1 00:00:09,700 --> 00:00:13,900 Well, it is always exciting to be with you all on on the Lord's 2 00:00:13,900 --> 00:00:16,300 day. But I am particularly excited 3 00:00:16,300 --> 00:00:20,500 about today for many reasons and the main one is because as a 4 00:00:20,500 --> 00:00:24,900 church we are embarking on a new journey together through a book 5 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:28,100 that we have never explored before. 6 00:00:28,100 --> 00:00:32,100 And the excitement of this fresh study is not just in the fact 7 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:35,300 that we will be expounding on a new text, but also because you 8 00:00:35,300 --> 00:00:38,800 and I will be going through touring through. 9 00:00:39,500 --> 00:00:43,100 Genre, biblical genre that we have never, we've never really 10 00:00:43,500 --> 00:00:48,100 explored for some of you who may not know over the past few years 11 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,100 on on Sunday, mornings in particular, we have taken the 12 00:00:52,100 --> 00:00:56,500 time to look at many of Paul's Epistles, but for the first time 13 00:00:56,500 --> 00:01:00,300 today, for the next several months, we will turn our 14 00:01:00,300 --> 00:01:04,700 attention to dissecting and discovering and declaring 15 00:01:05,099 --> 00:01:10,100 glorious truths from The Gospel. According to mark, The Gospel 16 00:01:10,100 --> 00:01:18,100 According to mark. And this gospel is so riveting 17 00:01:18,100 --> 00:01:23,300 for many reasons as we will see. But as we turn there you and I 18 00:01:23,300 --> 00:01:27,500 will comb through it by the grace of God. 19 00:01:27,700 --> 00:01:30,800 Chapter by chapter verse by verse with no time. 20 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,100 And in mind we just going to trust the Holy Spirit as we go 21 00:01:33,100 --> 00:01:37,500 week by week and it is really my prayer that as we come to this 22 00:01:37,500 --> 00:01:41,200 book, we will all be eager to seek the Lord for his help to 23 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:45,000 master. This scripture that deals 24 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:49,500 directly with the, the person, the ministry, the life, and the 25 00:01:49,500 --> 00:01:54,600 death of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I believe the best way to 26 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:59,200 crack the Seal of the scroll of scripture is by actually not 27 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:01,900 touching any verse in the first chapter. 28 00:02:02,300 --> 00:02:08,400 But to try to understand by the word of God, who the author is, 29 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:14,100 who is Mark Why is his name? The name that appears in the 30 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:17,000 copy of Mark's gospel in our Bibles? 31 00:02:17,900 --> 00:02:22,900 Well many Church, fathers many scholars but those who lived on 32 00:02:23,100 --> 00:02:28,100 even close to the disciples that we love and study about 33 00:02:28,300 --> 00:02:33,400 unanimously, agree, that Mark, was the one who penned this text 34 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,500 there is little to no debate about it. 35 00:02:37,100 --> 00:02:41,800 Tradition says, it and there are men who have lived even For 100 36 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:44,900 AD. That really, really believe that 37 00:02:44,900 --> 00:02:47,100 Mark was The Man Behind the message. 38 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:50,600 And tradition, also tells us that Mark when he wrote this 39 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:54,200 from the human standpoint had an audience in mind and the 40 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,700 audience that he had, in mind were actually Roman Christians, 41 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:02,500 those who are Gentiles and there are things within the text 42 00:03:02,500 --> 00:03:06,400 itself that validate that conclusion, or at least give 43 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,800 strong support to that suggestion. 44 00:03:09,300 --> 00:03:13,600 When you see, how Now, Mark omits certain truths that you 45 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:17,400 would find perhaps In A Book Like Matthew who is writing to 46 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:21,400 Jews primarily. And when you see how Mark even 47 00:03:21,500 --> 00:03:26,100 tries to explain certain things, though, briefly to those who are 48 00:03:26,100 --> 00:03:29,200 non Jewish readers, you can see that the, he's not really 49 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:32,100 writing to those who might have an understanding a rich 50 00:03:32,100 --> 00:03:33,900 understanding of the Old Testament. 51 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:37,000 In fact, a mark there is very few Old Testament references. 52 00:03:37,900 --> 00:03:41,100 And so, you see these clues, that Mark is actually speaking 53 00:03:41,100 --> 00:03:44,300 to Gentiles and people believed that he was actually speaking to 54 00:03:44,300 --> 00:03:47,500 Christians who were found in Rome and some of you who are 55 00:03:47,500 --> 00:03:50,700 here on Good Friday. Remember perhaps just one of the 56 00:03:50,708 --> 00:03:53,700 verses that might indicate that truth and if you don't remember, 57 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:57,500 will go to Mark and go with me to Mark chapter 15, verse 21. 58 00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:09,400 And notice what Mark says. And they compelled a pastor by 59 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:14,000 Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the country, the father 60 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:18,300 of Alexander and Rufus to carry his cross. 61 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,500 Some of you who are remembering what I'm referring to if you 62 00:04:21,500 --> 00:04:23,600 don't, if you weren't there on. Good Friday. 63 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,300 It's interesting to know that Mark includes a certain detail 64 00:04:27,300 --> 00:04:31,200 about Simon of Cyrene and it is this that he was the father of 65 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:36,000 Alexander and Rufus not to us that that doesn't really help 66 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:38,400 necessarily and Unless we meditate upon it. 67 00:04:38,500 --> 00:04:40,900 But what's so amazing? Is that the named Rufus 68 00:04:40,900 --> 00:04:45,100 reappears and what book of all books the epistle to the Romans 69 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:48,200 when Paul himself addresses different Believers. 70 00:04:48,300 --> 00:04:52,900 He says here in Romans 16 13 greet Rufus. 71 00:04:54,100 --> 00:04:56,100 Greet Rufus. Chosen in the Lord. 72 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:59,200 Also his mother who has been a mother to me, as well. 73 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:03,400 As we think about it, when he's writing in his gospel account. 74 00:05:04,100 --> 00:05:08,000 And he's saying, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander 75 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:12,400 and Rufus, the immediate readers are believing, we know who Rufus 76 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,700 is. Oh, Rufus your dad was Simon who 77 00:05:15,700 --> 00:05:18,700 carried the cross. Who helped Carry the Cross of 78 00:05:18,700 --> 00:05:22,300 our Lord and savior. And so there are great Clues and 79 00:05:22,300 --> 00:05:27,800 insights that indicate this is, in fact to he is speaking to But 80 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,900 we should be further encouraged about Mark and this book because 81 00:05:31,900 --> 00:05:37,500 the scripture is even give us particular insights about him as 82 00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:42,400 a person about Mark himself. I'm so glad that we don't have 83 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:46,500 to speculate or look to history or church fathers to try to 84 00:05:46,500 --> 00:05:50,200 figure out who this man was the Holy Spirit selectively brought 85 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:54,500 us certain information and data about him that. 86 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:57,800 If we take the time to this gather the different Aces, where 87 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:03,000 Mark is mentioned you and I will be incredibly edified to see how 88 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,900 knowing about, even just the men Mark will help us know what kind 89 00:06:06,900 --> 00:06:11,400 of God we serve? And other practical truths that 90 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,600 will help us in our walk together as Believers. 91 00:06:15,500 --> 00:06:18,300 And the way we're going to do that today as we even begin. 92 00:06:18,300 --> 00:06:23,100 Mark is by dividing, our thoughts into three points. 93 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:27,300 The first one is understanding what God reveals to us about. 94 00:06:27,300 --> 00:06:33,100 Mark, what is God revealed to us about Marc Rich things in there? 95 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:39,100 And in secondly, what God wants us to learn in choosing mark. 96 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:43,800 and when I mean choosing Mark, I mean choosing Mark to be an 97 00:06:43,900 --> 00:06:50,600 author of a portion of the Holy scriptures, And lastly, though, 98 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:56,300 briefly what God wants us to learn about him through mark. 99 00:06:57,300 --> 00:07:01,500 So again what we're going to learn about Mark, what we're 100 00:07:01,500 --> 00:07:05,700 going to learn about God choosing Mark and what we're 101 00:07:05,700 --> 00:07:08,900 going to learn about God through mark. 102 00:07:10,300 --> 00:07:13,700 And as we come to the first thought, let's go to the first 103 00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:17,100 place where John Mark has mentioned and the first place 104 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:19,300 where John Mark has mentioned, is in the riveting. 105 00:07:19,300 --> 00:07:24,300 Exciting, thrilling book of Acts and so turn your Bibles to Acts 106 00:07:24,700 --> 00:07:28,900 chapter 12. And verse 12. 107 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,900 Mark's name is brought up during the telling of Peter's 108 00:07:34,900 --> 00:07:40,600 miraculous escape from prison. and this, this chapter, 109 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:46,600 Primarily wants to teach us. The power of Prayer. 110 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,400 Yes, God's Providence and his sovereignty, but this whole 111 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:54,700 story is hinge around how a bunch of Christians crammed into 112 00:07:54,700 --> 00:07:57,500 someone's house. And they were pleading with the 113 00:07:57,500 --> 00:08:02,100 Lord on behalf of Peter and how God answered that prayer in such 114 00:08:02,100 --> 00:08:05,800 an amazing way. And as you come to this point, 115 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:12,000 you realize That marks name is brought up in relation to where 116 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:16,900 the prayer meeting was held. We see here in verse 12. 117 00:08:16,900 --> 00:08:21,300 When he realized this Peter, he went to the house of Mary, the 118 00:08:21,300 --> 00:08:27,000 mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were 119 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,800 gathered together and were praying and when he knocked at 120 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,799 the door of the Gateway, a serving girl named Rhoda came to 121 00:08:33,799 --> 00:08:40,100 answer John Mark is brought up in this place, for more reasons 122 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:41,900 than trying to help us differentiate between the 123 00:08:41,908 --> 00:08:43,500 different Mary's that we find in the Bible. 124 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:45,300 That is helpful because it was just me. 125 00:08:45,500 --> 00:08:48,200 Mary would think which Mary? So we know that it's the marry 126 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:51,400 the one who, who is the mother of this, John. 127 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:53,900 Whose other name is, Mark. That will that helps. 128 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:57,100 But there's far more things in here to realize for our own 129 00:08:57,100 --> 00:09:00,200 benefit. The main thing to draw from this 130 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:06,000 portion of scripture is to learn the kind of home that John Mark 131 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,200 grew up in. Think about it for a moment. 132 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:14,000 There is a detail here that suggests that marry that marry 133 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:17,100 this, this woman who was the mother of John, Mark was a 134 00:09:17,108 --> 00:09:21,500 wealthy woman. And the reason why it's not just 135 00:09:21,500 --> 00:09:24,300 because she had enough space to host all these Christians. 136 00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:27,400 But that she even had, as we read in verse 13, a servant girl 137 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,000 named Rhoda. And so, to have a home even with 138 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:35,200 a gate and to have servants. Perhaps indicates something 139 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:41,200 about this woman that she was independently strong and 140 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,300 financially secure. The fact that her husband is not 141 00:09:44,300 --> 00:09:47,100 brought up, may suggest that she was a widow, but she was one who 142 00:09:47,100 --> 00:09:49,900 could take care of herself and I just take care of Of herself, 143 00:09:49,900 --> 00:09:52,700 but even host others in a special way. 144 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:56,700 And I, when I read that, I thought to myself this woman, 145 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:01,600 new great privilege. She knew great security. 146 00:10:02,900 --> 00:10:06,400 And this family including John Mark though, they have 147 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:10,200 experienced such things. God was their priority. 148 00:10:11,600 --> 00:10:16,500 The Lord and his work. Was their priority of this 149 00:10:16,500 --> 00:10:19,700 household? Would it be a stretch to say 150 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,900 that John, Mark, grew up with a mother who had a Zeal and a 151 00:10:23,900 --> 00:10:32,300 great love for this God, Not at all Rich's success security. 152 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:38,700 A grand home did not change or corrupt this faithful woman. 153 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,100 In fact, she utilized her resources for the sake of the 154 00:10:43,100 --> 00:10:46,600 advancement of God's kingdom. Because what dominated, her 155 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:49,500 heart is what should dominate the hearts of every believer, 156 00:10:49,700 --> 00:10:52,200 rich or not rich. And that is to make much of 157 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:55,500 Christ and to invest whatever God calls you to invest for the 158 00:10:55,500 --> 00:10:59,300 sake of the glory of Christ. Money was not her master. 159 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:05,900 It was a means, it was a tool. It was an instrument, it was a 160 00:11:05,900 --> 00:11:08,900 way in which she could contribute to the work of the 161 00:11:08,900 --> 00:11:11,700 Gospel. And think about it. 162 00:11:11,700 --> 00:11:17,500 I mean how did Peter escaping prison instinctively know to go 163 00:11:17,500 --> 00:11:21,900 to this house? Why that house of all houses? 164 00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:26,100 And I believe that reason why he knew to go to the house of Mary 165 00:11:26,300 --> 00:11:29,500 was because Mary did not just have a one-time prayer meeting, 166 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,600 but the church met at Mary's house regularly. 167 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:39,400 The church met at This Woman's house and so Peter knew where to 168 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:44,900 go to find the Christians and to tell them that God had rescued 169 00:11:44,900 --> 00:11:48,200 him in a miraculous way and it was very common in the early 170 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:51,100 church for people to open their homes. 171 00:11:51,300 --> 00:11:54,800 For other Christians to come and sing and pray, and hear the 172 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:57,200 teachings and the doctrines of the Apostles. 173 00:11:57,600 --> 00:12:00,600 You see it throughout the Epistles, Aquila and Priscilla 174 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:03,600 at the end of 1st Corinthians, Paul says that they greet you. 175 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:09,500 And also the church That meets in their house. and so I believe 176 00:12:09,500 --> 00:12:13,200 Mary was among those who, who had a regular meeting in her 177 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:18,400 home, who had people come, where there is a place, they can seek 178 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,900 the Lord together and worship and fellowship, but it's worth 179 00:12:21,900 --> 00:12:25,300 noting another detail about this household, especially about this 180 00:12:25,300 --> 00:12:29,200 woman and her faith, that gives us the impression that she made 181 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:33,100 an impression on others, including her son, John, Mark, 182 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:38,600 What was the background behind this prayer meeting what was 183 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,600 going on behind the scenes. What was the? 184 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:43,900 What was the environment? Like, what was the context? 185 00:12:43,900 --> 00:12:46,700 Like all you got to do is go to verse 1 of chapter 12 and see 186 00:12:46,700 --> 00:12:49,700 what was happening about that time Herod. 187 00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:54,200 The king laid, violent hands on some who belong to the church. 188 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,600 That is not a convenient time to have a prayer meeting. 189 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:01,100 When you have a politician, who has power and authority, 190 00:13:01,300 --> 00:13:04,300 sniffing out the Saints, and all these soldiers on highwomen, 191 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:09,200 high alert for Christians. And yet at the same time, when a 192 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:11,900 leader was just killed and martyred and another one was 193 00:13:11,900 --> 00:13:15,300 arrested where you feel, your faith is shaken and where you 194 00:13:15,300 --> 00:13:19,300 feel like those that were called to, to Bear the message of this 195 00:13:19,300 --> 00:13:21,400 truth are now in danger of losing their lives. 196 00:13:21,500 --> 00:13:24,800 You have one woman named Mary saying, we need to have a prayer 197 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:28,900 meeting in my house. Fearless. 198 00:13:30,500 --> 00:13:34,300 Strong. Serious. 199 00:13:34,700 --> 00:13:40,000 Like a a serious disciple, she wasn't messing around so filled 200 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:45,500 with faith that she would rather die, put her life at risk. 201 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:50,200 Be put on notice so that she could pray with others and see 202 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:52,800 God fulfill his promise of prayer. 203 00:13:53,100 --> 00:13:57,700 Even if Herod was looking out, And guess who was a witness to 204 00:13:57,700 --> 00:14:03,100 all of that John Mark. John Mark. 205 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:08,600 He saw this. And because she was a woman who 206 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:12,000 served the Saints. Her home was exposed to some of 207 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:15,500 the greatest Servants of God. The history has known And in 208 00:14:15,508 --> 00:14:18,800 such a way that John Mark would develop some precious 209 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,500 relationships with some of the most amazing leaders of the 210 00:14:22,500 --> 00:14:27,000 Church of Jesus Christ. Think about it, this is what he 211 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:32,900 was exposed to his home. Was a church. think about the 212 00:14:32,900 --> 00:14:36,200 songs, think about the meetings, think about the Miracles like we 213 00:14:36,208 --> 00:14:43,200 just read so the question for fathers and mothers today, what 214 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:45,800 kind of environment is your home? 215 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:50,800 Is there an atmosphere of worship there? 216 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,100 Does the Peace of Christ abide there because Jesus Christ is 217 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:58,300 indeed Lord and sitting on the throne of that house. 218 00:15:01,300 --> 00:15:04,800 Is that a safe haven? Not just physically, but 219 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:08,700 spiritually, or is or sin and evil and worldliness tolerated 220 00:15:08,700 --> 00:15:12,200 and entertained. And you don't even need a devil 221 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:14,100 to knock on the door. They just have to come through a 222 00:15:14,100 --> 00:15:19,800 certain channel on that screen. Do your children. 223 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:23,700 See like how John Mark saw how when there were problems mommy 224 00:15:23,700 --> 00:15:29,300 and daddy pray? They get the kids together. 225 00:15:29,300 --> 00:15:31,700 And they say, we really need God to hear us. 226 00:15:31,700 --> 00:15:34,200 Let's pray and ask Jesus to help us. 227 00:15:36,300 --> 00:15:42,100 Or do they see sheer panic? Do they see a distrust in the 228 00:15:42,100 --> 00:15:45,000 god, that they apparently claimed to serve because we go 229 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:49,100 to church Sunday after Sunday. Can I talk to the Future mother 230 00:15:49,100 --> 00:15:50,500 and father's? A lot of young people here. 231 00:15:50,500 --> 00:15:53,000 Getting married engaged planning to have children soon. 232 00:15:53,900 --> 00:15:55,900 May I ask you something in light of this text? 233 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:01,200 What kind of values are you establishing for your future 234 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:05,200 children to register when they consider what you do with your 235 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:08,000 resources, what you do with your time? 236 00:16:08,700 --> 00:16:10,700 What kind of relationships you have? 237 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,400 Well, they come to the conclusion when they arrive at 238 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:19,900 an age where they can think and they can put things together 239 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:23,100 that Daddy loves money more than he loves God. 240 00:16:24,900 --> 00:16:28,200 That Mommy is more interested in fashion than her faith. 241 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:33,900 These things are for instructions and I love how we 242 00:16:33,900 --> 00:16:37,000 are introduced to John Mark in his home. 243 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:42,200 And with the mother that he had, and how she was a faithful woman 244 00:16:42,700 --> 00:16:45,400 when there is great persecution. And even when she had great 245 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:51,400 prosperity in her name, the next thing we hear about John Mark is 246 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:54,400 in the neighboring chapter and we go to acts 13. 247 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:58,200 We realized that the Holy Spirit brought Paul and Barnabas 248 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:02,000 together as a missionary team. But we also learn in that very 249 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:06,000 same chapter that, that missionary team had an assistant 250 00:17:06,099 --> 00:17:08,800 had somebody tagged along with them and would you know, it in 251 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:11,099 Acts 13 5? When they arrived at salamis, 252 00:17:11,300 --> 00:17:14,200 they proclaim the word of God in the synagogue's of the Jews and 253 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:19,400 they had John to assist them. They had John to assist them. 254 00:17:19,500 --> 00:17:22,500 Now we know that John and Mark are interchangeably used for the 255 00:17:22,500 --> 00:17:25,599 same person we just read it. It's also emphasize again, acts 256 00:17:25,599 --> 00:17:28,900 1225. But what we see here though 257 00:17:29,100 --> 00:17:31,400 chapter 12 is the first time we're introduced to him. 258 00:17:31,500 --> 00:17:34,500 It is in this chapter that we are told the first detail about 259 00:17:34,500 --> 00:17:39,600 what he does. And what he did was assist, the 260 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,200 man was not an apostle. He was not a leader in the 261 00:17:42,208 --> 00:17:44,600 church. He was not a prophet, he was not 262 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:49,200 a teacher, he was one who helped alleviate any burdens from those 263 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,400 who were dedicated to proclaiming the word of God. 264 00:17:53,100 --> 00:17:58,400 He assisted, he came along their side, he did menial tasks, 265 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,300 perhaps he just helped make their Journey a lot easier. 266 00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:05,700 We might wonder well how did this even come about? 267 00:18:05,700 --> 00:18:09,500 How was John Mark able to even join this amazing team? 268 00:18:10,100 --> 00:18:12,000 And I believe the answer is because of his relations with 269 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:16,800 Barnabas Colossians 4 tells us that Barnabas and Mark were 270 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:19,900 cousins, talk about the legacy of that family. 271 00:18:19,900 --> 00:18:22,800 And even Barnabas was marks cousin, what were their family 272 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:26,500 meetings? Like Barnabas and Mark were 273 00:18:26,500 --> 00:18:28,700 cousins. And so you can almost imagine 274 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:33,700 how Barnabas knowing his cousin, very likely younger than him, 275 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:37,900 which suggests him to Paul. Because he perhaps recognized 276 00:18:37,900 --> 00:18:41,000 the giftings of the potential of this young man and said he would 277 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,000 really help us. If you just assisted Us in, Paul 278 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:45,700 took him at his word, he trusted him. 279 00:18:46,900 --> 00:18:51,500 And this man comes along this young man, John comes along with 280 00:18:51,500 --> 00:18:54,400 them, but something very embarrassing happens. 281 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:57,900 As, you know, something you can say almost tragic happens 282 00:18:57,900 --> 00:19:00,200 because what happens here, doesn't just happen with John 283 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,200 Market. It affects even the relationship 284 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,800 between Paul and Barnabas. In verse 13. 285 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,000 Now, Paul and his companions set sail for pay photos and came to 286 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:12,300 /. God pamphylia and John left 287 00:19:12,300 --> 00:19:15,100 them. He left them and returned to 288 00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:20,800 Jerusalem. He Abandoned Ship he walked out. 289 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:24,700 I mean he just started. He just joined them. 290 00:19:25,900 --> 00:19:30,300 And something something crept into his heart to convince him 291 00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:32,700 that it's better for me to go back to Jerusalem. 292 00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:35,700 Why Jerusalem, that's where home was, that's where Mary's home 293 00:19:35,700 --> 00:19:38,900 was. And we are not told why I 294 00:19:38,900 --> 00:19:40,300 believe, that's my Divine Design. 295 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:45,100 We are not told why, but it makes you think, was it? 296 00:19:45,100 --> 00:19:47,300 Because of what? He just seen the great 297 00:19:47,300 --> 00:19:50,500 resistance earlier in the chapter when Paul and Barnabas 298 00:19:50,500 --> 00:19:53,800 are preaching and a demon-possessed, man, comes and 299 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:56,600 tries to bring about a curse and distractions. 300 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:00,000 Here's this young and seeing this happen and realizing, we 301 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,500 just started, we just started. And we have a whole journey 302 00:20:03,500 --> 00:20:07,300 ahead of us. So, you wonder if the desire to 303 00:20:07,300 --> 00:20:11,100 be, not warm bed of his back in Jerusalem to know, what it was 304 00:20:11,100 --> 00:20:15,700 like to have servants, to be there, where there is ready, mom 305 00:20:15,700 --> 00:20:19,500 cooked meals, the familiarity of his hometown, who knows what? 306 00:20:19,500 --> 00:20:22,500 It was mingle with the fear of what's going to happen? 307 00:20:22,500 --> 00:20:25,800 The unpredictability of ministering, the dangers I'm out 308 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:27,300 of here. I didn't sign up for this. 309 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,900 This. So, he walks out. 310 00:20:31,900 --> 00:20:34,000 And no matter what the reason was it was enough for a 311 00:20:34,008 --> 00:20:37,300 righteous, man, like Paul to be greatly disappointed, to be very 312 00:20:37,300 --> 00:20:40,100 frustrated with him. Frustrated enough, that after 313 00:20:40,100 --> 00:20:43,200 some time passes and they plan a second missionary journey. 314 00:20:44,500 --> 00:20:47,400 Barnabas suggest John Mark again, and Paul says no way. 315 00:20:48,500 --> 00:20:53,600 Absolutely not. And they go out and they go at 316 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:57,700 it and they go at it to the point where Barnabas and Paul 317 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:01,500 split and to missionary teams are created. 318 00:21:01,500 --> 00:21:04,900 Yes, by God's grace but that came with great pain. 319 00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:08,500 I'm sure. But what's so amazing is when 320 00:21:08,500 --> 00:21:11,100 you think about John Marks relationship with Paul? 321 00:21:11,100 --> 00:21:14,300 Again you many of you know this many years passed by and Paul's 322 00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:17,800 final letter, he bids his spiritual son, Timothy to come 323 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:21,100 to his side before he dies, make haste, but he doesn't just say 324 00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:22,800 may case. He says, make sure you bring 325 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:30,100 with you mark. Because he is very useful to me 326 00:21:30,700 --> 00:21:36,300 in the ministry. I can't help but imagine or 327 00:21:36,300 --> 00:21:42,200 wonder at least how is it that from acts 15 to 2nd Timothy? 328 00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:47,300 Paul went from not even wanting John Mark to be his assistant to 329 00:21:47,300 --> 00:21:50,200 wanting into his system at his, his Deathbed. 330 00:21:51,900 --> 00:21:54,500 Having a fulfill some kind of ministry that he has in mind 331 00:21:54,500 --> 00:21:55,900 before. He knows that he is going to 332 00:21:55,900 --> 00:21:59,600 enter into Glory what happened? Because many years have passed 333 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:03,200 by between those times. And the only logical conclusion 334 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:06,800 with understanding how Paul functions is that Mark, Clearly 335 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:10,800 matured over time. That he developed character 336 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,600 courage. He got some guts in them again. 337 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:19,300 Enough to prove the Paul. You're the real deal enough to 338 00:22:19,300 --> 00:22:21,400 prove to Paul. I want you to work with me 339 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:26,400 again. But here's a thought to 340 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:29,800 consider. Could it be that the Catalyst? 341 00:22:29,900 --> 00:22:31,900 Could it be that the very thing that sparked the development of 342 00:22:31,908 --> 00:22:35,500 this young man's faith and his concrete Devotion to the 343 00:22:35,508 --> 00:22:41,900 ministry, was in connection to Some were willing to invest in 344 00:22:41,900 --> 00:22:46,200 him. And disciple him even after his 345 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:51,800 disappointing, desertion. Because you know as I know that 346 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:54,900 much of that credit goes to a man like Barnabas who fought for 347 00:22:54,900 --> 00:22:57,600 John Mark, who is willing to give him a second chance was 348 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:01,200 even willing to split from Paul so that he can have John Mark 349 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,500 get another shot at serving the lord. 350 00:23:04,700 --> 00:23:07,500 And yes, there is no question that much of that Grace and much 351 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:11,000 of that patients came from his cousin Barnabas. 352 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:13,700 But I also believe that there was somebody else who played a 353 00:23:13,708 --> 00:23:19,500 vital role in John Marks life. Maybe it's someone that you and 354 00:23:19,500 --> 00:23:23,200 I never thought would actually play a role in John Marks life 355 00:23:23,500 --> 00:23:28,700 but there is two little words in a certain letter that show us 356 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:33,700 the great possibility of a great man who helped somebody who 357 00:23:33,700 --> 00:23:37,000 failed God at one point. Would you like to know who it 358 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:43,300 is? First Peter chapter 5. and verse 359 00:23:43,300 --> 00:23:47,300 13 at the end of the letter, notice what Peter says, as he 360 00:23:47,300 --> 00:23:55,700 concludes his thoughts, She who is at Babylon. 361 00:23:56,800 --> 00:24:01,400 Who is likewise, chosen sends you, greetings, and so does Mark 362 00:24:02,300 --> 00:24:07,900 my son? So does Mark my son? 363 00:24:07,900 --> 00:24:11,600 Not his physical Sun, obviously his child in the faith and some 364 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,100 would even say that. Peter very likely was the very 365 00:24:15,100 --> 00:24:20,500 instrument that led John Mark to Christ with the gospel to begin 366 00:24:20,500 --> 00:24:22,300 with that. We do not know for sure. 367 00:24:22,300 --> 00:24:26,200 But one thing for certain is this, that these to spend much 368 00:24:26,200 --> 00:24:31,300 time together Peter's not being loose with his words here, when 369 00:24:31,300 --> 00:24:33,300 you. And I understand the dynamic 370 00:24:33,300 --> 00:24:37,300 between Timothy and Paul, Paul often referred to him as my son, 371 00:24:37,300 --> 00:24:41,100 my son, meaning what there's relationship there, there's 372 00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:43,400 investment that does discipleship there. 373 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,300 You're my spiritual son, I'm concerned about your 374 00:24:46,300 --> 00:24:48,400 development, I'm your spiritual father. 375 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:51,500 You come to me for Aid, and Grace, and help and instruction. 376 00:24:52,700 --> 00:24:55,100 I mean, think about it. There must have been some 377 00:24:55,100 --> 00:25:00,500 connection people met, including Peter in Mary's home, John Marks 378 00:25:00,500 --> 00:25:03,600 home. So it makes me think that Peter 379 00:25:03,600 --> 00:25:08,900 spent a lot of time in that living room Conversing with John 380 00:25:08,900 --> 00:25:11,000 Mark, John Mark sitting at his feet, hearing the different 381 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:13,900 stories of the Miracles that conversions here in the 382 00:25:13,900 --> 00:25:17,200 different teachings of an eyewitness account of Jesus life 383 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:20,400 and Ministry. What's also amazing here is that 384 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:22,700 even when he writes this in First Peter 5, you get the 385 00:25:22,700 --> 00:25:25,300 impression that even Mark is with him physically. 386 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:28,700 I'm sending not just my greetings, but Mark, Mark is 387 00:25:28,700 --> 00:25:31,100 greeting you as well. My son mark. 388 00:25:33,700 --> 00:25:35,700 The relationship that these two shared. 389 00:25:36,900 --> 00:25:41,000 Has introduced the notion early on in church history that Mark 390 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:44,700 received his source of all that he is written in the gospel of 391 00:25:44,700 --> 00:25:47,500 Mark through the eyewitness account of Peter himself. 392 00:25:49,500 --> 00:25:52,600 That he would sit with this man of God and Peter would explain 393 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:54,800 or he would travel with him when he would go and preach in 394 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,700 different places and he would hear over and over again Peters 395 00:25:57,700 --> 00:25:59,900 angle on the story of Jesus Christ. 396 00:26:00,700 --> 00:26:05,800 And he took notes, and he took notes, and he took notes, and 397 00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:09,500 could it be that with Barnabas has encouragement? 398 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:15,900 And could it be that with that was also the investment of his 399 00:26:15,900 --> 00:26:19,000 spiritual Father? Peter, who taught him, who 400 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:22,300 challenged him, who corrected him even after he deserted the 401 00:26:22,300 --> 00:26:27,700 work of Jesus Christ? Very, very, very likely and I 402 00:26:27,700 --> 00:26:31,800 can't help believe that. If that is the case, Computer 403 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:35,500 had no problem doing so because he himself knew what it was like 404 00:26:35,500 --> 00:26:42,900 to receive a second chance. He knew what it was like to 405 00:26:42,900 --> 00:26:46,800 Desert the cause of Christ. I took it further, he denied the 406 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:49,800 man. He denied his God. 407 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:55,000 And whatever sourness Peter felt from that shame. 408 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:58,800 At the same time, he was overwhelmed by The Compassion of 409 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:02,000 the resurrected Lord, who opened his arms and said, let me 410 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:06,600 restore you Peter I want to use you again. 411 00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:12,900 I want to use you again. And here's the news of John, 412 00:27:12,900 --> 00:27:18,200 Mark. He left Paul and Barnabas he 413 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:20,400 created frustration. Look at the ripple effect of 414 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:25,300 that of that choice. And who is ready to embrace him? 415 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:32,300 Peter. Peter in fact, there is a detail 416 00:27:32,300 --> 00:27:36,300 in the gospel of Mark, when it comes to the account of Jesus, 417 00:27:36,300 --> 00:27:39,000 resurrection, that is not found in Matthew that is not found in 418 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:41,700 Luke. And when you see it, perhaps 419 00:27:41,700 --> 00:27:43,200 your heart will soar a little bit. 420 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:46,000 And perhaps the case that Peter was, in fact, the source of 421 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,400 Mark's account is very, very true. 422 00:27:49,300 --> 00:27:52,200 It's in the last chapter of Mark and 16:7. 423 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:12,800 Look how Mark depicts a detail. Let's begin in verse 5. 424 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,600 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right 425 00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:20,700 side, dressed in a white robe and they were alarmed and he 426 00:28:20,700 --> 00:28:24,700 said to them do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who 427 00:28:24,700 --> 00:28:27,600 was crucified, he has risen, he is not here. 428 00:28:28,100 --> 00:28:31,500 See the place where they laid him but go tell his disciples 429 00:28:31,500 --> 00:28:38,200 and who and Peter. Tell his disciples and Peter 430 00:28:38,700 --> 00:28:40,700 that he is going before you to Galilee there. 431 00:28:40,700 --> 00:28:42,700 You will see him just as he told you. 432 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:45,000 What's the detail? Was it detailed? 433 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:46,900 I'm that Matthew doesn't include that. 434 00:28:46,900 --> 00:28:54,300 Luke doesn't include end Peter. The angel instructs them. 435 00:28:54,500 --> 00:28:57,400 When you go back to the disciples, go back and inform 436 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:00,300 them that I want a personal meeting with them, but he could 437 00:29:00,300 --> 00:29:03,800 have just said go and get the disciples and tell them. 438 00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:09,400 But he doesn't. Because this messenger received 439 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:13,400 specific orders from Christ and what Christ wanted to make sure 440 00:29:13,500 --> 00:29:18,100 that when these came back to the disciples that Peter would be 441 00:29:18,100 --> 00:29:23,400 specifically called out. Make sure that Peter hears his 442 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:30,900 name, why is that? Because if I was Peter And I was 443 00:29:30,900 --> 00:29:33,800 told the Lord wants to meet with the disciples. 444 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,400 I don't feel like a disciple after I denied him. 445 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:41,100 I'm not worthy to be known as a disciple. 446 00:29:41,100 --> 00:29:44,200 I'm not in that category. I'm not in that group and the 447 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:48,000 Lord knows Peter's heart. He knows what's in his mind, he 448 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:50,600 knows that doubts, he knows the shame and the regret. 449 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:53,200 And so he makes sure that the message is loud and clear. 450 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:57,400 Call out Peter, he needs to be there. 451 00:29:58,900 --> 00:30:01,500 Because I want to see him. I want to meet him and I want to 452 00:30:01,500 --> 00:30:05,500 restore him. Make sure, Peter hears his name 453 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:08,200 and can you imagine Peter explaining that to mark? 454 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:14,600 It clearly made an impression on him because when he tells of it, 455 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:18,600 he he remembers that name, his name being called. 456 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:24,700 And here is a man who needs a second chance. 457 00:30:26,900 --> 00:30:30,300 And we must meditate on this further, listen, very closely 458 00:30:30,900 --> 00:30:37,200 this might set some of you free. What kind of Christians tend to 459 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:42,100 give others another chance? What are the ones who are much 460 00:30:42,100 --> 00:30:45,200 more willing to do? So, I'll tell you who those who 461 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:47,800 have, truly tasted the healing forgiveness, and compassion of 462 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:54,000 the Lord. That's who If you ever feel like 463 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:57,000 you cannot, let go of your anger and bitterness towards someone 464 00:30:57,000 --> 00:30:59,000 who has disappointed you agreeably hurts. 465 00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:03,400 You even your ministry? I can I can give you something 466 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:05,500 according to the word of God based on this truth that can 467 00:31:05,500 --> 00:31:08,700 help you let go of that grip or at least loosen it a little bit. 468 00:31:09,900 --> 00:31:12,500 Have you ever in those times when you're rehearsing, what 469 00:31:12,500 --> 00:31:15,300 they said, I can't believe it what they did. 470 00:31:15,300 --> 00:31:18,200 How did they after all, I've given them and all the Opera in 471 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:22,100 the midst of all of that, all those crashing thoughts, take 472 00:31:22,100 --> 00:31:24,500 the time to think about all the chances that the Lord has given 473 00:31:24,500 --> 00:31:28,200 you. Really, unless you're perfect, I 474 00:31:28,208 --> 00:31:34,900 would love to meet you. I'll be standing there. all the 475 00:31:34,900 --> 00:31:37,100 times, the Lord has still used the all the times of the Lord is 476 00:31:37,100 --> 00:31:39,800 still blessed you all the times, when where your thoughts have 477 00:31:39,800 --> 00:31:45,400 wandered and the inconsistency of your own efforts And you've 478 00:31:45,700 --> 00:31:49,000 evangelizing, you post and you preach and look at your life and 479 00:31:49,000 --> 00:31:50,800 private yet. God has it's tricking you down? 480 00:31:53,100 --> 00:31:54,700 I've said it before, I'll say it again. 481 00:31:55,800 --> 00:31:58,700 We are so willing to eat up all the mercy that God wants to give 482 00:31:58,700 --> 00:32:01,000 us and we don't want to give a sip of it to anybody else. 483 00:32:02,900 --> 00:32:06,600 Think about, I assure you, if you truly meditate, if you have 484 00:32:06,600 --> 00:32:08,900 a personal relationship with the Lord and you know what, it's 485 00:32:08,900 --> 00:32:11,000 like to come broken before me and you know what, it's like to 486 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:13,300 grieve him. Even even the moment you've said 487 00:32:13,300 --> 00:32:15,300 something or done something that you shouldn't have done and you 488 00:32:15,300 --> 00:32:18,700 feel that piercing conviction and you come to the Lord can 489 00:32:18,900 --> 00:32:22,500 gather all of that up and bring it before the offense of another 490 00:32:22,500 --> 00:32:26,700 and say. How can I not when he is done? 491 00:32:26,700 --> 00:32:34,800 So, Peter strong, Peter, Peter, confident, Peter, I won't deny 492 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:37,200 you. They can all deny you. 493 00:32:37,300 --> 00:32:40,800 I ain't denying you Lord. I'll be killed with you. 494 00:32:42,600 --> 00:32:49,100 That same overconfident proud. Self-righteous, Peter was broken 495 00:32:49,300 --> 00:32:53,500 by his own failure. But he was also restored by The 496 00:32:53,500 --> 00:32:58,200 Compassion of Jesus Christ. And so when he saw When he saw 497 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:01,100 John Mark come through those doors with with low, shoulders, 498 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:06,400 and embarrassment. Peter didn't go up and said, 499 00:33:07,300 --> 00:33:09,700 yeah, I know, I didn't do it though. 500 00:33:10,900 --> 00:33:13,800 Shame on you, you denied the work of Christ. 501 00:33:15,300 --> 00:33:17,200 You just like the others in the garden who walked away. 502 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:19,900 I stood right there, nothing of the sort. 503 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:26,500 It's okay, John Mark. It's okay. 504 00:33:26,500 --> 00:33:30,600 God is merciful, he's patient. You know, he called out my name 505 00:33:30,600 --> 00:33:35,500 after he rose from the grave. He restored me personally. 506 00:33:39,900 --> 00:33:43,300 It's amazing to know how meditating our own failures can 507 00:33:43,300 --> 00:33:45,600 make us much more forgiving toward others. 508 00:33:48,100 --> 00:33:50,300 I know a lot of counseling says, don't think about your past 509 00:33:50,300 --> 00:33:51,300 failures? Don't think about how you 510 00:33:51,300 --> 00:33:53,500 disappoint. No, I actually do it sometimes. 511 00:33:54,500 --> 00:33:57,200 Don't do it to crush you but do it to encourage you. 512 00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:00,400 To be as merciful as he has been to you. 513 00:34:01,800 --> 00:34:04,200 Meditate on your own failures, especially in light of you, 514 00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:06,100 being challenged of how to forgive somebody else. 515 00:34:06,100 --> 00:34:08,900 And you'll realize you'll realize something about the 516 00:34:08,900 --> 00:34:13,500 grace of God. That is undeserved And Peter 517 00:34:13,500 --> 00:34:17,500 knew how to patiently work with Mark as one who deserted Christ. 518 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:23,600 One point in his own life. The fragments of marks life. 519 00:34:23,600 --> 00:34:28,699 If they teach us anything, let him teach us to reject the 520 00:34:28,699 --> 00:34:33,600 cynical attitude that we might have towards other believers. 521 00:34:33,900 --> 00:34:39,199 That says, he, or she can never change. 522 00:34:42,199 --> 00:34:45,199 That's not love, love believes all things. 523 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:48,800 Love believes all things. Hopes for all things. 524 00:34:50,199 --> 00:34:52,800 And we thank God don't we week after week day after day hour by 525 00:34:52,800 --> 00:34:55,100 hour, that God doesn't think that way about us. 526 00:34:58,100 --> 00:35:03,500 That's what we learn about Mark. But what does God want us to 527 00:35:03,500 --> 00:35:05,800 learn in choosing Mark? Well if you and I have been 528 00:35:05,800 --> 00:35:09,400 stunned by the grace shown through Barnabas and Peter and 529 00:35:09,400 --> 00:35:13,200 be prepared to be amazed further and that's what we discover in 530 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:15,600 what God wants us to learn in choosing Mark. 531 00:35:15,600 --> 00:35:17,900 I mean the man was an apostle like Paul. 532 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:20,800 He wasn't an order. Like a Paulo's. 533 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:25,200 He wasn't a revivalist. Like Philip, he was a helper, he 534 00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:27,900 carried luggage for the preachers. 535 00:35:29,400 --> 00:35:33,200 He fetched lunch when they were preparing or praying or 536 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:37,400 preaching that was John Mark, that's the ministry that we are 537 00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:41,700 given concerning him, and the thought is even more profound 538 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:45,200 when you think about not just got choosing such such an 539 00:35:45,207 --> 00:35:48,700 unlikely candidate to be an author in the scriptures, but 540 00:35:48,700 --> 00:35:52,100 think about the theme at least one of the main themes in this 541 00:35:52,100 --> 00:35:56,600 book in Mark's gospel. And it is this The depiction of 542 00:35:56,600 --> 00:36:01,800 the perfect faithful suffering. Servant of Jesus Christ. 543 00:36:02,400 --> 00:36:06,300 The Holy Spirit used Mark to paint the picture of fulfilled 544 00:36:06,300 --> 00:36:11,000 prophecy from Isaiah. That Jesus Christ is the servant 545 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:17,200 Messiah of Jehovah. And that is why in Mark you see 546 00:36:17,200 --> 00:36:19,600 no genealogy given in the beginning of the book. 547 00:36:20,600 --> 00:36:23,300 Because a servant is not worthy of his ancestry line, being 548 00:36:23,300 --> 00:36:26,500 recorded. That is why you don't hear of 549 00:36:26,500 --> 00:36:29,600 those who come from a far land to bring gifts to this child 550 00:36:29,600 --> 00:36:33,500 because a servant is not worthy or deserving of such honor. 551 00:36:34,600 --> 00:36:37,300 That is why there are fewer Parables and teachings in 552 00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:39,200 marking comparison to Matthew and Luke. 553 00:36:40,600 --> 00:36:44,100 Because what Mark is depicting, here is one, who is working 554 00:36:44,100 --> 00:36:49,800 miracles and serving people. Because a true slave works and 555 00:36:49,800 --> 00:36:53,900 performs deeds and there are so many indications that make this 556 00:36:53,900 --> 00:37:00,300 theme so clear. And really vividly illustrates 557 00:37:00,300 --> 00:37:03,400 the one who humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point 558 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:07,900 of death, even death on a cross. What's fascinating, though? 559 00:37:07,900 --> 00:37:11,000 Is how a book like Mark, gloriously portrays. 560 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:15,500 The diligence, the humility, the suffering of Jesus Christ as a 561 00:37:15,500 --> 00:37:21,500 servant was written by someone who was Not steadfast. 562 00:37:24,400 --> 00:37:27,000 And not exemplary at one point in his service, to God. 563 00:37:28,600 --> 00:37:30,400 Why? Why is that true? 564 00:37:30,500 --> 00:37:33,800 Because the perfect minister of God, in the person of Jesus 565 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:37,000 Christ is also perfectly merciful. 566 00:37:39,100 --> 00:37:41,500 You feel unqualified, good. That's the only people that 567 00:37:41,500 --> 00:37:46,900 Jesus really uses. He Delights in choosing the most 568 00:37:46,900 --> 00:37:49,800 unlikely and undeserving to his service. 569 00:37:51,500 --> 00:37:54,500 And the one that he selected that would write about the 570 00:37:54,500 --> 00:37:59,600 perfect service in the person of Jesus Christ was imperfect in 571 00:37:59,600 --> 00:38:03,800 his service to Jesus Christ. That's the grace of God. 572 00:38:04,500 --> 00:38:11,500 That's his love. He invites failures to come in 573 00:38:11,700 --> 00:38:14,800 and be a part of the drama of the advancement of God's kingdom 574 00:38:14,800 --> 00:38:20,100 in the world. Imagine that the honor of being 575 00:38:20,100 --> 00:38:22,700 a writer in, God's word was given to a man who could not 576 00:38:22,700 --> 00:38:25,200 endure the first few steps of ministry. 577 00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:30,300 When an encouragement to those who feel often that they are 578 00:38:30,300 --> 00:38:32,600 unqualified, welcome to the club. 579 00:38:34,900 --> 00:38:37,400 Now, there's much more to say about Mark, being chosen by God, 580 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:41,000 but that has come to the thought about what we learn about God 581 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:45,900 through mark. So far, we discuss what we learn 582 00:38:45,900 --> 00:38:48,900 about Mark and what we can learn about God choosing Mark, but we 583 00:38:48,900 --> 00:38:51,800 briefly come to the conclusion of what God wants us to learn 584 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:57,200 about himself through this man. And besides the message behind 585 00:38:57,200 --> 00:38:59,100 many of the Miracles that we will learn in the next few 586 00:38:59,100 --> 00:39:02,000 weeks. Besides the, the clear Authority 587 00:39:02,000 --> 00:39:04,800 that Mark wants to depict about the person of Jesus Christ, 588 00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:08,300 despite the teachings, despite some of the things that he has 589 00:39:08,300 --> 00:39:10,700 to say, despite the trueness of his deity, and about his 590 00:39:10,700 --> 00:39:14,300 Humanity, despite the perspective on his son, Brings 591 00:39:14,300 --> 00:39:17,700 in his final days on Earth you and I will also learn something 592 00:39:17,800 --> 00:39:22,300 about the wonderful pattern for practical Christian service. 593 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:25,600 Oh yeah, we're going to hear, we're going to we're going to 594 00:39:25,600 --> 00:39:28,000 hear things about the deity of Christ and we're going to see 595 00:39:28,300 --> 00:39:31,600 the depth of his knowledge and the glories of his authority. 596 00:39:32,400 --> 00:39:36,200 But you and I are also going to see, not just Jesus Christ, the 597 00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:40,700 son of the Living, God serving with such Grace and humility and 598 00:39:40,700 --> 00:39:44,300 patience you, and I are also going to understand the quality 599 00:39:44,300 --> 00:39:49,100 of his service. The quality of his Service as he 600 00:39:49,100 --> 00:39:51,800 came to serve the father and do all that he was told to do. 601 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:56,700 And this book will be very helpful for those who have a 602 00:39:56,700 --> 00:40:00,500 desire to serve God. If not, it will be very, very 603 00:40:00,500 --> 00:40:04,300 frustrating to you. But for those who have a heart 604 00:40:04,300 --> 00:40:07,900 too, I want to serve him. Well, Mark, gives us the perfect 605 00:40:07,900 --> 00:40:11,400 servant. I want to please him Mark. 606 00:40:11,400 --> 00:40:13,300 Gives you the one who perfectly please them. 607 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:19,700 There are so many elements that are before us as a model for 608 00:40:19,700 --> 00:40:21,900 Ministry. I mean, some, some of you notice 609 00:40:21,900 --> 00:40:26,200 just by first glance at Mark, that we are even told by the, 610 00:40:26,400 --> 00:40:29,100 the word immediately in that book about the promptness of 611 00:40:29,100 --> 00:40:31,100 Jesus service. The fact that we go from 612 00:40:31,100 --> 00:40:32,900 immediately, it's like you almost trying to catch your 613 00:40:32,900 --> 00:40:35,200 breath immediately. Immediately immediately me 614 00:40:35,207 --> 00:40:37,200 neither so cool. Why? 615 00:40:37,400 --> 00:40:39,900 Because that is by Design even in itself. 616 00:40:39,900 --> 00:40:44,100 We want to see how even in that Jesus. 617 00:40:44,800 --> 00:40:47,000 Is portraying his prominence in serving the father. 618 00:40:47,000 --> 00:40:51,800 No delay. No hesitation Wanting to Longing 619 00:40:51,800 --> 00:40:55,600 To yearning to immediately immediately immediately. 620 00:40:56,800 --> 00:41:01,400 How so uncommon Among Us. We hesitate and we delay and we 621 00:41:01,408 --> 00:41:04,200 have all these excuses and one week we're really into it the 622 00:41:04,200 --> 00:41:06,700 next week, we're not one week were so encouraged. 623 00:41:06,700 --> 00:41:09,200 And next week, I don't know if I'm into this anymore, not 624 00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:13,200 Jesus. Not the perfect servant. 625 00:41:15,100 --> 00:41:18,100 And there's so many gems and Mark, where you see the 626 00:41:18,100 --> 00:41:20,900 qualities of his service that encourages a oh, I want to be 627 00:41:20,900 --> 00:41:24,400 like you Lord, in my brief life. I want to serve, like you Lord. 628 00:41:24,400 --> 00:41:26,700 Look what you did here, may, I show you want to whet your 629 00:41:26,700 --> 00:41:30,800 appetite a little bit. Let's go to Mark, chapter 10. 630 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:46,900 In verse 20. What's happening here while 631 00:41:46,900 --> 00:41:51,200 there's a rich young man? Who runs up to him and kneels 632 00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:53,400 before him and asked him, good teacher, what must I do to 633 00:41:53,400 --> 00:41:58,300 inherit eternal life? And Matthew writes about it. 634 00:41:58,300 --> 00:42:00,900 Luke writes about it. Mark writes about it. 635 00:42:02,400 --> 00:42:07,400 And then in verse 20, after Jesus gives them a challenge 636 00:42:08,000 --> 00:42:13,500 about how he was really doing with the law of God, verse 20, 637 00:42:13,500 --> 00:42:16,000 we read and he said, to him, teacher all these things I've 638 00:42:16,000 --> 00:42:20,400 kept from my youth. And Jesus looking at him, loved 639 00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:23,300 him and said to him, you lack. One thing, go sell all that you 640 00:42:23,300 --> 00:42:25,900 have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in 641 00:42:25,900 --> 00:42:31,400 heaven, and come follow me. Compare it to Matthew. 642 00:42:33,400 --> 00:42:38,700 Compare it to Luke many similarities, Mark includes a 643 00:42:38,707 --> 00:42:42,000 detail that Matthew and Luke do not have. 644 00:42:43,300 --> 00:42:49,200 And it is this verse 21 and Jesus looking at him, loved him. 645 00:42:52,200 --> 00:42:55,700 Loved him. Matthew doesn't say that Luke 646 00:42:55,700 --> 00:42:58,000 doesn't say that. Mark says that, you know why 647 00:42:58,000 --> 00:43:00,800 Mark says that I'll tell you why I believe he says it because 648 00:43:00,800 --> 00:43:04,600 Jesus, as the perfect servant truly love those that He 649 00:43:04,600 --> 00:43:09,500 ministered to He had real compassion. 650 00:43:12,100 --> 00:43:16,200 This wasn't him saying okay father I love you deal with a 651 00:43:16,207 --> 00:43:19,000 bunch of these humans. Now these despicable Sons and 652 00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:20,600 Daughters of Adam. Okay, what do you want? 653 00:43:20,600 --> 00:43:21,700 Do you want to know how to get to heaven? 654 00:43:21,700 --> 00:43:26,900 Well, here we go. Jesus looking at him. 655 00:43:26,900 --> 00:43:29,100 You know what that tells me when he looked at him there was love 656 00:43:29,100 --> 00:43:34,200 in his eyes. Looking at him, loved him. 657 00:43:34,200 --> 00:43:35,900 Can I ask you something? Do you love the people? 658 00:43:35,900 --> 00:43:39,300 You serve. Or do you love the work? 659 00:43:41,100 --> 00:43:45,000 Big difference. Does the preacher love the 660 00:43:45,000 --> 00:43:46,000 people? He's preaching to it does he 661 00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:48,300 love the sound of his own voice? Does he love the tops on the 662 00:43:48,300 --> 00:43:49,700 back? You're so insightful preacher. 663 00:43:49,800 --> 00:43:55,700 Well, I never saw that in mark. Jesus looking at him. 664 00:43:56,800 --> 00:44:00,200 Loved him. And you see the compassion of 665 00:44:00,200 --> 00:44:01,200 the Lord. Yes. 666 00:44:01,200 --> 00:44:04,700 And all the gospels but even in mark because Mark has another 667 00:44:04,700 --> 00:44:06,800 detail about Jesus service. You know what it is? 668 00:44:07,000 --> 00:44:09,300 His hands, you'll see it in Mark. 669 00:44:09,500 --> 00:44:13,400 How often he touches? How often he lifts? 670 00:44:14,000 --> 00:44:18,500 How often he the hand is, brought up, he's intimate, he's 671 00:44:18,500 --> 00:44:24,300 warm, he's in there, he's giving of himself when he serves and 672 00:44:24,300 --> 00:44:26,700 he's not just compassion to those who were crippled with 673 00:44:26,700 --> 00:44:29,700 disease or filled with demons. That wasn't the only suffering 674 00:44:29,700 --> 00:44:32,900 that moved him, sympathy know Jesus was even move with those 675 00:44:32,900 --> 00:44:36,900 who are suffering in their soul. He looked at this man who was 676 00:44:36,900 --> 00:44:40,600 clearly struggling because there's an earnestness in him. 677 00:44:40,700 --> 00:44:43,500 I want to know the truth. I want to know how I can inherit 678 00:44:43,500 --> 00:44:47,100 eternal life, but there is this tug because he was wealthy. 679 00:44:48,300 --> 00:44:52,400 And right before Jesus, he sees this tension, and Jesus looks at 680 00:44:52,400 --> 00:44:56,300 him because there is a sincerity about him and he loved him as he 681 00:44:56,300 --> 00:45:00,900 taught him. I want to be like Jesus. 682 00:45:02,900 --> 00:45:10,100 I want to love those, I serve I want to look at them and I want 683 00:45:10,100 --> 00:45:13,800 them to be able to see Christ in my eyes, there's nothing worse 684 00:45:13,800 --> 00:45:18,300 than a minister when you really want to hold myself back here 685 00:45:18,900 --> 00:45:23,300 who takes this as a job. Go be a businessman. 686 00:45:27,300 --> 00:45:32,800 Loved him and said to him you like one thing even in his most 687 00:45:32,800 --> 00:45:36,200 challenging words it was laced with love. 688 00:45:37,700 --> 00:45:41,700 Even in his uncompromising message it was filled. 689 00:45:41,700 --> 00:45:45,300 It was gushing with genuine compassion. 690 00:45:47,300 --> 00:45:49,800 And these are just some of the things that you will see here. 691 00:45:49,900 --> 00:45:54,000 His heart was moved. And he loved this man who was 692 00:45:54,000 --> 00:45:59,100 wrestling with his soul. I'm excited to go through. 693 00:45:59,100 --> 00:46:04,800 Mark, I hope you are. Because if we are faithful and 694 00:46:04,800 --> 00:46:07,700 dissecting this word not just for insights, but for our own 695 00:46:07,700 --> 00:46:10,700 sanctification, that one thing will be true of you. 696 00:46:10,700 --> 00:46:13,900 And I coming out of this series, we will become better Servants 697 00:46:13,900 --> 00:46:17,500 of the Lord Yeah, yes. We're going to we're going to 698 00:46:17,500 --> 00:46:19,400 unpack. How Parables work and compare 699 00:46:19,400 --> 00:46:23,600 them and be taught things. But again, let's start off, 700 00:46:23,600 --> 00:46:26,500 right? Let's start off, right, say O 701 00:46:26,500 --> 00:46:30,300 Lord, as we come to the Fulfillment of the prophecy of 702 00:46:30,300 --> 00:46:33,300 the suffering, servant, I'm not in this for knowledge, the 703 00:46:33,300 --> 00:46:36,000 knowledge is important, but Lord, I need you to do something 704 00:46:36,000 --> 00:46:38,700 in my heart. So that as I seek to serve you 705 00:46:38,700 --> 00:46:42,900 as a blood by child of God, people will see Christ in me. 706 00:46:43,900 --> 00:47:07,000 Let's pray. Yes, Lord. 707 00:47:07,000 --> 00:47:12,100 We come before you today. Thanking you for how rich your 708 00:47:12,100 --> 00:47:16,300 word really is. And Lord, we just ask that in 709 00:47:16,300 --> 00:47:20,500 this moment, you would give us the right heart as we approach 710 00:47:20,500 --> 00:47:23,100 the word. Protect us from being like the 711 00:47:23,100 --> 00:47:27,400 Pharisees who had so much knowledge but missed Christ. 712 00:47:28,500 --> 00:47:32,400 Lord help us Behold Him in the next few weeks and months to 713 00:47:32,400 --> 00:47:36,700 cherish him to understand him so that we would love him and 714 00:47:36,700 --> 00:47:40,900 imitate him by your power by your grace. 715 00:47:43,400 --> 00:47:48,000 And Lord, we are just moved already. by how Mark depicts 716 00:47:48,000 --> 00:47:53,200 you, how the Holy Spirit through that man has shown us the great 717 00:47:53,200 --> 00:47:57,100 love in Jesus, And Lord, we want to Worship You. 718 00:47:58,000 --> 00:48:02,700 The King who came to serve to serve us to serve us to the 719 00:48:02,700 --> 00:48:05,000 point of suffering for us. Lord, we are moved. 720 00:48:06,300 --> 00:48:10,400 And we just want to give you praise in Jesus name, amen.