Because the appointed time has come, and the kingdom of God has come near, people should repent and believe in the gospel. Christ — the King — is both the message and the messenger. His first disciples exhibit the appropriate response to Christ’s radical claim: radical obedience
Three important experiences signify the inauguration of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ — the King. (1) The heavens are torn open, (2) the Holy Spirit descends into Jesus, and (3) God’s heavenly voice speaks. God’s word confirm that Jesus is the royal Messiah, the unique Son of God, and the prophesied Suffering Servant.
Then, Jesus is driven out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan — setting the stage for the spiritual battle that runs throughout Mark.
The LORD is our shepherd. Therefore, He has authority over us humble sheep. Moreover, He protects and provides, sustains and secures, guards and guides. Even in trouble, we need not fear; for God is with us. Our ultimate desire should not be God’s presents but God’s presence.
Though scholars debate the length of the prologue, Mk 1:1-8 is largely about John the Baptist while Mk 1:9-15 is largely about Jesus. The transition from John the Baptist to Jesus the Christ (i.e., the Messiah) indicates the transition from the old era to the dawning of a new age in redemptive history.
![David's Lovingkindness | 2 Samuel 9 Lesson [Slideshow+]](https://catchforchrist.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2-Samuel-9-Commentary-Study-326x245.png)
What do lions do when they take over a pride? They often kill the cubs of the former lion king. Similarly, in the ancient Near East, new kings would often kill off any potential rivals from the former king’s family. Going against cultural norms, however, King David demonstrates his lovingkindness by having King Saul’s grandson eat at his table like a son…
![Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:11-21) Bible Study [Slideshow+]](https://catchforchrist.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2-Corinthians-5-11-21-Bible-Study-Slideshow-326x245.png)
Christians are called to be ambassadors — authorized agents of the message of reconciliation to God through Christ. We are reconciled reconcilers. In this (updated) Bible Study, based on a sermon…
![Lost & Found | Luke 15:11-32 Sermon (Parable of the Prodigal Son) [Video, Text+]](https://catchforchrist.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Lost-and-Foud.jpg-326x245.jpg)
‘The Parable of the Two Lost Sons and Gracious Father’. Doesn’t have the same ring to it, right? Yet, it is likely a bit more accurate than “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” or “The Parable of the Lost Son”. All three main characters represent parties who are probably present when Jesus takes advantage of a teachable moment…
How Do You Like Your Coffee? Many like coffee hot. Many like coffee cold (e.g, iced coffee). Yet, I suspect very few enjoy it lukewarm. If tasted, many […]
![If We're Following Christ, Christ Comes First | Mk 8:34-38 Sermon [Video, Text]](https://catchforchrist.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/crosswalk-300x300-300x245.jpg)
On the road of life, how tempting is it to type in our own GPS coordinates, head to where we want to go, and then ask God for traveling mercies? If we claim to follow Christ, however, we must let Jesus take the wheel. Following Jesus means we must be willing to “lose” our lives (metaphorically or even literally) for Christ. We must be ride-or-die.
![Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) Bible Study [Slideshow+]](https://catchforchrist.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Tower-of-Babel-Screenshot-Bible-Study-326x245.png)
This intriguing account, structured chiastically, tells how God disinherits and scatters peoples across the earth and assigned members of His divine council to govern each nation (cf. Dt 32:8-9, ESV) — before taking Israel as His special inheritance (cf. the Call of Abraham in Genesis 12f.) to establish His Kingdom.
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