Jesus Confronts the Religious Authorities

 Pastor’s Pen…

What does the word confrontation due to you? For some people confrontation is the worst thing they can think of, and they would do anything to avoid it.  Others are delighted to confront, and will sometimes go out of their way to do so.  A third category of people will confront if absolutely necessary, seeing confrontation as like a heavy-duty antibiotic or vaccine.

If we follow the example of Jesus, we would find ourselves in the third category. The only confronted when necessary, but in this portion of the gospel of Mark it was time for Jesus to confront the religious authorities. In this section Mark records for instances of confrontation, and there are lessons we can learn from these.

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We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) on Sunday afternoons. 


If you haven't come out to worship with us recently, we sure love to have you! We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks, social distancing, no physical contact. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.


If you still feel uncomfortable attending, feel free to join our live stream on Facebook, at 10:45 AM, which includes communion and the worship hymns. Or the message is available each Sunday afternoon on our website. (www.fccwylie.org)




Jesus Confronts the Religious Authorities                                                          Mark 2:1-3:6

  • Over the healing and forgiveness of a paralyzed man (2:1-12)
    • The faith of the five 
      • They dared to do the difficult
      • They dared to do the different
      • They dared to do the costly
    • The forgiveness of the healed man
      • The reaction of the Pharisees
      • The response of the Master 
      • The result
  • Concerning the calling of a tax collector (2:13-17)
    • The character and call of Matthew 
    • The celebration that followed his response to Jesus’ call
    • The reaction of the Pharisees and scribes
    • The response of the Master 
  • Concerning fasting (2:18-22)
    • The issue regarding fasting 
    • The explanation provided by Jesus 
    • The implication for then--and today
  • Concerning Jesus’ authority and the Sabbath (2:23-3:5)
    • The Sabbath and works of necessity 
    • The Sabbath and acts of mercy 


Applications: 

…Never give up

…Be willing to confront when appropriate 

…Be willing to reach out to, and associate with, sinners

…People must become aware that they are lost before they can be saved


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Prayer items: 


Prayers for Shirley and all Robbie’s family, especially Shirley’s brother 


Prayers for Dennis and Kim and their family in the passing of Dennis’ mother, Kim’s health


Our country


John Royal, Meniere’s disease, with vertigo, nausea, tinnitus


Kay Holley- continued recovery following knee replacement surgery


Donna Hancock, recovering from spinal surgery 

John Hawkins, Suzi Hawkins and Rebecca Usher, all recovering from COVID 

Feel free to contact me with urgent prayer requests, and I will include them in my weekly ‘Pastor’s Pen’ texts

                                                             *******

RADIO THIS WEEKEND: RADIO THIS WEEKEND: During the fall, the airwaves were saturated with advertising about Medicare, and what you don’t know about Medicare can hurt you!  Many people, especially those turning 65, have questions. Medicare authority Toni King of tonisays.com joins host Don Hawkins with practical answers to Medicare questions, this weekend on Encouragement Live.

Encouragement Live can be heard Saturday at 7:05 PM central time on American Family Radio (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org.  Re-broadcast Sunday 9 pm on The Worship Channel.

May our Savior’s grace and peace continue to encourage you as you trust in Him during these challenging times.

Don Hawkins, D. Min.                                                                                                                          Interim Pastor

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