MAC KIRK

Mark 1 Continues with Authority, Demons, and Healing John a Jew by birth also had the Roman surname of Mark was from Jerusalem where his mother , Mary, who had great wealth, was personally acquainted with the scenes and ministry of Jesus. ( Erdman on Mark). We said as well that Mark had a lapse in his ministry with Paul, after Perga and Cyprus and he turned back much to Paul's disappointment, but he was restored, and was an good friend of Peter the Apostle. Mark has great detail in his Gospel, although shorter and not containing many scenes in the other Gospels. Today's scene I do not find in the Matthew, John but it is in Luke 4 beginning at vs. 31. It seems quite similar to Mark. It seems more vivid to me in Mark however... Authority, New Teaching and Astonishment are some of the words that the people used in the synagogue about Jesus. They were " astonished at his teaching". Lk. 4:32 His words had authority , gk power out of authority or weight.

Distinctive Lessons from Mark 1:14-20 4 men are called by Jesus into service. Mark's theme is the gospel of the one who came " to minister and to give His life a ransom for many." The 4 men who were called were Simon ( Peter), Andrew, his brother, and James and John . We are called not as Apostles but we are called in the same manner to be His disciples and those who straightway follow Him. The first is that we are called by God to His Gospel. " Jesus came into Galilee , preaching the gospel of God." " The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand." 1:14 The invitation may be abrupt but these men were probably disciples of John the Baptist, and of course they saw Jesus being baptised by John as a act of John. They knew something new was here. A voice came out of heaven, " This is my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased." 1:11 The call of God is to His Gospel, that is the good news of grace and of the Saviour

New Year. A new year has come, and now we have choices as did the Wise men in last week's Gospel lesson. We can choose to follow and worship or maybe not. Profession of faith is not a lively faith necessarily. People do this all the time, to please ...? Of course God is pleased when we do what we say, and follow. Samuel was listening in the service of the Lord as he did service for him. But Eli told him to go lie down and listen to what God was going to say. Listening is the first part of our responsibility in the service to Christ. Others beckon to us to follow them. The culture has its way of belief. Those who turn to the Lord find it very needful to turn and listen to the Word of the Lord as there are many voices trying to turn us to listen to them. Those of us who serve in this place can find our own perspectives needing refreshment in God's service. I would say perspective is either a great strength for us or a great weakness. We are all in need of G

" Three Different Reactions to the King" Matthew 2:1-11 " Almighty God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives..." 1. King Herod---represents a gospel of antagonism Troubled vs. 3; Later angry when he mocked of the wise men vs 16 & he really wished to destroy Christ. He inquired of the magi. vs 7 vs 8- he lied Personality ---fear to acknowledge Him as Lord, as it may result in personal loss.. Joseph Parker, " Can men lie about religious things? Yes. Can men say worship when they mean destroy? They say it every day..." This Herod the Great was given the title, " King of the Jews" in 40 bc. 2. Religious leaders. v 4 a gospel of intellectual rejection They were familiar with the prophecy vs -6 from Micah 5:2 which pointed to Bethlehem, but nothing is said of their interest. At the heart----this too is a facade for a gospel