you are here this morning because you are particularly serious about developing your faith

It is now time to move what you have been learning into action in your life. (Not that you haven’t

been.)

This morning we will begin working on an intentional process

that will make Mark yours.

You are here this morning because you are particularly

serious about developing your faith.

Sunday morning is for serious believers in our churches, leaders, and particularly

passionate new believers!

The Mastering the Scriptures Collections

The actual process of “mastering the Scriptures” presumes the first principles. The Gospels series begins the collections, and the rest are ideally studied in the order listed below. Prerequisites:

The First Principles Series, establishing the churches in the teaching (the Didache)

The Gospels: Solidifying the Kerygmatic Communities

Book 1: The Gospels: Solidifying the Kerygmatic Communities

Book 2: Mark: The New Community AnnouncedBook 3: Matthew: I Will Build My ChurchBook 4: Luke–Acts: All That Jesus AccomplishedBook 5: John: The World Will Know We Are One

Series 1: The GospelsFrom Mastering the Scriptures Collections

Session 1: From Jesus to the Gospels Session 2: Greco-Roman Biography Session 3: Intent of the Gospels Session 4: Announcing His New Community Session 5: Commissioning His New Community Session 6: Reshaping Our Lives

Book 1: The Gospels Solidifying the New Kerygmatic Communities

Session 1: The Intention of MarkSession 2: Jesus’ Miracles and Parables Session 3: Jesus’ Teaching: Explaining the Kingdom of GodSession 4: The Heart of the Kerygma StorySession 5: Commissioning His New CommunitySession 6: Reshaping Our Lives

Book 2: The Gospel of Mark Announcing the New Community

Session 1: The Intention of Mark

Study the Scriptures

Putting it all together then, Mark’s intention for his Gospel, though rather complex, looks like this:

Mark set out to write an eyewitness account based on Peter (yet in his own writing), in Greco-Roman biographical form, which, in light of Peter's letters, was intended at first reading to stabilize the Jewish churches, with clear prophetic awareness that this would be read by all churches (and used by those churches as an eyewitness apologetic as well), thus it ultimately had the wider audience in mind.

Session 1: The Intention of Mark Study the Scriptures

By using a "kerygmatic" narrative structure (consistent with the Greco-Roman biographical form, "bios”

1:1–13 Preparation and beginnings1:14–3:6 Ministry in Galilee3:7–6:6 Call of disciples and ministry6:7–8:26 Mission and blindness of disciples8:27–10:52 Journey to Jerusalem11–13 Ministry in Jerusalem14–16.8 Last Supper, Passion, and Resurrection

By integrating several theological “kerygmatic” themes clearly laid out by Jesus, though not understood until after the Spirit came, the Church unfolded, and all the clear teaching of Jesus was delivered:

the kingdom, with its mystery element Jesus’ coming death and resurrection the new community

Session 2: Miracles and Parables


Both the miracles and the parables played a very specific role in Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom.

Miracles—They established Jesus’ authority; they were used to increasingly raise the question of His authority on all fronts across his 3½-year ministry.

Parables—They hid important details of His message that the “kingdom of God is at hand” as He unfolded His plan, ultimately leading to his death. But he explained the parables privately to His disciples.

Session 2: Miracles and Parables


Jesus’ miracles were not an illustration to us that Jesus met people’s needs, before insensitively sharing the gospel with them.

Jesus’ parables were not intended to be an example to us that skillful teachers choose to use illustrations with uneducated people, rather than using an academic approach.

But these implications are for exploring at another time.


The kingdom is near, but the setting up of this kingdom would be totally different from what they expected.

Further judgment was set up for the nation of Israel because of their current state.

And only those who listened to Jesus and repented of their sin—arrogance, self-righteousness, lack of compassion, desire to rule and crush others, hatred of the Gentiles, etc.—would be saved form this coming judgment.

Session 3: Jesus’ Teaching— Explaining the Kingdom of God

Session 3: Jesus’ Teaching—Explaining the Kingdom of God


Entering the kingdom and avoiding the coming judgment on Israel required a child-like faith. What does that mean?

• The one who repents and believes Jesus will enter the kingdom.

• But no one can do it on their own, through the Jewish system set up by the nation.

• The one scribe who asked about the greatest commandment was close. He realized that was more important than sacrifices—“you are not far.”

• The implication is that one who has child-like faith, enters the kingdom now—because it is near—and the scribe was not far from it.



In one sense, the kingdom has been inaugurated.

Yet the day that the master will return and set up the kingdom,Jesus himself does not even know!

But He will return, set up the kingdom, and enjoy the new covenant meal in the new kingdom.


The secret of the kingdom? What is that?

The parables reveal the first part of that secret. The kingdom will begin with the scattering of a few seeds, of which only a few take root.

But they will grow into a vast kingdom. This growth will all precede the return of Christ. He will return to a huge harvest, a huge tree, multiplying fruit.

This is what He was talking about when He referred to the new family He was creating.



So what is the secret?

The coming messiah is not the secret (300 prophecies).Nor that he would die for our sins (Songs of the Servant, Isaiah).Nor His return to set up the full global kingdom and restore the earth (Zechariah 14, Isaiah 40–66).

But His new community is the secret—it was a mystery.It would be revealed and entrusted to the disciples.



The Church is the mystery.

The new community Christ was calling out to himself.

It was a mystery, embedded in the parables, only to be fleshed out “between Jesus and the Gospels,” over a 30-year period.

While the disciples, and their Jewish churches, thought that this new community would remain a remnant of Israel, through Paul, the full revelation of the mystery became complete.

Session 3: Jesus’ Teaching—Explaining the Kingdom of God


While some have said Christ is the mystery, this is not the case.

The Church, this new community He began during his ministry, would become His bride. And as we shall see later in Revelation 21, His bride, the New Jerusalem, comes down from heaven and becomes the centerpiece of the kingdom of God.

Then the earth and heavens are renewed, and the kingdom is fully complete.



The church then is the “tangible kingdom” in this phase of the kingdom.

The kingdom is here. It has arrived. It is in the form of His new community, for which a plan is carefully designed to “stun” the watching world, even the heavenly “rulers and authorities.”

An amazing plan, for carefully designed kerygmatic communities—churches—to multiply worldwide into His new community, the Church.



Common elements in each section(Mark 8:31; 9:30–31; 10:32–34)

• Son of man• Would undergo a great experience• Rejected, betrayed, and handed over • Mocked, spat upon, flogged, and killed • After 3 days He would stand up—rise again

Session 4: The Heart of the Kerygma Story


Mark is a very tight kerygmatic statement

• Sets tight narrative around the statement• Sticks to the framework• A defense of Paul’s statement (handed down)• A defense of Peter’s kerygmatic sermons

As to the churches• Confirms the statement delivered to the churches• Gives a broader context to the statements• Gives churches full confidence in the statement

delivered to them

Session 4: The Heart of the Kerygma Story


19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.]]

Mark 16:19–20

Session 5: Commissioning His New Community


The essence of the commission, Mark 16:16:

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

Then in Mark 16:20:

“And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere.”

2 times – “proclaimed the good news” – THINK BACK



4 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Mark 1:14–15

Here both words are in the same phrase “proclaiming the good news.”

Proclaiming = kerygma Good news = gospel

Note: It also includes “the kingdom of God has come near”—this is part of the good news.



They went out and “proclaimed the good news.”

This is where the whole book started. Only now the “proclamation of the good news”—the kerygma—had shape.

Jesus came to earth.Did good, miracles.Died, buried, resurrected.Everyone who believes will be saved.



So He began his ministry “proclaiming the good news.”

Then He gave shape to the good news with His death, burial, and resurrection.

Now His followers are to take this good new to the entire world.

BUT IT TOO NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE KINGDOM AS PART OF THE GOOD NEWS!



One of the distinctives of Mark:

Progression in “brothers and sisters” (3:31–34; 10:28–31)

His real family includes those who join him in the kingdom community.

Those who choose to do so will have to leave their families and heritage.

This family will multiply in the kingdom.

In the future, they will have eternal life.



Proclaiming the good news (the whole kingdom proclamation)

• The kingdom of God has arrived through Christ launching His new community, the Church.

• Anyone can become part of this new community, the tangible kingdom, by embracing the message (the Jesus story) and becoming a follower of Jesus (compare to the formulaic-type kerygmatic statement).

• We are now part of the spontaneous expansion of the gospel (this good news, this message), which takes place through forming and multiplying networks of small, authentic communities of faith.

• These networks of communities will continue to grow worldwide until Christ returns and fully sets up His kingdom with the entire Church as His centerpiece—His bride!



This is the kingdom message!

This is the proclamation!

This is the good news!

• beginning in Jerusalem

• to the entire world

• from the East to the West



This is the mystery of the kingdom!

This is the mustard seed that will grow huge!

This is the family that will grow a hundredfold!

This is the tangible kingdom of earth awaiting His return!



The churches to which Mark is writing were now beginning to understand the nature of that global enterprise.

• It truly was to go to the entire world.

• Those who did not believe would not be saved from the judgment.

• The coming judgment (or the one that just happened, see Mark 13) on nonbelieving Israel was predicted.


Committing Your Heart

Reflection, Personal Journaling, and Prayer

• What happened in your life because of your work in each session?

• What new convictions have you developed? What have you seen God begin to do in your life?

• Are there areas that you wish you had followed through on more fully? What affected you most? What convicted you most? What excited you most?

Session 6: Reshaping Our Lives



• How has your understanding of Mark changed? • How has your understanding of the Gospel become

more complete? • What are the implications in your life as you

contemplate being part of the kingdom that Christ inaugurated—the birth and multiplication of His kerygmatic communities, His Church?




Your thoughts on the implications in your life as you contemplate being part of the kingdom of God, which Christ inaugurated, expressed in the birth and multiplication of His kerygmatic communities, His Church.


Committing Your Mind

Forming Clear Convictions and Memorizing Scripture

• What was the intention of Mark? • How does Mark validate the kerygma—the statement of

the gospel proclaimed and handed down to the churches by the Apostles?

• What is the essence of the gospel now to be proclaimed by the churches?


Committing Your Mind

Forming Clear Convictions and Memorizing Scripture

Summarize your studies concerning the importance of the “intent of Mark”; identify the key “kerygmatic themes” woven through Mark; and complete your convictions with a kerygmatic statement, expanded to include the whole kingdom proclamation.


Committing Your Life

Decisions, Personal Projects and Life Habits

• Do you really understand the gospel—the kerygmatic statement handed down by the Apostles to the churches?

• Can you state it, including the fuller statement that includes the whole kingdom proclamation?

• Is your life fully oriented toward being a vital part of Christ’s new kerygmatic communities, understanding that these communities are the tangible expression of the kingdom of God on earth at this time?


Committing Your Life

Decisions, Personal Projects and Life Habits


you are here this morning because you are particularly serious about developing your faith

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