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THE GOSPEL OF MARK CHAPTER BY CHAPTER – “Chapter EIGHT”

8:1 – 9 Even the closest of JESUS’ followers can quickly forget Mark’s premise stated in 1:1 that “JESUS CHRIST (is) the SON of GOD.”

Theological Note: This is the second miraculous mass feeding by JESUS recorded in Mark. (The previous feeding of 5,000 men (and many women and children) is recorded in Mark 6:30-44, which had taken place less than one year earlier!)

(1) “In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, (2) “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. (3) And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” (4) And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” (5) And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” (6) And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. (7) And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. (8) And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. (9) And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.

Note: While JESUS feeding the five thousand appears in all four Gospels, only Matthew and Mark record this second miraculous feeding of the multitudes following JESUS!

8:10 – 13 While JESUS provided many miraculous signs during HIS earthly ministry, when people will only believe when they see a miraculous sign, HE refuses to perform for them and instead points them to those things that HE has previously done.

(10) “And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha. (11) The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. (12) And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” (13) And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.”

Theological Note: In Matthew 12 and 16, JESUS pointed unbelievers seeking a sign to signs of HIS deity taken from Jonah and from creation. In Matthew 24-25, HE gave specific signs about HIS return to HIS disciples.

8:14 – 21 JESUS encourages HIS disciples to focus on the real danger they face – the danger of false doctrine – rather than on physical needs such a bread.

(14) “Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. (15) And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (16) And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. (17) And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? (18) Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

(19) When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” (20) “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” (21) And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

8:22 – 26 Mark again demonstrates the truth of his assertion in 1:1 that “JESUS CHRIST (is) THE SON OF GOD” by recording HIS healing of a blind man!

(22) “And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. (23) And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” (24) And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” (25) Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (26) And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

Theological Note: This is the only one of the 37 miracles performed by JESUS recorded in The Four Gospels where the miracle itself was initially incomplete!

JESUS often healed people by different means. Usually HE just spoke a word, sometimes HE touched people, sometimes people touched HIM.

In Matthew 9:27-30, JESUS healed two blind men by merely touching their eyes!

In John 9:1-7, JESUS healed a blind man by making mud and putting in the man’s eye!

In Mark 10:46-52, JESUS healed a blind man named Bartimaeus by just speaking to him!

Here, in Mark 8:22-26, JESUS healed a blind man by spitting on his eyes and touching his eyes twice!

JESUS does not always – and does not need to – work the same way in everyone’s life to accomplish HIS will for them!

FYI – Since JESUS does not say why HE chose to only partially heal the blind man at first and then completed his healing by touching him a second time, I do not know why HE healed him this way… and neither does anyone else!

8:27 – 30 The MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE a person will ever settle in their life is, “WHO is JESUS CHRIST?”

(27) “And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” (28) And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” (29) And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (30) And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.”

Cf. John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

8:31 – 33 Even the best of disciples, including those closest to HIM, struggle to understand GOD’s means by which HE has chosen to save sinners!

(31) And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.     (32) And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. (33) But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

8:34 – 38 While there was, and still is, a price to be paid to faithfully follow, worship, and serve JESUS, there is also a price to be paid for not faithfully following, worshiping, and serving JESUS!

(34) “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (35) For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. (36) For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (37) For what can a man give in return for his soul? (38) For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

“Christianity was not designed to be lived on a couch when it was born on a cross!” (Author Unknown)

THE GOSPEL OF MARK CHAPTER BY CHAPTER – “Chapter SEVEN”

7:1 – 7

Man made religions are almost always based on some form of good works and rule keeping!

Theological Note: There are three “kinds” of religions in the world:

Pelagianism (Humanism) – man saves himself by some means.

Semi-Pelagianism: (Roman Catholicism and most other religions) – Man and GOD work together to save sinners.

** This is the religion of the Pharisees of JESUS’ day.

Christianity: GOD, and GOD alone, works to save sinners!

(1) “Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, (2) they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (3) (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, (4) and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) (5) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” (6) And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; (7) in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

7:8 – 13

While Semi-Pelagians love to make and require obedience to their rules, they do not obey GOD’s rules!

(8) “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (9) And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!         (10) For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ (11) But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)⁠— (12) then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, (13) thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

7:14 – 23

“The heart of mankind’s problem is the problem of their hearts!”

(14) “And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: (15) There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (17) And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. (18) And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, (19) since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) (20) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. (21) For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  (22) coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (23) All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

7:24 – 30

While the Jews did have, do have, and always will have a special place in GOD’s plans, JESUS will save anyone anywhere and everyone everywhere who come to HIM in faith!

(24) And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. (25) But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. (26) Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. (27) And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” (28) But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (29) And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” (30) And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.”

7:31 – 37

Mark uses the healing of the Syrophoenician Woman’s Daughter and of a deaf and nonverbal beggar to prove his assertion in 1:1 that “JESUS CHRIST (is) the SON of GOD!”

(31) “Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. (32) And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. (33) And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. (34) And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” (35) And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

(36) And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. (37) And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

AMEN!

5:1 – 5

There is no person, regardless of their situation, that JESUS cannot save and whose life HE cannot change!

(1) “They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. (2) And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. (3) He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, (4) for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. (5) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.”

5:6 – 13

Mark again uses an event in the life of JESUS to prove his assertion in 1:1 that “Jesus Christ, (is) the Son of God…” by showing JESUS’ power over demons!

(6) “And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. (7) And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” (8) For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (9) And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” (10) And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. (11) Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, (12) and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.”

(13) So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.”

Theological Note: Demon possession was, and is, a real thing. It is clear that demonic activity was much more prevalent while JESUS was physically present on the earth, but demons are real and people really are demon possessed today.

However… one should be careful to not write off most cases of wicked behavior to the presence of demons. Some humans do engage in vile and wicked behavior through choice, or being under the influence of some chemical, and/or by mental illness.

5:14 – 17

Unsaved people are far more interested in their possessions than knowing WHO JESUS is!

(14) “The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. (15) And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. (17) And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.”              

5:18

It is not unusual for a newly redeemed person to want nothing more than to spend time with JESUS!

(18) “As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him.”

5:19

While it is not unusual for a newly redeemed person to want nothing more than to spend time with JESUS, HE commands us to go and tell others about HIM!

(19) “And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

5:20

It is not unusual for a newly redeemed person to want nothing more than to obey JESUS!

(20) “And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

5:21 – 43

Mark demonstrates the truthfulness of his claim in 1:1 that “Jesus Christ (is) the Son of GOD” by showing JESUS’ power over disease and even death itself!

(21) “And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. (22) Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet (23) and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” (24) And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. (25) And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, (26) and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. (27) She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. (28) For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” (29) And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. (30) And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”

(31) And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” (32) And he looked around to see who had done it. (33) But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. (34) And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

(35) “While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (36) But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”   (37) And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. (38) They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. (39) And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” (40) And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.          (41) Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” (42) And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. (43) And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.”

AMEN!

THE GOSPEL OF MARK CHAPTER BY CHAPTER –                            SERMON #6 “Chapter Four!”

4:1 – 2 Parables are the inspired Word of GOD, and the nature of parables is vitally important to understand in order to understand both the parable itself and what it is given to illustrate!

(1) “Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. (2) And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:…”

4:3 – 9 The Parable of the Sower and the Seeds!

(3) “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. (4) And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. (5) Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil.   (6) And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. (7) Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. (8) And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” (9) And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

4:13 – 20 The Methodology and the Meaning of the Parable of the Sower and the Seeds!

NOTE: Biblical Parables are Practical Illustrations of Spiritual Truths!

(13) “And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? (14) The sower sows the word.

(15) And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. (16) And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. (17) And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. (18) And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, (19) but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (20) But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

4:10 – 12 The Purposes of the Parables!

10-11a Biblical Parables are for the Transformation of Believers!

(10) And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. (11) And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, …”

11b-12 Biblical Parables are for the Condemnation of Unbelievers!

“but for those outside everything is in parables, (12) so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”

4:21 – 25 The Importance of Understanding the Word of GOD and the Accountability of Those Who are Privileged to Hear IT!

(21) “And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? (22) For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. (23) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”          

(24) And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. (25) For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Cf. 1^st Corinthians 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Cf. 2^nd Corinthians 4:4 “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

4:26 – 29 The Parables of How GOD’s Kingdom Grows!

26-27 Sowing the Seed is Our Work!

(26) “And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. (27) He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.”

28-29 Growing the Seed is GOD’s Work!

(28) “The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. (29) But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

4:30 – 34 “Little is Much when GOD is in IT!”

(30) “And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

(31) It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, (32) yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” (33) With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

(34) He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.”

4:35 – 41 Additional Proof that Mark 1:1 is Absolutely TRUE!

(35) “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” (36) And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. (37) And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. (38) But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (39) And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40) He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (41) And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

AMEN!

Exposition: (Mark 12:13-17)

(14a) It is not uncommon to hear unsaved people saying nice things about Jesus!

“And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God.”

(13) But the truth is, they do not mean it, and only want to deny Him and destroy His followers!

“And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk.”

(14b) One of the largest points of contention is over the believer’s relationship in relation to our God and to our government!

“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?”

(15-17) As always, Jesus has the perfect answer!

“But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. And they brought one. And he said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said to him, ‘Caesar’s.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they marveled at him.”

Applications:

RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR’S:

1. We are citizens of our Country!

2. This means that we have both rights and responsibilities:

– Rights

(a) All Constitutional Protections! (especially life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the free exercise of our religious faith!)

(b) Fair and equal treatment in the eyes of the law!

(c) To Vote!

– Responsibilities (Mark 12:13-17; Romans 13:1-7)

(a) Pay our taxes!

(b) Vote! Cf. James 4:17

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

(c) Honor the duly elected and legally appointed leaders of the Country as they are ultimately put in place by God, Himself!!                                               

Psalm 75:6 “For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.”                       

Romans 9:17 “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”                                                                                                                        

1st Peter 2:13-17 “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

(d) Obey the law unless that law requires that we disobey the Law of God!

Cf. Acts 5:29

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

RENDER TO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S:

1. Those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, are also citizens of God’s Kingdom!

Cf. Philippians 3:20-21

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

2. This also means that we have both rights and responsibilities:

– Rights

(a) All of God’s Promises!

(b) All of God’s Protections!

(c) All of God’s Provisions!

– Responsibilities

(a) Worship Him! (Including paying our Tithes, which is the immediate context of the passage)

(b) Become His disciple!

(c) Serve Him!

(d) Serve others!

(e) Make disciples of all peoples!

3. Our role as citizens of God’s Kingdom must always take precedence to our role as citizens of our Country!

AMEN!

Sermon FOUR: CHAPTER THREE

3:1 – 6                                                                                                          

 Physical Miracles are Not Always Sufficient to bring Unbelievers to Faith in JESUS!

(1) “Again, he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. (2) And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.    (3) And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” (4) And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. (5) And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. (6) The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.”

Note: This is a continuation of the confrontation with the Pharisees over the Sabbath. (2:23-24)

This likely took place on the following Sabbath. Note that this is in a synagogue whereas the previous confrontation was out in the fields. (2:23)

3:7 – 12                                                                                                                 

 The Condemnation of Jesus Religious Hypocrites is Insufficient to Hinder the Work of JESUS in the World!

(7) “Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea (8) and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon.

When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. (9) And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, (10) for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. (11) And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” (12) And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.”

3:13 – 19                                                                                                                  

In spite of their (and our) Repeated Human Failings, JESUS has placed HIS Kingdom Work into the Hands of HIS People!

(13) “And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. (14) And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach (15) and have authority to cast out demons. (16) He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); (17) James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); (18) Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, (19) and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Note: “Thaddaeus” is called by two names and one title in the New Testament. Here in Mark 3:18 and Matthew 10:3, he is called Thaddaeus. In The King James Version at Matthew 10:3, he is called “Lebbaeus” which means “heart” in both Hebrew and Aramiac. His actual name is Judas Thaddaeus and his nickname is Lebbaeus.

Luke 6:16 “and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Acts 1:13 “And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.”

3:20 – 21; 31 – 32                                                                                            

 We should not be discouraged if our families do not immediately come to believe in JESUS, (at least for a while) HIS half-brothers and sisters did not believe in HIM either!

Note:  We do not know if all of his half-siblings came to believe in HIM, but we do know that HIS half-brothers James and Jude came to believe in HIM. Apparently, they became the human authors of the Biblical Books which bear their names!

(20) “Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. (21) And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

(31) “And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. (32) And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”

3:33-35                                                                                                           

The “Family of GOD” really is a Family!

(33) And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” (34) And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! (35) For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

3:22 – 30                                                                                                                     

There is and has always been an “Unpardonable Sin.” However, it is manifested in a person’s life, the one and only “Unpardonable Sin” is an ultimate and final rejection of the Calling, Convicting, and Converting work of the Holy Spirit!

(22) And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” (23) And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? (24) If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.     (25) And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (26) And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. (27) But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. (28) “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, (29) but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin”⁠— (30) for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

AMEN.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK CHAPTER BY CHAPTER                                 

Sermon FOUR: CHAPTER TWO – JESUS in the House!

2:1 – 12                                                                                                        

JESUS is the SON OF GOD and HE demonstrates that Spiritual Healing is far more important than Physical Healing!”

THE MESSIAH! (1) “And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

A MULTITUDE! (2) And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

4 MEN AND A MAN! (3) And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. (4) And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

MERCY! (5) And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

A MESSAGE! (6) Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, (7) “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”  (8) And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? (9) Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?

A MIRACLE! (10) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”⁠—he said to the paralytic⁠—           

(11) “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” (12) And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

NOTE: Spiritual Healing is more important (and more costly to GOD) than Physical Healing!

2:13 – 17                                                                                               

Witnessing to and winning the lost requires getting involved in their lives!

(13) “He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. (14) And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. (15) And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. (16) And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (17) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

2:18 – 22                                                                                                      

Religious Ritual without a Real Relationship can neither Save nor Sanctify!

(18) “Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (19) And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

(20) The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. (21) No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.        (22) And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins⁠—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

2:23 – 28                                                                                                       

Love, rather than Legalism, is the Purpose of GOD’s Law!

(23) “One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. (24) And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” (25) And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: (26) how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” (27) And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (28) So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

AMEN!

THE GOSPEL OF MARK CHAPTER BY CHAPTER

Sermon THREE: CHAPTER ONE

1:1; 2-13; 23-34; 40-42

JESUS CHRIST is the Son of GOD!

1:1 We know that JESUS is the Son of GOD because the Bible says that JESUS is the Son of GOD!

(1) “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

1:2-8

We know that JESUS is the Son of GOD because John the Baptist said that JESUS is the Son of GOD!

(2) As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, (3) the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

(4) John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (5) And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (6) Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.       (7) And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. (8) I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

1:9-11

We know that JESUS is the Son of GOD because GOD the Father said that JESUS is GOD!

(9) In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (10) And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

(11) And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

1:12-13

We know that JESUS is the Son of GOD because JESUS overcame the devil when JESUS was tempted in the wilderness!

(12) “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.  (13) And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.”

1:23-28

We know that JESUS is the Son of GOD because JESUS often commanded the demons who immediately obeyed HIM!

(23) “And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, (24) “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are⁠—the Holy One of God.” (25) But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” (26) And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. (27) And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”      (28) And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

1:29-34, 40-42

We know that JESUS is the Son of GOD because of HIS ability to heal human sickness!

(29) And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. (30) Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. (31) And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.        

(32) That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. (33) And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

(34) And he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.”

(40) “And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” (41) Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” (42) And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.”

1:14-15

The Way to Salvation is so Simple that It can be given in SIX WORDS!

(14) “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, (15) and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

1:16-20; 35-38

When JESUS calls, you have to go!

(16) “Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. (17) And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (18) And immediately they left their nets and followed him. (19) And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. (20) And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”

(35) “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark,  he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

(36) And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, (37) and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” (38) And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.

(39) And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.”

Personal Note: 1:38 is a parallel passage to Luke 4:43-44.

(4:43) “but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” (4:44) And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

It was these verses in Luke 4 along with Luke 4:18-19, by which GOD called me into ministry in 1976 while serving in the Air Force on Guam!

1:21-22; 43-45

Personal fame and public acclaim can be a hindrance to ministry!

(21) “And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. (22) And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”

(43) “And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, (44) and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” (45) But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.”

AMEN!

In our sermon today, as another introduction to The Gospel of Mark, I want to ask and answer two questions…

#1 What is a “Gospel?”

#2 Who is Mark?

First, what is a “Gospel?”

A gospel is a form of a written document inspired by GOD (as are the other sixty-five books of The Christian Bible) but they are both typical and unique in several important ways:

A gospel is the very Word of the One True and Living GOD breathed into human authors in human languages common at the time of their writing. This process is called “Revelation” whereby GOD reveals HIMSELF, HIS will, “HIS Word, HIS way of salvation, and HIS plan and purpose through the ages.”

Once GOD had revealed HIS Word to the human authors, HE led and enabled them to perfectly write HIS Word through the process known as “Inspiration.”

After the writing of HIS Word was complete, HE superintended the copying, preserving, and accurately translating HIS Word through the process known as “Preservation.”

After the processes of Revelation, Inspiration, and Preservation were complete, HE enables born-again people to understand HIS Word through the process of “Illumination.”

In the process of giving the world HIS Word, HE gave HIS Word through ten forms of normal grammatical syntax in the languages in which HIS Word was given:

History. Biography. Law. Prophecy. Poetry. Wisdom. Gospel. Epistle. Parable. Apocryphal.

Therefore, The Christian Bible must be interpreted using the normal meaning of words and the normal rules of grammar!

Many of the Books of the Christian Bible include many, if not all, of these genre’ of literature withing their text.

The subject of our coming study, The Gospel of Mark falls into the category of “gospel” literature.

A gospel is a form of biography, but it is not a traditional biography either in form of purpose.

While including many of the ten forms of literary genre’, a gospel is primarily a mixture of biography and historical narrative.

Second: “Who is Mark?”

He is the son of a woman named Mary. Acts 12:12

He was a companion of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 12:25

He was a cousin of Barnabas. Colossians 4:10

He deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first Missionary Journey. Acts 15:38

He later went on another Missionary Journey with Barnabas after Barnabas and Paul parted ways. Acts 15:39-41

Years later, Paul described Mark as a “fellow worker.”        Philemon 1:24

Paul later sent for him to join him in his ministry.                               2^nd Timothy 4:11

Years later, Mark was working with the Apostle Peter. 1^st Peter 5:13

“She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.”

Since John Mark is the human author of this Gospel and he was not an Apostle; and since he was a fellow minister and protégé of Simon Peter, it is the consensus of Bible-believing scholars that John Mark is serving as Peter’s amanuensis which gives this Gospel Apostolic imprimatur and authority!

Extrabiblical history and church tradition suggest that John Mark served as an interpreter for Peter. He is credited with writing the Gospel of Mark based on Peter’s teachings and eventually founding the church in Alexandria, Egypt.

So, what are the key lessons from this introduction to John Mark and his Gospel?

LESSON ONE: The Christian Bible is the very Word and Voice of the One True and Living GOD and since The Gospel of Mark is part of The Christian Bible, the Words in The Gospel of Mark are the very Words and Voice of the One True and Living GOD!

LESSON TWO: The very best of young Christian men can make really serious mistakes!

LESSON THREE: Young men from the very best of Christian families can make really serious mistakes!

LESSON FOUR: Failure is only final if you quit!

AMEN!

UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL OF MARK – CHAPTER BY CHAPTER – SERMON ONE “INTRODUCTION PART 2”

In our sermon today, as another introduction to The Gospel of Mark, I want to ask and answer two questions…

#1 What is a “Gospel?”

#2 Who is Mark?

First, what is a “Gospel?”

A gospel is a form of a written document inspired by GOD (as are the other sixty-five books of The Christian Bible) but they are both typical and unique in several important ways:

A gospel is the very Word of the One True and Living GOD breathed into human authors in human languages common at the time of their writing. This process is called “Revelation” whereby GOD reveals HIMSELF, HIS will, “HIS Word, HIS way of salvation, and HIS plan and purpose through the ages.”

Once GOD had revealed HIS Word to the human authors, HE led and enabled them to perfectly write HIS Word through the process known as “Inspiration.”

After the writing of HIS Word was complete, HE superintended the copying, preserving, and accurately translating HIS Word through the process known as “Preservation.”

After the processes of Revelation, Inspiration, and Preservation were complete, HE enables born-again people to understand HIS Word through the process of “Illumination.”

In the process of giving the world HIS Word, HE gave HIS Word through ten forms of normal grammatical syntax in the languages in which HIS Word was given:

History. Biography. Law. Prophecy. Poetry. Wisdom. Gospel. Epistle. Parable. Apocryphal.

Therefore, The Christian Bible must be interpreted using the normal meaning of words and the normal rules of grammar!

Many of the Books of the Christian Bible include many, if not all, of these genre’ of literature withing their text.

The subject of our coming study, The Gospel of Mark falls into the category of “gospel” literature.

A gospel is a form of biography, but it is not a traditional biography either in form of purpose.

While including many of the ten forms of literary genre’, a gospel is primarily a mixture of biography and historical narrative.

Second: “Who is Mark?”

He is the son of a woman named Mary. Acts 12:12

He was a companion of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 12:25

He was a cousin of Barnabas. Colossians 4:10

He deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first Missionary Journey. Acts 15:38

He later went on another Missionary Journey with Barnabas after Barnabas and Paul parted ways. Acts 15:39-41

Years later, Paul described Mark as a “fellow worker.”  Philemon 1:24

Paul later sent for him to join him in his ministry.  2^nd Timothy 4:11

Years later, Mark was working with the Apostle Peter. 1^st Peter 5:13

“She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.”

Since John Mark is the human author of this Gospel and he was not an Apostle; and since he was a fellow minister and protégé of Simon Peter, it is the consensus of Bible-believing scholars that John Mark is serving as Peter’s amanuensis which gives this Gospel Apostolic imprimatur and authority!

Extrabiblical history and church tradition suggest that John Mark served as an interpreter for Peter. He is credited with writing the Gospel of Mark based on Peter’s teachings and eventually founding the church in Alexandria, Egypt.

So, what are the key lessons from this introduction to John Mark and his Gospel?

LESSON ONE: The Christian Bible is the very Word and Voice of the One True and Living GOD and since The Gospel of Mark is part of The Christian Bible, the Words in The Gospel of Mark are the very Words and Voice of the One True and Living GOD!

LESSON TWO: The very best of young Christian men can make really serious mistakes!

LESSON THREE: Young men from the very best of Christian families can make really serious mistakes!

LESSON FOUR: Failure is only final if you quit!

AMEN!

The Gospel of Mark is divinely inspired scripture; therefore, the words of this Gospel are the very words of the living GOD!

Since John Mark (the human author of this Gospel) was not an Apostle, and since he was a fellow minister and protégé of Simon Peter, it is the consensus of Bible-believing scholars that John Mark is serving as Peter’s amanuensis which gives this Gospel Apostolic imprimatur and authority!

Cf. 1st Peter 5:13 “She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.”

In Chapter one and verse one of this Gospel, John Mark declares that Jesus Christ is, “the Son of GOD.” The primary purpose of this Gospel is to prove that opening statement.

For today, as Part ONE of an Introduction to The Gospel of Mark, I will use the sixteen points from Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries for my sermon outline.

1. Mark calls Jesus the Son of GOD!

(1:1) “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

2. John the Baptist applies Isaiah 40:3 (which is about Yahweh) to Jesus!

(1:2-3) “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

3. GOD the Father calls JESUS HIS Beloved Son!

(1:9-11) “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

4. The unclean spirits recognize JESUS as the Holy ONE of GOD Who has power to destroy them!

(1:23-24) “And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are⁠—the Holy One of God.”

5. JESUS is able to forgive sins that are committed against GOD!

(2:5-7) “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

6. JESUS claimed to be the SON of Man (referenced in Daniel 7) Who is the LORD of the Sabbath!

(2:27-28) “And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

7. Demons fall down before JESUS and recognize HIM as the SON of GOD!

(3:11) “And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

8. A demon possessed man recognized JESUS’ authority and power!

(5:6-7) “And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

9. JESUS has the authority to change GOD’s Law!

(7:17-19) “And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus, he declared all foods clean.)”

10. JESUS called people to not be ashamed of HIM but rather to give their lives for HIM!

(8:34-38) “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

11. JESUS is called the Father’s “Beloved Son!”

(9:7) “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

12. JESUS asked the Rich Young Ruler if he understood the implications of calling HIM, “Good!”

(10:17-18) “And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

13. The Elect people of GOD are called JESUS’ Elect people!

(13:26-27) “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”

14. JESUS’ Words are put at the same level as GOD’s Words!

(13:31) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

15. JESUS places HIMSELF to be above men and angels in relationship to GOD the Father!

(13:32) “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

16. JESUS identifies HIMSELF as the Son of Man as given in Daniel 7:13-14!

(14:61-64) “But he remained silent and made no answer. Again, the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.”

Amen, Dr James White… that is good preaching!