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 As Jesus taught beside the sea, the crowds pressed in so tightly that He stepped into a boat and used the shoreline as His sanctuary. Outsiders listened to Him speak, but they could not grasp what He … 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 didn’t only call fishermen. He also called Levi, son of Alphaeus — the man we know as Matthew. A tax collector. A collaborator with Rome. A man the religious elite would have crossed the street to … 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 When Jesus began His ministry in Galilee, He did not search for scholars, strategists, or seasoned leaders. He walked along the shoreline and chose four fishermen — men with calloused hands, weathered faces, and hearts shaped by … 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 