|
|
We are progressing well.
"The below work study is from InTouch Ministries"
Day 3:
Please carefully read Mark 7:1-7 and answer the following questions.
1. It appears a group of Pharisees and Scribes followed
Jesus around to monitor His actions so they would find a reason to
criticize Him. What did they observe about the disciples that they latched onto, and how did Mark explain this to his Roman audience (v. 2-4)?
2. What accusing question did they ask Jesus (v. 5)?
Sidelight: Clean and Unclean
As we read in our Introduction, since the days of the Jews’ Babylonian
Captivity, the religious leaders had been developing and instituting an
oral law and interpretations of what the Scriptures really meant in
their viewpoint. These became viewed as having the highest religious authority for Judaism, and in a sense supplanted the Scripture.[ii] A tradition; the Greek word paradosis,
was something delivered by someone to a second person to keep or care
for. A tradition therefore meant instructions handed down from one
generation to another, to be observed by following generations. Holding is krateo, to keep carefully and faithfully.[iii] At issue here wasn’t whether Jesus’ disciples were practicing good hygiene. Rather it was all about their notion of being clean versus unclean (koinais, “common”). As Mark explained to his Gentile readers, this meant ceremonially unwashed, denoting whatever was contaminated according to their religious rituals was unfit to be called holy or devoted to God.[iv] They literally believed that sin, evil, and uncleanness could be transmitted from objects and from other people. The
Pharisees took this to an extreme, and in a sense very few in Judaism
would even have the ability to try to maintain a state of religious
purity as they defined it. Thus their tradition excluded the vast amount of the Jews let alone the Gentile peoples. The whole notion of ritual cleanness was thus the heart of what the Pharisees were all about. It was that heart (or perhaps better the lack of it) Jesus attacked because of their ongoing hypocrisy.
3. How did Jesus respond to this accusation, and bring the conflict the Pharisees had with Him to a head (v. 6, 7)?
4. The word hypocrite comes from the Greek hupocrites; hupo means under, and krino
means to judge, and originally meant one who judged from under the
cover of a mask, assuming an identity and a character which he was not;
an actor on the Greek stage, taking the part of another. The Pharisees
were religious actors so to speak in that they pretended to be on the
outside what they were not on the inside. They honored God externally, not from the heart, teaching their own commands rather than the Word of God as revealed. This a clear mark of religion (or a cult for that matter) versus what Christianity is, a living relationship with God. Religion
always finds fault with others and substitutes external actions for a
living walk with God, taking the Word of God away from the common person
and substituting its own version.
The Jews were supposed to be a light to the world, a living witness to the nations. Rather, these leaders fulfilled the passage Jesus quoted from Isaiah. Read Isaiah 29:13-16 and record how it applies to religious hypocrisy. Also,
what are some things that Paul warned about how believers should
respond to these types of so-called teachers that might come along ( Colossians 2:8-23)?
Scripture Memory: This week we will be memorizing Mark 7:21-23. Review
the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by
the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts... All
these evil things come from within and defile a man. Mark 7:21a, 23 (nkjv)
I hope you went through yesterdays publication. God speaks to us daily, may we have a teachable spirit that is geared towards pleasing God.
DAY TWO
Please carefully read Mark 6:33-37 and answer the following questions.
1. Despite Jesus’ attempt to find rest for Himself and His men, what happened (v. 33)?
2. How did Jesus respond to this delay (v. 34)? In contrast, what was the disciples’ reaction to this (v. 35, 36)?
3. What challenge did Jesus set before the disciples, and what was their reaction to this challenge (v. 37)?
4. In human terms, Jesus had
the right to be upset and ignore the needs of the crowd or react like
the disciples did, wanting them sent away. Even 200 denarii (the equivalent of about eight months’ wages today[iv]) couldn’t provide them all even a snack! Yet Jesus looked at these people not with human vision, but from the compassion of His heart. The Greek phrase for moved with compassion literally
means to be moved as to one’s bowels, or to be moved with or have
compassion (the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity); it
also can be translated to feel deeply or viscerally (in the gut), to
yearn, have compassion and pity. This
phrase is used in the New Testament only by or about Jesus, and
suggests not just pity for someone but His practical help for the one
pitied.[v]
It is interesting that Jesus began by teaching these people, for their
spiritual need was greatest at that moment, but He didn’t ignore their
physical needs.
What are some things you glean as you read the following passages about
the compassion God has for us as sheep, lost and drifting without a
shepherd? Record your thoughts about this.
Scripture Memory: Try
to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all
possible, and then review the passage several times today.
And Jesus, when He came out,
saw a great multitude and was moved with _____________________ for them,
because they were like _________________ not having a
________________________. So He began to teach them ___________
things. Mark 6:34, nkjv
|
Studying Mark's Gospel:
Hey guyz this week we are going to do a study on the book of Mark. Lets walk together step by step as we listen to what God has for us.
DAY ONE: Return and Rest
Please carefully read Mark 6:30-32 and answer the following questions.
1. What happened when the apostles returned from their mission (v. 30)?
2. What did Jesus prescribe for His men, and why (v. 31, 32)?
3. These men as well as Jesus Himself needed rest in view of the stress of all that had been going on. The Greek word for rest is in the middle voice, literally meaning refresh yourselves, rest up; a deserted place (or desert in the kjv) isn’t a desert in the sense we use the word, but a deserted place, solitary, lonely, uninhabited,
the kind of place for an “over-wrought, exhausted Christian worker. How
solicitous Jesus was for His tired servants. He Himself was careful to
take His needed rest. It is the duty of His servants to do so also. The
Devil would wear us out before our time, if he could.”[ii]
This helps us see that Jesus is concerned for His followers’ physical
well-being, taking into account our physical limitations. Jesus never
encouraged His disciples to pamper themselves, nor did He encourage
laziness![iii] There was a saying many years back about being “burned out for Christ,” letting Him completely exhaust us in service. While that sounds spiritual, rest is important to successful service and Christian living. The
Old Testament law commanded one day in seven to rest, and also the
observance of several holidays set aside on which to rest and regain
strength. What did Isaiah record about this rest and renewal we all need (Isaiah 40:28-31)?
4. What are some further important things that we read from the following passages about times of rest and renewal in our lives?
Scripture Memory: This week we will be memorizing Mark 6:34. Review
the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by
the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.
And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved
with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a
shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34, nkjv
|
Dear friends this is a call from the most high God, obey it and live
" Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.In these you once walked, when you lived in them.¶ But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. ¶ Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Ligon Duncan
Very often, people ask or wonder "what are the basic biblical
principles for Christian giving?" As we seek God's answer to that
question and as we contemplate our own giving to the Lord's church in
response to the clear teaching of His Word, perhaps it would be wise and
helpful to review those principles here.
First, let us go to the Word of God itself, without comment:
Matthew 6:1-4 Beware of practicing your righteousness
before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your
Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a
trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the
streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they
have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let
your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving
will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for
the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On
the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as
he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
2 Corinthians 8:9-15 For you know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became
poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my
opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the
first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do
it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the
readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by
your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable
according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by
way of equality - at this present time your abundance being a supply for
their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your
need, that there may be equality; as it is written, "HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK."
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Now this I say, he who sows
sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will
also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his
heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful
giver.
In our review of these four New Testament passages, we find at least ten principles for Christian giving.
1. The Lord Jesus expects and requires us to give. Jesus said to His disciples, "when you give" not "if you give" (Matthew 6:2)!
Hence, Christian giving is not optional, but rather essential. We often
hear folks say: "in the Old Testament they had to give, but not in the
New - now we only give if we want to." This is clearly not Jesus'
teaching. He expected all His followers to be givers. Christians will
give. Are you giving?
2. The Lord Jesus wants us to give for the right reasons.
Jesus warned His disciples not to give for the sake of being admired by
men. "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed
by them," He said (Matthew 6:1).
When we give, we must be careful to examine our motives. We ought to
give for the glory of God and the good of His people. We must desire His
approval of our giving, rather than the praise and admiration of
people. Are you giving for God's praise or man's?
3. The Lord Jesus wants us to practice benevolent or charitable giving. Jesus said "When you give to the poor . . . ." (Matthew 6:2-3). Jesus is specifically teaching about "alms" in this passage: aid, charity, or benevolent offerings for the needy. Do you give amply enough to the Church that she can be generous in benevolent giving?
4. The Lord Jesus reminds us that our giving is ultimately to the all-seeing heavenly Father. Jesus said "When you give . . . ; your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:3-4).
When we give, we are not simply adding to the Church budget, we are
giving up a thank offering to the Father Himself. Thus, we must all give
"as unto the Lord." Our ultimate goal in giving is to please Him. Are you conscious of the fact that your giving is to the Lord and seen by the Lord?
5. The Bible teaches that Christian giving is an act of worship.
In connection with the previous point, we see this truth stressed in
another way in Paul's word's "On the first day of every week each one of
you is to put aside and save" (1 Corinthians 16:2).
Paul here teaches the Corinthians that their taking up of the
collection is an act of worship which is to be a part of their regular
Lord's Day worship. When we put our money in the plate, we are
worshiping Almighty God in accordance with His Word. Note well, Paul is
speaking here of a "collection for the saints" - this is giving by the
Church to the Church for the Church. Did you realize that giving
is a part of worship? Is your worship in this area abundant or
inhibited? Is giving to the Church a priority with you?
6. The Bible teaches that Christian giving should be done in light of the incarnation.
Many Christians argue about whether the tithe (10% of our income) is
still the standard for our giving to the Church (disputants usually want
to show that less than 10% is fine). Paul scuttles the whole debate in
one verse. He says: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you
through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Christ's self-giving is now the standard for our giving! We begin from
the base of the tithe and aim for emulation of His self-sacrifice. Our
giving is to be inspired and instructed by Christ's inexpressible gift.
In light of such a challenge, who could possibly satisfy himself with
asking "how little a percentage is acceptable for me to give?" Do you try to get by with giving as little as possible to the Lord, or do you give in view of the Lord's costly sacrifice?
7. The Bible teaches that Christian giving should be done in accordance with our means.
Paul is quite clear on this: "For if the readiness is present, it is
acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does
not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12). Put another way Paul is saying that you should give in proportion to what God has given you. He said it this way in 1 Corinthians 16:2,
"each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper." This
means at least two things: (1) since we are all supposed to give
proportionately, those who have more money are expected to give more [we
who are particularly blessed materially must remember this], and (2)
the Lord never asks us to give what we do not have, or contribute beyond
our means. Are you really giving in proportion to the material blessings that the Lord has given you?
8. The Bible teaches that the liberality of God's blessings to us is connected to the liberality of our Christian giving.
Though it may seem strange, both Jesus and Paul emphasize that there is
a relation between our giving to the Lord and the Lord's giving to us.
As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:6
"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he
who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." About this matter
J.A. Beet once said: "They who in giving think, not how little they can
give, as they would if self-enrichment were the aim, but of benefits to
be conferred, will receive back on the same principle. As they do to
others, so God will act to them." Jesus reminds us of this in Matthew 6:4,
where He teaches that our reward in giving comes from our heavenly
Father. As someone once said: "The desire to be generous and the means
to be generous both come from God." Do you realize that the Lord has given you much, so that you can give much?
9. The Bible teaches that Christian giving must be willing giving, free giving. We learn this in 2 Corinthians 9:7
"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly
or under compulsion." But doesn't this contradict what we learned under
the first principle, that Christian giving is not optional? The answer
is, of course, no. True Christian giving is both mandatory and
voluntary. It is required by God, but always willingly given by the
believer. Is your giving to the Church something you do wholeheartedly, or indifferently, or grudgingly?
10. The Bible teaches that Christian giving ought to be cheerful giving.
As Paul says "God loves a cheerful giver." This is a truly amazing
assertion. Paul assures us here that the Lord takes a special delight in
those who are joyful, energetic, merry givers. Is there joy in your heart as you give? Can you truly be characterized as a "cheerful giver"?
We have not come close to reaching our potential for giving. Won't you
pray that we will give as we ought? That we will give for the right
motives? That we will give joyously? And that we will give
extravagantly.
ADVERTS;
- CHECK THIS TOO. CLICK HERE
Just as Apostle Paul urged the Ephesians i also urge you my dear friends;
Be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
|
|
