Sermons on Theology (Page 3)
This section of Mark may sound merely routine–it’s just a list of names. God does not give his word with insignificant portions. The Holy Spirit, through Mark is very selective. Rather than just being filler, our text shows us nothing less than that Christ accomplishes the fulfilling of God’s promises. We find in this passage the nation’s re-creation, the calling of the nation, and the cost.
The Pharisees come to Jesus and ask, “Why is it your disciples are allowed to do that which is impermissible on the Sabbath?” You’d think Jesus would cite a text about the Sabbath and say, “Here’s why: it’s not really breaking the law of God. The law, in Deuteronomy actually gives us permission to glean. You guys are missing the point.” But Christ doesn’t do that. Instead, he goes to this seemingly random, interesting, odd text, about David on the run from Saul eating the bread of the Tabernacle. You have to ask yourself why he chose this particular text as a defense for his actions. In essence, his argument is this: “Long ago, David did this thing, in a particular circumstance. And this circumstance should remind you of what’s going on now.”
Next, Christ says they can do so, because he is the one who can authorize such a thing as Lord of the Sabbath. This pushes the offense over the top, into a whole other category for the Pharisees.
Lastly, Christ goes on to show the true intention of the day. How grateful can we be that Christ gives us not the explanation we would expect, but the revelation we need.
We’re confronted, as we open this passage, with questions–questions about the Kingdom. Who gets into the Kingdom? What are the qualifications for getting into this Kingdom?
Are we willing to be self-reflective enough to realize that, at the end of the day, we have nothing to offer God of our own righteousness?
Only then do you have any chance of joining the Kingdom of God.
Join us as we learn about the conflict that results from King Jesus coming into the kingdom of the world.
Do you have trouble believing that you have value, as a fallen person in this fallen world? Do you even have trouble believing that God could ever continue to love someone like you, who fails over and over again. Believe me, God has dealt with all your sins and failures. His accomplished work is proof of what he has said: “It is finished.”
How can we understand this most contested and controversial clause from the Apostles Creed? What is the importance of the real, full and powerful death of the Lord Jesus Christ?
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification, according to the law of Moses, They brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as…
Take your copy of the scriptures now and turn to the gospel of Luke, Luke’s gospel. I’ll be reading from chapter one this morning, starting at verse 46. But before we hear the word preached, let’s ask the Lord’s blessing upon him, let’s pray. Our dear heavenly father, we thank you again for this your…
Let’s ask the Lord’s blessing upon the sermon and the hearing and reception of his word this morning. Join me in a prayer to do just that. Let’s pray. Gracious Heavenly Father, we come to you again to sit at your feet, to hear your word proclaimed. We pray, Lord, that we would indeed hear…
I’m gonna pray now for the reading of our sermon text this morning before I read Mark chapter one. Join your hearts, the mind, and prayer as we ask his blessing upon the reading and preaching of his word. Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, what a privilege we have being in your presence, sensing your…