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Mark 2:13-17 Friend Of Sinners

This Sunday, we enter a new section of the gospel of Mark. Having seen four demonstrations of Christ’s authority, culminating in His authority to forgive sins. The next four passages show us the religious leaders’ opposition to Jesus, which leads to their resolution to destroy Christ (Mark 3:6). Last week, as Christ forgave and healed the paralytic, we saw the beginning of this opposition as scribes viewed Jesus’ authority to forgive sins as blasphemy. In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus calls one of the most despised and immoral people in Hebrew culture - a Jewish tax collector. As Jesus continues to proclaim the Kingdom of God, calling people to repent and believe the gospel, He shows that this salvation is even open to the worst of sinners. Not only that, but Jesus fellowships at table with the worst of sinners. Christ’s association with sinners brings the opposition of "scribes of the Pharisees," who saw this as an act of defilement. Jesus responds with a well-known proverb saying, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17). This is both a glorious welcome for sinners and a warning for those who see themselves as righteous by their works (as the Pharisees did). Jesus is a friend of sinners, but He is not a friend of sin. In Luke’s account of this event, Jesus says, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32). A sure sign of the Kingdom of God breaking into the life of a sinner is repentance and faith. When Jesus calls Levi, who is probably well-known and hated for his extortion of the people of Capernaum, He calls him to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Sunday, we will examine Levi’s call, this fellowship meal of sinners, and Jesus’ warning to the self-righteous.

I. Jesus Calls The Worst Of Sinners (v. 13-14)

II. Jesus Fellowships With The Worst Of Sinners (v. 15-16)

III. Jesus Calls Sinners Not Self-Righteous (v. 17)

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Mark 2:1-12 Authority To Forgive Sins

Jesus’ kingdom authority has been the focus throughout Mark 1. He burst onto the scene proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand and calling people to repent and believe the good news. Then, Mark presents four consecutive miracles that demonstrate Christ’s authority. Jesus casts out an unclean spirit in the synagogue of Capernaum, showing His authority over the kingdom of darkness. He heals Peter’s mother-in-law because He has authority over every effect of the fall. Last week, we examined the third miracle, when Jesus cleansed a leper. Only Christ has the authority to make the unclean clean. Each of these miracles reveals more of the Messiah’s authority to bring God’s Kingdom, culminating in the exercise of His most incredible display of authority.  This Sunday, Mark presents the fourth miracle, revealing that Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. The story of four men breaking through the roof to let down their paralytic friend before Jesus is a well-known narrative. Yet, this event is not just another physical healing. After seeing the faith of these men who are determined to get to Jesus and seeing the paralyzed man suffering before Him, Jesus does not immediately say, “Pick up your bed and walk.” Instead, His first words are, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus looks past this man’s physical suffering and meets his greatest need. Jesus only heals this man’s physical body to prove that He has the authority to forgive sins. When Christ pronounces the man’s sins forgiven, scribes in the crowd are offended that Jesus would claim an authority only God has. Only God can forgive sins, and claiming this authority is blasphemy. Knowing what is in their hearts, Jesus heals this man proving that He indeed is “the Son of Man” and “has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10).

I. Setting (v. 1-2)

II. Faith Is Displayed In Action (v. 3-5a)

III. Jesus Meets Our Greatest Need (v. 5)

IV. Jesus Has Authority To Forgive Sin (v. 6-12)

Mark 1:40-45 You Can Make Me Clean

Sunday, we examine the third of four miracles grouped together in the first section of Mark. Each of these miracles reveals another dimension of Jesus’ authority and mission. The first showed Jesus’ authority over evil spirits. The second illustrated His authority over sickness & the effects of the fall. In Mark 1:40-45, we will see Jesus’ authority to make clean what is unclean. As Jesus moves through Galilee, preaching and casting out spirits (1:39), Mark singles out one miracle for emphasis, the cleansing of a leper. While this miracle is indeed a physical healing similar to Peter’s mother-in-law, the word "heal" is not used in this passage at all. Instead, both the leper and Jesus repeatedly refer to "being clean." The leper approaches Jesus and says that Jesus can make him clean if He so wills. Jesus touches him and says, "I am willing. Be clean." While this is certainly a healing in every sense of the word, the emphasis is on the cleansing of the leper’s uncleanness. Leviticus 13:45-46 tells us that leprosy not only was a debilitating and deadly disease, but it required the afflicted person to live an isolated, lonely, and humiliating life. Not only this, but the leper would never be allowed into any synagogue or the temple courts to worship God as He commanded. The defilement of the disease separated the leper from the community of faith, his family, the worship of God, and from life in Israel. Because of this, leprosy has often been seen as a fitting picture of sin, which also defiles and separates us from God. As we examine this miraculous cleansing, we see that Jesus has authority not only to heal and roll back the effects of the fall, but Jesus can remove the defilement of sin as well. Jesus can make the unclean clean. That in itself is most instructive as we root ourselves in the gospel of Christ, but the passage doesn’t end there. In a curious turn of events, Jesus tells the leper not to tell anyone of his healing and to go to the priest and be declared clean according to the ceremonial law. Mark chronicles the disobedience of this cleansed man who immediately tells everyone. Because of this, Jesus’ ministry is hindered and he is no longer able to enter the towns to preach in the synagogue. Sunday, we will talk about what this means and how it applies in our own lives.

I. The Faith To Be Made Clean (v. 40)

II. The Compassion & Power To Make Clean (v. 41-42)

III. The Cost of Disobedience (v. 43-45)

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Mark 1:35-39 Jesus' Kingdom Priorities

Mark 1:21 - 2:12 chronicles four miracles of Jesus. #1-Jesus cast out an unclean spirit in the Capernaum synagogue. #2- Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever. (We have already examined both of these.) #3- Jesus cleanses an unclean leper (1:40-45), and #4- Jesus will forgive the sins of a paralytic (2:1-12). Wedged halfway between these four miracles is a short passage that reveals Jesus’ priorities in His earthly life and mission. After healing Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus ministered late into the evening, healing and casting out demons (1:32-34). That Sabbath had to have been an exhausting day. Jesus’ public ministry had begun as He declared the authority of God’s kingdom and pushed back the kingdom of darkness. This marked the beginning of many more days of preaching, teaching, healing, and ministering, ultimately leading to His execution. So, despite how exhausted Jesus must have been after that Sabbath, when the disciples awoke the following day, Jesus was gone. He had risen early and gone to pray. Jesus prioritized communion with the Father in prayer. He knew He needed prayer more than sleep to face the day ahead. Jesus never ceased being God, but what He did, He did as a man in the power of the Spirit. He faithfully depended upon the Father throughout His earthly life. If the Son of God, who upholds all things by the power of His word, prioritized prayer throughout His life, how much more must we if we are to follow Him? When the disciples find Jesus, they expect Him to return to Capernaum immediately. Many people with significant needs had again gathered to see Him. People were still sick, still infirmed, and still under spiritual attack. The priority must be to return and continue the miraculous ministry He began yesterday. However, Jesus refuses to return at this point. Instead, He tells the disciples they must go to other towns "that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out" (v. 38). Jesus prioritized preaching the message of the gospel, refusing to let anything (even his healing and exorcisms) get in the way. His priority was to bring the ultimate eternal healing that comes from being adopted into the kingdom of God. Physical healing is but temporary relief. Christianity is, first and foremost, a message - good news - that Jesus Christ has come to seek and save that which is lost. As we follow Jesus today, our priorities must be those of Jesus as we live for His will and glory. As a man, Jesus showed us how to live in the power of God as we bear His commission to make disciples and live in His presence. Prayer and the Word of God must be prioritized if we are to live faithfully, for it is only in His strength that we are able. Finally, Jesus’ priorities of prayer and preaching are not only the example we must follow but how He stands in our place. Because Jesus faithfully and perfectly lived in communion with the Father, so can we. Because Jesus faithfully proclaimed the kingdom, we can now enter in. Because Jesus gave His life as the perfect Lamb of God, we can become co-heirs with Him. As we follow Jesus, let our priorities be conformed to His.

I. Jesus Prioritized Prayer (v. 35)

II. Jesus Prioritized Preaching (v. 36-39)

Mark 1:21-34 Jesus' Kingdom Authority

Mark 1 has already given us several lines of testimony declaring Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, anointed by the Spirit, and baptized to identify with sinners. After overcoming His wilderness testing, Jesus came forth proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand and calling people to repent and believe in the gospel. Last week, in verses 16-20, we saw Jesus call four fishermen to leave everything behind and follow Him. Jesus spoke with authority, calling these men to step out in faith because the kingdom of God is at hand. But does Jesus actually have the authority to promise such things as salvation and entry into God’s kingdom? Authority is not real just because someone claims it or even because some people submit to it. True authority is the ability to back up your claim and enforce your words. Mark 1:21-43 (and even into Ch. 2) shows that Jesus has the authority to bring the Kingdom - to the creation and the hearts of sinners. Verses 21-43 give us the events of a single day. A day in the life of Jesus’ ministry as He and His new disciples enter the synagogue of Capernaum on the Sabbath.

By Jesus’ words and His works, we see how the kingdom of God is indeed at hand. Jesus teaches with authority that amazes the people as He announces the kingdom and calls them to repent and believe the gospel. Then, Jesus demonstrates His power to overcome the corrupted kingdom of this fallen world. He has authority over the evil spirits who tremble at His word, and He has authority to banish the sickness and disease that entered this creation through the corruption of sin. In Jesus’ words and His works, we glimpse through the keyhole at what the creation will be when the kingdom comes in fullness. There will be no more corruption of sin nor any effect of the fall. No more death, suffering, or evil when the King returns to make everything new. Though we look forward to this day, in Jesus, the kingdom of God is indeed at hand. He has authority over all other kingdoms, and as His gospel goes forth, Jesus’ kingdom is overcoming sin in our hearts and all creation. Today, Jesus bears the King’s authority and is seated upon His throne until all His enemies are placed beneath His feet.

I. Jesus’ Authority In His Teaching (v. 21-22)

II. Jesus’ Authority Over Evil Spirits (v. 23-28)

III. Jesus’ Authority Over Disease (v. 29-31)

IV. Jesus’ Authority To Bring The Kingdom (v. 32-34)

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Mark 1:16-20 Follow Me

Having worked through Mark’s prologue (v. 1-13), we have been given all the information needed to understand who Jesus is. Before Mark begins the account of His ministry, he gives the readers the answer to the question everyone in the book grapples with. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He is the Messiah, anointed with the Spirit. The sinless Lamb has identified Himself with sinners through a baptism of repentance and stood in their place through testing in the wilderness. Through this extended introduction, Mark has demonstrated that Jesus bears the authority and divinity of almighty God. He is God in the flesh. So, when Jesus comes declaring, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel,” we hear the unequivocal voice of God calling us to Himself. Jesus is bringing the Kingdom of God to pass.

On the heels of this declaration, Mark gives a condensed version of Jesus’ authoritative call to four fishermen. The command He gives is simple and to the point...Follow me. Mark shows us a definitive picture of what repenting and believing look like. Sunday, we will examine Jesus’ call to follow Him and the promise embedded in that call. Likewise, these four men will radically respond to Jesus’ call. Today, Jesus still calls sinners to leave their old lives and follow Him. Later in Mark 8:34-35, Jesus will tell the crowd the same thing. "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.’" Sunday, we will examine the calling of these fishermen who would eventually turn the world upside down. Although it doesn’t seem initially evident, when we compare the timeline between Mark 1:16-20 with John 1:35-40, we see just how applicable this call is for us today.

I. The Content Of Jesus’ Call (16-17)

II. The Promise Within Jesus’ Call (17)

III. The Response To Jesus’ Call (18-20)

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Mark 1:9-15 The Kind of Messiah We Need

Last week, we introduced ourselves to the gospel of Mark. Mark is a fast-paced account, mainly of Jesus’ actions and ministry, emphasizing Him as the suffering servant Messiah who has come to give His life as a ransom. Chapter 1:1-13 functions as a prologue to the gospel, revealing Jesus’ identity to the reader before He begins His public ministry in v. 14-15. Last Sunday, we worked our way through 1:1-8 and saw the testimony of Mark (v. 1) that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. Likewise, the scriptures testify that He is the Lord long foretold to come, also pointing to a forerunner who would prepare the way for Him. John the Baptist was this messenger, preparing the people by preaching a baptism of repentance and calling them to turn to the one who would come after him. John calls them to repent and trust in the coming Messiah, promising that He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. Sunday, we will jump back into this prologue, examining v. 9-15. In these verses, we find two events that are very familiar to us but are strange in their meaning. Jesus comes forth from Galilee as the crowds are repenting, confessing, and being baptized, and rather than beginning His ministry to them, He joins them in their baptism. As He does this, the heavens open, the Spirit descends upon Him, and the Father declares His pleasure in His Son. Immediately after these events, the same Spirit that "anoints" Jesus drives Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Only then does Jesus begin His preaching in v. 14-15. Although Mark’s account of these events is significantly shorter than the other gospel writers, he records them for a purpose. These events prepare Jesus, in His humanity, to be the kind of Savior we must have. Only God can be the Holy and perfect fulfillment of His covenant and law, but only a human being can represent humans before the Father. Jesus willingly submits Himself to a baptism of repentance, though He has no sin to repent of, in order to identify with us in our plight. He is anointed by the Spirit and commissioned as Messiah, the only man in whom God is perfectly pleased, and then, He is sent into the wilderness to do what no one has ever done before. He must stand in the place of Adam and Israel who fell to temptation, and emerge victorious to be the kind of Savior we need. We will explore the significance and application of these truths Sunday as we gather to worship and receive the Lord’s Supper. 

I. The Preparation Of Our Messiah (v. 9-11)

II. The Testing Of Our Messiah (v. 12-13)

III. The Proclamation Of Our Messiah (v. 14-15)

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Mark 1:1-13 The Beginning Of The Gospel

It seems appropriate that we begin a new book on the first Sunday of the new year. Having studied through a few epistles, we turn our minds back to a gospel narrative as we present our hearts to God’s word. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, but it is no less impactful in showing us Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Each of the four gospels emphasizes a different aspect of Jesus and His ministry, and Mark’s emphasis is Jesus as the suffering Servant-Messiah (foretold in Isaiah). Many see Mark 10:45 as the thematic point of the gospel as Jesus says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” As this servant emphasis is reflected, Mark also vividly shows us the cost of discipleship and what it means to truly follow Jesus. Throughout the book, the disciples, the crowds, the religious leaders...everyone struggles to understand who Jesus is. However, Mark does not expect the reader to wrestle with this question. From the first verse, Mark tells us that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. In fact, Mark 1:1-13 functions as a prologue of sorts, giving several lines of testimony regarding Jesus’ true identity. Mark himself, John the Baptist, the Old Testament prophecies, and the Father Himself testify to who Jesus is right at the beginning. This Sunday, we will examine 1:1-8 and hear the testimony of these witnesses as we prepare our hearts to serve this servant Messiah.

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