The authority of Jesus is established not only in the way Jesus taught but in creation itself. Jesus drives out the demons and exercises his authority over them. This episode establishes the inauguration of the kingdom that Jesus has recently announced. We also see this same Jesus who exercises authority over the demons also needs his time in desolation so that he can pray.

In this Sermon Pastor Kevin outlines seven characteristics of the kingdom of God that Jesus announces at the beginning of his public ministry.

This sermon encourages the congregation to an intentional pursuit of one another as a pathway to developing meaningful relationships in the LORD.

Jesus begins his ministry in a harsh wilderness with wild animals. This sermon explores why this was the ideal place for Jesus to begin his ministry of redemption.

Creation and Re-Creation feature the Triune God bringing order out of disorder, light out of darkness. This sermon explores the way the Triune nature of God impacts his redemptive work.

As great as John the Baptist was, Jesus is much greater still. Yet, this greatness of Jesus that is being established serves a greater purpose for Mark later in this book. That is, despite the greatness of Christ and the glory revealed through him he is still put to death in a despicable way. The death of Christ is something Mark spends half of his book on, which means Mark jabs the reader with the juxtaposition of the greatness of Christ and his unjust execution.

We begin a new study in the book of Mark. In addition of learning some important background information of Mark and his writing we begin to explore the foundations of how Mark builds his understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We connect discipleship to the resurrection. Making disciples isn’t an optional add on that his church does if it is convenient, discipleship is something that marks the church. Even though the call to make disciples is high, very high, it is empowered by the same Jesus who rose from the grave and in this way the resurrection of Christ ensures its success but also demands it be taken with utmost seriousness.