Sunday – September 09, 2012

Posted on September 12, 2012 by PastorAndy

September 09, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Devinely Designed Delays from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Ever get stuck and in a traffic jam and missed an appointment? How about when that phone call comes in just as you were preparing to leave to meet a friend who had a problem? The frustration we have for delays can drive us up the wall. Or it could be a divine delay. Jesus knew all about delays in travel and ministry itineraries. But they were never a cause for concern, but an opportunity for God to demonstrate His sovereignty. Join us Sunday September 9th as we continue in our study of the Gospel of Mark and look at “Divine Delays” in Mark chapter 5 verses 21 to 43.

Word On Worship – September 09, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 5:35-37
“While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”

The theme of belief runs through the gospel of Mark. But belief is one of the least understood concepts today. We have confused biblical belief with opinions, personal desires, and the evaluation of people and situations. When we lump the belief in Jesus Christ with our belief in a political philosophy, our plans for the future and the likelihood of our favorite team making the playoffs, is it any wonder we do not see the power of God in our lives?

Belief opens the door to the power of God. By it, divine power is given to those who are utterly powerless. Faith can be bold; it can be halting; it can be imperfect and it can be filled with trepidation. All that is needed for it to be effective is for it to be directed to Jesus Christ. When faith is in the person of Jesus Christ, it overcomes obstacles. The woman worked her way through the crowds and overcomes any sense of shame she had to reach out and touch His garments. The synagogue leader had to overcome the peer pressure of the other religious leaders who were already conspiring how they may put Jesus to death and humbly ask Jesus for the healing of his daughter.

Belief is not invisible, but always demonstrated by action. It is seen in the men digging through the roof to lower their friend to Jesus. It kneels, begs and reaches out to touch. It is not merely belief about Jesus that brings about healing, but a faith in Jesus that causes action which does. Neither Jairus nor the woman identifies Jesus as Messiah or even as a prophet. But they believe He has the power to heal and are willing to put their faith to the test to come to Jesus. Faith does not wait for the sea to divide before stepping out. Belief steps out, trusting God will do what is needed.

Belief is not a magic bullet to receive everything we may desire. Evil, illness and death still continue in our lives. Not every touch will bring healing, and those with great faith still hear the dreaded words from the doctor, “Your daughter is dead.” A miracle does not occur in every situation, but it does not diminish God’s power to save. If God intervened in every situation we asked of Him, we would never have to exercise faith. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego expressed the only kind of faith that will carry us through tragedy when they declared, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18).

Sunday – September 2, 2012

Posted on September 7, 2012 by PastorAndy

September 2, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

What Demons Dread from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Have you ever wondered what demons dread? Jesus had already earned the reputation of casting out demons, but in Mark 5 He kicks it up a notch to deal with Legion- and Legion dreads it. Mark’s gospel takes the time and space to deal with the issue of demons in greater detail than any of the other gospel. Join us this Sunday for an interesting look at “What Demons Dread” as we continue into Mark 5 verses 1 to 20. See you at 8:45 AM this Sunday.

Word On Worship – September 2, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 5:2-5
“When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him.”

Today’s society disregards most of our Christian fear regarding the influence of demons. We still watch movies or read novels that contain a supernatural evil residing in the populace to do harm in some arbitrary way. In their make-believe narrative, some seemingly indestructible “force” appears to transform into whatever shape is needed to destroy individuals and eventually the earth itself. This movie monster somehow has many extra lives enabling it to come back for the sequel by some man-made wizardry that allows the movie to end without fully resolving the problem.

The gospels present quite a different picture of the source of evil and how it is overcome. In the movies, humans have the power and the ingenuity to recognize and expel evil. Jesus reveals evil comes from a demonic source that preys upon human presumption of its own strength and ingenuity. Satanic influence isn’t something humanity can defeat on its own. It can only be overcome with something greater than ourselves — the power of God. Martin Luther was correct when he penned, “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.”

The greatest proof of this striving against the wind are those who need the greatest deliverance. They often offer the greatest resistance to being set free from their captivity. People pay professionals for advice to change their lives but then resist any change required. We surrender to the demons we know because we are too afraid to live without them. I take great comfort from the persistence of Jesus against Legion. Jesus is not put off by the evasive tactics of the enemy or the people. He is willing to cross a stormy sea just to free this one man from the bondage of his tormentors and to reveal this truth to a community afraid of that deliverance.

Only in Christ can we find shelter from the blast of the enemy and the power to overcome demonic forces that swamp not only individuals, but entire nations. Only in Christ is there deliverance from the powers and principalities which we face in daily battle. This power is not based on the sheer might of Jesus, but in the mercy (5:19) God shows all who come to Him by faith and found only in Christ. We need to be a people who have met with Christ and allowed Him to transform our lives. And then have the courage to bring Jesus Christ to those who are still captive to this enemy of cruel hate. Again, as Luther wrote, “We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.”

— Pastor Andrew Kikkert

Sunday – August 26, 2012

Posted on August 27, 2012 by PastorAndy

August 26, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Sermons by the Sea from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Jesus continues to teach the crowds around the Sea of Galilee in parables. Describing the Kingdom of God in parables to keep those who are only looking for the miracle man in the dark, but providing illumination for those who are seeking the truth, Jesus continues to place the emphasis of His ministry on teaching. Join us this Sunday as we look at Mark 4 verses 21 to 41 and listen to Jesus’ “Sermons by the Sea”.

Word On Worship – August 26, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 4:21-23
And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

God rarely makes headlines in the world today. But is that really surprising? His gentle touches seem inconsequential to humanity because God works silently and in ways human eyes overlook. The parables by the sea bring the hidden Kingdom of God into full view — for those who have the faith to see it. All parables of Jesus require faith, which can only be given by God, before we see God’s purposes are being fulfilled; even when there appears to be no empirical evidence to be gathered, quantified or measured.

The world tells us the only certain things are death and taxes. Jesus tells us in the parables God’s Kingdom is certainly at work in ways we do not know and accomplish His purpose in a manner that is beyond human formulation. From our finite perspective, we are ignorant of God’s grand design even when we are in the midst of it. In the eye of the world, how can the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul be a good thing? Yet God uses the imprisonment of Paul to advance the gospel so the entire palace guard heard the good news of Jesus Christ while Paul inspired others through his epistles to preach the gospel even more boldly! God draws straight lines using what seems, from our perspective, to be crocked lines.

God’s purpose is revealed in the cross, a road of suffering, which leads us to the resurrection. Yet many remain blind to God’s plan of redemption. Those who look for certified proof see the cross as foolishness. But the weakness and apparent foolishness of God is transformed into the power of God to bring future triumph in the reign of Jesus Christ. It takes faith on our part to take such a step, to risk trusting your whole life to something that lies hidden, like a seed in the soil.

Often God’s children suffer from spiritual myopia because we lack the spiritual vision to see what God is doing in the soil. We cannot see next week, much less all eternity, and so become impatient waiting for God’s purpose to bear fruit. The parables illustrate the purpose of God and when we sow God’s seed, it will accomplish His purpose. We may not harvest the crop, but it was never our crop to harvest to begin with. It is and will always be God’s harvest. The gospel must be preached to all nations, disciples must face suffering, and judgment continues to rest on Jerusalem as we wait for our Lord’s coming- in God’s time.

Sunday – August 19, 2012

Posted on August 19, 2012 by PastorAndy

August 19, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Parable of the Soils from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Four soils, four seeds…. Simple math right. Nothing is as simple as it seems when it comes to the parables of Jesus. In Mark chapter 4, Jesus begins to change His teaching style to teach in parables. And the most essential of the parables to understand according to Jesus is the parable of the Sower. Join us this Sunday at 8:45AM as we continue in our study of the Gospel of Mark in Mark 4 verses 1 to 20.

Word On Worship – August 19, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 4:11-12
And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.”

The fourth chapter of Mark is often referred to as “the parables by the sea” section of the Gospel of Mark. The key to all the parables of Jesus is the phrase “to hear” which appears 13 times in this chapter alone. The command “to hear” is the heart of the great confession of faith for the Jews, the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” The issue of hearing is the heart of parables and is the key to bearing fruit, the essential mark of the Kingdom of God.

As a pastor, I have to admit: sometimes people respond to the proclamation of the word as airline passengers responding to flight attendants’ instructions before takeoff on what to do in case of an emergency. Before every flight, they invite the passengers to watch and follow along with the card in the seat pocket in front of them. But more often than not, passengers ignore the instructions while being preoccupied with looking out the windows, reading a magazine or even sleeping. No airline will allow the flight attendant to skip the instructions just because no one appears to be listening because the instructions are a matter of life and death.

The power to bring fruit to a plant is not in the hand of the sower. While it is easy for all who sow seeds in the soils of friends, family and co-workers to despair over apparent failure or vicious opposition, the power to bring fruit is in the hands of God alone, no matter which soil we scattered His seed in. If some seed falls on hearts of stone, that is God’s business, not ours. We will never know if the heart does not have ears to hear unless we speak to them. Whether or not it is received does not affect its power to transform lives. Truth is truth, regardless if it is popular in the polls or pursued by the masses.

There is still an important truth for those who believe they are the good soil and have received the seed. For many, the words of Jesus go in one ear and out the other. We can all agree the first soil was bad and the fourth soil was good. But the seed received in the second and third soil never produced fruit. Like the fig tree of Mark 11, churches are filled with people who have leaves, branches and external signs of life. But the fig tree with no fruit is cursed by Jesus. Bearing fruit is the expectation of the Lord. Do not let the Word of the Lord be something your spouse or child fails to hear. The admonition of our passage is for you this morning: “They hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”

Sunday – August 12, 2012

Posted on August 13, 2012 by PastorAndy

August 12, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Are You in the Family? from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

The Smother’s brothers used to have the running gag, “Mom always like you best!” But what do you do when your mother and siblings decide you have lost your mind and need an intervention when you are the Messiah? it become time to think outside biology and realize the family of God is more than who your parents were but who your Heavenly Father is, and are you willing to obey Him. Join us as we continue in our wonderful study in the Gospel of Mark and ask, “Are You in the Family?” from Mark 3 verses 7 to 35. And do forget to stick around for our missionary potluck after the services.

Word On Worship – August 12, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 3:28-30
“Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” — because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

It has become easy to classify Jesus as teacher who spoke timeless ethical truths, or a failed Jewish revolutionary or just another Jewish prophet who’s message was rejected by the people as many prophets before Him. However, the accusations by enemies of Jesus should tell us the only reasonable explanation for their deep hostility for Jesus was His own claims that what He did was by the manifested power of God’s Spirit through Him. C.S. Lewis was right when he wrote in Mere Christianity, “You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

In his gospel, Mark continually confronts us with the question, “Who is Jesus?” For those who flock to Jesus for healings and signs, He is the performer of the miraculous. The demons acknowledge Him as the Son of God. Jesus is the agent of Satan to those in religious authority. And to His own family, Jesus is someone who is out of His mind. The job of the reader of this gospel is to determine, based on the evidence, which is right. Either Jesus is the Son of God or He truly is unclean and an agent of the evil one sent to mislead and provide false hope.

This is not an argument we will win based on abstract ideas or shouting matches designed more to win the debate over our enemies than to win over our enemies to Christ. The battle for the soul is not won by conventional means but by understanding that the battle is won by Spirit inspired conversations which entice people to think together with Christ, not against Him. The avenue our Lord takes is through the use of parables to provide common ground between the participants so the Spirit can enlighten their heart as they in turn are willing to open their minds to God.

Jesus has thrown the door wide open to all who want to follow Him. Anyone who does the will of God is a welcome member of His family. Jesus redefines the definition of family beyond simple biology or genealogy. Biological family relationships are not based on choice. Becoming a member of the family of God is a choice. The only membership requirement in the messianic family is obeying God, whose commands are defined by what Jesus did and taught. If you are not sure of your relationship to Jesus Christ, I strongly encourage you to speak to one of the Elders or a good Christian friend to see if you are in the family of the loving Savior.

Sunday – August 5, 2012

Posted on August 6, 2012 by PastorAndy

August 5, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

On Any Sunday from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Many Christians do not recognize they same the same attitudes of the 1st century Pharisees. It becomes very easy to sing Amazing Grace and believe that God has in mind only our kind of wretches. Jesus came to tear down the categorizing of sinners by those who valued rites and rituals over mercy. Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Mark in Mark 2:13 to 3:6 and see "On Any Given Sunday" is an opportunity to share the truth of the gospel with out placing additional burdens on those we seek to share the love of Christ.

Word On Worship – August 5, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 2:16-17
“When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Religious study is the history of mankind’s search for God. What makes Christianity unique is that it presents itself as God’s search for mankind. But God’s search and rescue is often in the arenas of life where we seldom tread. The homosexual and the prostitute are in needs of healing as much as the paralytic and the leper. Sadly, little has changed since the days of Jesus, where an audible gasp was probably heard by those who witnessed Jesus call Levi to follow Him.

The calling of Levi exposes the tendency for God’s people to exclude and write off others engaged in sin we would never see ourselves committing. I suppose it is human nature to assume those who are chosen by God will be those who are most like us. Yet we forget Jesus went to those who were despised and unclean to redeem them for God’s Kingdom. I have known many who have felt the stone wall of resistance to “those kinds of people” from the same people who sang about how God’s grace “saved a wretch like me.” Is it too amazing for us to see the same grace is extended to save those we are convinced deserve punishment?

How many Christians today would be no less agitated than the Pharisees if they found the people protesting the convictions of certain Christian businesses sitting in the seat next to them because someone had the courage to go to them and tell them God loves them as much as the righteous? We applaud handing out tracts in a fleeting bid to witness to those who gather at the tavern, but to invite the abortion doctor to dinner on Sunday night is another story all together. The thought of associating with those who live on the other side of our barriers scares us because it often blurs the line between the righteous and the unrighteous. However, if we listen to Jesus at the table with the tax collectors, we would see there are no righteous people to call, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The assembly of believers is the gathering of those who saw the sign saying there is a party and all are welcome. It makes no difference what we were before we walked in the door. The Church is the gathering where the only thing that matters is what happens to us after we arrived. Jesus is willing to throw such a party to reach those who are lost and despised. It is all about whether we accept or reject Jesus and the effect of that decision on our lives today. If we go looking for Jesus to be fasting with the priests we will be sorely disappointed to find Him eating among the sinners.

Sunday – July 29, 2012

Posted on July 31, 2012 by PastorAndy

July 29, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

When Strange Things Come Through the Roof from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Jesus returns to face the religious leaders when some enterprising friends realize it is easier to go through the roof than it is to get in the front door. And Jesus makes this the opportunity to show the Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins. Join us this week as we continue in our series in the Gospel of Mark and see just what happens “When Strange Things Come Through the Roof” in Mark chapter 2 verses 1 to 12.

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Mark 2:2-4
“And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.”

Life, it can be said, is a series of barriers. There are educational barriers for entrance to many jobs, financial barriers to purchase a home, and status barriers for entering social groups. The issue with barriers in our lives is what will we do about them? Will they become the excuse we use to give up and turn away or will they be the proving ground of our character and perseverance to excel? How we approach the barriers God has placed in our lives will define who we are and who Jesus Christ is to us.

The men in our passage knew about barriers. Certainly the impenetrable thicket of people surrounding the house where Jesus was teaching is a road block which would turn many away with a simple excuse of at least, “we tried.” But the friends of the paralytic were not ones to be daunted by the human forest around the front door. Showing uncommon resourcefulness, his friends find a way to the roof where they dig through to lower their friend to Jesus. But the crowd is only one of the barriers that need to be overcome for the paralytic to be healed.

A barrier not addressed but equally present is the suspicious skepticism of the religious leaders in the room. They are witnesses to the healing act of the Messiah, yet the question in their hearts is “Why does this man speak that way?” A priest could pronounce the forgiveness of sin on the basis of repentance and sacrifice (Leviticus 4, 5, and 16), but Jesus states He can forgive sins as if He were God. Either these words of Jesus are incredibly outrageous or incredibly wonderful. And how intimidating would it be to choose between the words of this Healer or the pressure from your religious leaders and men of authority. How often are we cowed by the stare or word of scoffing we hear from co-workers and family to turn away from the words of the Messiah which offer forgiveness and cleanse us from guilt of sin? The authority of the Messiah exceeds the peer pressure of those around us to think they have no need of the healing touch of the Messiah because the Messiah came to save sinners, not the self righteous who scoff at the grace of God.

And yet another barrier exists for the paralytic and us as well: our own skepticism. Will someone who has to be carried in on a stretcher by others believe the words of Jesus about the forgiveness of sins and then act on Jesus command to get up and carry it outside? Or will we accept the judgment of the world and say to ourselves, this man cannot forgive what I have done. How often do we, paralyzed by the sin in our lives, look at Jesus but think to ourselves, I cannot get up and carry anything because this barrier is too great for me to overcome? You see, there comes a time when each one of us has to make faith our own. The faith of his friends to get him to this point is for naught if this man does not exercise his faith and obey Jesus. You may be here this morning at the urging and prayer of a friend or family members. But for all the faith of your family, it will have no benefit for you unless you respond to the words of Jesus and stand up, tuck your mat under your arm and walk to the glory of God.

Sunday – July 22, 2012

Posted on July 22, 2012 by PastorAndy

July 22, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Due to technical difficulties this week, we do not have video for our sermon but please enjoy the audio file.

Sermon Audio

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Word On Worship – July 22, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 1:14-15
“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Mark wastes no time in introducing the authority of Jesus Christ as he presents for us five scenes from Jesus ministry, all with the intent of demonstrating Jesus’ authority as the Christ. He begins with the calling of four fishermen: Andrew, Peter, James and John, to follow Him as His disciples. From there, Jesus moves to the synagogue at Capernaum where He teaches with authority and destroy the demonic reign of terror of a man possessed. Then Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others who flock to Him for healing. Jesus concludes by healing the leper who directly disobeys His command to remain silent and tell no one what happened.

The authority of Jesus is a key theme in the Gospel of Mark. Not only does Jesus have authority as a teacher and over human disease, He has authority over the Sabbath (2:27-28), over the forgiveness of sins (2:5-12), over unclean spirits, over nature (6:45-52), over the Law (7:1-13), over the temple (12:1-12), and over the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. What I find remarkable is that One with such authority is also the One we can approach directly in our time of need. As we see with the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and the leper, Jesus is not a dominating authority but a compassionate healer.

Sadly, the temptation for many of us in ministry is we crave the same thing for ourselves that was said about Jesus. We want people to say of us he speaks with such authority. With the availability of sermons on demand and entire satellite networks to broadcast and the availability of messages on the internet, it is tempting for ministers to try winning adoring crowds, Facebook friends, and subscribers to our podcasts. And so to gain followings, religious leaders can mislead the distraught and disenfranchised. Others, through the charismatic ranting and ravings, draw crowds but have only provided entertainment for the masses and not transformed hearts for the Lord. Even the smallest of churches and most traditional of denominations are sometimes led by those who fold their arms and state, “I know this is the will of God. Is there anything you would like to add?”

Anyone who desires to lead must be evaluated by the standard of Jesus Christ. Do they actively seek public acclaim or do they avoid it? Do they want credit for all that happens or can they sincerely give God the glory and pass the compliments to others? Are they seeking to build an empire for themselves or for the Kingdom of God? Are their doors open only for the largest donors and the influential families or are they accessible to those who dwell in the margins of society? Jesus had all the authority of God, but never used it for His own purposes. He was in charge of all things, but set His authority aside to do the will of the Father. As Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38)

Sunday – July 15, 2012

Posted on July 18, 2012 by PastorAndy

July 15, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

John the Baptist vs Rob Bell and Modern Day Church Planters from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Why are there four gospels? Is there more to be gained by telling the story four times and not just once? After all there are not four Books of Acts. This Sunday we begin our study in the wonderful Gospel of Mark. The gospels are like diamonds, each facet lets in new light, allows a new color to emerge, and causes the over all beauty to be enhanced in a way that one stone by itself can not accomplish. We encourage you to take the time and pull up a chair and join us as we begin our series with the question “Why Study the Gospel of Mark?” Our prayer is that you will come to agree it is the story of “the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1).

Word On Worship – July 15, 2012 Download / Print

Sunday – July 8, 2012

Posted on July 9, 2012 by PastorAndy

July 8, 2012 – Read the Word on Worship

Why Study the Gospel of Mark? from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Word On Worship – July 8, 2012 Download / Print

Mark 1:1
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ”

One morning in Jerusalem, Jews from every nation in the Roman Empire pushed in closer to hear twelve men speak about God’s most recent display of power. Many were in Jerusalem seven weeks earlier as eye witnesses to the Roman execution of a rabbi the governor said was the King of the Jews. Then, the one called Peter stepped to the front of the crowd and spoke these words found in Acts 2:22-24, “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

The words of Peter on the Day of Pentecost are the outline for the Gospel of Mark. Mark’s gospel is about the good news, Jesus the Messiah, and the Son of God. The gospel is the fulfillment of prophecies spoken of in the Old Testament, initiated with the baptism by John, manifested by His miraculous works, affirmed by His death on the cross and proven to be true by His resurrection from the dead. Many of the miracles and the healings were to be kept hidden from the masses during the public ministry of Jesus. Many times the instruction of Jesus was to tell no one. Now, through the Gospel of Mark, they are the church’s proclamation of the good news — Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God.

The gospel is all about Jesus Christ, and we can never get too much of Jesus. The word Christ literally means “anointed one.” Any preconceived ideas of those who saw the work of Jesus had to have been thrown out because to understand the message of God’s Christ can only be comprehended from this side of the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah. The Gospel of Mark is about showing Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Israel’s hope. Even if that hope is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, because He exposes our false hopes and selfish expectations.

I am glad you are coming along in our exploration of this book. Keep your hearts open to connect the dots between the prophecies of the Old Testament and the actions of Jesus Christ. Look for the evidence of Jesus being the Son of God from the introduction to this book, to His baptism, transfiguration and finally to His crucifixion. Demons will publicly acknowledge Him and the blind will see Him before He opens their eyes. Yet the disciples and the high priest will not comprehend just who is this Jesus of Nazareth. May your eyes be opened in this study as you come to see Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God!

Sunrise Community Church

Jesus is THE Way, not only a statement of faith; the way of life.

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