Mark 1

Jesus fulfills prophecy verse 1- 3

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ – the Son of God

as it is written in the prophets

BEHOLD – I send MY messenger before YOUR face

which shall prepare YOUR way before YOU

The voice of one crying in the wilderness

Prepare you the way of the Lord – make HIS paths straight

John the Baptist prepared the way verse 4- 6

John did baptize in the wilderness

and preach the baptism of REPENTANCE

for the remission of sins

AND there went out to him all the land of Judea

and they of Jerusalem

and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan

CONFESSING their sins

And John was clothed with camel’s hair

and with a girdle of a skin about his loins

and he did eat locusts and wild honey

John the Baptist announced the coming of Jesus verse 7- 8

And preached – saying – There comes one mightier than I after me

the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy

to stoop down and unloose

I indeed have baptized you with water

BUT HE shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost

John the Baptist baptized Jesus verse 9- 11

And it came to pass in those days

that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee

and was baptized of John in Jordan

AND straightway coming up out of the water

HE saw the heavens opened

AND the Spirit like a dove descending upon HIM

and there came a voice from heaven – saying

YOU are MY beloved Son

in WHOM I am well- pleased

Jesus taken to wilderness by Holy Spirit verse 12- 13

And immediately the Spirit drives HIM into the wilderness

AND HE was there in the wilderness

forty days tempted of Satan

and was with the wild beasts

and the angels ministered unto HIM

Jesus preaches in Galilee verse 14- 15

Now after that John was put in prison – Jesus came into Galilee

preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God – and saying

The time is fulfilled

and the kingdom of God is at hand

repent you – and believe the gospel

Jesus calls Peter and Andrew verse 16- 18

Now as HE walked by the sea of Galilee

HE saw Simon and Andrew his brother

casting a net into the sea

for they were fishers

AND Jesus said unto them – Come you after ME

and I will make you to become fishers of men

AND straightway they forsook their nets – and followed HIM

Jesus calls James and John verse 19- 20

AND when HE had gone a little farther thence

HE saw James the son of Zebedee

and John his brother

who also were in the ship mending their nets

AND straightway HE called them

and they left their father Zebedee

in the ship with the hired servants

and went after HIM

Jesus in Capernaum teaching in Synagogue verse 21- 22

AND they went into Capernaum

and straightway on the Sabbath day

HE entered into the synagogue

and TAUGHT

And they were astonished at HIS doctrine

FOR HE TAUGHT them

as one that had AUTHORITY

and not as the scribes

Evil spirit calls out Jesus name verse 23- 24

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit

and he cried out – saying – Let us alone

What have we to do with YOU

YOU Jesus of Nazareth?

Are YOU come to destroy us?

I know YOU who YOU

are the Holy One of God

Jesus tells evil spirit to be quiet verse 25- 26

And Jesus rebuked him – saying

Hold your peace – and come out of him

and when the unclean spirit had torn him

and cried with a loud voice

he came out of him

People amazed at teaching of Jesus verse 27- 28

And they were all amazed

insomuch that they questioned among themselves

saying

What thing is this? What new doctrine is this?

FOR with AUTHORITY command HE

even the unclean spirits

and they do OBEY HIM

AND immediately HIS fame spread abroad throughout

all the region round about Galilee

Peter’s mother-in-law healed verse 29- 31

And forthwith – when they were come out of the synagogue

they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew

with James and John

BUT Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever

and anon they tell HIM of her

and HE came and took her by the hand

and lifted her up

and immediately the fever left her

and she ministered unto them

Jesus healed the sick and demon-possessed verse 32- 34

And at even – when the sun did set

they brought unto HIM all that were diseased

and them that were possessed of devils

And all the city was gathered together at the door

and HE healed many that were sick of divers diseases

and cast out many devils

and suffered not the devils to speak

because they knew HIM

Jesus praying alone verse 35- 37

AND in the morning – rising up a great while before day

HE went out and departed into a solitary place

and there prayed

AND Simon and they that were with him followed after HIM

and when they had found HIM – they said unto HIM

All men seek for YOU

Jesus travelling from village to village preaching verse 38- 39

AND HE said unto them – Let us go into the next towns

that I may PREACH there also

FOR therefore came I forth

AND HE PREACHED in their synagogues

throughout all Galilee

and cast out devils

Jesus heals a leper verse 40- 44

And there came a leper to HIM – beseeching HIM

and kneeling down to HIM

and saying unto HIM

If YOU will – YOU can make me clean

AND Jesus – moved with compassion – put forth HIS hand

and touched him and said unto him

I will – be thou clean

AND as soon as HE had spoken

immediately the leprosy departed from him

and he was cleansed

AND HE straitly charged him – and forthwith sent him away

and said to him

See you say nothing to any man – BUT go your way

show yourself to the priest

and offer for your cleansing those things

which Moses commanded

for a testimony to them

Leper tells everyone of healing verse 45

BUT he went out – and began to publish it much

and to blaze abroad the matter

insomuch that Jesus could no more

openly enter into the city

BUT was without in desert places

AND they came to HIM from every quarter

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but HE shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (907 “baptize” [baptize] means to cause to be engulfed or plunged into something (whether literal or figurative), cause religious experience, to wash, to ceremonially cleanse, to show purity and initiation into Christ through repentance, or involving special manifestation of God’s power and presence.)

DEVOTION: John was to introduce his cousin to the rest of the world. He was given that assignment before he was born. The prophets told of this responsibility. He preached a message of repentance and baptized many. He lived in poor circumstances. Dressed according to the prophets dress of the time. He told everyone that he was a messenger sent from God to introduce the Messiah.

He knew the difference between his ministry and that of the Messiah. He knew that he had met the Messiah before he was born because he jumped in the womb of his mother when Mary came to visit them with Jesus in the womb of Mary.

He knew the difference between the baptism of water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. One was outward and the other inward. He could only baptize with water people who gave a testimony that they had repented of their sins. Jesus knew the heart of those who were being baptized as to whether it was genuine or not. If it was genuine there would be an internal baptism with the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came on people and left them. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit only enters believers and stays with them until they die or the LORD returns.

John knew that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was more enduring. He knew that Jesus would be greater than him. He was a voice in the wilderness. We sometimes feel that we might be a voice in the wilderness of our world but that is what we are called to do.

CHALLENGE: We have to spread the message of the LORD. The LORD provides the power to be the witness HE wants us to be if we will yield to the Holy Spirit.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. (1492 “knew” [oida] means understand, possess information about, comprehend the meaning of something, honor, perceive, recognize, or remember.

DEVOTION: We have learned that the word used for “devils” really means one of his fallen angels. They are part of Satan’s army that possess a person causing him/her to act differently depending on their pleasure. These fallen angels can cause sickness, blindness, madness, and many other problems in those possessed.

Now we have to realize that even the fallen angels were created before the foundation of the world. All of the angels knew who Jesus was because HE is God as well. All three persons of the Godhead were known by all the angels for a time period before they followed Satan in his rebellion against the LORD.

Satan thought he could revolt against God and he lost. Now he and those who followed him which is thought to be about one third of the angels are still trying to hurt the plans of the Godhead. The reality of their plan was prone to fail. God always wins.

So when Jesus casts out the demons HE doesn’t allow them to talk because HE is still in the beginning part of HIS ministry. HE doesn’t want to give them a voice.

Demon possession is still happening today. Too often we don’t realize it is happening even here in America. We think it is only happening on other continents. There are many here that think it is good to worship the devil. This gives an opportunity for his angels to possess and use them to discredit those who are followers of the LORD.

CHALLENGE: Know the enemies we are fighting each day. The three are the world, the flesh and the devil.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (2048 “solitary” [eremos] means lonely, desolate, uninhabited, or wilderness.

DEVOTION: As we start another Gospel we find the John the Baptist introducing the LORD. He not only introduces HIM but baptizes HIM. Then comes the temptation of Satan. From that point on Jesus starts HIS public ministry.

That public ministry starts in HIS home town. HE enters the synagogue and teaches them the Word of God with authority. They are all amazed. While HE is teaching a demon possessed man enters the synagogue and the demon speaks to Jesus. He questions Jesus on why HE is there now. Jesus tells him to hold his speech. Isn’t it amazing that the demons understood who Jesus was and yet the religious leaders did not. Also the demons are referred to as male all the time in Scripture. They referred to Jesus as the Holy One.

Next HE heals Simon’s mother-in-law, then a crowd who were sick and demon possessed. It was a long day.

The next morning, Jesus goes away from the crowd to a place to be alone. What does HE do? HE prays!! Why? HE renews HIS power by being in the presence of the Father. HE sets an example for us to follow. When we are busy we need to take time to be alone with the LORD.

The disciples find HIM and tell him everyone is looking for HIM. Why? They want healing. Jesus tells the disciples HE is moving on to a new location.

We learned just a couple of verse above this that HE was hungry after fasted for forty days. We would be hungry too. HE had been using HIS energy to heal the sick. HE had been using HIS energy to cast out demons. [Side note: there is only one devil- the word here is demon or one of the fallen angels who fell with Satan or the Devil or the Accuser of the Brethren].

We need to get alone with the Father on a daily basis to have a conversation with HIM. Sometimes people want to call HIM “Daddy” but we don’t think that is a right term to use in relationship to the Father. We call HIM Father because HE provided us with salvation through HIS Son, Jesus Christ.

We need to pray or have conversation with HIM. In our prayers we need to remember that the Scriptures teach that we address the Father through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. We don’t have to repeat any name in our prayers. We don’t when we are talking with our friends. We also need to remember that Jesus went into the synagogue and taught. We need to remember that we need our alone time with God but we also need our together time with the saints each Sunday. Both solitude and church are commanded by God in the Bible.

CHALLENGE: Get alone with God often to find out what HE wants you to do with your life. Make a special effort this week. Just do it!!!

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: 38 And HE said to them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also for therefore came I forth. (2784 “preach” [kerusso] means publish, proclaim, herald, to make known publicly and loudly, or tell.)

DEVOTION: Jesus was training HIS disciples to be individuals who traveled from village to village proclaiming the message of the LORD. HE was showing by example what they would be commanded to do the rest of their lives.

HE came with a purpose. HE came to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Each individual has an opportunity to become a follower of the LORD. The choice is theirs. God knows before the foundation of the world who would become believers. Most of those who have lived from the beginning of time have rejected the message of the LORD.

Jesus knew this fact but still went from village to village preaching a message that HE knew would mostly be rejected but HE still did it. Remember HE only had three years to train HIS disciples in what HE expected of them.

Why are we here? It is to honor and glorify the LORD with our gifts. Each of us has a responsibility in the local church but we also have a general responsibility to reach all those in our world for the LORD.

Your witness is important to your neighbors and friends and relatives.

CHALLENGE: We are to reach all we can for the LORD. That is why HE came and we are to follow HIS example.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

Jesus prayed in solitary place verse 35

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Jesus prayed in solitary place verse 35

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Sabbath verse 21

Synagogue verse 21, 23- 29, 39

Priest verse 44

Offering for cleansing verse 44

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Beginning of the gospel verse 1

Prophets verse 2

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

Voice from heaven verse 11

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Jesus verse 1, 9, 14, 17, 25, 29- 45

Christ verse 1

Jesus Christ verse 1

Son of God verse 1

Lord verse 3

Baptized of John verse 9

Holy Spirit descended on Jesus verse 10

Beloved Son verse 11

Father well pleased verse 11

Driven into wilderness for temptation verse 12

Forty days in wilderness verse 13

Tempted of Satan verse 13

Preaching the gospel verse 14, 38, 39

Taught in synagogue verse 21

Taught as one having authority verse 22

Jesus of Nazareth verse 24

Holy One of God verse 24

Rebuked unclean spirit verse 25, 26

Authority over unclean spirits verse 27

Fame verse 28

Healed verse 30- 34, 39

Simon’s wife’s mother

Diseased

Possessed with demons

Divers diseases

Cast out demons

Didn’t let demons speak verse 34

Solitary place to pray verse 35

Healing of leper verse 40- 45

Could not enter city openly verse 45

Ministered in desert places verse 45

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Jesus baptized with Holy Ghost verse 8

Spirit appears as a dove verse 10

Spirit drives Jesus to wilderness to be

tempted verse 12

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Kingdom of God verse 14, 15

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Satan – evil fallen angel verse 13

Good angels ministered to Jesus verse 13

unclean spirit – fallen angels verse 23- 27

devils – fallen angels verse 32, 34, 39

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Sin verse 4, 5

Unclean verse 23, 26, 27

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Baptize verse 4, 5, 8, 9

Preach verse 4, 7, 14, 38

Repentance verse 4, 15

Remission of sin verse 4

Confessing their sin verse 5

Baptism of the Holy Spirit verse 8

Tempted verse 13

Believe the gospel verse 14, 15

Fishers of men verse 17

Follow Jesus verse 18

Called of God verse 20

Taught verse 21

Doctrine verse 22, 27

Authority verse 22, 27

Ministered verse 31

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Messenger: John the Baptist verse 2- 9, 14

Prepare way for Jesus

Voice in the wilderness

Baptized in the wilderness

Preached repentance

Baptized

Clothed in camel’s hair

Ate locusts and wild honey

Message of coming Christ

Jesus baptized of John

Put in prison

Land of Judaea verse 5

Jerusalem verse 5

Jordan verse 5, 9

Nazareth of Galilee verse 9

Galilee verse 14, 16, 28, 39

Capernaum verse 21

Astonished at Jesus’ doctrine verse 22

Scribes verse 22

House of Simon verse 29

Simon’s wife’s mother healed verse 30, 31

Moses verse 44

Church (New Testament people of God)

Calling of disciples verse 16- 20

Simon (Peter) and Andrew

James – son of Zebedee

John – son of Zebedee

Simon verse 36, 37

All men seek Jesus

Last Things (Future Events)

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DONATIONS:

Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you. (The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe)

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QUOTES regarding passage

The fact that Mark wrote with the Romans in mind helps us understand his style and approach. The emphasis in this gospel is on activity. Mark describes Jesus as He busily moves from place to place and meets the physical and spiritual needs of all kinds of people. One of Mark’s favorite words is “straightway,” meaning “immediately.” He uses it forty-one times. Mark does not record many of our Lord’s sermons because his emphasis is onn what Jesus did rather than what Jesus said. He reveals Jesus as God’s Servant, sent to minister to suffering people and to die for the sins of the world. Mark gives us no account of our Lord’s birth, nor does he record a genealogy, unnecessary in regard to a servant.

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7–8 In Mark’s account John’s message is very brief. Mark includes nothing of John’s pointed ethical admonitions to the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt 3:7–10), to the crowds (Luke 3:10–11), or to the tax collectors and soldiers (Luke 3:12–14). Instead he focuses on the coming of the Mighty One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mk 1:7). So great is this Mighty One that John does not consider himself worthy even to untie his sandals for him.

John now contrasts his baptism with that of the Coming One (v. 8). John’s baptism is water baptism; that of the Coming One is Holy Spirit baptism. Again the emphasis is on the superiority (this time in terms of ministry) of the Coming One to John. Moule’s comment is to the point: “The Baptist evidently meant that the great coming One would not merely cleanse with water but would bring to bear, like a deluge, the purging, purifying, judging presence of God himself” (Gospel of Mark, p. 10). This is what happened in a dramatic way at Pentecost (Acts 2) in fulfillment of Christ’s promise (Acts 1:5). (Wessel, W. W. (1984). Mark. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, pp. 620–621). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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(1:8) In this verse, John’s chief purpose is to contrast his baptism with that of the Messiah. This is shown by the use of the personal pronoun egō (ἐγω) which lends emphasis here, by the use of the personal pronoun autos (αὐτος), in connection with Jesus. It is, “As for myself,” and “He Himself.” The word “water” has the case ending of the locative, instrumental, and dative cases. Since John’s purpose is contrast, identity is in view. The dative of reference would be the logical choice. The Greek could be rendered, “As for myself, I baptized you with reference to water. But He Himself will baptize you with reference to the Holy Spirit.” That is, John’s baptism had to do with water, Messiah’s with the Holy Spirit. John’s, was ceremonial, Messiah’s, supernatural. But we are not to understand that as John applied water to the recipient of his baptism, so Messiah applies the Holy Spirit to the recipient of His baptism. A parallel passage (Matt. 3:11) will help us here. John baptized en (ἐν) (in) water. Messiah will baptize en (ἐν) (in) the Holy Spirit. The preposition en (ἐν) (in) is used in both instances, and with the locative case. In the case of John, we have a classification called the locative of place, where the limitations are spatial, the Jordan River. In the case of Messiah, the classification is locative of sphere where the limitations are logical, one idea being confined within the limits of another. Water was the element with which John baptized. But the Holy Spirit is not the element with which Jesus baptizes. The baptism connected with Messiah is the act of the Holy Spirit Himself baptizing (placing) the believing sinner into Christ (Rom. 6:3, 4), and thus into the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13). John’s baptism was water baptism, Messiah’s, Spirit-baptism. For a more extended discussion of this subject based on the rules of Greek grammar and syntax, see the author’s book Untranslatable Riches from the Greek New Testament. The fulfillment of John’s words is Pentecost, where individual Jewish believers were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, formed that day. (Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Mk 1:7–8). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.)

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1:8. This verse contrasts I with He. John administered the outward sign, water baptism; but the Coming One would actually bestow the life-giving Spirit.

When used in connection with water, the word “baptize” normally indicated a literal immersion (cf. vv. 9–10). When used with the words Holy Spirit it metaphorically means coming under the Spirit’s life-giving power.

I baptize is literally “I baptized,” probably indicating that John was addressing those he had already baptized. His baptism with (or “in”) “water” was limited and preparatory. But those who received it pledged to welcome the Coming One who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:5; 11:15–16). The bestowal of the Spirit was an expected feature of the Messiah’s coming (Isa. 44:3; Ezek. 36:26–27; Joel 2:28–29). (Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 104). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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John was careful to magnify Jesus and not himself (see John 3:25–30). John would baptize repentant sinners in water, but “the coming One” would baptize them with the Spirit (Acts 1:4–5). This did not mean that John’s baptism was unauthorized (see Matt. 21:23–27), or that water baptism would one day be replaced by Spirit baptism (see Matt. 28:19–20). Rather, John’s message and baptism were preparation so that the people would be ready to meet and trust the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Our Lord’s Apostles were no doubt baptized by John (see John 4:1–2 and Acts 1:21–26). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 111). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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1:8 he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. This allusion to baptism is associated with the arrival of the eschaton in the OT (Isa 35:15; 44:3; Ezek 11:19; 36:26–27; 37:14; Joel 2:28–29 [3:1–2]). God’s decisive act on behalf of humanity was announced as approaching in the baptizing ministry of the Messiah. This is why cleansing (water baptism) and repentance (what that cleansing represents) were part of John’s ministry of preparation (1:4). Participation in John’s baptism showed a readiness to receive the greater baptism that the coming One would bring. Preparation for forgiveness of sins leads to forgiveness when the greater One to whom John pointed is embraced. In OT thinking, when someone is cleansed and forgiven, God can indwell that person with the presence of his Spirit (Ezek 36:25–27). This summarizes Mark’s gospel: cleansing, forgiveness, and the intimate divine presence all come through the Messiah to those who, in faith, embrace repentance and reorientation in their lives. Mark will mention the Spirit only a few more times in his gospel—in connection with Jesus’ authority over demons (3:22, 29–30), the Spirit’s work through a writer of Scripture (12:36), and the Spirit’s speaking through persecuted believers (13:11). (Turner, D., & Bock, D. L. (2005). Cornerstone biblical commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark (p. 404). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)

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FROM MY READING:

Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe

God dwells in eternity and has put eternity in our hearts (3:11), which explains our deep dissatisfaction with “things” and “events” and our craving for something more. That “something more” is what Jesus called abundant life (John 10:10), and it is found only when we trust him as Savior and serve him as Lord. (p. 130)

In this life, Christians live on promises, not explanations. The explanations will come when this life ends and we enter eternity. What Jesus said to Peter can be applied to us today: “WhatI am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this” (John 13:7). When we pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are asking for fulfillment and not explanation or reasons. (p. 131)

Our problem is that we are in a hurry to get our will done right now instead of being willing to wait on the Lord. (p. 131)

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WHY it’s hard to love JESUS by Joseph M. Stowell

True lovers of Christ resist the temptation to return to life as usual once they’ve encountered Him. (p. 163)

If we are not careful, our love for Christ can become merely another slice of life instead of an all-consuming reality. You and I face that challenge daily. A genuine love for Christ should provide the power to transform our response to everything and everyone in our world. It is a power that can chase away the lure of lusts, a power able to revolutionize our thoughts, fantasies and dreams. Our love for Christ should dictate the grid through which we decide how we use our time, money, and gifts. Nothing should hold back our expression of love for Him. (p. 163)

C. S. Lewis makes that plain when he writes:

Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. It is a nobler feeling, but still a feeling …. Who could bear to live in this excitement for even five years? But of course, ceasing to “be in love” need not mean ceasing to love. Love in a second sense, love as distinct from being in love, is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners ask and receive from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself. They can retain this love even when each would easily, if they allowed theselves, “be in love” with someone else. “Being in love” first move you to promise fidelity; this quieter love enables you to keep the promise. (p. 165)

A top priority in our daily prayer must be the heartfelt plea that God will grant us grace to love Him more. (p. 167)

In the southern half of Sudan, Christians are executed daily – some crucified, others loaded into trucks to be dumped in the desert to die of starvation. Their children are routinely rounded up to be sold into slavery or prostitution. That’s all before they’re forced to convert to Islam. (168)

Just two weeks ago, a friend of mine who works in Islamic fields told of a friend of his who lived in Khartoum, he capital city of Sudan. His friend watched as a group of several hundred of these children were brought to the city square. The mullah came out of the mosque and commanded that the children bow down and pray a prayer of conversion to Islam. All of the children bowed – except one. He was about nine years old, and when he was asked why he didn’t bow down, he simply said he couldn’t because he was a child of Jesus Christ. The angry mullah told him to fall down or he would be shot. The child refused, and the mullah ordered the guards to open fire.

As the boy fell to the ground, forty other children stood to their feet in an expression of allegiance to Christ. The mullah ordered four of them shot as well. Frustrated by the resolve of the remaining children, the mullah ordered them taken to prison.

That’s a passionate love for Christ! (p. 169)

Legend has it that the king of Denmark, Christian X, was forced to read the decree from the balcony of Amalienborg Palace. And then, with tears in his eyes, the king proceeded to put a yellow armband on his arm for all to see. Tradition has it that all the Danish people followed, making it impossible for German troops to tell Jewish citizens from non-Jews. (p. 171)

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The Radical Pursuit of Rest by John Koessler

In view of God’s power and supremacy over creation, we should not understand the rest spoken of in Genesis as restorative for God. (p. 38)

The lesson of Genesis is that the first work of rest is to cease from our own effort. (p. 40)

The first move for those who hope to work at rest is to recognize its passive nature. Rest is something we receive. Those who enter into God’s rest recognize that rest is something God grants to us. It is grounded on work only God can do. Rest begins with God; it does not begin with us. (p. 41)

Like salvation and redemption sanctification can be understood both as a state and a process. (p. 43)

Rest is a practice because the “work” of rest is rooted in the finished work of God. (p. 43)

When we rest we relinquish control of the world and resign ourselves to be carried along by a current that has already been set in motion. When it coes to spiritual rest, this is a current that has been set in motion by God himself. Rest also requires a measure of trust. (p. 44)

Rest is standing. It is a state or condition into which we enter and in which we remain. We sometimes speak of an object as being “at rest.” The same can be said of us. There is a positional dimension to the rest we enjoy in Christ. We see this reflected in the language the Bible used to speak of our relationship to Christ. We are described as being “in” Christ. We have been rescued out of the domain of darkness and have been “brought into” the kingdom of the Father’s beloved Son (Col 1: 12). As a result the Scriptures describe our present position as one in which we are already seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph 2: 6). When we are united to Christ by faith, we enter into his finished work. All that needs to be done to reconcile us to God has been done. We did not creat this rest nor can we add anything to it. Like the land that was promised to Israel, the rest Christ provides is both our permanent possession and our proper location. Rest in this sense is a domain out of which we operate. (p. 45)

Just as the Father is both always at rest and always at his work, we have been “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2: 10)

We recognize that the good works God has planned for us proceed from the finished work of Christ. The things we do are not additions to or substitutions for all the Jesus has done on our behalf. They are an extension of his work in us. Rest is a way of life. (p. 46)

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What Should Pastors Preach about Hell? Chad Napier

Sermons on hell are likely not on the top ten list of topics desired by a church congregation. However, the sermons are necessary.

First, they convict the sinner as to his or her destination in his or her current spiritual condition. Second, sermons on hell allow the saved to realize what exactly they are shunning by their faith in Jesus Christ.

David comprehended this great blessing as he wrote in Psalm 86:13, “for great is your steadfast love toward me, you have delivered my soul from the depths of [hell].” Because hell is a biblical concept worthy of discussion, here are 5 things pastors should include in their sermons on this topic:

1. Hell is Real

As we are often reminded, Jesus speaks more about Hell than of Heaven. We should take this treatment as notice that we are to always be mindful of the torment awaiting a person who has not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31, we are told that the rich man found himself in torment in Hell. He looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus far off and called out for help and mercy. Specifically, he beckoned for “Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.” If just one drop of water would aid the torment in such a place, the degree of suffering is both real and immeasurable.

Additionally, there will be no pause to the lamentation in hell. The fact that one drop of water will not be permitted to the sufferer reflects, there will be no sleep, no peace, and no quietness.

2. Hell is Expanding

The dimensions of heavens are specified with clarity in the Bible. Hell, on the other hand, is not defined in terms of boundaries or depth. We are told in Isaiah 5:14 that Hell “has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure.”

Notice that its mouth is beyond measure and its appetite is never satisfied. Thus, the entrance to hell is so expandable that it is capable of handling great entrances. Further, the “enlarged appetite” warns us there will never be a flashing “no vacancy” sign at its entrance.

In Matthew 8:12 hell is referred to in terms of “the outer darkness.” In the most simplistic terms, “darkness” is the absence of light. Darkness is incapable of being measured or defined.

Because of the increasing population of Hell, it’s barriers and gates are unable to be defined.

3. Hell Is a Reality For the Lost

Our world is full of fears: fear of failure, natural disaster, war, and disease. Matthew 10:28 tells the unsaved “do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul,” but “fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

John the Revelator at declares in John 20:15, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Further, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man was fully cognizant of the reality of hell. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus “to my father’s house for I have five brothers so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”

The reality of the eternal damnation set in for the rich man. He realized that his unbelief cemented this destiny. He was so dismayed by his condition that he was determined his brothers had the same destination unless someone intervened in their lives.

Hell was not created for us, but the sins of the world destined those who die without the salvation through Jesus Christ to this place of torment. The “eternal fire” was “prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)

4. Hell Is Eternal

The existence of hell and its accompanying torment is never-ending. In Revelation 14:11, John told “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

The lost that will spend eternity in torment will have all of their senses and faculties. The pain and misery will be so severe “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:50)

Not only will the pain be physical, but also mental. In 2 Thessalonians 1:9, we are told, “they will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” The physical body will burn without being consumed, but the greatest portion of the misery will be due to the absence of God. As Charles Spurgeon preached, “there is no communion with God in hell.”

He went further and proclaimed, “there are prayers, but they are unheard. There are tears, but they are unaccepted. There are cries for pity, but they are all an abomination unto the Lord.”

Abraham spoke of another separation of the inhabitants of Hell. In Luke 16:26, Abraham described “a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.” There is a great border separating Hell from Heaven and Earth. No one is able to travel from hell to heaven or from heaven to hell.

The misery of Hell is eternal for the lost as are the blessings and bliss of Heaven for the believer.

5. Our Current Trials Aren’t Hell

Hell is a subject often spoken about in terms of our misery experienced here on earth. When we compare something in our life to “hell,” our audience knows exactly our feeling on the subject.

However, the believer knows better than to minimize anything we may experience in life in relating it to “hell.” The trials and tribulations in our life will in no way compare to the torment and suffering as those who will dwell in Hell for eternity.

In Matthew 7:13, we are told, “the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” The preaching of Hell may not be desired, but it is crucial to a lost and dying world.

We have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

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2 Corinthians 4
Man’s evident weakness presents an opportunity for God to manifest His power.
INSIGHT

When we look at Israel and the Mosaic Law, we tend to think that the Jews performed poorly. All they had to do was be obedient to some basic laws, and God would bless them beyond measure. Yet they might say the same about us. With the Holy Spirit living in us, we have only to live in love toward God and man and God will bless us spiritually beyond measure. While human frailty is glaring in both systems, the work of God is being accomplished nevertheless. God’s message is carried in “jars of clay” so that in eternity the glory of the redeemed will go to God and not to man. (Quiet Walk)

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IS INSTRUCTION NEEDED?

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
The Bible does not teach that Christians do not need instruction. “But surely,” says someone, “that must be wrong. Look at this verse from 1 John: ‘the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you’(2:27). John says we do not need any man to teach us, and yet you say that the Christian church still needs instruction. How do you reconcile this?”
It seems to me that the answer is as simple as this: The very fact that John is writing to them proves that they need instruction. If they do not, then John need have no concern about them at all. If the Christian needs no instruction, then the apostles’ claim to be divinely inspired when they wrote their epistles was a sheer waste of time. These epistles are full of instruction. We are told that the Christian is to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” There is milk provided for him, and there is strong meat. That is impossible if you take this statement literally and maintain that John is saying the Christian never needs teaching. Clearly that is not what he means.
So let us put it in this positive form: Surely the context here determines the interpretation. What John is really saying is what the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:13-14. He is saying that the Christian has spiritual understanding that the natural man does not have. These things are only understood in a spiritual manner, and what John is here saying is that the Christian, having received the
Holy Spirit, has a spiritual understanding. “You,” says John, “are holding fast to this truth because the Holy Spirit has given you this enlightenment and understanding.”
A Thought to Ponder: The Christian, having received the Holy Spirit, has a spiritual understanding. (From Walking with God, pp. 125-126, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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The Man Born Blind
“And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:2-3)
Mankind has always found it easy to fall into the trap of thinking that suffering of any sort is due to sin. To be sure, much suffering is due to sin, and even after repentance and forgiveness, scars may remain. Furthermore, evil and its attendant grief surround us. Our civilization is plagued by sin and its evil fruits—some of which reach even the most godly Christian. Indeed, “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain” (Romans 8:22) as a result of the curse brought about by sin. If there had been no sin, there would have been no suffering.
But this does not imply that all personal suffering stems from personal sin. The blind man was the way he was to bring glory to God, we are told. Although many at the time failed to recognize “the works of God” when this man was healed, countless millions have glorified God throughout the centuries for this act of creation.
Now some may ask, how could God have been glorified in this grown man’s life of blindness up until his healing? Actually, all life is a miracle, even the single-cell amoeba. Nothing living could possibly have arisen by accident, and as such testifies to the marvelous “works of God.” In this case, the item of interest was a human being, complete with fully functioning organs and systems. Even though he could not see, he could smell, taste, hear, speak, touch, move, walk, eat, breathe, digest, think, etc. This could not be the result of time and chance acting on “primeval slime,” as the evolutionist would claim. Any living system points to a loving Designer. Those who “willingly are ignorant” (2 Peter 3:5) of such facts are more blind than the Pharisees.

(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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Wanda writes: Always remember before you judge someone, that there are always 3 sides to every story, his, hers (Or his /his, hers/hers) and God’s truth! SO never base your judgement on one person’s side, because it’s only a part of the story…hear the other person and then pray for God’s wisdom.

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DAILY HOPE

Today’s Scripture

Genesis 4-7

Yesterday we began the journey through the Bible! The first two chapters establish Who the author is and how creation all began. The Fall of man is recorded in chapter three and now we begin to encounter the nuclei of all biblical doctrine. While some will debate the importance of Genesis and the validity of its statements, there is foundational truths that resonate throughout the remainder of the Bible.

In chapter 4, notice the conflict that erupts between brothers and the cause for the first recorded fatality. Also be attentive to the excuses and attempts to minimize the severity of the act. How is that revealed in us today?

In chapter 5 do not miss important facts due to the genealogy. Why did people live so long during this time and why was the firstborn the only one mentioned?

In chapters 6 and 7, the ungodly multiply and sin abounds. What made Noah favorable to God and everyone else worthy of death? The consequences of sin was so complete that all creation outside the ark was destroyed. Do we see sin the same way that God does?

As you read this section be mindful of how God speaks and the hardness of heart and resistant ears man has toward their Creator. Is our world similar to what we are reading in this section?

Pray for your neighbors and friends who demand their rights and independence. Spend some time in prayer asking God to keep us and our society from such hardened and calloused hearts.

With an Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller

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