For season we are going
to look at the book of Mark
It is attested that it is the same John mark that was a helper in Paul's ministry,
the cousin of Barnabus.
This book is a book of Action; it is an action movie with, by tarrantino (movie
director)
It is also said that mark was, written before the other Gospels while others
differ, but what is clear is that 90% of the details in MARK can be found in
the other Gospels.
Mark as I have said many times portrays Christ as the worker the servant, you
can even get deeper and say that the 4 living creatures that protect the throne
in Revelations 4, and Ezekiel, John is the eagle, Luke is the man, Matthew is
the Lion, and Mark is the ox, the worker, Christ serving men.
Mark is an amazing book, it does not feature the birth of John or of Christ,
and it gets straight into action. Mark is not a reflective book, it is clear
and simple, it only makes one or two references to the Old Testament, and so
this is a missionary book, which is understandable as he is a missionary with
Paul chiefly to the gentiles.
Mark doesn't even have an outline, there is no build up like, Luke , in one
chapter alone, John baptises Jesus, disciples are called, Jesus preaches in
the local synagogues, and heals all those that are sick, He heals a leper which
was different for not even church people went near them.
He uses words like immediately, straightaway
Talk about action, and passion, it is clear to me that Mark is a Pentecostal,
he is very active and passionate he mentions healing and deliverance, a lot.
I love the Pentecostal church with all its idiosyncrasies, It is a driven church,
purpose driven, in the last century it is the fastest growing, section of the
Christian church.
It bemuses me how Christians are today, how they are so blasé about God,
and his things, there is no zeal or passion, hardly any dramatic change, we
just ad Christianity to our, duties or hobbies, We have got it wrong, the book
of Mark is challenging, it shows us when Jesus comes in he revolutionizes your
life, he is not attached, he is your life.
When I read the book of mark I am challenged, Jesus is clearly the central theme
and what he can do for you, but the price tag attached is everything, it will
cost us everything.
That's conversion, not, refurbishment, total rebuilding of ones life…isn't
that wonderful, does your heart beat with a passion for Christ, don't you get
exited about him, in the book of Mark he is showing us through the miracles
that Christianity really works. It really does change your life, Jesus really
does heal you, and demons can really be cast out.
Is it working for you?
Have you ever bought something brought it home and then it doesn't work?
You have gone through the practice of choosing the item based on your particular
need, bringing it home anticipating its use and then you find that it is not
working properly!
You have followed instructions the best you know how…..what you do next
is either return it, or phone the help line, or customer service maybe there
is a procedure you missed, and very soon you are put straight
Many people are like that
they become Christians based on what, the preacher and others have said and
what it offers and after a while find that they are not experiencing what they
expected.
Can I put that straight; don't give up dig deeper, every promise in the bible
is true, if it is not working for you try the helpline, J e s u s because Jesus
said whatever you ask the father in my name I will do it.
I promise you when you call on him you wont get, options press 1,if it is a
family need, press 2 if it is a personal need, for healing, forgiveness of sin
otherwise please hold….. No God is not like that, he does not get overload,
I phoned Bt the other day and they said we are currently inundated with calls,
you may continue to hold and we will call you back ……NO…our father
is not like that.
He promised us that when we call he will answer, he even says whosoever calls
on the name of the Lord shall never be ashamed.
For Mark the Christian life is dynamic, and powerful.
Notice I am spending a lot of time on the introduction this will enable us to
grasp this book, it is easy reading.
In the book of mark Christ is dynamic Mark:1:23-28
He has a style of preaching never seen before and authority, demons are cast
out, his presence agitate demons, and unclean spirits, for Mark Jesus is popular
many are thronging him, this is the Jesus I preach the public Jesus, the powerful
Jesus, it is not Just rhetoric, Jesus words have power.
This is the kind of church I want to build, busy, active in the ministry, Christ
centred, Christ focused. Demonstrative in the gifts. Full of power and passion.
It is not heady or theological, full of theories and rituals, lecturing every
Sunday about some principle……No the gospel is engaging, it will either
overtake you or do nothing, think back in time when you got saved, how passionate
you were, how it was everything you could really identify with the Jesus in
Marks gospel.
But now!……What happened! I do even worry about it any more there are
some people you can preach to and they will never change…Just water off
a ducks back.
As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!
Please do not misunderstand me passion is not about noise, and hype it is about
being serious. About the things of God.
Sometimes I observe other ministries and Pastors and wish I could have such
a wonderful calm, but powerful ministry like David Pawson ... what a teacher,
the great man that has moved on to glory Derek Prince so educated and cultured,
but unfortunately, I am not cultured my diction will never be as great as there's
but I can find solace in Mark, I cannot wear that armour I am passionate so
sometimes I will show emotions forgive, but also I ask you to leave me this
way.
Did you you know that it was only Mark that highlighted the fact that, Jesus
natural family thought he was mad…Mark 3:21
His own family and other relatives, called him a fruitcake, Jesus was so driven
he did not have time to have a good lunch, he was so into it that they thought
he was mad.
I am happy to be a nut for Christ a fool for Christ, the problem with the church
is they want approval from the world, the church is always trying to legitimise
things,
and show the world how sensible
we are, listen Paul was accused of being mad, in the court Festus cried out
much learning or studying has turned you mad.
Paul said I am not mad, but THE WAY which is called heresy so worship I the
God of my fathers.
Sometimes even family members will misunderstand you, they will think you are
a little over the top…Don't change, it might cost you personal revival,
stay enthusiastic
In fact Wesley and Whitfield were called enthusiasts…….
If that is what it takes let me be one of them
Jesus is the healer, the exorcist, the provider, of fish and bread
Jesus is the Rabbi that although he did not go to Rabbinical school, he teaches
with authority.
It can work for you, call the helpline, are you sick, do you need deliverance?
It really does work, there are countless times I have seen demons come out of
people, sick recover, burdens removed.
You can live a purpose driven life with Jesus in the driving seat.
Today I want to leave with you an introduction into Jesus, do you know the Christ
Mark is speaking about!
Do you experience this life changing power?
Are getting even board of it all, is it just a routine
It can become real for you.