Monthly Archives: August 2011
disciples: holiness and defilement
Mark 7:1-8:26. Disciples of Christ must seek for true holiness, and not settle for the mere appearance of holiness. Those who were considered super-spiritual in 1st century Judaism were those whose religion was based on ritual, taboos, or ancestral lineage. … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, genuineness, holiness, humility, integrity
Tagged Mark 7, Mark 8
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disciples: preaching and hardened hearts
Mark 6. One of the facts of discipleship that we must be aware of is that our ministry will not always be accepted and appreciated. Many hearts are hardened to God’s truth. Even Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, courage, discipleship, evangelism, faithfulness, ministry, missions, obedience, suffering, witness
Tagged Mark 6
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disciples: faith overcomes fear
Mark 4:35-5:43. In this group of stories, the disciples learn that Jesus has great power, and that their faith in him should help them to overcome irrational fear. A great windstorm threatens to capsize the boat where … Continue reading
Posted in courage, deliverance, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, peace, resurrection, sleep of death, trust
Tagged Mark 4, Mark 5
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disciples: privy to the secret
Mark 4:1-34. The outsiders who criticized Jesus and his ministry could not understand what he was preaching. They heard him talk about seeds and soils and wondered why he was giving agricultural advice. They heard him talk about lamps, baskets, … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, preparation, truth
Tagged Mark 4
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disciples: sick and social outcasts
Mark 2-3. Jesus also chose Levi, son of Alphaeus – AKA Matthew. The religious “in crowd” immediately criticized the choice. They were constantly judging Jesus for the kind of people he chose to work with, and minister to. Even John’s … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, evangelism, grace, Jesus Christ, witness
Tagged Mark 2, Mark 3
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disciples: fishers of men
Mark 1. Jesus chose four fishermen to be his disciples. He told them to follow him, and he promised to make them fishers of men. He was planning a great catch, and he invited these men to assist in bringing … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, evangelism, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, missions
Tagged Mark 1
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only Jesus: great shepherd of God’s flock
Hebrews 13:20-25. In his benediction, the author of Hebrews asks his readers to bear with his word of exhortation. He hopes to be able to visit those to whom he has written, but if not, trusts that God would use … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, church, confidence, discipleship, Jesus Christ, new covenant, resurrection
Tagged Hebrews 13
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only Jesus: way to God’s coming city
Hebrews 13:1-19. Jesus is the only one who has finished the race. He now stands at the finish line, encouraging us to endure the race, so that we can get to the goal: the city that is to come (14). … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, perseverance, witness, works
Tagged Hebrews 13
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only Jesus: mediator of God’s new covenant
Hebrews 12:3-29. The author of Hebrews had encouraged his readers to look to Jesus, the only one who has finished the race and is now in resurrection glory. He now reveals what our race is going to entail. Living … Continue reading
Posted in destruction in hell, faithfulness, fear, holiness, Jesus Christ, judgment, new covenant
Tagged Hebrews 12
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only Jesus: first to finish God’s race
Hebrews 11:1-12:2. The hall of faith contains a great cloud of witnesses. The typical understanding of this idea – mentioned in 12:1 – is that these witnesses are now in heaven looking down at the rest of us as we … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, perseverance, sleep of death
Tagged Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12
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Devotions 