Mark ... His Story

Not yet the gospel of Mark, rather = The Story of Mark!!

Jewish name = John, surname (Greek/Latin) Mark - hence ... "John Mark"

1st. appearance - Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane - Mark 14:51-52.
This = 1st. Biblical reference to Mark - was with the followers of Jesus

Shortly, later, after resurrection .. Peter miraculously released from prison by angel, goes to ... Acts 12:11-12.  Mark's mother - assumed to be a widow.

Was Mark there?  or at Antioch?  Acts 12:25 - he comes fro a Godly home - among the movers in the early church.

next = Paul's 1st. Missionary journey - Acts 13:1-5

BUT... Acts 13:13 he "left" them....
with!! Acts 15:36-41  "deserted them ..." - result = division between Paul and Barnabas over Mark

Not mentioned again in Acts ...But ... later when .. Paul is in Roman prison  - Col. 4:10-11 = change in relationship with Mark

later still ... Mark is with Peter (apparently in home!)  1 Pet. 5:13   (around 63AD)

After Peter's death .. (?AD64?) Back with Paul ... Paul's final letter .. (?AD66?)  2 Tim. 4:9-11

this = last of Mark in the Scriptural record .. BUT... the early church fathers and historians (ex:  Eusebius, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Iraneus) all declare ... (1) John Mark = Author of the Book of Mark.                                                                                       (2)  the content = the gospel story according to Peter!! (ie Peter authorized and approved it!)  The Apostle's view written by Mark.
When written?  between 35 and 65 AD, probably around 50 AD

it is also largely assumed ... Mark's gospel was a primary source for Matthew and Luke!!!  (90% of Mark's content is found in Matthew.)  (50% of Mark's content is found in Luke.)
Mark had a tremendous impact on the early church.

That = the Bio - "meet your author" notes.

Question:  Any relevance in that?  for us?  today?
Answer:  the story of Mark is an excellent source of illustration for living the Christian Life.

I)  A faulty start does not necessitate a poor ending!   --- Mark - started with exuberance (in the garden), obviously considered a follower, BUT ... when things got tough?  "fell away"

BUT .. he came back, cam back strong, he remained faithful, God used him in a great way!!!

Our failures needn't define our future .. because ... Phil. 1:6
On one hand, sin has consequences that may last a lifetime!
However, God = God of 2nd. chances  ( & 3rd & 4th, etc.)
AND His people should be also!!  Example:  Paul and John Mark

II)  God will grant opportunities - we must decide what to do with them!!
On one hand, Mark had many good influences (Mother, Barnabas, Paul, Peter ...)
However, He had to decide what to do with that!!

(1)  God attempts to 'mold' our character - "sanctification' - becoming God-like, or becoming like God
(2)  He uses many tools to accomplish that  (the primary tools = people!!)
BUT, (3)  finally ... we must decide how we'll be shaped!! - 2 Tim. 2:20-21

III)  We are not only shaped BY people .... we are shapers OF people!!!  What leaders said of Mark = "fellow worker"  "a comfort to me"  "my son"

Point:  great men shaped Mark, but Mark helped shape them!!

IV)  Mark accomplished great things NOT as a leader but as a helper!!  (assistant)
He's never 'out front'; when he writes, it = Peter's story  BUT ... his gospel influenced Matthew and Luke and millions since!!

when he shucked his robe .. did he ever expect to influence the Kingdom??
when he abandoned Paul and Barnabas..." did he ever expect to assist Apostles?
when he wrote Peter's story ... did he think it would be a 'best seller' for 2,000 years?

POINT:  don't belittle 'self for not being a leader
just pursue being a faithful servant!! - Mark 9:33-35, 10:42-45

So.... what is it the Lord wants from me?
Answer:  same as He wanted from John Mark ...

#1.  Submission:  surrender to Him (as Lord, Boss)
which = surrender to (a) the work He calls you to
                                (b) the position He has for you
(leader or assistant/ out front or in the rear

#2.  Servanthood - in whatever is your position, calling EVEN in, ESPECIALLY in position as leader!!
1 Pet. 5:1-4

#3.  Faithfulness  - example:  parable of the talents
Matt. 25:14-15, 21, 23     "each according to his ability"  "well done good and faithful servant"

#4.  Perseverance - which doesn't mean never fail.  Means always get back up!!!

NO guarantee ... you'll influence the world as did John Mark

Is the Guarantee = IF you surrender fully to Christ, IF are faithful with opportunities and abilities,  IF you hang in there .. Then .... God will do His work .. IN you and Through you!!!
So it'll be ... "well done good and faithful servant .. enter into the joy of your Lord."

 Closing Scripture:  1 Cor. 15:58 

Building for the Lord

 Last week = Nehemiah (cupbearer to the King, ie.  Prime Minister) gets word of Jerusalem's wall in disrepair nearly 100 years after the return from Babylon.
He prays earnestly (4 months) - prayed, fasted, wept.
The king grants him Authority and Assistance.

POINT:  prayer makes a difference - in individuals and in nations

Continuation of story:  

Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem & leads people in rebuilding the walls..Not just doing for himself or for the people, but for God.

BUT ... Problems:

I)  opposition from neighboring peoples 
     ridicule, accusation, political undermining, military attack
Neh. 2:10, 19-20, 4:6-9, 11, 16-18

II)  obstacles from within Israel
     rubble, fatigue, expense, discouragement
Neh. 4: 10, 21-23

BUT .. task completed; walls rebuilt - Neh. 6:15-16

when completed, they gather for
(1) the reading of the LAW - Neh. 8:1-3
(2) celebration - Neh. 8:8-12

This = historical account of the story of building Jerusalem's walls ... for the Lord can serve illustration of building bigger things for the Lord.
Like Godly character, marriage, family, home, Legacy!!

Some elements of building for God (illustrated from this story)

#1.  Divine Assistance (Nehemiah prayed 4 months before he went to the king!)
Because he wanted more than walls, he wanted Revival, Renewal, Reform

(If Nehemiah needed God's assistance to build a wall, how much more to change heart, forge marriage, construct family.  Can do a lot of stuff without God, but can't do Godly stuff without God.

So we should (1) seek God's assistance (prayer)
                     (2)  seek it earnestly (wrestling in prayer)
                     (3)  give Him credit when it comes (praise and honor)

Neh. 6:15-16 - God's assistance even obvious to pagans!!!   Compare:  Psm. 127:1

Note:  The following points will not stand for eternity without the Lord's assistance.

#2.  A Clear Vision  (Nehemiah knew what he wanted before he attempted it)
We hit what we aim at.
So... A)  what do you wnat for your character? marriage?  family?  church?
Note:  B)  This is not just your vision .... it = God's Vision given to you .. concerning His desire for you!!!
(don't have a clear vision?  Pray for one!!!)

#3.  Hard Work
Remember General Wm. Booth?  - Pray as if everything depends on your prayers.
                                                      "Work as if everything depends on your labors.
This = complimentary, not contradictory!!
Col. 1:28-29 - Paul and his work
Phil. 2:12-13 - You work so He'll work - John 5:17 - (hence his words to Philipians)

#4.  Sacrifice  (ie self-sacrifice)
irony;  to get what you want (if a Godly goal), you must deny 'self!!

#5.  Teamwork  (cooperation)
On one hand, may accomplish some things - just you and God.
However, mostly these things require assistance of others!!

hence church = "Body of Christ" - with many important members!!! (1 Cor. 12-14)
By God's design we NEED One Another!!

#6.  Patience - built the wall in 52 days, Godly character takes a lifetime!  Therefore Phil. 1:6  "until..."

Therefore:
#7.  Perseverance  (endurance, stick-to-it-ness) because you'll face opposition!!
A)  within = ridicule, fatigue, boredom, discontentment
But, Phil. 16
And, B) without - Eph. 6:12  (Jesus did and you will also!)

#8.  Celebration - Neh. 8:10 - the joy of the Lord is your strength.  You haven't arrived but are a long way from where you were, if are trying to build Godly character, so celebrate!!

Prayer Makes a Difference

 James 5:16-18
2 Chron. 7:11-14
1 Tim. 2:1-4
Prayer makes a difference  (M.A.D.) - (1)  in individuals  (2)  in governments!!

Example of this - in a story from Nehemiah
Background:  Israel/Judah in exile and return under Cyrus (538 BC)  but ... many stayed in Babylon.  Back in Jerusalem, the temple was rebuilt, sacrifices restored ...  BUT ... Nehemiah = 100 years after the return .. and the walls still not rebuilt!  

Meanwhile - Nehemiah is in Susa (winter palace of Cyrus, Susa of Esther)

So.... Neh. 1:1-2:8

On one hand, we don't always see our prayers answered.  (ie:  God sees, hears, responds BUT not necessarily as we wish!!
However, the Bible declares "Prayer MAD" and we occasionally see remarkable examples of this!!

So... 

#1.  Nehemiah prayed!
Point:  prayer M.A.D. ... not your belief, philosophy, stance on Prayer, BUT ACTIVITY of prayer, not the attitude toward prayer.  - James 5:17 - "he prayed ..." - the action!!

#2.  Nehemiah prayed hard!!!
He wept, mourned, fasted .... Dec. thru April (4 months) -  labored in prayer.
This - "wrestling in prayer" - Examples:  Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18), Jacob's Angel, Moses and the 1st generation.

Compare:  persistent widow - Luke 18:1, 6-8
Note:  Isa. 62:1, 6-7 - don't give up

#3.  Nehemiah prayed to the God he KNEW - "your servant..."
ie:  they were on personal terms with one another!

And, he recognized God as (1) the Sovereign God - "ALL-mighty"
                                          (2) the God of Covenant ... ie promise keeper
                                          (3) the God of Israel ... who established the nation!!!   Who brought back the nation, who is the Keeper of nations!!!  (parallel application to the USA??)

#4.  Nehemiah prayed confessing - Neh. 1:6-7
Compare:  Dan. 9:3-8 
Note:  the confession not just "them" ... = "ME"

God blesses those who recognize their inadequacy!!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit
"blessed ... are those who mourn
"blessed... are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...

#5.  Nehemiah prayed BEFORE he went to the King!! 
Because ... what he wanted was bigger than the King!!   He wanted more than walls ... he wanted revival, renewal, reform

King can change policy ... can't change hearts!
         can build hospitals ... can't heal nation....
         can offer education ....can't confer wisdom...
Point:  don't depend on government to do what only GOD can do!!!
Psm. 127:1

So.... Nehemiah prayed before he went to the King ....
BUT, #6. He still wnt tot he King!!!
Point = prayer is more the heart and mouth ... = hands and feet!!

Example:  Gen. William Booth (Salvation Army) - quote:  "Pray as if everything depended on your prayers ... Work as if everything depended on your labors!!!"

Note:  "those who are BOLD for God have the greatest need for prayer"

Result:  God moved the heart of a pagan King!!!

2 Notes:  (1)  this was the same king that had halted the work on the walls a few years before!!!  (Ezra 4)

               (2)  Nehemiah now becomes the official governor of Jerusalem!!  Appointed BY the King!!

Application:
Prayer makes a difference - in both individuals and in governments!! 

Objection: "I'll never be a Nehemiah"
Answer:  "Probably true" - On one hand, you are not responsible for the world.  However, you are responsible for your (little) corner of the world!! -  be salt and light

AND ... changing that corner begins with changing You!! - You are responsible for you!!!