AN OVERVIEW OF MARK’S GOSPEL
Mark
1:1-8
Introduction:
1. Mark’s
Gospel is alive and bustling with action.
2. Almost
certainly written originally for a Roman audience, Jesus’ work ethic would have
impressed the industrious Romans.
3. Today,
Jesus’ involvement with the occasions of everyday life make a profound point
about the “real” nature of true religion.
I. The
Announcement Of The Coming Messiah (1:1-13).
A. John
the Baptizer (I:1-8).
1. God’s
plan of atonement was about to take its most profound turn.
2. Prophetic
activity was revived after some 400 years of silence.
3. One
was coming who, while a man, was so much more.
B. Jesus’
baptism and temptation (1:9-13).
1. The
Father authorized the ministry of the Son.
2. The
ministry began with struggle as Jesus identified with humanity’s trials.
II. Jesus
In Galilee (1:14-9:50).
A. His
first disciples called (1:14-20).
1. Sacrifice
and self-denial were at the heart of answering Jesus’ call.
2. They
would become fishers of men.
B. Jesus
began His work of teaching and miracles (1:21-45).
1. Preaching
explained the nature of the miracles.
2. His
miracles showed that the unclean and unapproachable could find acceptance.
C. The
paralytic and Jesus’ authority (2:1-12).
1. The
crippling nature of sin is typified.
2. By
showing His power, Jesus showed His identity.
D. Levi
(Matthew) became a disciple (2:13-22).
1. A very
provocative choice—tax collectors were considered the scum of the earth.
2. Both
the Pharisees and John’s disciples find fault with Jesus.
3. Consider
how odd it was that most religious
people did not understand religion.
E. Sabbath
controversies (2:23-3:6).
1. The
Jews had “hedged” in the purpose of the Sabbath with petty rules.
2. They
did not understand that ceremony was not designed to subvert mercy.
3. God is
angered by such displays of hardheartedness.
F. Selecting
the Twelve (3:7-19).
1. A
curious mixture of what the world would see as unwise choices.
2. God
has a different view of wisdom (I Cor. 1:18-31).
G. Suspicions,
accusations, and an imparting of true understanding (3:20-35).
1. Jesus
is accused of both being insane and in league with Satan.
2. The
opponent’s reasoning is turned against
them—as always.
3. The
most sacred relationships are based on doing the will of God.
H. Kingdom
parables (4:1-34).
1. Receptive
hearts are essential to kingdom life.
2. God
can bring about tremendous results from small beginnings.
I. Jesus
calms the storm showing His power, and His ability to bring peace (4:35-41).
J. Healing
a demon possessed man demonstrates that though Satan is destructive, Jesus can
repair the damage (5:1-20).
K. Jairus’
daughter restored and a woman with a hemorrhage is cured (5:21-43).
1. To
God, death is but as sleep.
2. The
things that separate from God (blood made one unclean), Jesus removes.
L. Preaching
around Nazareth and sending the Twelve out to preach (6:1-13).
1. Preaching
is fundamental (II Tim. 4:1-2).
2. Earthen
vessels are required (II Cor. 4:7).
M. Herod
and John the Baptizer (6:14-29).
1. Herod’s
weakness had come back to haunt him.
2. Sin
brings fear.
N. Feeding
the 5000 (6:30-44).
1. Compassion
is one of Jesus’ most compelling characteristics.
2. Jesus
supplies true food.
O. Jesus
walks on water to show how obstacles can be easily overcome by God (6:45-56).
P. The
traditions of the Pharisees (7:1-23).
1. When
men invent religion, God’s cause suffers.
2. True
corruption comes from within.
Q. A
Gentile woman’s daughter and a deaf mute (7:24-37).
1. True
faith does not give way to pride.
2. Jesus
can give hearing to the ignorant and voice to the empty of heart.
R. 4000
fed (8:1-21).
1. The
disciples still do not understand the deeper meanings of Jesus’ actions.
2. Man’s
true need is of godly food for the spirit—corrupt food kills.
S. A
blind man receives sight to show Jesus ability to open our eyes to truth
(8:22-26).
T. The
Good Confession (8:27-9:1).
1. Opinions
about Jesus vary.
2. Only
God’s estimation of Him counts.
3. Accepting
God’s interests is necessary in all things, or we support Satan.
4. Self-denial
and sacrifice are part of a life lived for God.
U. The
Transfiguration established Jesus as THE spokesman for God (9:2-13).
V. An
Epileptic boy and a lesson about faith (9:14-29).
1. The
disciples “little faith” was arrested and ineffective.
2. The
father’s faith was small, but willing to grow—it was acceptable.
W. True
greatness (9:30-50).
1. Humility
is the key to greatness.
2. Children
exemplify this characteristic.
3. Woe to
anyone who causes such a little one to stumble!
III. The
Road To Jerusalem (10).
A. Marriage
is sacred to God (10:1-12).
1. Convenience
does not rule in marriage.
2. Cultural
norms are not the Bible.
B. Humble-hearted
children are once again welcomed by Jesus, but not appreciated by His disciples
(10:13-16).
C. The
dangers of wealth (10:17-31).
1. We
must not become possessed by our possessions.
2. God
must be our greatest love.
D. Death
awaited Jesus in Jerusalem, but He would still go (10:32-45).
1. Selfless
service was personified by Jesus.
2. His
followers still had much to learn about true greatness.
E. Blind
Bartimaeus was given sight (10:46-52).
IV. Jesus
In Jerusalem (11-13).
A. Triumphal
Entry (11:1-11).
1. A
fickle loyalty is expressed to Jesus.
2. Jesus
chose common adornment for this most uncommon of purposes.
B. The
fig tree cursed and the temple cleansed (11:12-26).
1. The
Jews were barren.
2. Their
worship was corrupt.
C. Jesus’
authority questioned and a parable given (11:27-12:12).
1. Authority
is essential in religion.
2. The
religious leaders coveted power, not truth—they didn’t care about authority.
D. Jesus
is questioned by the religious establishment (12:13-44).
1. His
balanced view defeated His opponent’s extremes.
2. Men’s
notions ignore Scripture and God’s power.
3. The
heart of religion is an undivided loyalty.
4. Honest
hearts see truth and understand the nature of the kingdom.
5. The
example of a poor widow put religion in perspective.
E. The
fall of Jerusalem and the return of Christ (13).
1. In
rejecting Jesus, Jerusalem sealed her fate.
2. Unlike
Jerusalem’s fall, the return of Christ would have no signs.
V. Jesus’
Death And The Resurrection (14-16).
A. A plot,
an anointing, and a betrayal (14:1-11).
1. Men
often choose might over right.
2. Selfless
appreciation has a rare beauty.
3. Judas
sells Jesus to the enemy.
B. The
Last Supper (14:12-25).
1. The
Passover would soon be fulfilled by Jesus.
2. Jesus
was the Lamb of God.
C. Gethsemane
(14:26-52).
1. To die
like a sinner was breaking Jesus’ heart.
2. In the
disciples the weakness of the flesh prevented the expression of the spirit.
3. Jesus
is arrested.
D. Jewish
and Roman trials (14:53-15:15).
1. The
Jews disregard many of their own laws to condemn Jesus.
2. Jesus
becomes a political pawn.
3. Pilate
weakens and Jesus is scourged,
sentenced, and given over for crucifixion.
E. Mockery
and The Crucifixion (15:16-41).
1. Jesus
become a sin offering.
2. From
anguish comes victory in death (cf. Ps. 22).
F. Jesus
is buried in a rich man’s tomb (15:42-47; cf. Isa. 53).
G. The
Resurrection (16).
1. Fear
turns to assurance.
2. A
salvation-giving commission is intrusted to the Apostles.
Conclusion:
“Truly this Man was the Son of God!”
ESJ
02/20/00
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