Bethel Christian Center

A Guest Preacher upsets all expectation at the Synagogue and the religious order.

A Desperate, Canaanite mother beseeches Jesus between a "rock" and a "hard place."

The story of John’s childhood is passed over in one sentence, Luke 1:80; “And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”

Life in general is so fast and with each passing year it speeds up. May we at times take a visit to Mayberry where stress is almost non-existent, where people sit on their front porches after supper and talk for hours; where people watch the sunsets more than they do TV-where no one hurries anywhere and the pace of life is so relaxed and easy that everyone has the time to actually know everyone else. Let’s look at how Jesus handled the rat race of life?

The Gospel is the revelation of God through Jesus Christ. The gospel is “good news” from God to man, from heaven to earth, from the infinitely holy to the lowest depths of human wretchedness and sin. The gospel is a voice from heaven breaking through the silence or discord of our natural condition; it is good news in relation to our sins, salvation, and eternity. It remedies the greatest evils and supplies the deepest wants of man. J. A. Alexander, D. D. The Gospel is the beginning.

Mark’s purpose in writing this Gospel: to make the good news accessible to Gentiles, to be an apologist of the cross, to encourage those who were facing persecution. Mark is the Gospel of action, moving rapidly from one scene to another. He substantiates the messianic claims of Jesus by emphasizing His authority as a Teacher (1:22) and His author over Satan and unclean spirits and sin (1:27; 3:19-30; 2:1-12). Before I start with chapter one of Mark, I’d like to continue with the purpose in writing this Gospel, in light of today’s America. Even with the radical changes in our society, the church is largely silent, why; three misconceptions concerning the radical changes in our society.

Mark is the shortest of the four gospels. In comparison with Matthew and Luke, it contains relatively little teachings of Jesus and nothing at all about His birth and childhood. Starting with the ministry of John the Baptist, it comes immediately to the public ministry of Christ, ending with his death and resurrection. It is believed by most scholars to be the earliest of the four NT Gospels. Mark wrote down this Gospel, probably at Rome, with non- Jewish readers in mind. Mark portrays Jesus as the model for all people, his purpose in writing this Gospel:

John Mark (John is his Jewish name, and Mark is his Gentile or Roman name) may not be as well-known as Peter, Paul, John or many of the other New Testament personalities. Yet a quick survey of his life reveals time tested truths that are good for us to keep in mind even today. The Bible tells us John Mark was the close cousin of Barnabas, from the island of Cyprus (Acts 4:36). Mark wrote from Rome, using Peter as his primary source. Many believe that Matthew and Luke based their Gospels on Mark’s. Mark's gospel is an ideal introduction to the Christian faith.

Ordination Service for Michael Britt Michael Britt- Intro Sermonette Pastor Don Westbrook- Sermon Mitchell Britt- Remarks and Ordination Scripture

The vision of the valley of dry bones has been variously interpreted. Some see it as teaching the postexilic return of the exiles; as an analogy for spiritual regeneration and the birth of the church. Dispensational interpreters see here the resurrection and restoration of end times national Israel. Contextually, it is designed to be a message of hope to the exiled Jews. “SFL Bible”

Insofar as eternity is concerned, it makes no difference what we think of the world political and religious leaders, the world social and economic problems. Nor does it make much difference what we think of the Protestants, Catholics, Jews or the Muslims. However, our soul's eternal destiny will definitely be determined by how we honestly respond to this question---"What think ye of Christ?"

Although the Jews did not like the Samaritans, Jesus purposely went through their territory; for it was here in the shade of a well to an ostracized woman He announced His identity: “I am the Messiah.” Suddenly the insignificance of her life was swallowed by the significance of the moment. “God is here! God has come! God cares…for me.” -Max Lucado

After expressing His own regard to the work that was given Him to do, our Savior stimulates His disciples to similar zeal. The people were ready to hear if only the gospel were delivered unto them.

The Israelites often burned incense, but this holy incense could be burned only in the tabernacle. Here God gave the recipe for this special incense. This incense was burned to show honor and reverence to God. This incense was so holy that the people were strictly forbidden to copy it for personal use. The visual aids, described in Exodus 30:34-38, gives us a wonderful insight into the area of worship:

Hear a millennial's plea. The Gospel is growing around the world and America is trending towards the Vanishing Christianity of Europe unless the next generation takes its faith seriously, and the older generations express a willingness to engage younger believer's tough questions.

Today we look squarely and honestly into the center of the dark clouds and the raging storm in the life of Job. Job is portrayed as a wealthy man of upright character who loves God. Yet God allows Satan to destroy his flocks, his possessions, his children, and his health. Job refuses to give up on God, even though he does not understand why this is happening to him. We, too, must trust God when we do not understand the difficulties we face.

Paul's dramatic trip to Rome was an eventful journey of faith against the most difficult of circumstances. One of the lessons we learn is that no matter how hard the enemy tries to stop God's work in a believer's life, believers can trust God. The Holy Spirit enables believers to trust God and persevere during difficult times. In spite of all that happened to him, Paul remained focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:12-14).

The crises of life have often been compared to stormy seas. There are times life seems like a relentless voyage from one storm to the next. The text is a reminder of Jesus' saving presence in the presence of storms that seek to overwhelm the believer's life.

God can use unlikely sources to humble us, God can send us unlikely places for help, and God uses unlikely people to teach us about trust.