Last Sunday, we looked at the preparation and the betrayal at the Passover. 
Now, three separate events happened between preparation and the betrayal that night that we didn’t cover because they’re found in John’s Gospel. First, Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Second, Jesus drops the bomb of betrayal. Third, the Disciples get into an argument about who's the greatest. It's after His teaching regarding humility that Jesus now moves into the Lord’s Supper. And that’s where we are this morning.

The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Jesus’ substitutionary death. 
In other words, Jesus, an innocent man, died in your place. 
Jesus' death satisfied the wrath of God for mankind’s sin—propitiation. 
Jesus’ resurrection proves that God the Father’s wrath has been appeased once and for all. 
God the Father has accepted Jesus’ life in place of yours…all because He walked out of His grave. 
Today, we will start a two-part message on the First Lord’s Supper. 
We’re also going to deal with the betrayal of Judas. 
The Gospel of Mark spends more time on betrayal than the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Why is that? 
Let’s find out!

As we move into chapter 14 today, we’re not only going to see lots of action, but we’ll also meet many different players and characters inside the action. But, the action is different. Jesus is no longer the one performing the action. He is still the main focus of the narrative, but in chapter 14, something happens—Jesus is not the one performing the action—He is being acted upon. By both friends and enemies. There’s a change in chapter 14 because it deals with the heart of the Gospel. The heart of the Gospel is the key to salvation. And the key to salvation—eternal life— is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Every generation for the last two thousand years has believed at some point they were living in the Last Days. We look at the world stage and see the wars and hear about rumors of more wars. We see nature raging against itself with hurricanes. We feel the impact of our finances on inflation. 
We see pictures and read stories of how Christians are brutally murdered because they will not recant Christ. We think people are immoral now—but the biblical truth is that the final days of this world will be marked by unrestrained immorality. Now, I know that’s a dark picture. But, Jesus doesn't leave us in the dark. He gives us the information that we need in today’s text to be the light of the world right here in the Verde Valley. He has given us Truth. What is today’s truth? Let’s find out!

Today, Jesus will teach us about the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation is when the wrath of God will be unleashed over all creation because of unpaid sin. This is a time of unrivaled wickedness. Why? Because the Holy Spirit will remove His common grace from the Earth. During the Great Tribulation, demonic activity will escalate at a level that’s been unseen and unheard of since the beginning of mankind. This is a time where God begins his severe judgment on sin. As you will remember from last Sunday, the Disciples asked for a sign when the end of the world would come. Today, Jesus gives us that sign. What is it? Let’s find out!

Today, we will dive into the most challenging chapter of Mark’s Gospel—chapter 13. The reason that Mark chapter 13 is the most challenging passage in Mark’s Gospel is because of the prophetic language and the imagery that Jesus uses. Now, all that to say this…some of you love eschatology, and some of you don’t care what happens as long as Jesus comes back quickly. Well, no matter what camp you fall into, today’s text is so applicable to your life today.How so? Let’s find out!

Today, we see Jesus turn from teaching the Scribes to teaching the crowds. 
But Jesus doesn’t just teach the crowds today; he warns of their hypocrisy. 
He alerts them to the very people who were supposed to shepherd and care for them. 
Matthew 23 has an entire chapter on what Mark covers in three verses. 
So we are going to get the abridged version of Jesus’ teaching today from Mark. 
There is also a surprising ending to this narrative. 
Who and what is the surprise ending? Let’s find out!

Our last verse from last Sunday was Mark 12:34…and no one dared to question Jesus any longer. 
Not only did the religious leaders fail in trapping Jesus as a heretic, but he also answered the questions so thoroughly that he left them speechless. Jesus silenced the religious leaders. 
Boy, that’s saying something, isn’t it? In other words, Jesus proved Himself to be the Lamb of God who can take away the sin of the world—these four tests proved Jesus is indeed without spot or blemish. 
Well, since no one has anything left to say, we’re going to see Jesus turn the tables today on the scribes and Pharisees. 
Jesus has a question of His own. 
Today’s Scripture passage is only three verses long. 
But don’t let the brevity fool you. Why? Let’s find out!

Today, we see Jesus navigate the last test from the religious leaders. This is test number four. This test is unique in that this particular test is not from a group of religious leaders—but rather a lone scribe. This test is unlike the others in a sense; it’s not a mob mentality. Everyone else has failed miserably in trying to trap Jesus in His words. The Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court) challenged Jesus’ authority and failed. The Pharisees and the Herodians challenged Jesus' view on government and taxes and failed. The Sadducees challenged Jesus' theology on the resurrection, and they failed too. What angle is this Scribe going to come at Jesus? What kind of question is he going to pose that will once and for all be Jesus’ downfall? Let’s find out!

Today's sermon is by Dr. Dallas Bivins. Dr. Bivins is the Executive Director of Gateway Seminary in Phoenix and a mentor to Pastor Dustin.