Mark-Lesson 14...Continued from page 5
Thomas Klock
DAY SIX
Following Christ
We have seen this week five areas of teaching of Jesus at this time that Mark thought important, and indeed they are for us all. They show us the distinction between mere religion and Christianity, and in these occasions Jesus pointed those hearing Him to the Word of God, not man’s opinion or philosophy. Those that choose to follow Jesus must remember that we are called to be different. Consider what Paul wrote to the Corinthians as to this in 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, pointing back to the Old Testament:
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate , says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty" (nkjv).
Today think through the five teachings Jesus gave and record your thoughts about them or how you need to make improvement in them, bettering reflect Jesus to others:
1. Your marriage is based on the Word of God and you are taking it seriously in view of God’s purposes for it:
2. You are not a stumbling block to others in coming to Christ, and are yourself walking in a childlike trust and faith in Him:
3. You are demonstrating that your life is not mere religion, but demonstrates a true seeking of God from the heart, being willing to let go of that which keeps you from being all you can in Him:
4. Realizing that our salvation is impossible apart from the grace of God, but also that with God all things are possible, and He will see you through your current and future circumstances:
5. That sacrifice and commitment are required of the believer, but that sacrifice is not forgotten before God, who can give us much more than what we think we’re losing for His Kingdom and glory:
Beloved, the cross is not made of feathers, or lined with velvet, it is heavy and galling to disobedient shoulders; but it is not an iron cross, though your fears have painted it with iron colours, it is a wooden cross, and a man can carry it, for the Man of sorrows tried the load. Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Remember that Jesus carried it, and it will smell sweetly; remember that it will soon be followed by the crown, and the thought of the coming weight of glory will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble. The Lord help you to bow your spirit in submission to the divine will ere you fall asleep this night, that waking with to-morrow’s sun, you may go forth to the day’s cross with the holy and submissive spirit which becomes a follower of the Crucified.[xvii]
Scripture Memory: Hopefully you now can write out this week’s passage completely by memory. Do so now, and keep on reviewing it do you will be ready to share it with others in your group time.
Mark 10:27:
[i] Homer A. Kent, Jr., The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Winona Lakes: BMH Books, 2005), p. 141.
[ii] This information is based on James A. Brooks, Mark. In David S. Dockery ed., The New American Commentary, Vol. 23 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1991), pp. 156-157; John D. Grassmick, Mark. In John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament (Wheaton: Victor Books/SP Publications, 1983), p. 148-149; Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p. 161; A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1932, 1933, 1997); Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary Vol. 1 (Wheaton: Victor Books/SP Publications, Inc., 1989), pp. 140, 144; and Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Studies in the New Testament: For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Co; in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1984, 1997).
[iii] Unless elsewhere noted, all Greek word/phrase translations are based on the following: A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1932, 1933, 1997); James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order, Electronic Edition (Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship; in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996); M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2002); Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Studies in the New Testament: For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, Co; in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1984, 1997); and Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, Electronic Edition (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, in Bellingham: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1992, 1993, 2000).
[iv] W. A. Elwell and P.W. Comfort, Tyndale Bible Dictionary (Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001. In Logos Research Systems, Inc., Bellingham).
[v] M. Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Electronic Edition (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1897, 1996.
[vi] John Phillips, Exploring the Gospel of Mark (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004), p. 216.
[vii] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, pp. 161-162.
[viii] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary Vol. 1, p. 145.
[ix] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Studies in the New Testament: For the English Reader.
[x]John D. Grassmick, Mark. In John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament (Wheaton: Victor Books/SP Publications, 1983), p. 150.
[xi] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Studies in the New Testament: For the English Reader.
[xii] Warren W. Wiersbe, p. 146.
[xiii] John D. Grassmick, Mark, p. 151.
[xiv] See John D. Grassmick, p. 151; Craig S. Keener, p. 162; and James A. Brooks, p. 164.
[xv] James A. Brooks, p. 165.
[xvi] Brooks, p. 165.
[xvii] C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and evening : Daily readings . Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, 1995
© 2005 by Harvest Christian Fellowship. All rights reserved. Written by Thomas Klock for Men’s Bible Fellowship, 2005-2006.
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