Regardless of whether you stop at [v.8] or [v.20], we can't lose what is Mark getting at. Mark wants to emphasize clearly that Jesus is alive! And that’s shocking!

The Gospel is preached from the empty tomb that both received and gave up the Crucified One. (James Edwards)

Astonishment at the work of Jesus is revealed throughout Mark’s gospel account.

Because Christ has been raised physically, we also have confidence of being raised to new life when we believe.

Regardless of whether you stop at [v.8] or [v.20], we can't lose what is Mark getting at. Mark wants to emphasize clearly that Jesus is alive! And that’s shocking!

The Gospel is preached from the empty tomb that both received and gave up the Crucified One. (James Edwards)

Astonishment at the work of Jesus is revealed throughout Mark’s gospel account.

Because Christ has been raised physically, we also have confidence of being raised to new life when we believe.

Before we move into the book of Acts that captures so much of what it looks like to live as a Christian in a challenging culture, we wanted to take a few weeks to see and understand where the early believer's motivation comes from.

The disciples struggled to believe the report of Jesus' resurrection, but we sent out under His authority in the Great Commission. Everything the Great Commission entails is given in light of the authority Jesus possesses.

As His followers were making disciples, the power and authority of Jesus would continue to be the motivating and sustaining force for their mission. Christians around the world will be about making disciples till Jesus returns.

The boldness and faithfulness of the Church is a direct result of the resurrection and authority of Jesus Christ.

Before we move into the book of Acts that captures so much of what it looks like to live as a Christian in a challenging culture, we wanted to take a few weeks to see and understand where the early believer's motivation comes from.

The disciples struggled to believe the report of Jesus' resurrection, but we sent out under His authority in the Great Commission. Everything the Great Commission entails is given in light of the authority Jesus possesses.

As His followers were making disciples, the power and authority of Jesus would continue to be the motivating and sustaining force for their mission. Christians around the world will be about making disciples till Jesus returns.

The boldness and faithfulness of the Church is a direct result of the resurrection and authority of Jesus Christ.

Before we move into the book of Acts that captures so much of what it looks like to live as a Christian in a challenging culture, we wanted to take a few weeks to see and understand where the early believer's motivation comes from.

The disciples struggled to believe the report of Jesus' resurrection, but we sent out under His authority in the Great Commission. Everything the Great Commission entails is given in light of the authority Jesus possesses.

As His followers were making disciples, the power and authority of Jesus would continue to be the motivating and sustaining force for their mission. Christians around the world will be about making disciples till Jesus returns.

The boldness and faithfulness of the Church is a direct result of the resurrection and authority of Jesus Christ.

Upon his return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah identified a third problem - the children born to ungodly relationships had no spiritual training. Intermarriage with pagan nations revealed a people who lacked faith.

Nehemiah provided the clear instruction – don’t intermarry with pagan nations because they will turn the generations to come away from the One True God. Then he provided a clear example – Solomon (1 Kings 11).

Nehemiah was looking into the future (so to speak) and sees that if something doesn’t change, his people could end up bowing down to a god like Molech amongst people who worship by sacfificing their children. So to wake his fellow countrymen out of their sinful stupor, he’ll go to great lengths.

Theme #1: The Law was simply too great a burden for a sinful people, just like it is for you and me.

Theme #2: God is faithful.

May the book of Nehemiah point us to Christ, who perfectly saves and purifies His people (real reform).

Upon his return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah identified a third problem - the children born to ungodly relationships had no spiritual training. Intermarriage with pagan nations revealed a people who lacked faith.

Nehemiah provided the clear instruction – don’t intermarry with pagan nations because they will turn the generations to come away from the One True God. Then he provided a clear example – Solomon (1 Kings 11).

Nehemiah was looking into the future (so to speak) and sees that if something doesn’t change, his people could end up bowing down to a god like Molech amongst people who worship by sacfificing their children. So to wake his fellow countrymen out of their sinful stupor, he’ll go to great lengths.

Theme #1: The Law was simply too great a burden for a sinful people, just like it is for you and me.

Theme #2: God is faithful.

May the book of Nehemiah point us to Christ, who perfectly saves and purifies His people (real reform).

Upon his return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah identified a third problem - the children born to ungodly relationships had no spiritual training. Intermarriage with pagan nations revealed a people who lacked faith.

Nehemiah provided the clear instruction – don’t intermarry with pagan nations because they will turn the generations to come away from the One True God. Then he provided a clear example – Solomon (1 Kings 11).

Nehemiah was looking into the future (so to speak) and sees that if something doesn’t change, his people could end up bowing down to a god like Molech amongst people who worship by sacfificing their children. So to wake his fellow countrymen out of their sinful stupor, he’ll go to great lengths.

Theme #1: The Law was simply too great a burden for a sinful people, just like it is for you and me.

Theme #2: God is faithful.

May the book of Nehemiah point us to Christ, who perfectly saves and purifies His people (real reform).

D.A. Carson describes the situation in Nehemiah 13 like this: “Reformation and revival has drifted off into lethargy and spiritual indifference.” They'd already abandoned proper worship, and they were also valuing profit over purity regarding the Sabbath. At its core, this was a problem of priorities for God’s people.

"The concern for the Sabbath is for the people to know God.” – James Hamilton, Jr.

The book of Hebrews is crystal clear - because of Jesus, we don’t approach God the same way anymore. However, it’s right and good for God’s people to set regular time aside to slow down and focus on Him.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that it’ll be different tomorrow if you don’t change anything today.

D.A. Carson describes the situation in Nehemiah 13 like this: “Reformation and revival has drifted off into lethargy and spiritual indifference.” They'd already abandoned proper worship, and they were also valuing profit over purity regarding the Sabbath. At its core, this was a problem of priorities for God’s people.

"The concern for the Sabbath is for the people to know God.” – James Hamilton, Jr.

The book of Hebrews is crystal clear - because of Jesus, we don’t approach God the same way anymore. However, it’s right and good for God’s people to set regular time aside to slow down and focus on Him.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that it’ll be different tomorrow if you don’t change anything today.