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Responses to the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Mark 4:1-20

Jesus taught through parables because they were strategic, and were spiritually significant in that it was up to the hearer to receive spiritual truth. In the parable of the soils, Jesus explains that there are four kinds of soil which represent four responses to the gospel. There is: 1) the hard ground, which represents those who have a hardened heart; 2) the shallow soil, which does not have a deep faith; 3) the thorny ground, whose hearts are lured by the world; and 4) the good soil, which accepts the message and bears good fruit.

Keywords

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Offense of the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Mark 2:23-3:12

The sabbath law prescribed a weekly day of rest and celebration. The purpose of the law was for our good, and was meant to be a system of values and priorities. When Jesus gleans on the Sabbath, which was allowed by the law, the religious leaders are filled with murderous rage. This is because the kind of grace that changes lives also exposes religious impotence and sick attitudes, challenges assumptions, and threatens self-justification.

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Gospel of Radical Grace

Jim Leffel
Mark 2:13-17

In Rome, tax collectors represented a system of extortion and betrayal, and were seen as sinners and outcasts. The Pharisees were correct in their moral assessment of tax extortion, but drew the wrong conclusion about Jesus spending time with them. Jesus demonstrates that the gospel of radical grace is both mercy to the undeserving and healing for the sick. Malia Bauer's testimony about her experience of God's healing and grace was included.

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The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch

Gary DeLashmutt
Acts 8:26-39

In times of spiritual renewal, when God is working powerfully in and through His followers to demonstrate how real and good Jesus is, one element we can expect to see is many people converting. This conversion is not a somber commitment to a religious code, but a joyous, life-altering encounter with the living Jesus. The account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch illustrates two universal lessons about conversion: 1) God draws all kinds of people to Himself, and 2) He uses His willing followers to help those people He's already reaching out to.

Keywords

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The Attraction of the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Mark 1:14-28

When Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, he points to his unique authority as he calls them to a relationship and a life of purpose. Their response shows that discipleship involves surrender, that experience follows action, and that Jesus calls people as a community. Jesus' authoritative teaching and spiritual power also drew people to follow him.

Keywords

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Prologue: The Beginning of the Gospel

Jim Leffel
Mark 1:1-13

The theme and emphasis of the book of Mark is the Gospel: the good news about Jesus Christ. It is a message with a dynamic power that is centered on the cross. John the Baptist confirms that Jesus will fulfill the expectations and symbols set up by the Old Testament. When Jesus is baptized, he means to communicate his identification with us, his authority, and God's delight in Jesus' mission.

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Word & Deed in Spiritual Renewal

Gary DeLashmutt
Acts 2-6

Throughout the first half of the book of Acts, we see that spiritual renewal is propelled and accompanied by two things: Word and deed. Jesus' followers share the Gospel, and their actions practically demonstrate God's love for people. Word and deed are completely interrelated, and we explore the necessity of action accompanying sharing the Good News.

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The Good News

Gary DeLashmutt
Acts 3:12-26

Acts three demonstrates a continued pattern for spiritual renewal, or times where God works powerfully through His people to demonstrate the goodness of Jesus. The pattern is that Jesus' followers pray, Jesus acts, people question, the followers answer with the gospel of Christ, and people come to believe. So, what is this message Jesus' followers were sharing? We break down Peter's explanation of the Gospel as well as the proper and improper responses to this message.

Keywords

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More Ministry Principles from Paul?s Life

Ryan Lowery
Acts 18:1-18

In the ancient world, Corinth was a city known for immorality. As Paul goes there to preach the gospel, there are several lessons that we can learn: 1) Paul paid his own way to avoid accusation; 2) some people will be offended at the message; 3) many will respond to the message; 4) even Paul had great fear; and 5) you never know who will respond. Those that are willing to tell others about Christ will experience the same adventure that Paul did, and will see that God is just as active today as he was in the early church.

Keywords

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