Suggested Teaching Objectives:
To teach why the book is written in the manner that it is.
To teach the purpose of the book and its author.
To teach the gospel message of John and Jesus.
To teach the importance of Baptism.
To teach why Jesus was tempted.
To teach the importance of being soul-winners.
To teach the importance of witnessing.
To teach the power and authority of Christ.
INTRODUCTION:
The Gospel of Mark was written, it is commonly believed, by John Mark, the nephew of Barnabus. How unusually God sometimes works. He used Matthew the hated tax collector to write about Jesus as the King of the Jews and he uses Mark, the servant of the apostles and who one time failed in his service (Acts 15:38; II Timothy 4:11; Acts 12:25; 13:13) to write about Jesus as the servant of man.The key verse of the Book is Mark 10:45. The word straightway ("euthus"in the Greek) sometimes translated forthwith and immediately is a word often used in Mark and is characteristically a servant's word. Of the some 80 times it is used in the New Testament, it is used 40 times in Mark.
The Gospel according to Mark was written to the Romans. The Romans were people of action and of practical accomplishments. The book is condensed, terse and in places, abrupt. There is movement, energy, and action. The writer passes from one scene to another with a momentum, which is dramatic in its effect. We have, as it were, a series of moving pictures.
Vs. 1 - He starts with a declaration that his writing is of the good news of Jesus Christ who was God.
Vs. 2-3 -- A quotation of prophetic statements given by Old Testament prophets, namely Isaiah (40:3) and Malachi (3:1).
Vs. 4 -- John preached the gospel (John. 3:31-36). Included in that message of faith in the coming Son of God was the necessity of repentance. Matthew. 3:2,8. CF. Luke 13:3.
Vs. 5 -- 6 -- John was an unusual man with an unusual message at an unusual time. He was the first voice for God to the Jews after 400 silent years which began with Malachi.
Vs. 7 -- He realized his lowly position as compared to the great Christ.
Vs. 8 -- The Baptism of the Holy Ghost referred to Pentecost.
Vs. 9 -- We see here the importance of Baptism and the authority for Baptism. John was the only one who had the authority to Baptize and he got that authority from God. Mark. 11:30 & Luke 7:29; Acts 1:22. Jesus walked 70 miles from Galilee to Jordan to be properly baptized. If it was that important to Him, it is important for us to be properly baptized.
Vs. 10-11 -- Jesus was baptized by immersion. Here we see the trinity.
Jesus in His baptism was picturing at the beginning of His public ministry that which He
would do at the close of His earthly ministry, His Death, Burial and Resurrection.
Vs. 12-13 --Satan was the tempter. This testing was done to show all, that the Saviour could withstand any temptation and come forth victorious (He could never sin); and to give us an example of how to overcome temptation. His victory was gained:
By holy character
By resolute and determined opposition (Isaiah 4:7)
By the use of the weapons of scripture. (Hebrews 4:12)
When the testing was over, God had the angels to minister (serve) Him.
We can learn from this also that God usually tests individuals before He uses them.
Testing strengthens people and enables them to be more useful in His service.
Vs. 14-15 -- At least a year elapsed between the temptation and His
preaching in Galilee. These events are recorded in John 1:19; 4:54. His message was for
people to accept Him by repentance and faith. cf. Luke 13:3; John. 3:14-16.
Vs. 16 -- Simon and Andrew were brothers and had been previously saved. John 1.
Vs. 17 -- God is ever after men to attain a better life. Here He calls these specific men to a specific calling (to be apostles). We each need to find our place in life according to His will. Philippians 2:12, 13 ; Eph. 2:10. We must remember that regardless of the vocation wherein He calls us, our main task will still be that of soul winning.
Vs. 18 --Straightway they obeyed the Divine Call and forsook their worldly possessions.
Vs. 19-20 -- Discipleship sometimes involves not only leaving worldly
possessions and occupations but also friends and relatives. These were willing to pay even
that price.
Vs. 21-22 -- It was the custom in the synagogues to invite visitors to speak and Jesus used this opportunity. He taught with authority. cf. Matthew. 5:27,28,31,44. The scribes just taught the traditional view of the Scriptures and the Jewish faith. He had authority, for He was God.
Vs. 23-24 -- A Demon possessed man is healed. The Demon knew who Jesus was and that He had power to destroy him.
Vs. 25-26 -- The Demon obeyed though reluctantly. When we rebel against God we imitate the Demons and Satanic forces.
Vs. 27-28 -- His authority when revealed as being such through His
teaching and His power over the demons caused Him to become famous in the area. The Romans
would be impressed by this.
Vs. 29-30 -- Simon was married and his mother-in-law being sick was instantly healed. "Anon"means "at once".
Vs. 31 -- The healing was so miraculously done that she got up and
began serving them.
Vs. 32 -- The word about His authority even over diseases and sicknesses spread rapidly. People brought their loved ones to Him and all who realized they needed help from Him came to Him. We should be ever spreading the word of His greatness so that all who realize they need help would come to Him. We should bring our friends and loved ones to Him by prayer and by bringing them to church.
Vs. 33 -- Word of mouth awakened the whole city to the good news of Jesus Christ.
Vs. 34 -- The Saviour was sufficiently able to heal the sick and to cast out devils. He changed lives and rearranged homes and helped the whole city in productivity. Jesus would not permit the demons to speak because they knew Him to be God and He wasn't ready for the people to know this great truth yet. This truth was to be gradually unfolded and the people were to be persuaded by many miracles.
CONCLUSION:
Jesus is good news. Jesus is a great example, Jesus is a great miracle-worker, Jesus is a great commander of men but Jesus is the greatest of all men because He was God and because as God He came to serve us by blessing us through service and especially that of giving His life a ransom for our sins. Mark. 10:45