This week, Jesus again instructs the disciples on His death and resurrection, but again, they just don’t get it…they don’t understand. He is has to deal with their worldly ambition, self-exalting exclusivity, and some worldly influences that threaten to destroy His new leadership. He reminds them with a strong graphic message that they are to be humble servants, a “salting” influence for good in the world, and even when they stumble, God will use suffering and discipline to purify them. Is there really a difference between them and the disciples of the Pharisees? Is there a difference between us and the world around us? God’s people are to be known as humble servants of the Most High! John 13:12-17 The night before he was crucified, the one picture He wanted to leave with His disciples is one of service and humility. If we really want to be His Kingdom disciples, we WILL serve others with a humble heart.

This week, Jesus, Peter, James, and John come down off the mountain into chaos. The scribes are mocking the disciples who stayed behind because they could not cast out a demon in a demon possessed young man. The young man’s father brought his son to Jesus to be healed and the disciples could not cast out the demon. You can imagine the frustration, fear, and confusion taking places….especially with the scribes looking for a reason to discredit Jesus and His disciples. However, God was not surprised by any of it! His plan was unfolding and Jesus was about to educate the disciples that 1) you cannot live on your past accomplishments and 2) you must ALWAYS depend on Yahweh to fight your battles!!!

This week, Jesus fulfilled that Word and was transfigured before the three leaders, Peter, James, and John. He gave them a preview of His Glory that they would never forget! It was a gift to them to bolster them and anchor them through the storms they would encounter as the leaders Jesus that Jesus would entrust with His Euangellion!! He allowed them to see Him, Moses, and Elijah in their glorified state to get them through what was about to come. Every time God appears, it is to strengthen the faith of His servants.

This week, David Gray fills in for Doug and looks at Jesus' contrast of the great exchange of our kingdom for His Kingdom! He goes deeper with the disciples as he invites them to “Follow Me!” He also explains the TRUTH about the TRUE Messiah and shares with them the devastating consequences for those who choose “the world” or themselves over HIM!

This week, Jesus goes deeper with the disciples as he invites them to “Follow Me” and explains the TRUTH about Messiah and what it means to follow Him! Throughout my lifetime, I have heard many invitations given at churches and evangelistic events that fail to meet Jesus’ standard of an invitation to follow Him! Many people relate this invitation to a deeper level discipleship, but make no mistake, to trust in Jesus and His Euangellion means a life that is surrendered to His Lordship, that is ultimately loyal to HIM (daily, even to death), and follows Him wherever he goes!!! It is a high calling, a blessed calling, and a costly calling!!

This week, we see Jesus take His disciples to Caeserea Philippi where Peter makes his declaration that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah)! This is the first time in our journey through Mark, that his disciples referred to Him as the Messiah and from this point on, Jesus instructs them on his suffering, death, and resurrection. This passage really deals with the most important question any of us can answer, Who do we say Jesus is? Also, this is the first time we see the word church (ekklesia). The door is shut on Israel as the messengers of the Euangellion. This is a pivotal point in Jesus ministry.

This week, we see Jesus return with the Disciples back to the area near Capernaum and encounter the Religious leaders again. They are still upset over their last interaction and demand a “sign from Heaven” from Him. It is a great teaching opportunity for Jesus with the Disciples to help them understand the difference between being “Blind”-permanent and being “Blinded”-temporary. Also, to help them understand that spiritual growth takes time!

This week, we see Jesus finish His training trip into the Gentile world with the last recorded miracle of this particular journey. Remember, the theme of this training trip that began in Tyre- the grace and mercy of God’s Euangellion is for all the nations of the world. It’s not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles also. This theme would have been very difficult for the disciples to swallow because they were raised to detest the idol worshipping Gentiles!! But, Jesus is showing them that He is the King/Savior/Messiah for all the nations of the world!

Jesus continues to train His disciples teaching them that God's plan includes the Gentiles (Syrophoenecian woman-Tyre/deaf/mute-Decapolis). I hope you'll join us for this important study.

This week, we dive into Mark 7 and see Jesus school the religious leaders on what true love of God looks like and Biblical Spirituality!! It comes from the heart!! I hope you are encouraged by this look at what it means to really love God and His son, Jesus!