Category: Bible Study

Beyond Repair? (Mark 3)

Here’s my sermon outline from today. Introduction We loved our little Citroen C3.  It took us everywhere and we spent thousands of pounds on annual repairs.  Until one day, on a journey to Bradford after a decade and 100k miles, it decided to die. We crawled up the M6 and M62 at a dangerous snail’s… Continue reading Beyond Repair? (Mark 3)

A day made for you

When challenged about what his disciples are doing by picking and eating corn on the Sabbath, Jesus says: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 At the time Jesus was speaking, the Jewish Sabbath was in force. Jews observed Saturday as a day of rest from work remembering that God… Continue reading A day made for you

Picnic (Mark 2:23-28)

Do you remember when the then Prime Minister, Theresa May, was asked what the naughtiest thing was that she’d ever done?  Struggling to think of anything particularly heinous, she gave the since much mocked answer that she had once skipped through a field of wheat.  Well, here we find Jesus and his disciples in trouble… Continue reading Picnic (Mark 2:23-28)

A wedding or a funeral? (Mark 2:18-22)

Back in October, we had the great joy of seeing my niece get married.  We are now looking forward to my nephew’s wedding in about two weeks’ time.  We’re looking forward to smiles, applause, laughter, music and dancing. There’ll also be plenty to eat. A Wedding is a celebration, a feast. Jesus draws on the… Continue reading A wedding or a funeral? (Mark 2:18-22)

Who needs a doctor? (Mark 2:13-17)

We now begin to see why sharp divisions were growing between Jesus and the Pharisees.  There was a clear line drawn between “us and them”. That line was between those who were considered to be faithful or at least trying to be faithful to YHWH by keeping Torah, by seeking to be pure, clean, hol… Continue reading Who needs a doctor? (Mark 2:13-17)

Revelation through the lens of the Ukraine invasion

I’ve argued before that when we read Revelation it is applicable to our present situation, not because we attempt to read a detailed chronology of the last days with timings but because we best understand Revelation as offering God’s explanation of the whole of history from the perspective of the end. This means that we… Continue reading Revelation through the lens of the Ukraine invasion

Does God allow lies sometimes?

I remember an ethics lecturer arguing that it could be okay to lie in particular circumstances.  The obvious ethical dilemma is the situation that people hiding Jews in the Second World War might have faced.  Do they tell the truth when questioned and risk the lives of those in their care? Or do they tell… Continue reading Does God allow lies sometimes?

Authority to forgive (Mark 2:1-12)

Jesus is drawing a lot of attention.  We saw in Mark 1 that he had urged the healed leper not to go out and about telling people about him but he does, as presumably do others that are healed.  This starts to cause challenges for Jesus, restricting his movement. An example is seen here when… Continue reading Authority to forgive (Mark 2:1-12)

The transforming kingdom (Mark 1:16-2:13-17)

We now begin to see what it means for Jesus to preach about the Kingdom and call people to repentance with a series of examples. It means calling people to follow him and leave behind other priorities (1:16-20 and 2:13-17) It means calling evil spirits out of people.  Captives are set free (1:21-28) It means… Continue reading The transforming kingdom (Mark 1:16-2:13-17)