The fall brought all mankind into an estate of sin and misery necessitating a Redeemer. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer who gives us a new birth.

In our flesh we don't like the message to obey. We struggle with the idea that obedience promotes freedom, grace, and joy. But we must come to realize that our failings in obedience are covered and cleansed by the blood of Christ.

Trials and difficulties that come upon us in this world are not because God doesn't care for us. Rather, trials and difficulties come because God has hand selected His people for such a calling in order to refine them and mature them for His kingdom.

How should the child of God view this world as well as our nation- Peter instructs us that Christians owe unqualified allegiance to Christ. As such we will bear the name of Christ, adorn ourselves as Christ, and speak the words of Christ to all we meet.

Signs point out important messages for the people of God about His kingdom, and His redemption. God's kingdom and redemption is not dependent upon our looking to Jesus, but it God's looking upon Jesus which secures these blessings.

Christ receives the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark unpacks this to show us how strongly Christ identifies with sinners. Christ is pointing us how to be free from all condemnation, by placing our faith in His person and work.

Here we read of a very specific witness to the deity of Christ, Christ's resurrection from the dead. However, no amount of evidence alone can turn a heart from unbelief to faith in Christ without the work of the Holy Spirit.

There is no doubt that on the Last Day we shall all stand before Christ and receive the reward which our lives merited. Understand that we must not relate to God on the basis of our merit or our deeds- Our salvation has nothing to do with what we have or continue to do. It has everything to do with Christ and what He has done-

While God's kingdom and its work is not advanced through the taking up of arms, the does not mean God is not at war against evil and wicked men such that He ordains their violent downfall- This occurs not to cause us to blush or apologize for God's providence, rather it occurs so that we can say -Amen- to God's justice-