Mark's Purpose; Christ's Product

 Pastor’s Pen,

This Sunday: Mark’s Purpose; Christ’s Product                                                                             Mark 8:27-38

There once lived a young well to do resident of Israel, whose mother, whose name was Mary, owned a large home in Jerusalem. He may have been the “rich young ruler” of Mark 10:17ff who asked Jesus, “Good Master what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

This young man traveled with Paul and Barnabas, but quit during their first missionary journey. Because of his failure to stay the course, Paul became very unhappy with this young man and insisted that he not be a part of the second missionary journey. He traveled with Barnabas, who provided him with encouragement and discipleship, and later spent a significant amount of time with Peter.

If you hadn't already guessed, I'm talking about the author of the book we have been studying, John Mark.  Our question for today, “Why did Mark write this Gospel?”

Throughout Mark's Gospel we find the theme verse amplified:

For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)

 During this portion of Mark we see the focus shifts from Jesus’ service to preparation for His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. During this section He will be preparing His disciples for His coming death, and the task they will be given following His resurrection.

*****

Mother’s Day is next Sunday, and we would love to reconnect with you, your mother, your children and grandchildren, and others in person in our Sunday worship service. 


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. 


When you enter the sanctuary Sunday, after you are given a bulletin, stop by the communion table where the offering plates are located in the rear of the worship center and pick up your disposable communion cup. Been following the service, please dispose of it in the trash can next to the rear communion table.


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)


Mark’s Purpose; Christ’s Product                                                                                                       Mark 8:27-38


  • Statements regarding His Person (27-30)
    • The popular opinions
    • The  position of the disciples


  • Survey of His work (31-33)
    • Explanation of the cross
    • Confrontation regarding the cross
    • Refutation of Peter’s misconception about the cross

The essence of the cross: 

Totally supernatural                                                                                                                                         Humiliatingly painful                                                                                                                                Characteristically temporal


  • Significance to Jesus’ disciples (34-38)
    • Discipleship is an evidence of genuine salvation
    • Discipleship is not instantaneous, it takes time for fruit to develop
    • Jesus identified three steps in discipleship:
      • Deny oneself 
      • Take up one’s cross
      • Continue following Him


                                                                  PRAYER ITEMS

Rev. Harold Hembree in the death of his wife Mary

Rodney Love’s wife Beth— private room, in rehab 

Kim’s son and mother 

Darla Golden-heart issues

RBeda Coffee, recovering from a procedure

Donna Hancock-severe back pain

RADIO THIS WEEKEND: 

India and other parts of Southeast Asia have been devastated by the effects of COVID 19, but organizations such as Empart USA had stepped in to provide loving assistance. Nanci from Empart USA joins host Don Hawkins with word on what's happening and what we can do, 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.


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