Jesus says that God is at work to make his kingdom grow far beyond what the disciples can do or imagine. Build God's kingdom and know that God is at work. - Mark 4:26-34

How listeners hear the word is important because listeners are in danger of losing it. Use God's Word in your life or lose it. - Mark 4:1-25

Jesus says his family is whoever does the will of God. Family members follow the will of God. - Mark 3:7-35

The disciples don't fast like the other religious renewal movements because the start of a new relationship is a time to feast, not fast. Either your religion is about rules or it's about a relationship--and a new relationship is a reason to rejoice! - Mark 2:18-22

Jesus says that he has come to call sinners who know they are sick, as opposed to the righteous who don't believe they are sick. God's kingdom is full of surprises because it's filled with forgiven sinners. - Mark 2:13-17

Jesus heals the paralytic to show that he is the one with the authority to forgive sins (as he is God). When Jesus says "forgiven", we are transformed. - Mark 2:1-12

Jesus responds to the man's faithful request to be made clean by healing him in compassion and anger and telling him to go quietly to the priest to be declared clean. God's touch is present in the outer reaches. - Mark 1:40-45

Jesus' teaching, exorcism, and healing on the Sabbath indicate that Jesus has the power and authority to bring in Sabbath rest (the kingdom). When Christ reigns in our lives, the rule of Satan is routed and the kingdom takes root. - Mark 1:21-39

Simon, Andrew, James, and John respond to the news that the kingdom of God is near by repenting, believing the good news and following Jesus. Answer the kingdom call in your life and make him Lord of all. -Mark 1:14-20

Jesus, whom the Spirit thrusts into the wilderness to confront the powers of evil, is King, beloved of God, the suffering servant who brings justice, filled with God's reconciling Spirit; Jesus is God who will confront and defeat all the powers of evil. Jesus is perfectly equipped by God to defeat sin and Satan. - Mark 1:9-13