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Meandering through Mark | Wk 3

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Updated: Jan 30


Mark My Words


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Do you remember I time when someone shared something really important, and to add emphasis, they said "Pay attention! Don't miss this! Mark my words!". Mark my words - used to tell someone to listen to and remember what one is saying. The "Jesus version" of "Mark my words" is " Truly I tell you" For example:  Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. John 3:3 (NIV)


If Jesus said it, it's worth paying attention to!


This week, take time to read Mark Chapter 3. There will be time in space in Life Groups to read and dig in more around the table over dinner.


Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:20-35 (NIV) 


  • As Jesus grows in popularity, Mark records five clashes with the teachers of the law / Pharisees (Mark 2:1 - Mark 3:6). They are unhappy because

    1. He claimed to have the authority to forgive sins

    2. He ate with tax collectors and sinners

    3. His disciples didn't fast like them

    4. He and his disciples picked grain on the Sabbath

    5. He healed a man's hand on the Sabbath


    So the Pharisees set aside their differences and team up with the Herodians, to start to plot to kill Jesus.  As crowds came from all over, the religious leaders came from Jerusalem, and even Jesus' family came from Nazareth (perhaps his brothers were trying to get Mary his mom to call him to order), Jesus appointed the 12 apostles that he would disciple closely.

     

    When he goes back into Capernaum, perhaps back to Simon's house, the religious leaders, trying to explain how he does what he does, accuse him of being possessed by Satan.

     

    Jesus responds with three "Mark my words" truths:

     

    1/ Jesus has come to bring FREEDOM

    • Strongman = Satan

    • House = strongman's kingdom / domain of darkness

    • Possessions = People

    • Jesus renders the strongman powerless so that people can be FREE

    • (All the strongman has left are the lies that he speaks, so one has to walk out of the house, and shut out the lies!)

    • Many might stay in the house, listening to his lies, not believing they are free!

      • Fear, shame, and guilt can keep you there!

     

    2/ FORGIVENESS is available where ever there is repentance

    • Every sin can be forgiven - this is good news!

    • The only unforgivable sin, then, is to continue to wilfully reject Jesus; to equate the testimony of the Spirit to Satan, and to believe that Jesus is impure.

    • It is not a moment, or a specific phrase or action,  by the trajectory of an unrepentant heart

    • (Likely if someone asks - "Have I committed this sin?" It's a clear sign that they have not!

     

    3/ Jesus is creating a new FAMILY

    • An invitation into the FAMILY of Jesus.


    Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:34-36

     

    The mark of belonging to this family, a description not a prescription, is not just walking in freedom, not just being forgiven, but doing the will of God.

     

    Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

     

    The will questions - Am I?

    • Offering myself to God, pursuing holiness?

    • Not conforming to the world

    • Allowing the Spirit to renew and change my mind?

    • Then…! You are positioned to test!

     

    The "will" test

    • Is it WISE?

    • Does it line up with the WORD?

    • Is there WARMTH toward others?

     

    RESPONSE to these "Mark my words"

    • Walk in Freedom?

    • Repentance & Receiving Forgiveness 

    • Joining the Family of Jesus and allow that evidence to show in your life.



 

LIFE GROUP GUIDE


Like last week, set aside time to break bread at the table.


As we break bread; our dining tables become sacred spaces of celebration and remembrance of our hope in Jesus. In order to facilitate a deeper conversation with your group members, consider using the SOAP.


Use the SOAP framework on Mark Chapter 3


  • Scripture - Read the chapter of scripture out loud (you can share the reading, a few verses each)

  • Observation - Have each person share an observation; something in the Scripture that stands out to them

  • Application - Discuss how you can apply what has been shared in your own life

  • Prayer - Pray with your group about what you have learned or how you can apply what you have learned in your life


Additional questions to discuss

  • In what area might you feel like you are sitting in the strong man's house?

  • Have you felt like you might have committed the unforgivable sin?

  • Do you think there is evidence of doing the will of God in your life?

     

     



     

     

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