You Will Be Surprised By Who Is Welcomed: Women and Children (Mark 5:21-43)
Read Mark 5:21-43
What does it take to become so desperate that you are willing to lose your reputation to find healing?
In this part of Mark’s gospel, he tells two stories of desperate people and how Jesus was able to do the seemingly impossible for them.
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Neil HudsonYou Will Be Surprised By Who Is Welcomed: Demoniacs (Mark 5:1-20)
Read Mark 5:1-20
A strange story about Jesus casting a ‘legion’ of demons in to a herd of pigs, ending with people pleading with Jesus to leave town.
Jesus disrupted the status quo but in doing so, brought freedom and change to someone who had been written off by everyone else.
Does Jesus still do this sort of thing today?
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How The World Changes (Mark 4:21-34)
Read Mark 4:21-34
Jesus was clear how the kingdom would take hold in the world.
It wouldn’t be with a bang that could not be avoided – it would start small, be the work of patient people who don’t give up hope, in places that people would never expect.
It’s still the way that the kingdom takes hold.
The call is to follow the Jesus way – in every part of our world.
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The Condition Of Our Hearts (Mark 4:1-20)
Read Mark 4:1-20
Jesus often spoke to his followers in parables; stories which held a deeper spiritual meaning. It was a way of engaging those who really did want to understand more about God’s kingdom whilst discouraging others who were just trying to trip Jesus up.
The parable of the sower is the first of many in Mark’s gospel account, and there is an obvious application for us today.
Which of the four terrains (hard path, rocky ground, thorny ground, or good soil) best reflects our hearts when it comes to hearing the word of God?
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Arthur WhillansWhy Did Jesus Break The Rules? (Mark 2:18-3:6)
Read Mark 2:18-3:6
Why did Jesus break the rules? Was he trying to be deliberately shocking, or was there something else going on?
By the time of Jesus, some religious leaders were so paranoid about breaking God’s law that they had introduced over 300 additional laws as an extra safeguard, just in case. These extra rules became a burden to ordinary Jews, and the teachers didn’t seem to help lift this burden. In fact, they were making it hard for folk to meet with God.
Jesus came to challenge the religious leaders, and get to the heart of the law that brings freedom for its followers.
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Ian PeacockForgiveness Heals (Mark 2:1-12)
Read Mark 2:1-12
A disrupted gathering, some determined friends, a destroyed roof, a sharp disagreement and a man delivered. Just a regular day when Jesus was around.
But along the way, we hear the echoes of all the things we need, and yet sometimes the things we shy away from. Being offered forgiveness makes us feel vulnerable.
But if we can admit our need, the future changes unrecognisably – for us and those around us.
The past will not define me.
The future will not frighten me.#salford #elim pic.twitter.com/rrVQYdif9H
— Salford Elim Church (@SalfordElim) 12 February 2017
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Brokenness Is Remade (Mark 1:21-39)
Read Mark 1:21-39
So Jesus’ ministry begins.
If we weren’t clear what the kingdom of God might look like, we soon get to see.
There’s a clash in the synagogue – between the teachers of the law and Jesus, and then with an evil spirit.
It’s clear that this is no gentle and meek Jesus – there is a battle at the beginning that will roll on throughout his whole ministry.
What does that mean for today?
Jesus is putting things right in the world, and he's using us to be part of that work. #salford #elim pic.twitter.com/wmubY1w3VW
— Salford Elim Church (@SalfordElim) January 29, 2017
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Joining The New Movement (Mark 1:14-20)
Read Mark 1:14-20
This is how newness begins; not with hopes of nationalism, but news of a whole new kingdom. And Jesus calls us to be embraced by it all.
When he (Jesus) spoke into their context, standing next to him were ordinary folks, the poor and the marginalised and the faithful who, in Jesus’ kingdom vision, were beginning to tap to the beat of an old song that was sounding brand new.
Jesus’ kingdom vision worked on their memory and on their hopes and suddenly they knew where they were and where they were headed. The old story had new life.
– Scot McKnight
Jesus offered an invitation to the disciples, and now he offers it to us. ‘Will you join me in this Kingdom Revolution?’ #salford #elim pic.twitter.com/XDUdxV3umC
— Salford Elim Church (@SalfordElim) 22 January 2017
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Water & Wilderness: Where newness begins (Mark 1:9-13)
Read Mark 1:9-13
This is where newness starts: by a river side in the wilderness.
It starts with Jesus, not with us.
It starts with us watching on, wanting to ask questions, most of which don’t get answered.
It starts with the new King acting in ways that are so different than would be expected.
Jesus stood on the river banks with sinners, waiting to be baptised.
Now he stands with us.#salford #elim pic.twitter.com/KOve18hYBH
— Salford Elim Church (@SalfordElim) January 15, 2017
Here’s the film trailer I shared during this sermon.
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The Beginning Of Newness (Mark 1:1-8)
Read Mark 1:1-8
Mark’s gospel may be the shortest of the four, but its power is not to be underestimated. Its fast-moving story of Jesus allows us to see the range of the influence Jesus has.
But the story begins with an announcement that things are going to change. That all that was hoped for is to be fulfilled. That it won’t always be like it is today.
The scene is set for the King to take his place, and the challenge is set up for those listening: are you ready?
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