Mark

Timeless Truth = 13:1-37 Sound doctrine comes from a proper understanding of God’s word.

The reality of today’s church is that we do not know God’s word, and that’s why I am so absolutely thankful that I have the opportunity to do SBS. I don’t understand God’s word, I don’t understand the context of scripture and I it saddens my heart to know that people are led to believe that God is a certain way because scripture has been preached improperly. Unfortunately as I read through passages in the Gospel of Mark I realized that many of the things I have been lead to believe are just not true. The ways in which preachers have used certain scriptures about Jesus simply have nothing to do with what was really meant by Jesus or by the author, Mark. As I look at the disciples I see that unfortunately they even had a misguided understanding of what God’s word was to his people in the scriptures. We cannot make God’s word what we want it to be, for the reality of who he is has not contingency on our desires or our feelings. Let God be true and all man liars. I just see this truth reflected as I read through Mark, as time and time again I see the disciples failing to actually listen to Jesus, God’s living word. I also repeatedly see that my preconceived ideas, opinions, and agendas have skewed much of my understanding of Jesus. Much of what I think about the book of Mark and about Jesus is based on things that I have heard that simply aren’t true.

To practically apply this truth in my life I am just going to wipe my slate clean and lay my pride down. Yeah, that’s what I see Jesus trying to get the disciples to do, lay down in their hearts what they want the Messiah to be and simply trust. I also see that false teaching must be rebuked in love… honestly that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come to SBS and I am stoked about learning. I want people to see the truth of God’s word and be set free by the reality of what Christ has done for them. To stand to the side and simply let pastors and preachers speak blatant misguided opinions be taught as the truth of God’s word is to watch my brothers and sisters who I am united with to be led into further forms of bondage. I am not saying that Jesus wants me to argue with people, it seems that he actually wants the opposite, to serve and suffer on his behalf. Yet, at the same time, Jesus expressed a righteous anger when his people were oppressed, and the reality of improper teaching is that it most often brings just different forms of bondage. So, I am no longer going to sit still, I am going to listen intently with a humble heart to the things taught to my brethren in Christ, teaching only the truth of God’s word in servitude, but watching that they may not be led astray. The disciples were warned of this very clearly… Jesus spoke harsh words at the thought of them leading others into sin and spiritual slavery as the Jewish leaders did. I will be a voice for the truth of God’s word, not in pride, but in love for those who don’t understand the reality of God’s word to his people. Also, I am seriously praying about the Titus project and want to somehow and someway teach God’s word to those who don’t know it. I just grow so angry when I think of people taking scriptures and bending them as they wish, trying to make the word of God fit their doctrine rather than conforming their beliefs to the word, the truth. Christ has come to set me free, I am willing to do whatever I can that others would see that freedom, I am just trying to shut up and listen to what that is. I see that it starts with knowing the truth of God’s word, that’s why I am hear, so for now, I will listen and study intently.

These pictures were taken tonight... we had a pink rock star birthday party because four of the SBS students had birthdays this weekend and tonight was the birthday party for everyone.... yeah, that's me as Grandpa-ROCKSTAR.

PS - At the end of Mark I ended up with 27 pages of 8 point font/single spaced/ quarter inch margin sheets of commentary on the book. Not to mention the 8 pages of front/back notes I took in class. It actually feels awesome to know that I did so much work in one week.