Who Do You Say that I Am? Text: Mark 8:27-33 | January 12, 2020 Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (8:29). People give many different answers to that question, but there is only one right answer. Some say He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets…
Mark 8:1-26: Spiritual Blindness
Spiritual Blindness Text: Mark 8:1-26 | January 5, 2020 The text this week contains four narratives. It begins with the feeding of the four thousand (vv. 1-10), followed by an encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees (vv. 11-13), Jesus then teaches His disciples (vv. 14-21), and it ends with Jesus healing a blind man (vv….
The Timing and Necessity of Jesus’ Birth
This post is based on the Christmas message I gave on the Sunday before Christmas (12/22/2019). The manuscript is posted here in its entirety (with a few edits). The Timing and Necessity of Jesus’ Birth Galatians 4:4-5; Luke 2:1-7 Introduction There are many events that surround the birth of Christ, and many are familiar to…
Mark 7:24-37: A Syrophoenician Woman and a Deaf Man
A Syrophoenician Woman and A Deaf Man Text: Mark 7:24-37 | December 15, 2019 Having left Galilee, Jesus and His disciples embark on a circuitous journey into Gentile region (Tyre, Sidon, and Decapolis [7:24, 31]). This is the farthest He would travel outside of Israel during His three-year ministry. In this passage, Mark records two…
Role of Parents
It’s been a few months now since I finished working full-time. While it was difficult to say goodbye to coworkers, many of whom had become good friends and who I had worked with for nine years, we knew this was the best decision for our family and for our daughter. I am grateful to be…
Mark 7:14-23: Spiritual Defilement from Within
Spiritual Defilement from Within Text: Mark 7:14-23 | December 8, 2019 Our study this week is a continuation of last week’s passage, where the Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” (7:5). Jesus didn’t fully answered their…
Mark 7:1-13: Traditions and Scripture
Traditions and Scripture Text: Mark 7:1-13 | December 1, 2019 In this account, we see a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes. The Pharisees and scribes saw Jesus’ disciples eating with impure hands (7:2), and they questioned Jesus as to why His disciples violated the traditions of the elders (7:5; Matt. 15:2). Note:…
Giving Thanks for Our Meals
And He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. – Mark 6:41 Thanksgiving, 2019 As we approach Thanksgiving, I want…
Mark 6:45-56: Walking on Water
Walking on Water Text: Mark 6:45-56 | November 24, 2019 Just like the passage last week, our text this week is familiar to many. It is the account of Jesus walking on water. After feeding the massive crowd in Mark 6:35-44, Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee (6:45). Jesus stayed by Himself…
Common Grace and the Feeding of the Five Thousand
He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. … They all ate and were satisfied. (Mark 6:34, 42) The Bible is so rich, and one of the things I have to do in preparing a message is to determine what to include….