Sharing Christian and Bible Resources
Free eBooks for Download
Books on Amazon (minimally priced)
- 2024 Bible Reading Plans
- Week by Week Bible Reading
- Spiritual Warfare in the Bible: A Comprehensive Handbook
- Spiritual Warfare in the Early Church
- A Biblical Study of The Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Week by Week Bible Conversations: The New Testament: Discussion Guide
- The Trustworthy Word: God’s Truths for Your Daily Battles
Search This Blog
Christ’s Authority: The Visible Creation (Mark 1:29-2:12)
Christ’s Authority: The Visible Creation (Mark 1:29-2:12)
www.southforkbaptistchurch.com
Come As You Are: Sick (Mark 1:29-34) ·v.30 “Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.”
·v.32-33 “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door.”
(Mark 2:17) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Seek God’s Authority Over Sin (Mark 1:35-39) ·v.37 “Everyone is looking for you.”
·v.38 “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”
The Centurion’s Faith - (Matthew 8:9-10) “For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”
Desire Cleansing: Spiritual More Than Physical (Mark 1:40-45) ·v.40 “If you will, you can make me clean.”
·v.41 “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, ‘I will; be clean.’”
(2 Corinthians 4:16) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Value Forgiveness More Than Feet (Mark 2:1-12) ·v.5 “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
·v.9 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?”
·v.10-11 “’But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.’”
·v.12 “so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’”
(2 Corinthians 4:17-18) For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Christ’s Authority: The Invisible Creation (Mark 1:21-28)
Christ's Authority: The Invisible Creation (Mark 1:21-28)
www.southforkbaptistchurch.com
Do Not Rebel Against His Authority
- Demon: v.24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
- Angel: Exodus 23:21 “Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him”
- Diotrepehes: 3 John 1:9 “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.”
but to rather let the message possess us” R. Kent Hughes
Be Overwhelmed by His Authority
- v.22 “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”
- v25-26 “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him”
- Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
- v.27 “And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’”
- Colossians 2:8-10 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
- Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
- v.28 “And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”
- Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Mark 3:14-15 “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.”
- Titus 2:15 “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
Fatherhood: The Warrior Dad (Joshua 1:5-9)
Fatherhood: The Warrior Dad (Joshua 1:5-9)
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. [6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. [8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:5-9 ESV)
Trust in God’s Presence in Your Life & Battles
- v.5 “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you”
- v.9 “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”
- “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ [14] And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.’” (Joshua 5:13-14)
- v.6, v.7, & v.9 “Be strong and courageous”
- v.6 “for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them”
- “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:28 ESV)
- v.7 “being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you”
- “And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.” (Joshua 10:42)
- v.7 “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”
- “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
- “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
A Believer’s Photo ID (Mark 1:1-11)
A Believer’s Photo ID (Mark 1:1-11)
“Baptism is an outward, physical symbol of the inward, spiritual conversion of Christians.” - The ESV Study Bible
Where & When?
- Acts 2:41 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
- Acts 8:36-38 “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
- Acts 16:33 “and he was baptized at once’
- Mark 1:2 “I send my messenger before your face…”
- Matthew 3:14 “John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’”
- “Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.” www.sbc.net/bfm
What about baptism? Why is it so important?
The Meaning
- Matthew 3:15 “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
- Mark 1:10-11 “when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
- Mark 1:4, 5 “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins… confessing their sins”
- Mark 1:8 “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”
- “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5
- Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Motherhood: From Fairytale to Reality (Luke 1:26-28)
Motherhood: From Fairytale to Reality
A Glimpse into Mary’s Life as the Mother of Jesus
Mary was not….
- A mediator between God & men
- To be worshiped, enshrined, or idolized
- A perpetual virgin
- Sinless (Immaculate Conception, 1854)
- Bodily ascended into Heaven (Assumption, 1950)
A Mother in Tough Circumstances: Luke 1:26-38
- “But she was greatly troubled…” v.29
- “Do not be afraid, Mary…” v.30
- “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” v.34
- "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife” (Matthew 1:20)
- “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother…’and a sword will pierce through your own soul also’”(Luke 2:34-35)
- “And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.’ [49] And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?’ [50] And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.” (Luke 2:48-50)
- “you have found favor with God” v.30
- “For nothing will be impossible with God.” V.37
- “that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”(Matt.1:20)
- “For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed [49] he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:48-49)
- “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” v.38
- “My soul magnifies the Lord, [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46-47)
- And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Luke 2:22)
- And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)
- “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” [4] And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” [5] His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” v.3-5
- “And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” V.49-50
- “his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)
- “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ [27] Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”
- “And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19)
- “knew her not until he had given birth to a son.” (Matt.1:24)
The Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)
http://www.southforkbaptistchurch.com/
The Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV)
BE STRONG in the Lord
- Who?
- Whose?
- “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”(1 John 4:4)
- Why?
- you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil
- we do not wrestle against flesh and blood
- but against: the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places
What?
BELT: Truth
BREASTPLATE: Righteousness
SHOES: Gospel of Peace
SHIELD: Faith
HELMET: Salvation
SWORD: Word of God
How?
“7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8)
Journey to the Cross: The Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
www.southforkbaptistchurch.com
A Journey to the Cross: The Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (English Standard Version – ESV)
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, [2] and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. [8] Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. [9] For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. [11] Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Remember the Gospel
- “Now I would remind you, brothers” (v.1)
- “of the gospel I preached to you, which you received”(v.1)
- “in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” (v.1-2)
- “I delivered to you as of first importance” (v.3)
- “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (v.3-4)
- Evidence Matters - http://www.4truth.net/
- Questions Matter – http://www.gotquestions.org/
- Church Matters – http://www.southforkbaptistchurch.com/
- “one untimely born” (v.8)
- “I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (v.9)
- “by the grace of God I am what I am” (v.10)
- “his grace toward me was not in vain” (v.10)
- “I delivered to you…what I also received” (v. 3)
- “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the Grace of God that is with me” (v.10)
- “so we preach and so you believed” (v.11)
- “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (v.58)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Most Viewed Blog Posts
-
Dear Mr. President, I’m a Casualty of Your Drive-By Tweeting War. We all are. Last week you tweeted an insult my way. It was an acci...
-
Pokémon is huge fad that is reemerging with the insanely popular Pokémon Go mobile app/game. No doubt, the technology and gaming is AMA...
-
The below Bible verses are a set that were helpful to my family and my mother as she passed away from cancer. I was reminded of them recent...