Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 14:1–15:24, Mark 9:2–37, Prov 3:23–35

Today’s Theme: Killing and Building

Today’s theme is that we must be lively in killing and building. We must actively kill sin in our lives and actively seek to build God’s kingdom in God’s way. We see this in the life of king Asa who reformed Judah and the life of Jesus who built God’s kingdom by building His disciples and taking authority over the enemy.

1 Kings 14:1–15:24

A bad husband

And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. (1 Kings 14:2, ESV)

This man was no covering for his wife and was willing to put her in danger by asking her to deceive the prophet.

The apostate

but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, (1 Kings 14:9, ESV)

Jeroboam was apostate, this is the worst position any man can find himself in where they move beyond the ability to repent because they have totally turned their back on God, the only one who can help them.

God is merciful

And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam. (1 Kings 14:13, ESV)

In mercy God allows this son to die a non violent death.

Judgement for idolatry

the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the Lord to anger. (1 Kings 14:15, ESV)

The prophesied judgement was because of idolatry.

The old abominations

and there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. (1 Kings 14:24, ESV)

There was homosexual debauchery in ancient Israel. The Bible speaks in very clear words, this was an abomination before God and still is.

Build a legacy

because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kings 15:5, ESV)

When we live uprightly before God we start to build a legacy. For the sake of your children, grandchildren, church community and wider society, set your mind to building a legacy to the glory of God today.

The Bible is an honest book, notice the report includes David’s failure.

Righteous king Asa

He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron. (1 Kings 15:12–13, ESV)

This king went straight into action because God was in his heart. He dealt with the homosexuals and idols and even the wickedness of his own mother, this is a bold stand for God. We can learn from his stand and life.

A true heart

But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days. (1 Kings 15:14, ESV)

Our hearts before God should be true like king Asa.

Be lively in killing and building

Now the rest of all the acts of Asa, all his might, and all that he did, and the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? But in his old age he was diseased in his feet. (1 Kings 15:23, ESV)

He was industrious in killing sin and then showed the same work ethic in his life. We should be lively men like this, very active in killing sin and then in building the kingdom.

Mark 9:2–37

God’s testimony

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:7, ESV)

Testimony from God that Jesus is His Son, equal with God.

The suffering Son of Man

And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? (Mark 9:12, ESV)

The teaching of the Jews at the time ignored this side of the Messiah. This is partly why they never understood it when Jesus raised it

Jesus cares

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. (Mark 9:21, ESV)

Jesus asked the caring question “How long has this been happening to him”. This shows that Jesus was not just some practitioner, He cared about people.

Believe, God is able

And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23, ESV)

We must believe God fully, it is not an if you can, God is well able.

Complete deliverance by Jesus

And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” (Mark 9:25, ESV)

Jesus has complete authority over demons and can tell them boldly to never enter a person’s body or life again, hallelujah.

The power of prayer

And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29, ESV)

Maybe this relates to the type of demon that has been in someone since they were a child explaining Jesus’ question.

This account focuses on prayer as being far more important than the fasting as fasting is not mentioned. Fasting without prayer is quite pointless.

Private discipleship over public ministry

for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9:31, ESV)

Jesus prioritised teaching his disciples over public ministry.

Be a servant of all

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35, ESV)

This is true in family, church and business.

Child Sponsorship

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37, ESV)

This is why child sponsorship is so important.

Proverbs 3:23–35

Good sleep

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24, ESV)

Yes Lord, thank you as we meditate on Your word we have sweet sleep.

Help others

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. (Proverbs 3:27, ESV)

This is an important life principle, when it is in our power we must help.

Don’t be dishonest

for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. (Proverbs 3:32, ESV)

It is important to remember this even in business.

Walk in wisdom

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. (Proverbs 3:35, ESV)

Lord help us to walk in wisdom and not in disgrace as fools.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 9

 

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 13:1–34, Mark 8:11–9:1, Prov 3:13–22

Today’s Theme: The Danger of Unbelief

Today’s theme looks at the great danger of unbelief and disobedience. This pitfall saw the tragic death of the young prophet and Jesus has to take a man out of the place of unbelief to heal him and warn him to not return.

We must believe God’s word, with our minds set on Him which is the pathway to wisdom, understanding and the resulting riches and long life (which is fully expressed in eternal life).

1 Kings 13:1–34

Actual prophecy

And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’ ” (1 Kings 13:2, ESV)

This is an amazing prophecy because this is what actually happened.

Reprobation and Apostasy

And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him and became as it was before. (1 Kings 13:6, ESV)

Jeroboam is a true apostate, notice he says ask your God not our God, he is truly on the other side. What deception because he also knows that the false gods can not help him.

Gods word trumps visions

for it was said to me by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.’ ” (1 Kings 13:17, ESV)

The Word of God trumps any supernatural encounter. We can trust the word of God more than dreams, angels and visions.

The sin of disobedience

So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water. (1 Kings 13:19, ESV)

This is a very important verse, it is here that the young prophet disobeys God and displays a type of unbelief.

Direct judgement

And he went and found his body thrown in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing beside the body. The lion had not eaten the body or torn the donkey. (1 Kings 13:28, ESV)

A sign that this was direct judgement.

Disobedience weakens the message

After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests for the high places again from among all the people. Any who would, he ordained to be priests of the high places. (1 Kings 13:33, ESV)

Maybe if the man of God was obedient to the word of the Lord the message and signs would have had a greater impact.

Mark 8:11–9:1

The weakest type of faith

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” (Mark 8:12, ESV)

Those seeking a sign have a type of unbelief at worst and very weak faith at best. We were called to preach the gospel, not to put on a circus.

Beware false ideologies

And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8:15, ESV)

Jesus wants us to beware of being sucked in by false ideologies whether political or religious.

Don’t live in unbelief

And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” (Mark 8:23, ESV)

As Pastor Dennis has always taught us, Jesus had to lead the man out of the place of unbelief.

Don’t go back to a place of unbelief

And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8:26, ESV)

Do not go back to the place of unbelief.

Who is Jesus?

And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29, ESV)

This is a crucial question for all mankind. The scriptures are clear, Jesus is the Messiah, God the Son incarnate, the one and only God-Man.

Set your mind on the things of God

But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mark 8:33, ESV)

We must keep our minds set on things above, the eternal things of God’s kingdom, not the temporal things of this life.

The call to discipleship

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34, ESV)

This is the call to discipleship, we need to deny ourselves, acknowledge and take up our burden and set about following Jesus. The easy Christian life is not in the Bible.

Nothing

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36, ESV)

The answer to this question is nothing.

What will you exchange

For what can a man give in return for his soul? (Mark 8:37, ESV)

Mankind has given many things in exchange for his soul, these include: honour amongst men, riches, comfort, pleasure.

Stand

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38, ESV)

We must be bold in our stand for Jesus

Proverbs 3:13–22

Wisdom, more valuable than money

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. (Proverbs 3:14, ESV)

Wisdom and understanding are better profit for our lives than money.

Understanding is precious

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 3:15, ESV)

Wisdom and understanding are precious, we should hold them dear.

The path to prosperity

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:16, ESV)

Wisdom will bring long life and riches, so get wisdom and riches and health will come in some way too and are clearly gained through the promise of eternal life in the world to come.

God’s scientific brilliance

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; (Proverbs 3:19, ESV)

When God created the earth He did it with scientific brilliance which is why true science will cause men to glorify God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 8

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 11:9–12:33, Mark 7:14–8:10, Prov 3:6–12

Today’s Theme: Our Biggest Problem

Today’s theme points to our biggest problem, which is the self deception, pride and evil of our own hearts. We should listen to our elders, walk in honesty and work hard, not live in the pride and the selfishness of the human heart.

God doesn’t want us to be religious about superficial things like food. He wants us to live before Him in joy and holiness as He brings us true satisfaction through the new nature (heart) He gives us by the Holy Spirit.

1 Kings 11:9–12:33

Don’t turn from the Lord

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (1 Kings 11:9, ESV)

If we turn away from the Lord in our hearts, He will be angry with us, and justly so because He deserves our worship.

God’s judgement

Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. (1 Kings 11:11, ESV)

The split kingdom was a judgement from God. We should remember this when we consider the splitting and forming of nations.

Jerusalem a special place

However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.” (1 Kings 11:13, ESV)

Jerusalem is a very special place it is called the city that God chose. Places matter.

Don’t forsake the Lord

because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites, and they have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and my rules, as David his father did. (1 Kings 11:33, ESV)

We will suffer loss and punishment if we forsake the Lord.

God keeps covenant

Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. (1 Kings 11:36, ESV)

God would not forsake His covenant with David, it was an important one connected to Jesus Himself.

A conditional promise

And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. (1 Kings 11:38, ESV)

Another conditional promise, it was Jeroboam’s for the taking. Live a life that meets the conditions.

Serve well

And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” (1 Kings 12:7, ESV)

These older men knew that the best way to win the hearts of men is to serve them well.

Don’t throw away the wisdom of your elders

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. (1 Kings 12:8, ESV)

It is as if he considered it and then threw it away.

Lord help us to listen to the wisdom of our elders and not our peers.

The Sovereignty of God

So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the Lord that he might fulfill his word, which the Lord spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. (1 Kings 12:15, ESV)

God was sovereignly and providentially at work.

God’s plan

‘Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives the people of Israel. Every man return to his home, for this thing is from me.’ ” So they listened to the word of the Lord and went home again, according to the word of the Lord. (1 Kings 12:24, ESV)

The divided kingdom was in God’s plan, we should not fight against what God has ordained.

Ungodly pragmatism

So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” (1 Kings 12:28, ESV)

The spiritual death and destruction wrought by ungodly pragmatism.

Dangerous false ministers

He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. (1 Kings 12:31, ESV)

The danger of false ministry and false ministers.

Holy days?

He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart. And he instituted a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to make offerings. (1 Kings 12:33, ESV)

He literally made this date up as a holy day. This is the way of all world religions with their holy days and festivals.

Mark 7:14–8:10

It’s not about food

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (Mark 7:15, ESV)

Our words and actions coming from our own hearts defile us before God. It’s not the food we eat or don’t eat, that was just a sign and good healthy eating.

All food is permissible

since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) (Mark 7:19, ESV)

Yes we can eat pork and shellfish now, that doesn’t necessarily make them the healthiest options though!

Our biggest problem

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:21–23, ESV)

This is mans biggest problem, not demons, but the evil of his own heart.

Testing your humility

And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” (Mark 7:29, ESV)

I believe Jesus calling her a dog was a test of her humility which she passed. What insults or slights come your way which are really a test of your humility and meekness.

Jesus is Awesome

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37, ESV)

Jesus is AWESOME!! There has never been and will never be anyone quite like Him.

The Church is loved

“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. (Mark 8:2, ESV)

Jesus loves the church, there is a lot of talk against the church today but Jesus loves the church and died for the church (all those who would trust and believe in Jesus for salvation).

Jesus satisfies

And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. (Mark 8:8, ESV)

Jesus seeks to satisfy His people. You can find ultimate satisfaction in Jesus.

Proverbs 3:6–12

Always acknowledge God

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:6, ESV)

We need to acknowledge God in everything, even simple things like eating, driving or catching a train.

Turn from evil

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:7, ESV)

Lord please keep us form this self deception.

Every man is responsible for turning away from evil.

The healthy life

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:8, ESV)

Fearing God and walking in repentance will literally make you healthier. It makes sense because you will not indulge in sins that rot the bones and the mind.

Your wealth!

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; (Proverbs 3:9, ESV)

All our money belongs to the Lord. We must honour Him with offerings and gifts as well as good stewardship and investment.

Don’t be weary of correction

for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:12, ESV)

We must not be weary of correction we need it to grow and be safe, God reproves us in love.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 7

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 10:1–11:8, Mark 6:45–7:13, Prov 3:1–5

Today’s Theme: God vs Lust and Pride

Today’s themes are varied but there is a running theme of God vs the lust of the flesh and the pride and deceitfulness of man. We will either worship man or God. The worship of man can be manifest as sexual sin, pride in our own ideas and trusting in ourselves and not God.

1 Kings 10:1–11:8

Supernatural wisdom

And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. (1 Kings 10:3, ESV)

The wisdom God gave to Solomon was supernatural. When we ask God for wisdom, know that He will give you supernatural wisdom, available no where else.

Bountiful riches

the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. (1 Kings 10:5, ESV)

Solomon’s wealth was breath taking, this spoke of God’s bountiful resources for our lives and His glory.

To the praise and glory of his name

Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10:9, ESV)

The wisdom and prosperity God gave Solomon caused the queen to give praise to God. May it be the same in our lives

The wealth of Solomon

All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 10:21, ESV)

This is an indication of just how rich Solomon was.

The presence of Christ

And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. (1 Kings 10:24, ESV)

This prefigured Christ, one day the earth will seek the presence of the king who will reign from Jerusalem.

Compromise, lust and idolatry

from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. (1 Kings 11:2, ESV)

Solomon clung to all of these women in lust and replaced God with his idolatry towards them and himself. It all started with a pragmatic compromise.

Sex as a god

For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. (1 Kings 11:4, ESV)

Sex and intimate relationship has always been connected to worship and devotion. This is why the enemy has invested so much in drawing people into the false promise and trap of sexual lust. It is all about worship and idolatry, sexual sin becomes a substitute for God.

Jesus over family

And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. (1 Kings 11:8, ESV)

When we compromise for “loved ones” we are turning our back on God. Jesus said we should love Him more than family.

Mark 6:45–7:13

Jesus worked hardest

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. (Mark 6:45, ESV)

This is no small point, Jesus took on the lion’s share of the work as a real servant.

Pull on the word of God

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. (Mark 6:56, ESV)

The fringe represents the promises and covenant thus the Word of God.

Where is your heart

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; (Mark 7:6, ESV)

Other religions and the new age movement teach that regardless of a man’s life, sin or relationship to God, that they can tap into principles and command the forces of the universe, this is not true. God is very much a conscious person who makes actual responses.

We can not pull the wool over God’s eyes. He knows where our hearts are despite our words and prayers. We need to ensure our hearts are close to God.

The traditions of men

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:8, ESV)

Lord keep us for this error. The Roman Catholic church went down this road hundreds of years ago when they exalted church tradition over the word of God.

The priority of God’s word

thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:13, ESV)

God’s word should always trump our traditions and ideas.

Proverbs 3:1–5

Long life

for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (Proverbs 3:2, ESV)

Obeying God’s word will help us live a long life, which is a typical shadow of eternal life in the New Testament.

Faithful and steadfast

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3, ESV)

As people we must learn to be faithful and steadfast in our love and devotion. Solomon learnt this the hard way.

Trust the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5, ESV)

A major theme in scripture, we must trust in the Lord.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 6

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8:54–9:28, Mark 6:7–44, Prov 2:16–22

Today’s Theme: Teaching and Miracles

The ministry of Jesus was defined by two activities, teaching the truths about God and the kingdom, and performing miracles.

As His ambassadors, our lives should be defined by His teaching and our faith in His supernatural power to perform miracles today, to the glory of God.

1 Kings 8:54–9:28

God backs His talk

“Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.(1 Kings 8:56, ESV)

God is ultimately able to come good on His word, like no one else can on theirs.

May God incline your heart

that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.(1 Kings 8:58, ESV)

We need God to incline our hearts to Him so that we walk in His ways.

The Lord is God

that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.(1 Kings 8:60, ESV)

One of God’s great ultimate purposes is that He alone is God.

Be wholly true

Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”(1 Kings 8:61, ESV)

Not a superficial show of obedience, but heartfelt passion for God with singular devotion.

Mark 6:7–44

Authority over unclean spirits

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.(Mark 6:7, ESV)

Authority over unclean spirits comes from Jesus directly.

Gospel proclamation

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.(Mark 6:12, ESV)

Their primary job was Gospel proclamation.

Hear and change

for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.(Mark 6:20, ESV)

Lord, save us from being like Herod, hearing Your word and being perplexed by what we hear, hearing it gladly and even enjoying the oratory, but not changing.

Rest is important

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.(Mark 6:31, ESV)

After successful ministry must come rest.

The priority of teaching

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.(Mark 6:34, ESV)

Jesus always began with teaching, not with miracles. Miracles without the clear teaching of God’s truth, will not ultimately help anyone.

Don’t be limited by human thinking

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”(Mark 6:37, ESV)

The question betrays the fact that we so often think with our own human limitations. God is able to do the supernatural.

Pass it on

And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.(Mark 6:41, ESV)

This miracle appears to be a parallel to the sending out of the disciples, to teach what Christ had taught them. You should share what the Lord has entrusted to you.

An astounding miracle

And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.(Mark 6:44, ESV)

This was a huge miracle, we can become so familiar with these account, so just stop and think about how great a miracle this was.

Proverbs 2:16–22

Escape adultery

So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,(Proverbs 2:16, ESV)

It seems that without the wisdom God supplies, it is difficult to escape adultery. In the spiritual sense of the forbidden woman of sin and adultery, in fake worship, it is impossible to escape without God’s wisdom, which is manifest in Jesus.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 6