"LOVE" Mark 12:30 by Michael Reed (Click Here To Listen)

Three things certainly worthy of reflection are faith, hope, and love. Virtues joined together in several passages - 1Co 13:13; 1Th 1:3. Virtues worthy of praise and careful reflection. Previously, we reflected on faith and hope. Now let us focus our attention on the greatest: love... Greeks had four words for Love.

1.     eros - carnal, sexual love, properly reserved for marriage - cf. He 13:4
2.     philia - the love of close friendship, such as brotherly love - cf. Jn 11:3
3.     storge - the love of family relationships 
4.     agape - that love which seeks the highest good of others

It is unfortunate that the English word "love" is not as clearly defined

"THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST" Mark 3:13-19 by Michael Reed (Click Here To Listen)

Important to the ministry of Jesus was the appointment and training of His apostles. Men who would follow Him and continue His work after His death. Men who themselves would experience great suffering and martyrdom. In our text (Mk 3:13-19), we read of their appointment. To be with Him and later sent out to preach, heal, and cast out demons.  Luke tells us that the selection was proceeded by a night of Prayer (Luke 6:12-13). In this lesson, I wish to focus on their overall ministry for Christ and the world. 

"Hope" 1 Corinthians 13:13 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

HOPE

THE GREEK WORD (elpis ) "favorable and confident expectation" – Vines
"desire of some good with some expectation of obtaining it"
It has to do with the unseen and the future - Romans 8:24-25
"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

A simple definition:  desire plus expectation of the unseen

"Three Responses to Jesus" Mark 3:7-12 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

Reflecting on this passage, I observed three distinct classes of individuals.

The disciples of Jesus - Mk 3:7,9

The great multitude - Mk 3:7-10

The unclean spirits - Mk 3:11-12

Upon further reflection, it occurred to me that these three distinct classes illustrate "Three Responses To Jesus", and that everyone responds to Jesus in one of three ways. 

"Reflections on Faith" 1 Corinthians 13:13 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

We continue our "Reflections" on things that are; true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report  - Php 4:8,  Virtuous and worthy of praise - ibid.  Three such things are faith, hope, and love. Virtues joined together in several passages - 1Co 13:13; 1Th 1:3

In this study, let us reflect on the first of these three: faith.

Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true". 
"Its primary idea is trust" (Easton's Bible Dictionary)  According to He 11:1   "...the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (ESV) or   "...being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV) 
Faith is therefore conviction and trust in someone or some thing

"Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts" Mark 3:1-6 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

We have seen the criticism that Jesus endured from religious leaders;  When He claimed to forgive sins - Mk 2:6-7,  When He dined with sinners - Mk 2:16, and  when His disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath - Mk 2:23-24.  The conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders escalated, from criticism to conniving; When the Pharisees sought opportunity to accuse Him - Mk 3:1-2, When Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath – Mk 3:3-5, and when the Pharisees began conspiring with the Herodians to destroy Jesus - Mk 3:6.  I am struck by hardness of the Pharisees' hearts which moved Jesus to grief and anger - "He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." (Mark 3:5). Which clearly led to their hardness of plotting to kill Jesus - "Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus." (Mark 3:6). Apparently unable to appreciate the healing of a suffering man.  It is easy to be critical of the Pharisees' "Hard Hearts And Hard Thoughts". Yet if we are not careful, we can be guilty of the same.

"Good Works" Ephesians 2:10 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

We are not save by good works. Good works cannot be done to buy or earn our way into heaven. God saves us by His grace and mercy, not our works - Ep 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-7. We should be clear on this point. We are saved TO DO Good Works!

"Lord of The Sabbath" Mark 2:23-28 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

The ministry of Jesus prompted close scrutiny by religious leaders. As when the scribes took issue with His claim to forgive sins – Mk 2:6-7.  As when the scribes and Pharisees took issue with His dining with sinners - Mk 2:16. One issue in particular produced a strong reaction: the Sabbath and its observance.  At first, it involved Jesus' disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath - Mk 2:23-24.  Later, Jesus will be criticized for healing on the Sabbath - cf. Mk 3:1-2   On the occasion involving Jesus' disciples plucking grain, The Pharisees said it was unlawful - Mk 2:24.  Actually, it was contrary to rabbinical tradition, but not the Law per se. In answering the Pharisees, Jesus stated two notable things;  (1)  "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." – Mk 2:27. (2)   "Therefore the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath." - Mk 2:28. These statements will serve as the basis for this lesson.

"Wine and Wineskins" Mark 2:22 by Michael Reed (Click Here To Litsen)

When Jesus was questioned about fasting, He replied with three illustrations;  Bridegroom and friends - Mk 2:19-20,   Patches and garments - Mk 2:21, and Wine and Wineskins - Mk 2:22.  The illustration most remembered is that of wine and wineskins. Jesus used it to show the incongruity of mixing His gospel with the Judaistic system.  Others have taken the illustration much farther, often to teach things Jesus did not. One might make a broader use of the illustration of wine and wineskins, but the end result should not contradict Jesus' own use of it.

"Jesus Questioned About Fasting" Mark 2:18-22 by Michael Reed (Click Here to Listen)

The nature of Jesus' ministry caught the attention of many. He healed the sick, cast out demons - Mk 1:34. He traveled from city to city, preaching in the synagogues – Mk 1:39. The attention of religious leaders led to close scrutiny, as when the scribes took issue with His claim to forgive sins - Mk 2:6-7.    As when the scribes and Pharisees took issue with His dining with sinners - Mk 2:16.  Not just Jesus, but also His disciples were scrutinized. 
When His disciples were not fasting like other men's disciples, Jesus was asked why?