Mark

A man who proved unreliable at first

• His name was John – surnamed Mark – son of Mary (Acts 12:12)
• He joined Paul and Barnabas on their return to Antioch (Acts 12:25)
• He started with Paul and Barnabas on their first journey (Acts 13:5)
• He left them prematurely and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13)
• His departure later caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41)

He later proved useful to Paul for ministry – (2 Timothy 4:11) (Colossians 4:9-10)

• He was also dear to Peter – (1 Peter 5:13)

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As we continue this week in looking at Demas, Luke, Mark, and Tychicus we come to Luke in (2 Timothy 4:11) where I’m asking who you would follow as a believer in Jesus Christ.

Luke

He too was a fellow laborer with Paul, a Gentile – a medical doctor and the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14). He proved to be a steadfast companion and faithful Christian, recording and writing the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

Will we follow in the steps of Luke? Living a life of faith characterized …

Read: (106:6-43)

The Psalmist considers his own generation together with the fathers of old and regards their sin done as being just like their fathers sin (Ezra 9:6-15) (Daniel 9:4-19). This Psalm references 8 distinguishable sins by the people of Israel 

1. Rebellion – (106:6-12) – in Egypt – (Exodus 14:10-14; 15-17) – Lie: God can’t save us from our current situation 
2. Discontent – (106:13-15) – in the desert – (Exodus 16) (Numbers 11) – Lie: God will not provide what we need – what God has provided is not enough

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As Paul nears the end of his second epistle to Timothy he mentions several people who had served with him in ministry at one time or another. Some proved faithful and some did not in the years that Paul traveled on his missionary journeys. I plan on looking at these four men in the next four days of devotions so that we can determine the qualities of a good, faithful servant, and the one who is not.

• Demas – who had forsaken

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Well, it is the day after our celebration of our Lord’s resurrection and I just want to write down a few reminders for you, especially if you did not hear the truth preached at your home church. I say that realizing that for many churches, the programs on resurrection day are more to do with chocalate bunnies and egg hunts.

How important is Jesus’ resurrection from the grave? If Jesus had not been raised from the dead our – gospel preaching, and our faith is all vain, and we are still …

His conception was special! Jesus Christ was not conceived by a human father, He was born to a virgin, found with child of the Holy Spirit. This is an essential doctrine in Scripture because without a virgin birth we do not have a sinless Savior, and we have no hope of salvation. It is impossible to be saved and deny the truth of the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is in His name (Matthew 1:21-23)? Jesus means “God is Savior.” Immanuel means “God is with us.” Jesus …

Every step Jesus took in His earthly life was leading Him to the place the Greeks called “Topos Kranion” -the Hebrews called “Golgotha” – and the Romans called “Calvary.” It was known to all as “The Place of the Skull” (John 19:17) (Luke 23:33). All through the Gospels Jesus had said this was His destiny (Matthew 16:21) (Matthew 17:22-23) (Matthew 20:28) (Matthew 26:2). He had been arrested, tried and convicted in a mock trial. False witnesses had been called against Him and He had been abused by the guards. …

The crucifixion of our Lord took place at a location known as “The Place of the Skull” (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin). Crucifixion was probably the most horrible form of capital punishment ever devised by man. It appears to have originated with the Persians (c. 522 B.C.). Later, it was employed by the Greeks. Following the destruction of Tyre, Alexander the Great crucified 2,000 men of military age. The Jews even used crucifixion on occasion. Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.) crucified 800 Pharisees who had been involved in a revolt. But the Romans …

(Mark 1:15)…..and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” According to Mark’s Gospel, this is the first time Jesus’ words are recorded at His ministry start. It’s important to understand that the word translated “Gospel” means “good news.” Many translations render it that way. In modern language what Jesus said was, “Change your thinking and believe the good news!” He was telling the people: “Your thinking is not correct. It does not line up with ultimate reality. It …