WHO'S WHO ON DAY TWO

Mark 11:12-33

 June 30, 2019

The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.  (13)  He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so He went over to see if He could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit.  (14)  Then Jesus said to the tree, "May no one ever eat your fruit again!" And the disciples heard Him say it.  (15)  When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves,  (16)  and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.  (17)  He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."  (18)  When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill Him. But they were afraid of Him because the people were so amazed at His teaching.  (19)  That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.  (20)  The next morning as they passed by the fig tree He had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up.  (21)  Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, "Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered and died!"  (22)  Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God.  (23)  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.  (24)  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.  (25)  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. "  (26)  [But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.]  (27)  Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to Him.  (28)  They demanded, "By what authority are You doing all these things? Who gave You the right to do them?"  (29)  "I'll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied.  (30)  "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer Me!"  (31)  They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, He will ask why we didn't believe John.  (32)  But do we dare say it was merely human?" For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet.  (33)  So they finally replied, "We don't know." And Jesus responded, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things."

1-Disappointment

 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.  (13)  He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so He went over to see if He could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit.  (14)  Then Jesus said to the tree, "May no one ever eat your fruit again!" And the disciples heard Him say it. 

2-Deception

(15)  When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves,  (16)  and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.  (17)  He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."  (18)  When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill Him. But they were afraid of Him because the people were so amazed at His teaching.  (19)  That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.

3-Destruction

 (20)  The next morning as they passed by the fig tree He had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up.  (21)  Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, "Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered and died!"  (22)  Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God.  (23)  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.  (24)  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours.  (25)  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. "  (26)  [But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.]

Mark 10:27  Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God."

Ephesians 4:32  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

4-Denial

 (27)  Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to Him.  (28)  They demanded, "By what authority are You doing all these things? Who gave You the right to do them?"  (29)  "I'll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied.  (30)  "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer Me!"  (31)  They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, He will ask why we didn't believe John.  (32)  But do we dare say it was merely human?" For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet.  (33)  So they finally replied, "We don't know." And Jesus responded, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things."

THE THREE PEOPLE WE ALL ARE...AND ONE WE CAN BE

1-Who others think we are

2-Who we would like to be

3-Who we really are

4-Who we are supposed to be?

 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7  So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.  (7)  As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.

SACRIFICE, DUTY, AND SERVICE

May 26, 2019

 1-We will not fight a war that will end all wars

 Matthew 24:6-9  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  (7)  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  (8)  All these are the beginning of birth pains.

 Isaiah 2:4  The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

 Joel 3:10  Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors.

2-Sacrifice is always driven by love

 John 15:13  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

3-We don't take death lightly...neither does God

 Psalms 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.

 4-Strength and courage are rooted in the presence of God

 Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

5-God lets us know that war is a part of our experience

 Psalms 144:1  Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

6-Any nation whose heart is turned to God is promised a blessing

 Psalms 33:12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD

  O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!

 Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto - "In God is our trust,"

 And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

 Hebrews 11:1  Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

SO WHAT DO WE DO THIS MEMORIAL DAY?

1-Remember the old saying is true...freedom is not free

 2-We need to remember the cross

SWIMMING UPSTREAM IN LIFE

Mark 10:1-31

Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around Him, and as usual He was teaching them.  (2)  Some Pharisees came and tried to trap Him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?"  (3)  Jesus answered them with a question: "What did Moses say in the law about divorce?"  (4)  "Well, he permitted it," they replied. "He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away."  (5)  But Jesus responded, "He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts.  (6)  But 'God made them male and female' from the beginning of creation.  (7)  'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,  (8)  and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one,  (9)  let no one split apart what God has joined together."  (10)  Later, when He was alone with His disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again.  (11)  He told them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her.  (12)  And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery."  (13)  One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.  (14)  When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.  (15)  I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."  (16)  Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.  (17)  As Jesus was starting out on His way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to Him, knelt down, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  (18)  "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked. "Only God is truly good.  (19)  But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.'"  (20)  "Teacher," the man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young."  (21)  Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," He told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."  (22)  At this the man's face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.  (23)  Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!"  (24)  This amazed them. But Jesus said again, "Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.  (25)  In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"  (26)  The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.  (27)  Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God."  (28)  Then Peter began to speak up. "We've given up everything to follow You," he said.  (29)  "Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for My sake and for the Good News,  (30)  will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.  (31)  But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. "

 WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS...

 THE PAINFUL PREDICAMENT

 Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around Him, and as usual He was teaching them.  (2)  Some Pharisees came and tried to trap Him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?"  (3)  Jesus answered them with a question: "What did Moses say in the law about divorce?"  (4)  "Well, he permitted it," they replied. "He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away."  (5)  But Jesus responded, "He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts.  (6)  But 'God made them male and female' from the beginning of creation.  (7)  'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,  (8)  and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one,  (9)  let no one split apart what God has joined together."  (10)  Later, when He was alone with His disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again.  (11)  He told them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her.  (12)  And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery." 

 THE PINT-SIZED PEOPLE

 (13)  One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.  (14)  When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.  (15)  I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."  (16)  Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them. 

  THE PERSISTENT PROBLEM

 (17)  As Jesus was starting out on His way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to Him, knelt down, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  (18)  "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked. "Only God is truly good.  (19)  But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.'"  (20)  "Teacher," the man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young."  (21)  Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," He told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."  (22)  At this the man's face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.  (23)  Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!"  (24)  This amazed them. But Jesus said again, "Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.  (25)  In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"  (26)  The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.  (27)  Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God."     

  John 3:16  "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

 THE PERFECT PRIZE

 (28)  Then Peter began to speak up. "We've given up everything to follow You," he said.  (29)  "Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for My sake and for the Good News,  (30)  will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.  (31)  But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. "

 HOW DO WE KEEP OUR HEARTS "SOFT" BEFORE GOD?

 LOVE LOTS

 John 13:35  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples."

FORGIVE FREELY

 Colossians 3:13  Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

LEARNING GOD’S LOVE FROM MOM

John13:34-35 NLT

 May 12, 2019

 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  (35)  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.

 WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS…

 1-Jesus gives the human race something it had never had before.

 2-Loving each other is not new.

Lev 19:18 NLT  Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

  4-Your love proves who you belong to.

 5-Jesus is the measure of what our love is to be.

 MOMS TEACH US WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE…

1-Moms are our first connection…

 2-Mom’s love has to be strong.

 3-A Mother’s real love is filled with grace.

 4-Moms gentle love teaches us with undying patience.

THE COMING OF THE KING

John 12:12-19

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors  (13)  took palm branches and went down the road to meet Him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!"  (14)  Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:  (15)  "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt."  (16)  His disciples didn't understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into His glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about Him.  (17)  Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising Him from the dead, and they were telling others about it.  (18)  That was the reason so many went out to meet Him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.  (19)  Then the Pharisees said to each other, "There's nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after Him!"

 WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS...

 1-A Crowd Pleaser

 (12) The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors  (13)  took palm branches and went down the road to meet Him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!" 

 2-The King Arrives

 (14)  Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:  (15)  "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt."  (16)  His disciples didn't understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into His glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about Him. 

 Zechariah  9:9  Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey's colt.

 3-A Miraculous Sign

(17)  Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising Him from the dead, and they were telling others about it.  (18)  That was the reason so many went out to meet Him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 

 4-The Leaderless Leaders

 (19)  Then the Pharisees said to each other, "There's nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after Him!"

 WHAT I CAN TAKE AWAY TODAY FROM PALM SUNDAY…

1-The presence of Jesus is always a cause for celebration in the lives of human beings.

  2-When Jesus comes into Jerusalem, he is accepting the title of “Messiah.”

 3-All of creation belongs to this same Jesus.

 4-This account reminds me that I have only one of two options for every choice I make.

 5-I need to remember that everything I see here was done with me in mind.

FOUR IMPORTANT THINGS

Mark 9:30-50

 Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn't want anyone to know He was there, (31)  for He wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of His enemies. He will be killed, but three days later He will rise from the dead."  (32)  They didn't understand what He was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.  (33)  After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked His disciples, "What were you discussing out on the road?"  (34)  But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.  (35)  He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to Him, and said, "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else."  (36)  Then He put a little child among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, (37)  "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes not only Me but also My Father who sent Me."  (38)  John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using Your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group."  (39)  "Don't stop him!" Jesus said. "No one who performs a miracle in My name will soon be able to speak evil of Me.  (40)  Anyone who is not against us is for us.  (41)  If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.  (42)  "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.  (43)  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.  (44)  ['where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.']  (45)  If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.  (46) ['where the maggots never die, and the fire never goes out.']  (47)  And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It's better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, (48) ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.'  (49)  "For everyone will be tested with fire [and every sacrifice will be salted with salt].  (50)  Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other."

 WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS...

 1-Taking Time for Teaching (30-32)

 (30)  Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn't want anyone to know He was there, (31)  for He wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of His enemies. He will be killed, but three days later He will rise from the dead."  (32)  They didn't understand what He was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.

 2-Cherishing the Children

 (33)  After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked His disciples, "What were you discussing out on the road?"  (34)  But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.  (35)  He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to Him, and said, "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else."  (36)  Then He put a little child among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, (37) “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes not only Me but also My Father who sent Me." 

 3-Testifying Teammates Together

(38)  John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using Your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group."  (39)  "Don't stop him!" Jesus said. "No one who performs a miracle in My name will soon be able to speak evil of Me.  (40)  Anyone who is not against us is for us.  (41)  If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded. 

 4-Sin's Sentence

(42)  "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.  (43)  If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.  (44) ['where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.']  (45)  If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.  (46) ['where the maggots never die, and the fire never goes out.']  (47)  And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It's better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, (48) ‘where the maggots never die, and the fire never goes out.'  (49)  "For everyone will be tested with fire [and every sacrifice will be salted with salt].  (50)  Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other."

WHAT DO WE DO WITH ALL OF THIS?

1-Live out your real identity

 John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

 2-Pray for those who don't live well

 3-Don't fool yourself about the fate of those who don't know Christ

 4-Ask God to give you a passion for people

 CONFUSION, CONFESSION AND CONSEQUENCES

Mark 8:22-38

When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged Him to touch the man and heal him.  (23)  Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man's eyes, He laid His hands on him and asked, "Can you see anything now?"  (24)  The man looked around. "Yes," he said, "I see people, but I can't see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around."  (25)  Then Jesus placed His hands on the man's eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.  (26)  Jesus sent him away, saying, "Don't go back into the village on your way home."  (27)  Jesus and His disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, He asked them, "Who do people say I am?"  (28)  "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say You are one of the other prophets."  (29)  Then He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah. "  (30)  But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him.  (31)  Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later He would rise from the dead.  (32)  As He talked about this openly with His disciples, Peter took Him aside and began to reprimand Him for saying such things.  (33)  Jesus turned around and looked at His disciples, then reprimanded Peter. "Get away from Me, Satan!" He said. "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."  (34)  Then, calling the crowd to join His disciples, He said, "If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.  (35)  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  (36)  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  (37)  Is anything worth more than your soul?  (38)  If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

1-CONFUSION

 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged Him to touch the man and heal him.  (23)  Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man's eyes, He laid His hands on him and asked, "Can you see anything now?"  (24)  The man looked around. "Yes," he said, "I see people, but I can't see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around."  (25)  Then Jesus placed His hands on the man's eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.  (26)  Jesus sent him away, saying, "Don't go back into the village on your way home." 

2-CONFESSION

 (27)  Jesus and His disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, He asked them, "Who do people say I am?"  (28)  "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say You are one of the other prophets."  (29)  Then He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah. "  (30)  But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him.  (31)  Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later He could rise from the dead.  (32)  As He talked about this openly with His disciples, Peter took Him aside and began to reprimand Him for saying such things.  (33)  Jesus turned around and looked at His disciples, then reprimanded Peter. "Get away from Me, Satan!" He said. "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."

3-CONSEQUENCES

 (34)  Then, calling the crowd to join His disciples, He said, "If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.  (35)  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  (36)  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  (37)  Is anything worth more than your soul?  (38)  If anyone is ashamed of Me and My message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He returns in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

SO WHAT NOW?

 TWO QUESTIONS...

 Who are you?

  What are you doing...here?

THE PROMISE

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  (12)  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  (13)  If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me.  (14)  I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."

 1-God has plans for you

 2-God's  plans are good plans

 3-God wants his plans to create hope for our future

 OK...SO WHAT DO I DO NOW?

 (12)  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  (13)  If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me.  (14)  I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."

1-Pray

 2-Look for God

 3-Get ready to go home

Mark 8:1-21

About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called His disciples and told them,  (2)  "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with Me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat.  (3)  If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance."  (4)  His disciples replied, "How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?"  (5)  Jesus asked, "How much bread do you have?" "Seven loaves," they replied.  (6)  So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to His disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.  (7)  A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them.  (8)  They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.  (9)  There were about 4,000 people in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.  (10)  Immediately after this, He got into a boat with His disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.  (11)  When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with Him. Testing Him, they demanded that He show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove His authority.  (12)  When He heard this, He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, "Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign."  (13)  So He got back into the boat and left them, and He crossed to the other side of the lake.  (14)  But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat.  (15)  As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod."  (16)  At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread.  (17)  Jesus knew what they were saying, so He said, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don't you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?  (18)  'You have eyes—can't you see? You have ears—can't you hear?' Don't you remember anything at all?  (19)  When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?" "Twelve," they said.  (20)  "And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" "Seven," they said.  (21)  "Don't you understand yet?" He asked them.

  WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS...

 The Compassion

 (1) About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called His disciples and told them,  (2)  "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with Me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat.  (3)  If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance."

 The  Confusion

  (4)  His disciples replied, "How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?"  (5)  Jesus asked, "How much bread do you have?" "Seven loaves," they replied.  (6)  So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to His disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd.  (7)  A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them. 

 The Consumption

 (8)  They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.  (9)  There were about 4,000 people in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten.  (10)  Immediately after this, He got into a boat with His disciples and crossed over to the region of Dalmanutha.

 The Confrontation

  (11)  When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with Him. Testing Him, they demanded that He show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove His authority.  (12)  When He heard this, He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, "Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign."  (13)  So He got back into the boat and left them, and He crossed to the other side of the lake. 

 The Coaching

 (14)  But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat.  (15)  As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, "Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod."  (16)  At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn't brought any bread.  (17)  Jesus knew what they were saying, so He said, "Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don't you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in?  (18)  'You have eyes—can't you see? You have ears—can't you hear?' Don't you remember anything at all?  (19)  When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?" "Twelve," they said.  (20)  "And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?" "Seven," they said.  (21)  "Don't you understand yet?" He asked them.

 WHAT LESSONS ARE TO BE LEARNED HERE?

 Bring what you have to God...and He will do more than you could ever imagine

 Fill your head and heart with the things of God

Philippians 4:8-9  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  (9)  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

The world will hate you for loving Jesus...love them

Mark 7:24-37

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre [and Sidon]. He didn't want anyone to know which house He was staying in, but He couldn't keep it a secret.  (25)  Right away a woman who had heard about Him came and fell at His feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit,  (26)  and she begged Him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia,  (27)  Jesus told her, "First I should feed the children—My own family, the Jews. It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs."  (28)  She replied, "That's true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children's plates."  (29)  "Good answer!" He said. "Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter."  (30)  And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.  (31)  Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns.  (32)  A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to Him, and the people begged Jesus to lay His hands on the man to heal him.  (33)  Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put His fingers into the man's ears. Then, spitting on His own fingers, He touched the man's tongue.  (34)  Looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, "Ephphatha," which means, "Be opened!"  (35)  Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!  (36)  Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more He told them not to, the more they spread the news.  (37)  They were completely amazed and said again and again, "Everything He does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak."

  WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS...

1-The Begging Woman

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre [and Sidon]. He didn't want anyone to know which house He was staying in, but He couldn't keep it a secret.  (25)  Right away a woman who had heard about Him came and fell at His feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit,  (26)  and she begged Him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, 

2-Food Enough For Everyone

(27)  Jesus told her, "First I should feed the children—My own family, the Jews. It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs."  (28)  She replied, "That's true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children's plates."  (29)  "Good answer!" He said. "Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter."  (30)  And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone.

3-The Begging Crowd

 (31)  Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns.  (32)  A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to Him, and the people begged Jesus to lay His hands on the man to heal him.  (33)  Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone.

 4-Doing Everything Wonderfully

He put His fingers into the man's ears. Then, spitting on His own fingers, He touched the man's tongue.  (34)  Looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, "Ephphatha," which means, "Be opened!"  (35)  Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!  (36)  Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more He told them not to, the more they spread the news.  (37)  They were completely amazed and said again and again, "Everything He does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak."

 LET GOD DEPUTIZE YOU TO BRING HEALING...

1. I'm so glad God made you.

2. I will always listen to you.

3. You are precious.

4. God loves you.

5. God has a plan for your life.

 6. Loving God is the secret to loving others.

 7. Be quick to forgive.

 8. Be content.

 9. I'm praying for you.

 10. Tell others about the hope of Jesus.

 COURAGE IN THE NIGHT

Mark 6:45-52

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while He sent the people home.  (46)  After telling everyone good-bye, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.  (47)  Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land.  (48)  He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them,  (49)  but when they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost.  (50)  They were all terrified when they saw Him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," He said. "Take courage! I am here! "  (51)  Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed,  (52)  for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. 

1-Goodbye to Everyone

(45) Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while He sent the people home.  (46)  After telling everyone good-bye, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.

 2-Jesus is there when trouble comes

 (47)  Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land.  (48)  He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.

 3-Ghost Story

 He intended to go past them,  (49)  but when they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost.  (50)  They were all terrified when they saw Him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," He said. "Take courage! I am here! "

 4-Picking up a hitch hiker

 (51)  Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed,  (52)  for they still didn't understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

SO WHERE'S THE HOPE?

 1-He Promises Rest for Our Souls

Mat 11:28-30  Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (30)  For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

  2-He Promises to Guard Our Hearts and Minds

Philippians 4:6-7  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  (7)  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

  3-He Promises Security and Communion with Him

1 Corinthians 14:33  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God's holy people.

  4-He Promises His Perfect Peace

 John 14:27  "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.

  5-He Promises a Firm Foundation

Psalms 61:2-3  From the ends of the earth, I cry to You for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,  (3)  for You are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

  6-He Promises Victory over Our Struggles

John 16:33  I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

  7-He Promises to Make a Way

Isa 43:2  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

  8-He Promises to Uphold Us

Isaiah 41:10  Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.

  9-He Promises to Never Leave Us

Deuteronomy 31:8  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

 10-He Promises to Renew Our Strength

Isaiah 40:31  But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

 JUST GIVE WHAT YOU GOT

Mark 6:30-44

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told Him all they had done and taught.  (31)  Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn't even have time to eat.  (32)  So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.  (33)  But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.  (34)  Jesus saw the huge crowd as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.  (35)  Late in the afternoon His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late.  (36)  Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat."  (37)  But Jesus said, "You feed them." "With what?" they asked. "We'd have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!"  (38)  "How much bread do you have?" He asked. "Go and find out." They came back and reported, "We have five loaves of bread and two fish."  (39)  Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass.  (40)  So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.  (41)  Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, He kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share.  (42)  They all ate as much as they wanted,  (43)  and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.  (44)  A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!

 1- Rest and Recovery

 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told Him all they had done and taught.  (31)  Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn't even have time to eat.  (32)  So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.  (33)  But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.

2-Compassion for the Crowd

  (34)  Jesus saw the huge crowd as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.  (35)  Late in the afternoon His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late.  (36)  Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat."  (37)  But Jesus said, "You feed them." "With what?" they asked. "We'd have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!"

 3-Bring Your Bread

  (38)  "How much bread do you have?" He asked. "Go and find out." They came back and reported, "We have five loaves of bread and two fish."  (39)  Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass.  (40)  So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.  (41)  Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, He kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. 

 4-Feast for the Families

 (42)  They all ate as much as they wanted,  (43)  and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.  (44)  A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!

 WHERE IS THE HOPE?

Hope is in the Lord

 -this is the God who comes to us today

-and reminds us that you don't have to know everything to eat of this bread of life...

-frankly all you need to do is to be hungry

-and in this Jesus we can feed on the hope that God gives

-our God demonstrates himself as a God of compassion

-he knows the tiredness of his disciples

-and offers them rest...which they need even in the flush of victory

-and he is the God that the crowds cannot get enough of

-they just have to be in his presence

-their lives have been changed...because they have hope

-they have hope for today...and hope for tomorrow

-heaven is out there for them...but today now has meaning

-because this God who has loved them here...and has provided for them....

-will do that tomorrow...

-and he will use them to reach others with this bread of life

-Jesus came as a servant...

-he said he came not to be served...but to serve

-and Paul wrote about him in Philippians 2...

-that even though he was God ...he humbled himself....literally for all humnaity

-the king, the master, the creator, the sustainer

-becomes the servant of all just because he loves us

-and who is his special love  reserved for?

-the church

Hope is in the church

Hope is in each one of us

THREE STRIKES

Mark 6:1-29

 Jesus left that part of the country and returned with His disciples to Nazareth, His hometown.  (2)  The next Sabbath He began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed. They asked, "Where did He get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?"  (3)  Then they scoffed, "He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And His sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him.  (4)  Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family."  (5)  And because of their unbelief, He couldn't do any miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  (6)  And He was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.  (7)  And He called His twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.  (8)  He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler's bag, no money.  (9)  He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.  (10)  "Wherever you go," He said, "stay in the same house until you leave town.  (11)  But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate."  (12)  So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.  (13)  And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.  (14)  Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about Him. Some were saying, "This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why He can do such miracles."  (15)  Others said, "He's the prophet Elijah." Still others said, "He's a prophet like the other great prophets of the past."  (16)  When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead."  (17)  For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip's wife, but Herod had married her.  (18)  John had been telling Herod, "It is against God's law for you to marry your brother's wife."  (19)  So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod's approval she was powerless,  (20)  for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.  (21)  Herodias's chance finally came on Herod's birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee.  (22)  Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. "Ask me for anything you like," the king said to the girl, "and I will give it to you."  (23)  He even vowed, "I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!"  (24)  She went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother told her, "Ask for the head of John the Baptist!"  (25)  So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, "I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!"  (26)  Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn't refuse her.  (27)  So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John's head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison,  (28)  brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother.  (29)  When John's disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.

 1-Thanks but no thanks...

  Jesus left that part of the country and returned with His disciples to Nazareth, His hometown.  (2)  The next Sabbath He began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed. They asked, "Where did He get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?"  (3)  Then they scoffed, "He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And His sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him.  (4)  Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family."  (5)  And because of their unbelief, He couldn't do any miracles among them except to place His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  (6)  And He was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.

 Genesis 50:20  You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

 The Choice

  (7)  And He called His twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.  (8)  He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler's bag, no money.  (9)  He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.  (10)  "Wherever you go," He said, "stay in the same house until you leave town.  (11)  But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate."  (12)  So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.  (13)  And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.   

 Just say "no"

(14)  Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about Him. Some were saying, "This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why He can do such miracles."  (15)  Others said, "He's the prophet Elijah." Still others said, "He's a prophet like the other great prophets of the past." 

 (16)  When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, "John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead."  (17)  For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip's wife, but Herod had married her.  (18)  John had been telling Herod, "It is against God's law for you to marry your brother's wife."  (19)  So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod's approval she was powerless,  (20)  for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.  (21)  Herodias's chance finally came on Herod's birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee.  (22)  Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. "Ask me for anything you like," the king said to the girl, "and I will give it to you."  (23)  He even vowed, "I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!"  (24)  She went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother told her, "Ask for the head of John the Baptist!"  (25)  So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, "I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!"  (26)  Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn't refuse her.  (27)  So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John's head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison,  (28)  brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother.  (29)  When John's disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.

 SO WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS?

 The Pagan Belief Today

 We Believe Sin Is Wrong...Just Not My Sin...

 Unbelief Amazes God

A TALE OF TWO WOMEN

Mark 5:21-43

Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around Him on the shore.  (22)  Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet,  (23)  pleading fervently with Him. "My little daughter is dying," he said. "Please come and lay Your hands on her; heal her so she can live."  (24)  Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around Him.  (25)  A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.  (26)  She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.  (27)  She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind Him through the crowd and touched His robe.  (28)  For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed."  (29)  Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.  (30)  Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from Him, so He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched My robe?"  (31)  His disciples said to Him, "Look at this crowd pressing around You. How can You ask, 'Who touched Me?'"  (32)  But He kept on looking around to see who had done it.  (33)  Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of Him and told Him what she had done.  (34)  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over."  (35)  While He was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now."  (36)  But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith."  (37)  Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn't let anyone go with Him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James).  (38)  When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing.  (39)  He went inside and asked, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn't dead; she's only asleep."  (40)  The crowd laughed at Him. But He made them all leave, and He took the girl's father and mother and His three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.  (41)  Holding her hand, He said to her, "Talitha koum," which means "Little girl, get up!"  (42)  And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.  (43)  Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then He told them to give her something to eat

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS...

1-Dying Daughter

Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around Him on the shore.  (22)  Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet,  (23)  pleading fervently with Him. "My little daughter is dying," he said. "Please come and lay Your hands on her; heal her so she can live."  (24)  Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around Him.

  2-Faith's Fulfillment

  (25)  A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.  (26)  She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.  (27)  She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind Him through the crowd and touched His robe.  (28)  For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed."  (29)  Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.  (30)  Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from Him, so He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched My robe?"  (31)  His disciples said to Him, "Look at this crowd pressing around You. How can You ask, 'Who touched Me?'"  (32)  But He kept on looking around to see who had done it.  (33)  Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of Him and told Him what she had done.  (34)  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over." 

  3-Father's Fear

 (35)  While He was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now."  (36)  But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith."  (37)  Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn't let anyone go with Him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). 

 4-Crowd's Confusion

(38)  When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing.  (39)  He went inside and asked, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn't dead; she's only asleep."  (40)  The crowd laughed at Him. But He made them all leave, and He took the girl's father and mother and His three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.

 5-Maiden's Miracle

  (41)  Holding her hand, He said to her, "Talitha koum," which means "Little girl, get up!"  (42)  And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.  (43)  Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then He told them to give her something to eat.

WHAT CAN WE TAKE HOME FOR US?

1-Satan wants you to give up...to lose all hope

 John 10:10  The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.

 2-Jesus chooses to not leave people in the condition that He finds us

John 10:10  The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

 John 1:10-13  He came into the very world He created, but the world didn't recognize Him.  (11)  He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.  (12)  But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.  (13)  They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

 3-Jesus doesn't care who you are

Matthew 7:8  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew  10:32  "Everyone who acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.

Mark  10:29-30  "Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for My sake and for the Good News,  (30)  will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

John 1:4  The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone.

John  3:16  "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

 4-Bring your need any way you can

 Matthew 11:28-29  Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 5-Can God do this for me?

 Isaiah 48:13  It was My hand that laid the foundations of the earth, My right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order.

 Psalms 147:4  He counts the stars and calls them all by name.

 Matthew  10:29-31  What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  (30)  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  (31)  So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Philippians 3:12-14

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. (13) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, (14) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Press On

(12) I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Don't Look Back

(13) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

Run For The Goal

(14) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

OK...DAY 6 OF THE 365 DAY MARATHON...WHAT NOW?

Be in the Word...Obey the Word...

Love One Another through Selfless Servanthood

Remember that there are Storms headed your way

The Time Before Christmas

Isaiah 9:2-6 NLT

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (3) You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. (4) For You will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as You did when You destroyed the army of Midian. (5) The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. (6) For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

What The Bible Says About The First Christmas…

1-It’s pretty dark out there.

2-God promises that there is rejoicing in the future.

3-God’s promise is to change the quality of life they live

4-Humankind’s worst nightmare will be no more.

5-The reason for all this good news is a child that is different from any other child on earth.

What If Christ Had Not Come?

1-The world would still be in darkness.

2-The world would have no forgiveness of sin.

3-We would not know of the love of God.

4-There would be no be no promise of life after death.

5-There would be no Christmas.