HOFC Sermon Archive: January 2025

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction

Today is Sunday. January 5^th, 2024

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Mark 1:1

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

INTRODUCTION

The Gospel of John is the shortest of the four gospels, and most scholars agree it was the first one written.

It begins with “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

The Believer’s Bible Commentary notes that Mark’s gospel is an ideal introduction to the Christian Faith because of how short it is.

It is often the first book translated into a new language in mission fields.

As with all series introductory messages, let us answer a few questions before we dive into the gospel.

Who was Mark? And what makes this gospel unique?

I. AUTHOR AND DATE OF THE GOSPEL

a. John Mark

i. He apparently came from a wealthy family

1. His mother was Mary, who had a large house in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12)

a. Some have speculated that the Last Supper took place in her home

2. His cousin was Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus (Acts 4:36-37; Colossians 4:10)

ii. We see in scripture that Mark traveled with Paul and Barnabas

1. They started on their first missionary journey, but instead of traveling, Mark turned back and returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:5,13)

2. Which caused trouble between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41).

a. Barnabas wanted his cousin Mark to come along, but Paul didn’t want him because last time he left.

3. Mark later became a fellow laborer and comfort to Paul (Philemon 1:24; Colossians 4:10-11)

4. Later in Paul’s life, his final words about Mark were, he proved “useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11)

iii. Mark also accompanied Peter

1. Who called him his “son.” The tone, a figure of speech, probably referring to him as his student, or he felt like a father figure to him (1 Peter 5:13)

b. When was the Gospel of Mark written? Before 64 A.D.

i. History tells us Mark died in 64 A.D.

ii. Scholars date the book somewhere between the early 50s and 63 A.D.

So, what about the theme and content of the Gospel of Mark?

II. THEME AND OUTLINE OF THE GOSPEL

a. Its theme and purpose

i. It is written to the Gentiles, probably the Christians in Rome

ii. What makes scholars think this?

1. Jewish customs are explained (Mark 7:3-4)

2. Aramaic expresses are translated into Greek (Mark 3:17; Mark 5:41; Mark 7:11)

3. Roman reckoning of time is used (Mark 6:48; Mark 13:35)

4. Very few Old Testament quotations are used

iii. The focus appears to be on Jesus as the Perfect Servant

1. Mark emphasizes the deeds of the Lord more than His words

2. He records nineteen miracles but only four parables

3. The deeds of one who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45)

b. Mark’s point: The theme is “Jesus, Servant of Man”

i. A simplified outline

1. The preparation for Jesus’ ministry (Mark 1:2-13)

2. Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (Mark 1:14-9:50)

3. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (Mark 10:1-52)

4. Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-13:37)

5. Jesus’ suffering and death in Jerusalem (Mark 14:1-15:47)

6. Jesus’ resurrection and appearances (Mark 16:1-13)

7. The Great Commission and continued work in heaven (Mark 16:14-20)

Jesus came from heaven to serve and returned to heaven to serve.

III. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL

a. An early gospel

i. Probably the first one

ii. All but 31 verses are quoted in the other gospels

iii. This leads many to conclude Matthew and Luke based their gospels on Mark

1. Which makes sense

2. These men served together and walked with the Lord

3. If one of them put their experiences down on paper, and it had a positive impact on the ministry, it only makes sense that the others would follow suit and use Mark’s gospel as a basis and influenced them to record events as they experienced them as well

b. A concise gospel

i. It is the shortest of the four gospels

ii. Luke has 1151 verses, Matthew 1071, John 879, and Mark 661

iii. Mark’s entire gospel can be read in about 1 ½ hours

c. A fast-paced gospel

i. Over 40 times, Mark uses a word translated as “straightaway” or “immediately.”

ii. Present tense is used frequently as well

d. A vivid gospel

i. Charles R Erdman’s Commentary on the New Testament states, “...he wrote with all the graphic distinctiveness and vividness of an eyewitness,”

ii. The New Testament Scholar William Hendriksen said, “Mark presents “lively little touches” not found in the other gospels,”

e. An evangelistic gospel

i. The Gospel of Mark opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1

ii. And it closes with, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

CONCLUSION

Mark accomplished a lot with his gospel in the first century

He left us a record of the gospel preached by Peter, which emphasized the things Jesus did (Acts 10:36-39)

And stressed the servitude of Jesus as the Son of Man (Mark 10:45)

The Gospel of Mark is important to us today because it reminds us that Jesus came to serve and that He continues to serve in heaven (Hebrews 7:25)

And it reminds us that Christian discipleship likewise involves service (Galatians 5:13)

Mark’s personal life was one of early failure but was later redeemed by his devotion.

He had a rocky start in his service for the gospel of Christ, but he persevered and proved to Paul that he was “useful for ministry.”

May this series inspire us to become servants…

“The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to depart from wickedness.”

20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, having been prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:19b-22

NEXT WEEK: “Part 2: The Preaching of John the Baptist”

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Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Gospel of Mark Part 1: Introduction