, Mark, and Luke positioned the occasion during the final week of the Savior’s life (see Lyons, 2004). The question regarding whether Jesus cleansed the temple on the first day He entered Jerusalem (during the week of His crucifixion) or on a subsequent day, however, is rarely pondered. Why did Mark place the cleansing of the temple on the day after Jesus’ triumphal entry, while Matthew seems to indicate the cleansing took place on the very day Jesus’ entered Jerusalem?

Following Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, Matthew noted: “And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’ So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee’” (21:10-11). “Then,” Matthew wrote, “Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple...” (21:12, emp. added). Notice that Matthew does not say exactly when Jesus cleansed the temple, only that the event happened “then” (Greek kai, most often translated simply “and”—cf. KJV, ASV, NASB, RSV, etc.). All one can know from Matthew’s account (as well as Luke’s [19:45]) is that (1) Jesus entered Jerusalem, and (2) at some later time, He cleansed the temple.

Mark, however, used more detailed, chronological language. On the first day, Jesus went into Jerusalem and the temple (Mark 11:1-11), then later that day He and His apostles departed for Bethany. “Now the next day, when they had come out of Bethany” (11:12, emp. added), Jesus again went into Jerusalem and into the temple. Unlike His trip to the temple the previous day, this time Jesus entered the temple “to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple” (Mark 11:15-18). Thus, Jesus actually made two trips to the temple: once on the day of His triumphal entry (Mark 11:11), then again “the next day” to cleanse the temple (Mark 11:12,15-18). In this instance, Mark’s account is more sequential, while Matthew’s is more of a summary.

Keep in mind that neither Matthew nor Mark was mistaken in his account. We often report events with the same variety. Sometimes we speak more chronologically, while at other times more generally. Consider the family that returns home to tell friends about a trip to Disney World. One family member may summarize everything they did while at Epcot, while another family member may speak more specifically about how they actually went to Epcot parts of two different days and were able to see all sorts of things. No one would be justified in alleging that either family member was mistaken. Likewise, Matthew and Mark’s accounts are complementary—not contradictory.

REFERENCES

Lyons, Eric (2004), “Chronology and the Cleansing of the Temple,” [On-line], URL: http://apologeticspress.org/articles/528.

What will Happen when Jesus Comes Again? by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

 

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1261

What will Happen when Jesus Comes Again?

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

On numerous occasions throughout the last two thousand years, small groups of “faithful followers” have huddled on mountaintops or in secret rooms, waiting for the Second Coming of Christ as predicted to occur on a certain day, and at a certain time, by some religious leader. Yet, although the predictions of Christ’s return have been copious, each group of expectant “believers” has been disappointed to find that they had been misled. When will Christ return, and what will occur on this Earth when He does come back the second (and last) time?

The first question regarding the time of Christ’s Second Coming is rather easy to answer, thanks to material found within the Bible. In Matthew 24:36, after describing the signs that would lead to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus shifted the topic to His Second Coming. In contrast to the many signs that the early Christians were told to expect prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus made it clear that there would be no signs whereby one could predict His Second Coming. He stated: “But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only…. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him” (Matthew 24:36,44). In another portion of Scripture, the apostle Paul told the Thessalonian brethren that the day of the Lord would come “as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). When will Jesus return? The simple answer to that question is—nobody on this Earth has any idea.

The next question dealing with the events that will occur at the Second Coming requires a much more extensive answer. When Christ ascended to heaven, forty days after His resurrection, He “was taken up, and a cloud received Him” out of the sight of His apostles (Acts 1:9). Immediately following His ascension, two men clothed in white apparel stood by the awe-stricken apostles and said to them, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). From that moment, the apostles waited for Christ’s Second Coming.

The Second Coming, in fact, provided one of the main themes of the apostles’ preaching. Paul, especially, emphasized this event as one that would be glorious and joyful for the faithful in Christ—both those who were living when Christ returned, and those who had died in Christ. In relating some of the events that would accompany Christ’s Second Coming, Paul wrote: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The event, as Paul described it, would be one of splendor and comfort for those faithful to Christ. Christ will not send an angel or some other dignitary to bring Christians to heaven, but He will come “Himself.” His coming will be announced with a loud shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. According to Paul, Christ will not “sneak back” to Earth, but will be announced in a glorious fashion for all to see.

How long will it take for the faithful followers of Christ to be ushered up into heaven with their Lord? Paul answered this question in 1 Corinthians 15 in his discussion of the resurrection of the saints. He wrote: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [meaning that not all Christians will die physically before the Second Coming—KB], but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). In a single instance, as fast as an eye can blink, the resurrection of the saints will be accomplished at the Second Coming of Christ.

Other events that will accompany the Second Coming deal with the ultimate end of this physical Universe. The apostle Peter, in a discourse dealing with scoffers who attempt to deny the Second Coming of Christ, wrote:

But the day of the lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with a fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:10-13).

Peter’s description of the destruction of this physical Universe leaves little to the imagination: the Earth and the heavens (i.e., the totality of this physical Universe) will utterly melt with a fervent heat, and will be destroyed once and for all. There will be no reign of Christ on this Earth at His Second Coming, since Peter clearly depicts the destruction of the physical Earth. The new heaven and the new Earth for which Peter says faithful Christians yearn, are the spiritual homes promised by Jesus in John 14:1-6, and described so vividly in Revelation 21 and 22. They will not be of physical matter like the present heavens and Earth, but instead will be designed especially for the new spiritual bodies discussed by Paul. When Christ comes again, this physical Universe will be destroyed.

What will happen to those who have not been faithful to Christ during their lives on this Earth? Since there will be no physical Universe on which they can continue to live, where will they go? The Bible paints a grim picture for those who reject Christ. John, quoting the words of Christ, wrote that “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His [Jesus’—KB] voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). The apostle Paul later confirmed this statement when He wrote about the time “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

On that fateful day, all of Earth’s inhabitants—both those that have died in the past and those that are living at the time—will be led into the final Judgment in which Christ will divide the righteous from the unrighteous, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. The righteous will be ushered into heaven (prepared for them by Jesus Himself), while the unrighteous will “go away into everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46). All those who have rejected God and Christ, whose names are not found written in the Book of Life, will be cast into the lake of fire with the devil, and “they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10-15).

Although many strange and contrived stories have been concocted regarding the Second Coming of Christ, the Bible presents a crystal clear picture of what will happen: Christ will appear to the entire world, the heavens and the Earth will be burned up, and at the final Judgment, every person who ever lived will either live eternally in heaven or hell. There will be no second chances once Christ comes back. “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11)?

3 Powerful Words We Rarely Hear From Preachers by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2014/11/06/3-powerful-words-we-rarely-hear-from-preachers/


3 Powerful Words We Rarely Hear From Preachers

Preacher.bible

The subject line, with the above title, in my email inbox begged to be opened. No, it actually it screamed!   “Open this email”

I wondered if I was guilty of neglecting three words that could improve my preaching. After all, it was a newsletter I receive weekly from “Better preaching.”

When I opened it and read the first two sentences, I had to chuckle. What were the three words?

“I don’t know.”

Don’t misread this. I do know. Those were the three words that North Carolina preacher, Jonathan Martin, said that we too often neglect–“I don’t know.”

I chuckled because this is an answer that I have found myself giving with more frequency in recent years. In fact, I just used it yesterday in my post on 1 Corinthians 10:13. Paul said when we are tempted God will provide a way of escape. Then I asked, “What will be your way of escape from temptation?”

My answer: “I don’t know. But I do know that God will provide it.”

This could be said of many Bible promises that are given and doctrines that are affirmed. We may not understand the complexity surrounding all of these issues, but if we  accept by faith God at His Word that makes it so, whether I understand it or not.

I don’t know Jonathan Martin’s theology, but I have to agree with this observation in his article. “There is something explicitly or implicitly understood that public personalities need to have an authoritative position on everything.”

This is true not only of preachers, but politicians, pundits, and professors. It seems that even those in the field of sports, entertainment or business feel the need to express their opinion and/or solution to matters of public policy or the complex problems facing our culture. I agree with Martin, there is nothing wrong with saying, “I don’t know.”

About 3400 years ago, Moses affirmed “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut 29:29).

God hasn’t revealed everything to us. Just what we need to know that “pertains to life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3).

How does the Holy Spirit dwell in us? I don’t know. But he does. The Bible says so! (Rom 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:16)

How can God know the hearts of all mankind and judge us righteously? I don’t know. But he can! And He will. The Bible says so (Acts 17:31)

How does God work providentially in our lives, like He did Joseph, without violating our freedom of choice? I don’t know. But He does! (Gen 45:7; 50:19-20).

How do you explain sickness, suffering and death of innocent little children? It’s difficult. I know there are some insights in the book of Job. And there are answers as it relates to the issue of sin and its attendant consequences. But in specific cases, “there is a time to keep silence” (Eccl. 3:7).

Martin expressed it this way, “Tragedy strikes. Disaster befalls us. A child or a mother or a father dies unexpectedly. A bleak diagnosis is given. It seems it is time to speak of the unspeakable.”

Sometimes we just have to admit that we don’t know. “..to recognize the moment when there are no words to be said… Sometimes the sacred thing, the wise thing, the compassionate thing, the best thing—is to shut up.”

When there are no words, no explanations, no profound insights “we can weep with those that weep.” Just like Jesus did at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. We can extend a warm handshake. A pat on the back. A caring hug. A nod of the head. A knowing look. And in our silence, speak volumes of our love, care and compassion to the hurting.

But I’m thinking this advice is not just good for preachers, but parents, Pastors and Bible class teachers. Oh, and maybe when it comes to some facebook questions and controversies, silence or a simple, “I don’t know,” is a far better choice!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman


How Were Messianic Predictions Fulfilled? by David Vaughn Elliott

 

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2017/02/how-were-messianic-predictions.html

How Were Messianic Predictions Fulfilled?
by David Vaughn Elliott

A few weeks ago, Margaret heard a preacher on the radio who said he believed in a literal future fulfillment of the Millennium because the prophecies of Jesus' first coming were literally fulfilled. Is this a valid argument? Were the predictions of Jesus' first coming literally fulfilled?

Take Micah for example. Over 700 years before Christ, Micah predicted, "But you, Bethlehem... out of you shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (5:2). This prophecy is so literally exact that seven centuries later, Jewish scholars were able to point the Magi to Bethlehem to find the new-born Messiah.

In the famous 53rd chapter, Isaiah predicted about the Messiah, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows" (53:3). Who does not know the agonizingly literal fulfillment, culminating with the crucifixion? Four verses later, Isaiah wrote, "as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth." The morning of Jesus' crucifixion, in the face of false witnesses before the Sanhedrin, "Jesus held his peace" (Matt. 26:63). Later in the day, before Pilate, "the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing" (Mark 15:3). Isaiah 53 was literally fulfilled.

While Daniel was in Babylon, and Jerusalem was in ruins, the angel Gabriel foretold three events: "restore and to build Jerusalem... Messiah be cut off... destroy the city and the sanctuary" (9:25-26). Jerusalem was rebuilt, Jesus, the Messiah, was cut off, and 40 years later the Romans under Titus fulfilled the third event in A.D. 70. All literal-physical fulfillments.

These samples are just a few of the many Messianic predictions literally fulfilled by Jesus. But were all the prophecies related to His first coming fulfilled this way? My favorite along this line is "John the Bulldozer." Never heard of him? "The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low" (Isaiah 40:3-4; Luke 3:2-5). Yes, John preached in a physical wilderness. But were valleys filled, mountains shaved off, and a new highway built? We all know this was not literally fulfilled. Rather, it picturesquely predicted John's spiritual work. 

Psalm 22 predicted, "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture" (verse 18). The soldiers literally fulfilled this at the foot of the cross (John 19:23-24). But the same Psalm predicted "many bulls have compassed me" (verse 12) and "dogs have compassed me" (verse 16). Literally? Hardly.

Isaiah foretold: "Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone" (28:16). This is not a prediction regarding the walls or temple of Jerusalem. Rather, Peter tells us that this "cornerstone" is Christ (1 Peter 2:4-8). It did happen in literal Zion (Jerusalem), but Jesus is no more a literal stone than he is a literal lamb, or vine, or any of the other figures applied to Him in Scripture. 

"Do you take the Bible literally or figuratively, which one?" This question is like the proverbial, "Have you stop beating your wife, yes or no?" In both cases, either answer puts you in hot water. (By the way, did you have any trouble with the figurative "hot water"?) We believe the prophecies related to the Messiah's first coming were all fulfilled by Jesus. Some were literal predictions. Others were figurative predictions. We cannot force all prophecies into a literal mold, nor can we force them all into a figurative mold. Many false doctrines could be avoided by keeping the two possibilities in mind as each text is carefully studied.

MARK by Paul Southern

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Southern/Paul/1901/mark.html

MARK

  1. THE TITLE
  2. This gospel bears the name of its writer, Mark, or John Mark. Marcus was his Latin surname. His Jewish name was John, which means "gift or grace of God."

  3. THE WRITER
  4. The writer was not an apostle. He is designated in the New Testament as follows:

    1. John, whose surname was Mark (Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37).
    2. John only (Acts 13:5,13).
    3. Mark only (Acts 15:39; Col 4:10; Phil 24; II Tim 4:11; I Pet 5:13).

    He was a son of Mary, a woman of Jerusalem, whose home was the gathering place of the disciples (Acts 12:12). Here Peter went when he was released from prison. Perhaps Peter converted Mark on this or some other visit, for he refers to him as "Mark my son" (I Pet 5:13). He went on to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25), and accompanied them as minister part of the way on the first mission tour (Acts 13:5). For some unknown reason, he quit the party at Perga and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Paul refused to take him on the second tour, so Barnabas, Mark's cousin (Col 4:10), chose Mark for his companion and went to Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41). Mark was with Paul during his first imprisonment at Rome (Col 4:10; Phil 24). He was also with Peter when Peter wrote his first epistle (I Pet 5:13). When Paul was in prison at Rome the second time, he asked Timothy to bring Mark there, "for he is useful to me for ministering" (II Tim 4:11. Beyond this point, the New Testament is silent concerning Mark. Tradition says that he visited Egypt, founded the church of Alexandria, and died a martyr.

  5. THE GOSPEL
    1. The date: Probably about 60 A.D. and certainly before 70 A.D.
    2. Where written: External evidence favors Rome as the place.
    3. Language: All indications are that it was written in Greek.
    4. For whom written: It is a gospel for the Romans. There is no reference to the Jewish law, the genealogy of Jesus is omitted, all doubtful Jewish words are explained, Jewish money is reduced to Roman currency, Jewish customs are explained, etc.
    5. Purpose: To chronicle the activities of Christ in such a way as to convince the Romans that Jesus possessed real manhood crowned with glory and power.
    6. Subject: Jesus the Almighty King.
    7. Characteristics:
      1. It is a gospel of activity and energy. It is the actional gospel, portraying the active career of Jesus. Mark emphasizes the works rather than the discourses of Christ. "Immediately," "anon," "by and by," "forthwith," "as soon as," "shortly," "straightway" are terms that indicate rapid succession. These words occur more than 40 times. "Straightway" is the key word.
      2. It is a gospel of power over devils. They recognize Jesus as God's Son, and are here made subject to Him.
      3. It is a gospel of wonder. Everywhere Jesus is depicted as a man of wonder. He causes wonder, awe, and terror among the multitudes.
      4. It is a gospel of vivid detail. Everything is graphically reported.

  6. EXERCISES FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY
    1. The word straightway or its equivalent is used more than forty times in Mark. List all the places where it occurs, and note carefully the pictorial element in the narrative
    2. How many parables occur in Mark? Why so few?
    3. Make a list of all the miracles that appear in Mark. Why are so many given in this book?
    4. Why does Mark omit the genealogy of Christ?
    5. Make a list of all the places to which Jesus retired, and indicate the circumstances preceding and following each period of withdrawal.
    6. In studying the four gospel narratives note:
      1. Matthew shows that the Jews valued men as descendants of Abraham.
      2. From Mark we learn that the Romans valued men as they controlled empires.
      3. According to Luke the Greeks valued men on the basis of man as such.
      4. John shows that the church values men as immortal souls made in the image of God.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

WHAT GOOD WAS THERE IN SENDING THE MESSIAH? (part 4 of 4) by Gary Rose

 

WHAT GOOD WAS THERE IN SENDING THE MESSIAH?


Bible: Jn 4:25-26         Song: "my hope is built on nothing less"


I. INTRODUCTION

A. This is the last in our series of lessons on "The Messiah".

B. There have been 112 references to "The Messiah" so far, with hundreds of others        available.

C. There have been multitudes who have not listened to His message.... so what was       the point in sending Him to earth?

D. This lesson will not emphasize the negative, but rather show the value in sending       "The Messiah"--- because this is what's really important!


II. BODY

A. GOD'S WILL BE DONE. Matt 17:1-5; Jn 19:17-30

1. God decreed that "The Messiah" should do what He did. This proves God is God !

2. God's way is the best way... really the only way.

3. God's ways are not man's ways... who could come up with a better way of saving         men.

4. God's way was to show than mankind could live spiritually.

5. God's will is for those who follow Him to L-I-S-T-E-N to His son!


B. GOD'S KINGDOM WAS ESTABLISHED. Acts 2:29-36; Heb 12:28

    1. The concept of a kingdom reveals God's sovereignty and authority!

    2. The character of God's kingdom is the character of God Himself.

    3. The completeness of the victory of God's kingdom is the victory over evil.

    4. The compliance to the rules of the kingdom define the righteous judgment of             God.


C. GOD'S BLESSINGS WERE POURED FORTH. Eph 1:1-13; Acts 20:28; Jn 3:16

    1. God WANTS us to be blessed.

    2. God brought about those blessings at a terrible cost.

    3. God has done this because He loves us.

    4. God wants us, do we want Him??


D. GOD'S MYSTERY REVEALED. Eph. 3:1-11; Jn 1:18

    1. Man disobeyed God in the beginning because he couldn't understand God                     (spirit).

    2. Man was shown the correct attitudes and actions to live by through "The                         Messiah"

    3. Man has no excuse--- once he has been shown the way to fellowship with God.

    4. Man could not truly understand how to defeat sin on his own; it took "The                     Messiah"


E. GOD'S HOPE WAS GIVEN. 1 Pet 1:1-13

    1. Hope that men knew by faith, but unrevealed in this world.

    2. Hope that was ABLE TO SEE GOD'S REVELATION OF TRUTH.

    3. Hope embedded within true spiritual faith, which will respond to God's amazing         Grace.

    4. Hope for everyone!


III. CONCLUSION

A. GOD had compassion on men who could not save themselves and offered himself     as sacrifice.

B. GOD made a way for us through the messiah; will we remove our willful self and         make way for him?