WHAT REALLY MATTERS
Mark 7:14-19 We studied what really defiles them (Mark 7:20-23) and the background event of this teaching (Mark 7:1-13). The Law teaches not to eat unclean creatures but to eat clean ones (Leviticus 11:1-46). The problem was that the religious leaders focused on the following: To keep this law better, they created more rules to […]
Mere rule creating and mere rule keeping
Mark 7:1-13 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus (Mark 7:1). The Law in the Old Testament teaches “uncleanness and cleanness” in Leviticus 11-15 (relevant message). Based on the law, they even created more rules (the tradition of the elders) to follow (e.g., hand washing) (Mark 7:3-4). […]
Jesus teaches what really defiles them
In the past two weeks, we studied topics related to ‘uncleanness’ (Our guilt of uncleanness Jesus died for, Peter’s vision and its meaning). Mark 7:1-23 is also related to it. Let us study Mark 7:1-23 over the next few weeks. Today, let us briefly study key points only. The Pharisees and teachers of the law […]
Peter’s vision and its meaning
Acts 10:9-16 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet […]
Zaphenath-Paneah
Exodus 41:45a Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah. I. Background Joseph was one of twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 35:22b, Genesis 35:24). His brothers sold him to merchants for some silver due to their jealousy (Genesis 37:27-28). The merchants sold in Egypt Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard (Genesis […]
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son has made Him known
See John 1:18. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. I. No one has ever seen God (18a) Moses closely encountered God, but was not allowed to see His face, but only His back (Exodus […]
What spirit do you have? How to accept Jesus?
Previously, we learnt that one’s ‘hearing’ God would show one’s ‘belonging’ to God (John 8:47). ‘hearing’ God or not was the test to know where one belongs. Today, let us learn about another test to know where the spirits are from. I. How to test the spirits whether they are from God 1 John 4:1 […]
The importance of ‘listening to’ Jesus
‘Hearing’ is prerequisite of ‘believing’ (Romans 10:17). I. It is God’s will (command) for us to listen to Jesus. See Matthew 17:5. 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’ […]
The Importance of ‘knowing’ truth
I. Truth sets us free from sin. See John 8:31-32. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ This freedom is freedom from slavery to sin (John 8:34-36). The Condition […]
