God’s Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants
The parable of God’s vineyard and the wicked tenants displays the patience and mercy of God, the wickedness of the leaders of Israel, and God’s vindication of Jesus.
Mark 12:1-2
The Conflict Intensifies
Jesus’ teaching, actions, and authority consistently caused amazement among the people, but they also prompted fear and opposition, especially among the leaders, and this pattern intensified as Jesus ministered in Jerusalem during His final week.
Mark 11:27-33
The King Comes To His City
As He entered Jerusalem for the final time, Jesus purposefully fulfilled several Messianic prophecies, and the crowd’s joyful response was also a fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the coming of the King to His City.
Mark 11:1-11
Lessons for Disciples – A Kingdom of Servants
Disciples must follow Jesus in rejecting the world’s grasping for power, choosing to live as servants, willing to be mistreated and suffer, trusting God the Father to vindicate His followers in His own time.
Mark 10:32-45
Lessons for Disciples – The Kingdom and Wealth
Disciples of Christ must recognize and reject the temptation to trust in riches, look to God alone as their source of identity and salvation, and use their wealth to be a blessing to others.
Mark 10:17-31
Lessons for Disciples – Entering The Kingdom
No human can enter the kingdom of God by their own works or efforts but only by the grace and work of God.
Mark 10:17-31
Lessons for Disciples – The Kingdom, Disciples, and the Little Children
Unlike the kingdoms of this world, the Kingdom of God does not give preference to the powerful or wealthy but is open to everyone who will receive it like a little child by recognizing their helplessness and great need that only Jesus can meet.
Mark 10:13-16
Lessons for Disciples – Marriage (Part 3) – Joined Together By God
When a man and a woman take covenant marriage vows God supernaturally joins them together, creating a new union that they must spend the rest of their earthly life nurturing through healthy practices so that their marriage flourishes to the glory of God and their joy.
Mark 10: 5-9
Lessons for Disciples – Marriage (Part 2)
Jesus taught that God made humans male or female and that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman. Therefore any alternative ideas of “marriage” or contexts for sexual activity violate God’s design and intent.
Mark 10:1-12
Lessons for Disciples – Marriage (Part 1)
Jesus taught that marriage was given by God at creation to be the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and disciples must look to strengthen marriage, not seek excuses to divorce.
Mark 10:1-12
Lessons for Disciples – The Real Enemy
A disciple is called to live at peace with other believers, focusing on rooting sin out of their own life rather than criticizing their brothers and sisters.
Mark 9:38-50
Lessons for Disciples – The Upside-Down Kingdom
Disciples must understand the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God, for God’s Kingdom is established through the death of the King, and true greatness is found in being the servant of all.
Mark 9:14-29
Apprenticeship Through Failure
Through their failure to cast out a demon, the disciples learn that ministry and spiritual warfare are not based on technique or their own abilities, but rather by consistently walking close to God through faith and prayer.
Mark 9:14-29
A Glimpse of Glory
The Transfiguration is a revelation showing that the New Covenant has arrived, unveiling Jesus in His full glory so that the disciples can be sustained through the suffering that comes to Jesus and His followers.
Mark 9:1-8
Rejection and Resurgence
The way of God’s Kingdom and Word causes scandal and offense to many, but God calls His people to continue to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom and minister to push back the kingdom of darkness.
Mark 6:1-13
A Growing Kingdom
In the parables of the seeds, Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God begins small and seemingly insignificant, but it will certainly grow until it becomes great and fruitful through the power of God and His Word.
Mark 4:26–34
Concealed and Revealed
The parable of the sower, the seed, and the soils teaches the secret of the Kingdom of God – that it has broken into the world in the Person, teaching, and work of Jesus, that is rejected by many, but that the Word of Jesus will bear great fruit in the lives of those who hear and embrace it.
Mark 4:1-20
The Sower, the Seed, and the Soils
The parable of the sower, the seed, and the soils teaches the secret of the Kingdom of God – that it has broken into the world in the Person, teaching, and work of Jesus, that is rejected by many, but that the Word of Jesus will bear great fruit in the lives of those who hear and embrace it.
Mark 4:1-20
The Parables of Jesus
Jesus often taught in parables to uncover the surprising mystery of God’s Kingdom to those who would listen carefully and humbly respond, but the same parables hardened and judged those who refused to listen and receive His Word.
Mark 4:1-12
The (Un)expected King and Kingdom
The long-expected King coming to save God’s people came and did His work in a manner totally unexpected and inaugurated an (Un)Expected Kingdom that is very different than the kingdom of this world.
Zechariah 9:9
The King Announces the Kingdom
The teaching of Jesus centered on the Gospel of the Kingdom – the Good News of God’s reign that had come with Jesus – and called for a response of repentance and faith.
Mark 1:14–15
The Beasts, the Little Horn, and the People of God
Daniel has a vision of four great beasts and a little horn that oppress God’s people, but the Son of Man has established the eternal kingdom of God which grows throughout history and will be given to God’s covenant people.
Daniel 7:15-28
The Beasts and the Son of Man
Daniel has a vision of four kingdoms (Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome), which in their rebellion to God are beastly forces who oppress God’s people. However, he also sees the Son of Man who established the eternal kingdom of God that will grow throughout history and defeat all rebellion against God.
Daniel 7:1-14
Humbling the Proud
God is Sovereign over the world, both nations and individuals, and is able to humble the proud and exalt the humble.
Daniel 4 (Daniel 4:1-3, 34-37)
The God of Wisdom and Power
God is the source of wisdom and power, His kingdom is everlasting, and He will give wisdom and power to His exile people as they walk with Him.
Daniel 2