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Watch Out (Mark 13:1-13)
This week at Grace, we're starting four weeks in Mark 13, one of the most debated and controversial chapters in the gospels. In it (and the parallel versions in Matthew 24 and Luke 21), Jesus warns the disciples about the coming destruction of the temple and their need to persevere in their faith even in difficult times.
So, what's so controversial about that?
While the chapter begins talking about the temple, by the end Jesus is describing his return in victory. The debate is over when he switches from talking about what would occur in our past (their future) to what has yet to come for all of us.
Confused yet?
I get that anything that sounds like eschatology raises concerns for some Christians. They remember (either fondly or not) a previous era of American Christianity when eschatology was a primary discussion point in sermons and Bible studies.
But I hope that as we look at Jesus' words together over these next few weeks we'll see his heart, his wisdom, and his goodness to all of us.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
- Mark 13:1-13
What We Need To Do (Mark 12:28-34)
We're going to the beach!
This week at Grace, we're having one worship service at 10 am at Eisenhower Park, the bluff overlooking the ocean in Seal Beach. It's a block from our church building, so you can just walk down 8th street and find us set up out there. We'll have a chair for you, so just bring yourself and your Bible, and you'll be ready to go.
The outdoor worship service will be a full Sunday liturgy, including singing, praying, and a sermon. We're continuing our Mark series this week with the "Greatest Commandment" (Mark 12:28-34), where Jesus defines our relationship with God's law. I'm grateful it lined up for us to do this during a baptism Sunday, because this passage beautifully describes the good life Jesus saves his followers into.
See you Sunday at the beach!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
- Mark 12:28-34
Do You See This Woman? (Mark 12:38-44)
Peacocking
noun
/ˈpiː.kɒk.ɪŋ/ behavior by men that shows they are very proud of their appearance, for example wearing clothes that make people notice them: Peacocking is something men do to highlight their strong points and stand out from their competition.
When you consider the focus on outward appearance and attention-grabbing in the above definition (The Cambridge Dictionary), it seems to fit our passage pretty well.
The Scribes were all about the show:
“Look at me”
“Laud me”
“Note my status”
Do you who’s not impressed? Jesus!
He directs his disciples’ attention away from the self-righteous and onto the truly righteous.
To hear more, join us this Sunday!
- Pastor Tim
38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
- Mark 12:38-44
How Jesus Responded to Mockers (Mark 12:18-27)
Have you ever had someone mock your faith?
There are a number of ways mockery can happen, but one of the ones I find most condescending is the "know-it-all" who smugly says, "Haven't you ever thought about THIS problem?" (as if they're the first person to ever notice dinosaurs aren't in the Bible, or that the Old Testament is very different from the New Testament, or whatever).
This week at Grace, we're going to see how Jesus responded to mockers in his day. This passage in Mark 12:18-27 has everything: discussion of heaven, marriage, and understanding what the Bible says to us today.
Looking forward to opening it up with you this Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”
24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”
- Mark 12:18-27
Debts to God and the Government (Mark 12:13-17)
What do you owe to the government? What is your patriotic duty? And does it change based on what country you live in, the quality of the government, or whether you are a Christian or not?
These questions are all behind our passage this week from Mark 12:13-17, when Jesus tells his listeners to "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
This week at Grace, we'll look at the cultural background behind Jesus' provocative words, the context in which he spoke them, and how to apply them to our lives today.
Hope to see you Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.
- Mark 12:13-17
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-12)
We live in a generation that is obsessed with authenticity and self-actualization. Phrases like "Be yourself," "Live out loud," and "Live my truth," are ubiquitous in advertising, social media, and popular culture.
As a Christian, I often shrug my shoulders at such banal phrases. After all, there's nothing inherently wrong with "being myself" (depending on what the bumper sticker has in mind). But it is worth wondering what these phrases have in common, and what they are trying to avoid. Usually, what these phrases are deeply concerned about is the idea that we might be suppressing desires, dreams, or goals we have in favor of what others might expect of us.
What does the Bible say about that idea?
This week at Grace, we're going to talk about Mark 12:1-12, the parable of the wicked tenants. In this passage, Jesus confronts the timeless tendency of people to act as if they are in charge of the world instead of God. Rather than suppressing their desire for autonomy and profit, the characters in Jesus' parable attempt to suppress the reality of the landowner's justice.
I hope that as we talk about the choices we each make around where we put our passion, action, and priorities in life, we will benefit and learn from Jesus' words this week.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. 6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this Scripture:
“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
11 this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.
- Mark 12:1-12
Who Do You Think You Are (Mark 11:27-33)
Do you remember these bumper stickers? When I’d pull up behind someone and see this, I’d start asking questions. Questions like…
Who’s authority?
All authority?
Just bad authority?
The authority of people over 30?
Whose authority, exactly, are we talking about?
“Be more specific with your bumper stickers!” I’d yell in my head and maybe out loud.
Authority is a tricky thing because it’s power, it’s influence, and that can be used for good or for harm. In the gospels we see examples of both.
Thankfully, the one who wields the most authority is Jesus. And he uses it to heal, not to harm.
Hope to see you Sunday when we’ll continue our study of Mark (11:27-33).
- Pastor Tim
27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
- Mark 11:27-33
The Anger of Jesus (Mark 11:12-25)
One of the biggest objections I hear from people in our culture to church is the hypocrisy of religious leaders. The abuse crises of the last twenty years have shaken the faith of many to their core.
Where is Jesus in the midst of such terrible abuses of power?
This week at Grace, we continue our series in the gospel of Mark looking at Jesus' attack on hypocrisy. Mark 11:12-25 is the account of Jesus' rejection of outward piety that lacks any sort of fruitfulness at the core. It includes a living parable, where Jesus curses the fig tree, as well as cleansing of the temple courts.
I hope that seeing Jesus' anger at the abuse of power, hypocrisy, and fruitlessness of the leaders of his day is helpful for people in our community. But I also hope that it raises some self-reflective questions for all of us, such as why hypocrisy so quickly takes root in our hearts, what Jesus' anger tells us about what should or could be, and the hope that Christ himself offers.
Looking forward to talking about the goodness of Jesus together this Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. Also, this Sunday at Grace we'll have one of our ministry partners who serves in a sensitive country joining us for an update in the worship services. If you're watching online, you might see the live-feed look a little weird during this part of the service. It's designed to help protect their anonymity for safety reasons.
12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.
15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.
20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
- Mark 11:12-25
Son of David, Have Mercy on Me! (Mark 10:46-52)
This week at Grace, we get to talk through Jesus's encounter with a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. It's an account I've come to love over the years, and I hope you will too.
Ghost Ship's song "Son of David" recounts this gospel account from Bartimaeus's perspective. It's a song that has been important to me for a decade. Take a listen here to prepare your heart for Sunday's message. The lyrics are also below if you prefer to read them.
"Son of David" Lyrics
[Verse 1]
The blind won't gain their sight
By opening their eyes
A King is coming
To His city and crowds around are following
If I could see, I would follow, too
[Verse 2]
He heals the sick with His hands
As He walks by, they reach for Him
If I could see, I would reach out, too
[Pre-Chorus]
The blind won't gain their sight
By opening their eyes
[Chorus]
Son of David, have mercy on me
Son of David, have mercy on me
Son of David, I want to see
Son of David, have mercy
[Verse 3]
I cannot leave this gate
Since I cannot see my way
But I can stand and call His name
No, I could never leave this gate
But I will stand and shout His name
And I will count on His grace
[Bridge]
I was blind, now I see
Jesus, saved me
I was blind, now I see
Jesus, saved me
See you Sunday!
-Pastor Chris
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
- Mark 10:46-52
I Wanted "The High Road" but Jesus Gave Me "The Low Road" (Mark 10:32-45)
When the Apostle Paul and his team arrived at Thessalonica the complaint was made against them, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also" (Acts 17:6).
In reality, the Gospel message Paul taught didn't turn the world upside down. It turned the world right-side up! Jesus' message is powerful indeed.
As we'll see this Sunday from Mark 10:32-45, Jesus presented a view about leadership contrary to the model often seen in the world. You don't get ahead by lording it over others, by climbing over others to get to the top, by getting people to depend on you as their "benefactor." No, to get ahead in God's kingdom you become a servant to others. Just like Jesus did.
I'm looking forward to teaching on Mark 10:32-45 and I hope you will read it in advance and look forward to learning what Jesus taught and demonstrated about true leadership. Together we can be more Christ-like by seeking to serve others rather than seeking to be served.
- Pastor Don
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Mark 10:32-45
Return on Investment (Mark 10:17-31)
Do you think you're wealthy?
While I've always had a roof over my head and food on the table, I've never seen myself as "rich." Living in southern California, especially, consistently exposes me to people who have more than I do (sometimes a lot more than I do). I imagine you have the same experience, too.
When we have the frame that the rich are "those people" (whoever has more than we do), it breeds a whole host of vices: jealousy, ridicule, and abdicating our responsibilities.
This week at Grace, we're in Mark 10:17-31, the passage of the rich young ruler. This man begins by asking a good question about salvation, but balks at Jesus' answer: give up your great wealth and follow him.
Do you see the tension of this passage for your life? What would you do if you were him? What do you do about it now?
Let's talk about it this Sunday at Grace.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. We're also going to hear from one of our Compassion Partners, World Relief - Southern California. Feel free to poke around their website before Sunday and get a feel for their ministry.
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
- Mark 10:17-31
Faith Like a Child (Mark 10:13-16)
For the last five days, our church campus has been happily overrun by 80+ kids who are singing, playing, and (most importantly) learning about Jesus.
Yep, it's VBS week!
This Sunday, our Gospel of Mark series brings us to Jesus' exhortation to the disciples to let the children come to him (Mark 10:13-16). The providential timing certainly is an encouragement to the seventy volunteers who poured out their energy this week to help kids learn about Jesus.
But there's more to this passage than just, "Be nice to kids and tell them about Jesus." Jesus's words are a challenge to all of us about who we include and exclude, as well as our own posture before Him.
Looking forward to opening God's Word with you this Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
- Mark 10:13-16
Let No One Separate (Mark 10:1-12)
Last week, I had a conversation via text with an old friend from a previous ministry. Surprisingly, we discovered that we would both preach sermons this coming Sunday. When I told him I was preaching on divorce, he replied, "Why on earth would you do that?!?"
"The hazards of preaching sequentially through a book of the Bible," I quipped.
I'll admit that divorce can be an uncomfortable and painful topic to address. But preaching on the words of our Lord isn't hazardous at all. Jesus's words are life-giving and infinitely wise. They're of inestimable worth and should be considered and cherished by all who follow Him. So, I'm glad to think it through together with you!
With that said, I believe that Mark 10:1-12 is primarily about marriage, and Jesus takes us back to God's original design when He created marriage. Will we deal with divorce and other issues surrounding marriage in a fallen world? Yes. But, I hope we will come away from Sunday agreeing with Hebrews 13:4 that "marriage should be honored by all."
Looking forward to sharing with you this week at Grace,
-Pastor Chris
P.S. Since this week deals with more sensitive topics, we encourage you to use your discernment in bringing your children to this service.
And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.
2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
- Mark 10:1-12
The Significance of Sin (Mark 9:42-50)
This week at Grace, we're continuing our series on Mark 9 with a sobering passage: it is better to lose your hand, foot or eye than to have your whole person cast into hell.
Not exactly my first choice of a passage for Father's Day.
Thinking about sin and judgement isn't something we find immediately comforting. But wrestling with the truth of our sin and God's wrath forces us to recognize what is sacred, the significance of our choices, and ultimately our need for a savior.
The alternative to passages like this is to live in triviality - fooling about with petty grievances and distracting ourselves with escapist activities.
I hope this year on Father's Day we'll have a chance to celebrate men in our lives who have given us the gift of a life set apart for God, zealous for Him, and committed to loving their neighbors well.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
- Mark 9:42-50
Who is Great? (Mark 9:30-41)
What are some of the ways the people around you define a great life?
Is it professional success?
Financial independence to do what you want, when you want?
People speaking well of you?
Commanding the attention of people through your beauty, wit, or insights?
This week at Grace, we're continuing our series in Mark 9, looking at Jesus' definition of a great life. Not surprisingly, it's very different from the world's definitions above.
Let's talk about it together this Sunday at Grace.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
- Mark 9:30-41
Help My Unbelief! (Mark 9:14-29)
Who needs Jesus' help?
This week's message is going to look at a passage from Mark 9 where Jesus is confronted by a desperate father whose son is in obvious need of saving from a demon. It's a tragic and frightening picture of the oppression that can occur from demons. We'll talk about some of the questions this raises for us today, and how we can understand this passage in light of the cross.
But it turns out the son isn’t the only one who needs help.
As events unfold, it turns out the father's faith needs strengthening ("I believe. Help my unbelief!" is his famous prayer). The crowd's fickleness needs correction. And the disciples' self-reliance requires reorientation.
Let's reflect on this passage together and think about some of the many, beautiful ways that Jesus saves us.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
- Mark 9:14-29
The Glory of the Son: 3, 2, 1 (Mark 9:2-13)
[Disclaimer: I’m pretty sure the following story is true. I Googled it and, as you know, the internet is rarely misleading]
For the 2000 BIOLA commencement speech Christian author, Josh McDowell got up, said one sentence 3 times, and then sat down.
In the spirit of short communications: “Read Mark 9: Shine, Jesus, Shine.”
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
- Mark 9:2-13
Who Do You Say I Am? (Mark 8:22-30)
Theologian, pastor, and writer Dr. Timothy Keller went to be with the Lord today after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
While I only met him once in person, there are few people I've spent more time with when I add up all the hours I've spent reading his books and articles as well as listening to his sermons and interviews. My early sermons at Grace were de facto impressions of Keller, and I can still feel myself slip in expressions and figures of speech that come from him when I'm speaking.
Like most pastors, Keller used some expressions often to remind us of what is most important. One of his go-to ones was, "If the resurrection is true, then everything’s going to be alright." On the day of Keller's earthly death, reflecting on our shared hope of resurrection brings me joy.
This week at Grace, we're going to be in Mark 8:22-30, the pivot point in the book of Mark. The whole book up to this point has been asking the question, "Who is Jesus?" Characters in Mark see parts of who he is, defer to him in some ways, but no one has fully "seen" Jesus yet.
So, when this passage starts with Jesus restoring sight to a blind man in two parts, a parable about seeing but not seeing, we're meant to understand that this miracle is about more than just one man's physical sight. It's about whether anyone will accurately see who Jesus is. That's why the next paragraph is so important: Peter's great confession of faith, "You are the Christ." Yet even that confession is followed by Peter's failure to accept Jesus' path to the cross.
Without the resurrection, the idea of a suffering servant wouldn't make yet. But if Jesus could really rise from the dead, then everything would be alright.
This is our hope.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. I've written a brief article here with links to some of Keller's materials that you might find helpful.
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
- Mark 8:22-30
A Mother's Plea to Jesus (Mark 24-37)
"Bobby, did you put on your sunscreen?"
(Yes, I was Bobby to my family growing up. It's still what my sisters call me.)
As a pale, redheaded kid growing up in California, I heard that sentence from my mother a thousand times growing up. And I needed the reminding, too, since I almost never had put it on before my mom asked.
I'm sure my mom didn't love needing to remind me over and over to put on my sunscreen (or put away the dishes, or do my homework, or...) One of the many reasons to celebrate moms this Mother's Day is their dogged persistence in so many ways: teaching us over and over to choose the good, to recognize beauty, and to be mindful of hazards.
This week at Grace, we're going to look at a story of a mother's persistence toward Jesus for the sake of her daughter. This mom shows us what faith looks like in action, and how Jesus responds to faith from an unlikely place.
Looking forward to growing in persistent faith with you all!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. While Mother's Day is not a distinctively Christian holiday, we will be spending a couple of minutes in the worship service watching a video the Grace Kids have put together in honor of their moms and we'll have some gifts available on the patio from the Women's Ministry. I know that Mother's Day worship services can bring out a range of emotions based on the different lived experiences we have. My hope is that Sunday's worship service will be a help for you in following Jesus regardless of what joys, regrets, longings, or losses we carry with us.
Blind to the Signs (Mark 8:1-21)
Fear of Missing Out, commonly known as FOMO, is a feeling we've all experienced at some point in our lives. Have you ever declined an invitation to a party or event, only to later see photos of your friends having an amazing time without you? I have, and I'll admit it's tough. But what about missing out on something much more significant?
This Sunday, I hope we can develop a healthy fear of missing out - the fear of missing out on Jesus Himself. As I've reflected on our passage (Mark 8:1-21), I can't help but wonder: where am I blind to His work in my life and in the world? Where am I not hearing Him as clearly as I could be? Join me as we seek to hear and see Christ more clearly together.
I can't wait to see you this week at Grace!
-Pastor Chris
In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” 4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. 8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”