Transfigured Rejected Son (Mark 9:2-13). Jesus goes up the mountain to pray for God’s will. He shines with his real eternal self. Where Moses went up to get the tablets of the Law, Jesus goes up the mountain to give himself as the Promised Gospel giver. Now the Father answers who Christ is: My beloved Son who must suffer and be rejected.

Ashamed Of The Rejected Messiah (Mark 8:27-9:1). Who do you say Christ is in your life? Is he only a teacher or model? Jesus cannot be understood as Savior and Lord in your life apart from the cross and resurrection. Peter is ashamed of a crucified messiah. Are you ashamed taking up a cross and following Christ?

Don’t Even Go There (Mark 8:11-26). Every generation is faithless. Every generation demands a sign to appease them. Jesus warns us not to have the Pharisees approach to faith. The disciples are clueless about God’s provision. Jesus takes a blind man outside his village. After healing him, tells him don’t even go back there.

Getting Enough From Jesus (Mark 8:1-10). How long would you stick around to listen to the Word of God? Are you feeding on the Word of God? In the scarcity of this world, do you receive enough in prayer, in scripture? When we come to worship to be fed by the LORD, are you filling up on entertainment or are you filling up on the promise of God in Christ?

Crumbs Of The Promise  (Mark 7:24-37). What do we do that opens the door for the demonic to attack us? Can we deal with the Jesus who confronts us for our rebellion and unbelief? What changes the narrative? Claiming the promise of God! Even though Jesus tells the man not to tell, but they can’t keep from spreading the Good News.

Life Defiling Law (Mark 7:1-23). We can’t live up to expectations of relying on how good we are. The Law itself defiles us because it binds us to the sin of our own efforts. We try to argue there are loopholes which excuse our disobedience to God. Don’t trust your silly and deceitful heart. Trust Jesus alone who washes you clean.

Hard Hearted Incomprehension  (Mark 6:45-56). Jesus goes off again to pray? Do you think you might have the same reasons to pray often like Jesus? After Jesus walks on water and calms the wind, his terrified disciples are still not understanding about the loaves. Rather than judging Christ through our legalistic rational, open yourself to comprehend God’s presence.

Spend That Much? (Mark 6:30-46). Where Herod throws a banquet with beheading, the Prince of peace throws a banquet with compassion and leftovers. When challenged to give the crowd something to eat, the disciples respond “Are we to spend that much?” Jesus takes what they have to provide a miracle.

Word Hating Wickedness (Mark 6:14-29). The World is curious about the Word of God and finds prophets a novelty. But wickedness wins out in unrepentant sinners like Herodias. When confronted with the Word, craven desired filled sinners hate the Law. Rightfully so.  Rather than lose face with the world they turn away from God.

Missing Out On Miracles (Mark 6:1-13). The people in his hometown take offense at Jesus and his preaching. Because of their unbelief Jesus only did a few miracles. How often does our unbelief impede the work of God? Jesus sends out his disciples in pairs. No pew warmers. Are we willing to be sent in Christ’s authority to bring the Word that heals?