What Persecuted Christians Need to Know (1 Peter 1:1-12)
Throughout history, Christians have suffered for their faith. Even here some are abused for being Christians. Do you expect persecution as a Christian in America? How do you encourage believers suffering for their faith in Christ? I pray that we as a church are prepared to stand for Christ no matter what, that Peter will motivate us to live in light of the Gospel no matter what, and to gladly proclaim the good news of Christ, following in the footsteps of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and every other martyr who has given their life for the Gospel.
Read MoreWhen You’re Ridiculed for Christ (Luke 6:22-23, 26)
Christ said that the world would hate his disciples because they were not of the world, and we should expect the same. The desire to have everyone speak well of us often leads to compromise – if we never speak of Christ or only speak of the things we know others won’t object to, we end up compromising our loyalty to Christ. However, God promises great reward to those who are willing to suffer for His name – He tells us we should even leap for joy when we are insulted and persecuted! Join us for this great message and be both challenged and encouraged.
Read MoreCertain Death (Mark 15:42-27)
Now at the end of Chapter 15, Mark clearly declares our Lord Jesus Christ truly and certainly dead, through Pilate, the centurion, and the details of His burial it is clear. But in the midst of this at great personal cost, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus boldly make their love for Christ public, so even in this sad hour there is reason for rejoicing. Plus, during all the events of late Friday night, you will see God’s providence in a new way.
Read MoreTreasured Reactions at the Death of Christ (Mark 15:38-41)
Immediately after Christ dies, God demonstrates what has changed. Access to God is now open. Belief and salvation are possible for the Gentile. And now deep commitment to Christ is a reality for every disciple, man or woman. Allow the Lord to impact you with this message through the radical reactions to the death of Christ.
Read MoreThe Last Three Hours (Mark 15:33-37)
Mark 15:33 and following describes the final three hours on the cross–the greatest moment of history, when Christ bore our sin on the cross, when the Father poured out His wrath on the Son, when Christ became our substitute, took our place and provided salvation. This is the greatest sacrifice and deepest agony. This is what we have been waiting for, studying for, and longing for in our study of this great gospel.
Read MoreThe First Three Hours (Mark 15:22-32)
We focus on the physical suffering of Christ, but Mark and the other gospel writers emphasize the humiliating mockery of Christ–the blaspheming of the people, the scoffing by the religious leaders, even the insults from the crucified thieves. But at each and every moment, there is a clear manifestation of hope, a display of grace, an expression of mercy, and a demonstration of God’s love as we study the first three hours of the crucifixion in this passage.
Read MoreWhile the World Mocks Christ, God Accomplishes His Perfect Plan (Mark 15:16-21)
In Mark 15:16 to 21, we witness a very difficult scene, the torture of Christ by Pilate’s Praetorium Guard. It was a brutal mockery, yet it was the perfect will of our sovereign God planned out in great detail. But in the midst of this horror, a man is grabbed out of the crowd by soldiers to carry Christ’s cross–and he will be used in the near future in the coming of the Church. So on the road to the cross, God uses a man and his family to put His wise, gracious, providential heart on display to encourage every one of us.
Read MoreTeaching Your Child How to Serve (Moms By Grace – Apr 2015)
Teaching for young moms, taught by Lynette Varnell.
Read MoreThe Passover Lamb (Mark 11-16)
Celebrate how Jesus Christ perfectly fulfills the role as the Passover Lamb. God gave His people specific instructions to be delivered from the Angel of Death in Egypt, which resulted in their deliverance from slavery to Pharaoh. And those specific instructions are perfectly fulfilled in Christ in every detail, which now enables our deliverance from slavery to sin.
Read MoreThe Providence of God Over the Evil of Men (Mark 15:6-15) Part 2
When evil men try to do right, they may be overruled by a sovereign God. Pilate repeatedly tried to release Christ, to set Him free, to stop the religious leaders from killing the only innocent man–and Pilate was prevented because God had a higher, loving plan. Christ had to go to the cross and die exactly at 3 pm on Friday. In Mark 15:6 to 15, the providence of God over the evil of men, and the importance of convictions are revealed. Are you convinced that God is in charge of even the evil, unjust details of life?
Read MoreWrong Reactions to Jesus Christ (Mark 15:1-15) Part 1
What happens when people don’t respond correctly to Christ? As chapter 15 opens, Christ stands before the Sanhedrin, will face Pilate twice and Herod, and a hostile mob of Jewish citizens who are stirred up and completely miss their Messiah. They mock and abuse Him calling for His death–this is a fallen, sinful world of wretchedly sinful people just like us. They responded to Christ in a horrible way and each of us who love Him have done the same in our own hearts, and receive similar from those with whom we share the Gospel. This Scripture warns us–be certain we are truly God’s child, deal with our pride, don’t defend ourselves, and be truly awed by Christ!
Read MoreSelf-confidence Leads to Spiritual Failure (Mark 14:66-72)
A parent gets into trouble when he is more concerned about his child’s feelings than his behavior, his self-esteem and self-confidence than him doing what is right. And this is what caused Peter to deny Christ three times–self-confidence. In Mark 14:66 to 72, see Peter’s denial and what led to it–the same factors that prevent friends and family from turning to Christ, and that harm our walk with Christ.
Read MoreTeaching Your Child to Be Thankful (Moms By Grace – Mar 2015)
Teaching for young moms, taught by Crystal Moran.
Read MoreThe Silence, Then Declaration of Christ (Mark 14:60-65)
We continue in Mark 14 with the majestic silence and magnificent declaration of Christ. Our Lord is silent before the religious leaders, who are only trying to justify His murder. But when asked plainly if He is the Messiah, Jesus openly declares that He is, and that He is God, and that He is their coming judge. They are currently judging Christ unjustly, but Christ will one day judge them justly–and for those leaders it will not be pleasant.
Read MoreThe Majesty of Christ During a Travesty of Justice (Mark 14:53-59)
Most of us have struggled with the decline of justice in our legal system, and this passage will again confirm that there is nothing new under the sun. In Mark 14, our Lord has been arrested but is now being illegally and unjustly tried. His trial is a mockery of justice and a clear violation of the Law. How do Christians violate the law? How should you respond when life is unjust and unfair? How is Christ on trial in your heart?
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