Tag Archives: #Mark

Shake The Dust

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“Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” Mark 6:11

People like to make other people believe their worldview. This is human nature, we believe and are passionate about something, so we think everyone should believe this. If you don’t believe me, go on Facebook and read the never ending debates between people about anything you can think of.

As Christians we often fall into this trap also, we obviously want everyone to get saved and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but sometimes its not going to happen. There were people who actually witnessed miracles performed by Jesus and still rejected him. Some people are never going to accept Christ

So what do we do about this? Jesus instructed his disciples when the gospel is rejected to “Shake the Dust Off Their Feet” meaning Move On. You cant force anyone to be a Christian. Accepting Jesus as your personal Lord is a personal decision.

They went out and preached that men should repent. Mark 6:12

Keep it simple, Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ! If they reject it move on, simple as that. We personally don’t save anyone, only God can save people. Its our job to preach his message and be his hands and feet.

And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. Mark 6:13

 The first century Church was powered by the Holy Spirit, not Facebook. They were doing the works of God not worrying about social activities and budgets. If people are serious about their salvation they will take you serious.

Hometown Hero?

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“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. Mark 6:3

Typically when places give birth to a  famous celebrity , athlete, or politician, towns embrace them as their own. A lot of times they will have parades in their honor and some even declare a day to remember them, but this was not the case for Jesus

Even though Jesus performed many miracles and revealed many prophecies, his hometown would not believe in him. Instead of looking at his divinity, they kept pointing back to his humanity. Even his own family didn’t believe in him until his resurrection.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. Mark 6:4-5

Notice because of the peoples continual lack of belief, miracles could not be performed. We see this over and over again throughout his ministry. When people have true and complete faith in Christ they were healed. Nothing can be accomplished without faith, but with faith nothing is impossible with God

And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching. Mark 6:6

Jesus wondered or was amazed at their lack of belief. His mother Mary had a direct revelation from God that Jesus would be the Christ, but they didn’t believe. Jesus performed many miracles including raising the dead and walking on water, but they didn’t believe.

Jesus wonder is probably why there is so much disbelief when there is so much evidence, its clear that peoples disbelief in Christ is a moral issue and not an evidential issue. Seek him and you will find Amen!

One Touch

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For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Mark 5:28

Heres a woman who has been suffering for over 12 years with a physical illness, she tried seeing doctors but they never found her cure. Today she is going to meet the Great Physician who is the permanent Cure.

She knew if she could only touch Jesus , she would be healed. What made her believe this? She had faith in Jesus, she knew he is the Messiah (Christ) he is the Son of God. Do you have this faith? Are you trying to reach Jesus?

Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Mark 5:29

Immediately when she touched Jesus, she was healed. It wasn’t next week or next year, it was immediately. Jesus Christ can set you free today also, he can restore your soul. When he said “It Is Finished” on the cross, his work was completed. Jesus is the Great Physician who can heal you spiritually and physically today!

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:34

Notice what Jesus says to her “Your faith has made you Well” Her faith in Jesus Christ is what healed her! Notice her faith, she was seeking Jesus, she believed he is the Son of God, and she demonstrated her faith by action.

Jesus acknowledged her faith and it healed her. Are you in need of a Physician spiritually or physically? Seek the Great Physician, believe that Jesus is Lord, believe that he has the keys to life and death, he will make you well Amen!

Demons Tremble

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and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; Mark 5:3

In this healing Jesus not just dealing with a man who needs healing, this man is possessed with demons. How do we know this man has demons? Lets look at some of the characteristics of his behavior, living in a cemetery (worship of the dead) cutting himself with stones (Mark 5:4) (self hatred, mutilation)

God is Light, the opposite of God is darkness. Those who are obsessed with darkness, death, hatred, ect. are driven by demons. What compels someone to love death? Only someone who is manipulated by Satan

Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!” Mark 5:6-7

Notice the man with demons reaction to the presence of Jesus Christ. He bowed down on his knees and begged Jesus not to throw them into Hell. Demons tremble at the name and sight of Jesus. There is no greater force than the Great I AM. Whatever demon may be influencing your life, it can be cast out in Jesus name!

Notice the demons acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God. Even demons, that hate God, are smart enough to recognize the Lord of Lords. Don’t be dumber than a condemned demon!

For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Mark 5:8

With One command Jesus drove out the demon, but it wasn’t just one demon but many. As the demon revealed to Jesus that his name was “Legion” because there were many demons living in this man. (Mark 5:9) And the demons begged Jesus not to cast them out (Mark 5:10)

Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea. Mark 5:13

A lot of interesting symbolism going on here. First the demons ask Jesus to allow them to enter pigs. Jesus allows them, and the pigs horrified by these evil spirits kill themselves off a cliff. Now remember pigs are considered “unclean” animals in Jewish culture. So its interesting unclean spirits would enter unclean animals.

Second the pigs plummeted down a cliff or an Abyss. Remember demons begged Jesus not to send them to the Abyss (Luke 8:31) Abyss is also symbolic for Hades.

And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

Regardless of how possessed or messed up this man was, Jesus was able to cleanse him of all evil and sin. Jesus can do the same for all of us, there is power in the name and blood of Jesus Christ Amen!

Mustard Seed

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And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? Mark 4:30

When we think about the Kingdom of God (Heaven) how can we even begin to fathom? The book of Revelation gives us more description on Heaven , however Jesus is giving us a parable for us to ponder.

Through the parable of the Mustard Seed, we can see the Kingdom of God has grown from One man taking on the wages of the sins of the world, and has grown into the largest religion in the world

“It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.” Mark 4:31-32

When we think about Christianity, its still the largest religion in the world. Over 2 billion people declare themselves Christian, and by 2050 its estimated to be over 3 billion. Now we can debate whether all these people are truly “Christian”, however you get my point, the Body of Christ is large even in a depraved world like today.

But now lets think about how it all began, the Son of God born in a stable. Born to poor parents in a small town. Yet this one man, Jesus Christ, changed the entire world one disciple at a time. Before there was great Cathedral Church buildings there was the “Upper Room” of Jesus modest home where he taught the Word of God and broke bread with his disciples.

Jesus planted the Mustard Seed, and it grew into the Body of Christ today. So whatever your doing today for Jesus, don’t think its too small to make an impact. Think about the Mustard Seed, and plant it and let God grow your ministry with the Holy Spirit Amen!

Parable of The Sower

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“Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow;  Mark 4:3

Today we are taking a look at the “Parable of the Sower” The nice thing about this parable is Jesus actually explains what the symbolism means later on in the Chapter. This parable shows us how different people respond differently to the gospel

as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Mark 4:4

The sower sows the word. These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. Mark 4:14-15

Ok so here Jesus explains that the sower(farmer) is us and the seed is the Word of God. When we share the gospel with others, we are sowing seeds. Whether or not people received that seed (Word of God) is up to them. But its our job to plant that seed, crops wont grow without seed. Just like disciples wont be made without a preacher

This first group of people, the birds are symbolic for Satan. As soon as people here the Word of God, Satan quickly tries to influence them to reject the Word of God. We see this a lot today with Atheism, Agnostics, ect. Satans goal is to take away the authority and validity of the Word of God

Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mark 4:5-6

In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. Mark 4:16-17

This next group of people actually receive the Word of God however the suffer persecution and fall away from their faith. This group is most likely the persecuted Christians of the world.

Jesus never said we would have an easy life, he did promise us eternal life. As a Christian there will be persecution and trials, however if your faith is deeply rooted in Christ, you wont fall away from your faith. Jesus is our Rock, the Chief Cornerstone

Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Mark 4:7

“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19

This group also receives the Word of God however are deceived with a False Gospel. This is the problem with false doctrines like “Prosperity Gospel” people believe in God for the wrong reasons.

This group are “Worldly Christians” they live for money and prosperity rather than living for Christ. When they realize the Gospel that they believe in is false, they usually fall away from the faith because they really never had any to begin with. Jesus calls this group “Lukewarm Christians”

Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:8

And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:20

The good news is there is still a group, that does accept the true Word of God, they stay strong in their faith and actually produce good fruit. When we are faithful to God we will see the fruits of our labor. We must learn to keep the faith, even during trials and tribulations, because God is faithful!

The question is what group do you belong to? Hopefully you belong to that last group, without true faith or hearing of Gods Word, you are not truly saved.

Children of God

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Answering them, He said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Mark 3:33

One day while Jesus was teaching, somebody told him his family has come to see him. Jesus answering rhetorically , asked “Who are my mother and brothers? What was Jesus saying here? Did he really forget who his family was? Of course not, Jesus was answering rhetorically to teach everyone a valuable lesson about their relationship with God.

Typically we are related to our family by blood (birth) or adoption. However the New Covenant which Jesus established on the cross, we will become Children of God by the blood of Christ. No longer will we be strangers or aliens to God, but we will be in his Covenant as his Children

“For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:35

Whoever is in the New Covenant are Children of God. How do you become a part of the New Covenant? By Repenting of your sins, and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Sin is what separates us from God, the blood Jesus shed on the cross is your atonement to bring you back to the Covenant of God

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

By your Faith in Jesus Christ, you are a Child of God. This was the point Jesus was trying to establish. We are not Brothers and Sisters just physically but now we are Spiritual Brothers and Sisters through Christ.

We were not meant to live alone, be united in the Body of Christ by his blood Amen!

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

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but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin “—Mark 3:29

Jesus promised that all sin can be forgiven, however there is one sin that is eternal and that’s “Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” So what is Blasphemy? The original Greek word is “Blasphemos” meaning to speak evil, slander, or abusive.

Now to first understand this, we need to understand who the Holy Spirit is. We first need to recognize that the Holy Spirit is God, and to reject the Holy Spirit is to reject God. During this story, Jesus was casting out demons by the Holy Spirit. Remember Jesus was fully human and was baptized by the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10)

The religious leaders accused Jesus of being possessed with a demon spirit instead of the Holy Spirit, this was blasphemy. Especially considering they knew the scriptures about the prophecy of the Messiah (Christ), they witnessed Gods miracles right before their eyes, yet they still denied Jesus.

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”Acts 5:3-4

A good example is when Ananias and Sapphira lied to Peter and the Holy Spirit about how much money they had. Peter told them they just didn’t lie to him but to God also. The consequences were fatal as the Holy Spirit put them to death immediately.

What happened here? They denied the Holy Spirit, they blasphemed to God. Now this was an extreme example, however I think God did this on purpose to teach us a lesson how serious “Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” is

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14

Why do some people accept the Gospel and some people reject it? Its because without the Holy Spirit we cant understand or accept Christ. Those who reject the Holy Spirit are committing blasphemy and cant be saved. Its only until we accept the testimony from the Holy Spirit regarding Jesus Christ, that we can come to repentance and be saved The Holy Spirit is not a mythical force, he is part of the Triune God. Listen to the Holy Spirit and be drawn to Christ for your salvation, otherwise live in blasphemy and be condemned eternally

House Divided

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“If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. Mark 3:25

While Jesus continued to perform miracles, driving out demons, ect the religious leaders accused him of being possessed by a prince demon named Beelzebul, to obtain the powers Jesus has. The interesting thing is this is documented in the “Talmud” (which is a book of Rabbinic Teachings) that states Jesus had “magical powers” to perform miracles ect.

Jesus quickly demonstrated to them that their logic is very flawed. Why would Satan drive out Satan? (Mark 3:23) Obviously if Jesus was possessed by the devil he would be doing works of the devil, not works of God. He wouldn’t be healing people and forgiving their sins, he would be afflicting them and condemning them to hell

Jesus makes another good analogy, a house or kingdom divided will not stand (last) If Jesus was possessed with a demon, why would he be attacking his own kingdom? Its illogical, however lets look at the Christian “Church” today. Most Christians spend a good part of their time arguing with other Christians about doctrinal differences, did you not hear what Jesus said?

The reason the “Ekklessia” the Church is so ineffective today is because its greatly divided. We have over 40,000 different denominations, we have Hebrew Roots\Messianic groups,  we have cults like Jehovah Witnesses and Seven Day Adventists, Christianity is divided in many directions.

If were truly disciples of Christ, we need to find common ground and unite for our Lord. If every Christian came together, worshipped together, prayed together, Satan would be powerless. But because many “Christians” cant even be in the same room as each other, the Church is divided. Jesus said a House divided will not stand.

Some suggest Christianity needs another reformation, they might be right. If your truly my brother or sister, then start acting like it. Jesus is our Lord (Master), not any doctrine or creeds Amen!

Lord of the Sabbath Part 2

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And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. Mark 3:4

Again Jesus is dealing with the Sabbath issue again, again hes demonstrating that the Sabbath is a moral issue and not a legal issue. The religious leaders are using the Sabbath as a yoke to put around the people and make them suffer under strict rules and harsh penalties. However this is totally the opposite of what God intended with the Sabbath

Sabbath (Shabbat) simply means Rest, we enter Gods Rest. God didn’t decree the Sabbath to condemn people but to give them relief from their daily lives of work.

Jesus was about to heal a disabled man, when the religious leaders used the Sabbath to accuse him of “breaking The Law” This is why Jesus asks is it “Lawful” to do good on the Sabbath? Should Jesus just allow people to suffer or not heal them because it’s the Sabbath? No that doesn’t make any sense from a Just God.

After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Mark 3:5

Because the religious leaders “Hardened their Hearts” they didn’t understand the purpose of the Sabbath. Because they were more interested in pleasing men and becoming promoted with a large title, they didn’t seek Gods will instead of their own

Jesus displaying his Deity and authority, healed the disabled man. Notice the reaction from the religious leaders, they didn’t glorify God and rejoice because someone was healed. Instead they plotted how they could accuse Jesus and ultimately kill him for Blasphemy.

Don’t allow our human pride to overtake Gods glory and purpose for our lives. Jesus is Lord of Lords including Lord of the Sabbath Amen!