November 3, 2019 – Mark’s Good News about Jesus – Authority and Grace

Authority and Grace


Zechariah 3:1-9 - New International Version (NIV)

¹ Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. ² The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

³ Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. ⁴ The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

⁵ Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.

⁶ The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: ⁷ “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.

⁸ “‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. ⁹ See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.

Why was Satan standing at Joshua’s right side (verse 1)?

In your opinion, how is Joshua “a burning stick snatched from the fire” (verse 2)?

How was Joshua dressed (verse 3)?

What was taken away from Joshua (verse 4)?

Who said “put a clean turban on his head” (verse 5)?

What did the “angel of the Lord” give to Joshua (verse 6)?

What would happen if Joshua walked in obedience and kept God’s requirements (verse 7)?

In your opinion, how are Joshua and his associates “symbolic of things to come” (verse 8)?

What will the Lord remove in a single day (verse 9)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Mark 1:21-28 - New International Version (NIV)

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

When did Jesus go into the synagogue and begin to teach (verse 21)?

Why were the people amazed at His teaching (verse 22)?

How was the man in the synagogue possessed (verse 23)?

In your opinion, how did the man know that Jesus was “the Holy One of God” (verse 24)?

What did Jesus order the impure spirit to do (verse 25)?

How did the people react (verse 26)?

Where did news about Jesus go (verse 27)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how are Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-9 and Jesus in Mark 1:21-28 similar?

Romans 8:1-10 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.  And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

Where is there “now no condemnation” (verse 1)?

What sets us free “from the law of sin and death” (verse 2)?

Why was the law powerless (verse 3)?

What did God send “his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh” to be (verse 3)?

Who fully meets the “righteous requirements of the law” (verse 4)?

What do those who “live in accordance wht the Spirit” have their minds set on (verse 5)?

In your opinion, how is the mind that is governed by the Spirit “life and peace” (verse 6)?

What can the mind that is governed by the flesh not do (verse 7)?

Who cannot please God (verse 8)?

Who does not belong to the realm of the Spirit (verse 9)?

Why does the Spirit give life to those who Christ is in (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how is the removing of the filthy clothes from Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-10 and the righteous requirement of the law being met for those who the Spirit of God lives in in Romans 8:1-10 similar?

In your opinion, how are one who is free of condemnation because they are in Christ Jesus as in Romans 8:1-10 and the man whom Jesus casts the impure spirit out of in Mark 1:21-28 similar?  How are they different? 

 1 Peter 5:6-11 – New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Why does Peter say we should humble ourselves “under God’s mighty hand” (verse 6)?

What should we cast on God because He cares for us (verse 7)?

Who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (verse 8)?

What is “the family of believers throughout the world” undergoing (verse 9)?

In your opinion, why does Peter say God is “the God of all grace” (verse 10)?

Where does “the God of all grace” call us (verse 10)?

Who does Peter pray will have “power for ever and ever” (verse 11)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does what Satan wanted to do to Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-9 and what the “roaring lion” in 1 Peter 5:6-11 wants to accomplish similar?

In your opinion, how are the casting out of the impure spirit in Mark 1:21-28 and the restoration of the believer in 1 Peter 5:6-11 different?  How are they similar?

In your opinion, what does 1 Peter 5:6-11 show us about the challenges that those who Romans 8:1-10 say now have no condemnation will still have?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Zechariah, Mark, Romans and 1 Peter teach us about God’s power, authority and plan?

In your opinion, how should we react to the “God of grace” today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

March 18, 2018 – Kingdom Planting – Christ Crucified

Christ Crucified

Joshua 5:13-15 - New International Version (NIV)              

¹³ Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

¹⁴ “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

¹⁵ The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Where was Joshua (verse 13)?

What was the man in front of Joshua holding (verse 13)?

In your opinion, why did Joshua ask “are you for us or for our enemies” (verse 13)?

How did Joshua respond to the answer “neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” (verse 14)?

What instruction did Joshua receive from the commander of the Lord’s army (verse 15)?

What did Joshua do (verse 15)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

Mark 1:21-28 - New International Version (NIV)

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

What Jesus do on the Sabbath (verse 21)?

Why were people amazed (verse 22)?

How was the man who cried out described (verse 23)?

What question did the man ask (verse 24)?

What did the man know about Jesus (verse 24)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus tell the man to “be quiet” (verse 25)?

How did the impure spirit respond to Jesus command to “come out of him” (verse 26)?

Why did the people ask “what is this” (verse 27)?

What spread “over the whole region of Galilee” (verse 28)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, why is there similarity in the question of Joshua, “are you for us or for our enemies”, in Joshua 5:13-15 and question of the impure spirit, “what do you want with us”, in Mark 1:21-28?

Acts 3:1-10 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ² Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹ When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Where were Peter and John going “at the time of prayer” (verse 1)?

Why was the man who was lame being carried to the temple gate (verse 2)?

What did the man ask Peter and John for (verse 3)?

What did Peter tell the lame man (verse 4)?

In your opinion, why did the lame man expect to get something from Peter and John (verse 5)?

What did Peter not have (verse 6)?

What did Peter tell the man to do “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (verse 6)?

When did the man’s feet and ankles become strong (verse 7)?

In your opinion, why did the man go with them “into the temple courts, walking and praising God” (verse 8)?

What did the people see (verse 9)?

Who did they recognize the man as being (verse 10)?

Why were the people filled with “wonder and amazement” (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does the question of Joshua, “are you for us or for our enemies” in Joshua 5:13-15 and the lame beggar’s request for money from Peter and John in Acts 3:1-10 both demonstrate a lack of awareness about what is possible?

In your opinion, how does Jesus command to the impure spirit to “come out of him” in Mark 1:21-28 and Peter’s command to “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” in Acts 3:1-10 both demonstrate that Jesus is not limited by people’s expectations?

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

What is the “message of the cross” to those who are perishing (verse 18)?

What is the “message of the cross” to those who are being saved (verse 18)?

In your opinion, why will God “destroy the wisdom of the wise” and frustrate the “intelligence of the intelligent” (verse 19)?

Who has “made foolish the wisdom of the world” (verse 20)?

How does God “save those who believe” (verse 21)?

Who demands signs (verse 22)?

Who looks for wisdom (verse 22)?

In your opinion, why is “Christ crucified” a stumbling block for the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles (verse 23)?

What is Christ to “those whom God has called” (verse 24)?

What is “wiser than human wisdom” (verse 25)?

What is “stronger than human strength” (verse 25)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, how does Joshua’s misunderstanding of what the Commander of the Lord’s army was doing near Jericho in Joshua 5:13-15 demonstrate the difficulties that the Jews and the Gentiles have with the “message of the cross” in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25?

In your opinion, how does the statement of the impure spirit, “have you come to destroy us” in Mark 1:21-28 help us to understand why the wise and the intelligent that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 might consider the message of the cross foolishness?

In your opinion, how is Peter’s response to the lame beggar of Acts 3:1-10 “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you” help us to understand how Paul’s statement “but we preach Christ crucified” in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25?

In your opinion, what do these passages from Joshua, Mark, Acts, and 1 Corinthians teach us about the world’s difficulty in accepting “Christ crucified”?

In your opinion, what do we have to give to the Jew’s and Gentiles of today?

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)