September 7, 2003 Turning Followers into Leaders
September 21, 2003 Examples in the Pursuit of Genuine Faith
September 28, 2003 The Verdict

September 7, 2003
Turning Followers into Leaders
Mark 6:1 - 56

The disciples are transformed into leaders as they struggle
with the pressures of ministry

The pressure of unbelief
· Miracles verify the message
· Presuppositions may hinder our trust in the Lord

· Our faith response activates God’s power

The pressure of their assignment

· Don’t focus on provision
· Build relational bridges

· Search for receptive hearts

· Expect unsettling circumstances

The pressure of physical fatigue
· There is rest in solitude

· There is energy in supernatural ministry

· There is strength in prayer
· There is courage in the presence of the Lord

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September 21, 2003
Examples in the Pursuit of Genuine Faith

Mark 7:1 - 30

We are seeking God for purity and power
Learn From the Example of the Pharisees:
live the commands of God
7:1 – 13
· The barrier of blasphemy is refusing to follow Christ
· The heart of hypocrisy is pretending to worship the Lord
· The trickery of tradition cancels out God’s Word

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Learn From the Example of the Disciples:
Concentrate on your inner life
7:14 - 23

· Emerging spiritual clarity
· External material purity
· Internal moral purity

Learn From the Example of a Gentile woman:
Step out in faith 7:24 - 30

· In places of desperation Jesus is your hope
· Take risks before the Lord

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September 28, 2003
The Verdict
Mark 7:31 – 8:30

Our ears can be opened by the Lord 7:31 – 37

Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:9,23

We will always hear that …

· God is good

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. Romans 8:28 – 29

· Jesus is Lord

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Isaiah 53:5 – 6

Treat opposition like Jesus did 8:1 - 15

· Walk away from blasphemers and divisive people

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:17 - 18

· Avoid their doubt and deception

… not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. I Corinthians 5:8

The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

We must look beyond our physical world to comprehend spiritual truth 8:16 - 22

John 3:1 – 13

Our eyes can be opened by the Lord 8:22 – 26
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. I Corinthians 4:4

It can take place in stages!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

What do you say about Jesus? 8:27 – 30

Is He your …

· Forgiver?

· Leader?

· Friend?

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