First Baptist Nixa Podcast

We need a different view of discipleship, one informed more by the Word of Christ than the American dream. That is why we need passages like this, which call us out of our safe and comfortable lives and into the dangerous unknown armed only with a promise; Nothing can happen to us in the cause of Christ that has not been predestined from the foundations of the world for God’s eternal glory and our everlasting joy. We cannot fail.

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus touches the untouchable and cleanses the unclean. But how do we receive the cleansing power of Jesus? By faith. But what is faith? Today's passage shows us five characteristics of the faith that saves.

The theme of Mark 4:35 - 5:43 is that the authority of Jesus Christ is without limit. He has absolute authority over the forces of nature, evil, and even sickness and death.

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to door of the Castle Church, igniting the Protestant Reformation. We celebrate the 500th anniversary of this event by exploring why it mattered then, and why it matters still today.

The calming of the storm is not a mere display of Christ’s power over the elements of nature. It is about tribulation, perseverance, and the nature of true, saving faith.

Mark states that Jesus explained every parable to His disciples, yet he does not record Jesus' explanation of these Kingdom parables. Why? Because he wants the parables to have the same effect upon us - to separate those who hear from those who don't. So hear and understand the mysteries of the kingdom concealed in these parables.

Mark 4:1-20 The parable of the sower is the key to understanding the mystery of the kingdom, therefore it is the key to understanding the ministry of the church, for the church is the kingdom of God made visible on this earth.

In "Mere Christianity," C. S. Lewis famously stated that there are only three possible responses to the claims of Christ – either He is a liar, or He is a lunatic, or He is Lord. These same three responses are found in Mark 3:20-35, and can still be found today.

What is a disciple, and how does the church go about making them? The answers to these questions can be found by looking at these two passages from Mark 3:7-19.

Mark 2:13-3:6

Mark 2:13-3:6

Mark 2:1-12

Acts 6:1-6

! Timothy 3:1-7

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Acts 20:17-38

Mark 1:35-45