They had to be Christians in an un-Christian world.

• I Corinthians 1:2; 11:1
• This was not an easy or popular thing to do!
• I Corinthians 1:18-20 – The Corinthians had to combat so-called intellectuals and their theories.

They had to be moral despite rampant immorality.

• I Corinthians 6:9-11
• I Corinthians 10:14; 12:2 – They were dealing with idolatry!
• I Corinthians 5:9-10; 15:33; II Corinthians 6:14, 17 – Be careful of immoral influences!
• Even though they had difficulties, they did their best to serve God.
• I Corinthians 4:16, 21 – The same standard was required of everyone!

They had to be faithful even when their brethren were not.

• I Corinthians 3:3; 5:1-2; 11:20; 15:12
• II Corinthians 5:17
• I Corinthians 16:13 – Be strong! Stand firm!
• I Corinthians 11:19
• II Corinthians 7:4, 9
• Be godly regardless of your circumstances!

Mark 4

The parables of Jesus

• Jesus often usen parables. There are about forty-one parables total in the gospels, but Mark records five.
• A parable places one thing next to another with a view to comparison.
• Why teach in parables?
  • Mark 4:11 – So Jesus could teach His disciples in private.
• What are they about?
  • Generally, to teach what the kingdom “at hand” is like.
• How should we interpret them?
  • Don’t look for lessons in every small detail.
  • Let Jesus explain!

The kingdom is like a sower (Mark 4:1-20)

• Mark 4:15 – Compare Luke 8:11. The seed is the word of God. The wayside is people who hear the word, but don’t grow with any depth.
• Mark 4:16-17 – The rocky place – people who hear the word but will not endure persecution.
• Mark 4:18-19 – The thorns – people who hear, but the word of God is choked out by the cares of the world.
• Mark 4:20 – The good ground that bears fruit.
• The kind of heart determines the reception and relation to God’s word. We determine what type of heart we have!

Lamp under a bushel (Mark 4:21-25)

• Compare Matthew 10:27. We should proclaim God’s word! See also Acts 13:47.
• Be lights of God’s world. Teach and do God’s word!

The growing seed (Mark 4:26-27)

• Compare I Corinthians 3:6-9. We are laborers together with God. We plant and water, but God gives the increase in His own time.
• See Galatians 1:7. We have no right to cross-breed or modify the message. See also Romans 1:16; I Peter 2:5. God’s church is not for entertainment or a social club.

The kingdom is like a mustard seed (Mark 4:30-34)

• The kingdom, from a small beginning, grows to a place of strength and comfort for those therein. Remember the figure of the kingdom in Daniel 2.

The wicked vinedressers (Mark 12:1-12)

• See I Peter 2:8. Unlike other parables, the Jewish leaders immediately understood the parable and knew He was condemning them.

Introduction

• II Corinthians 5:17

Created vs. evolved

• Genesis 1:1, 27
• Genesis 9:6 – Why is man’s life different? Because we are made in the image of God.
• Matthew 10:28
• There is no sense of “ought” if God did not create us.
• Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn – “Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.”
• I Corinthians 8:10-11

Loving vs. selfish

• Matthew 18:1-4 – We must have the humility of a child!
• Matthew 19:30; 20:16
• A Christian views things differently!
• Acts 8:13, 18
• II Corinthians 5:14-15
• How does love change my schedule? My money habits?

Optimistic vs. pessimistic

• Matthew 12:20 – God doesn’t want to give up on us! He sees the potential that is there.
• I Corinthians 13:7
• John 3:16

Third preaching journey (Acts 18:23-21:17)

Apollos (Acts 18:23-28)

• Priscilla was a great example of a woman serving the Lord. This is a great example of proper attitudes in teaching and learning. Apollos is a great example of humility in learning.
• See I Corinthians 16:12

Ephesus (Acts 19:1-41)

• Acts 19:1-7 – If we have had a different baptism, this passage shows you should be baptized again in the correct way.
• Acts 19:13-15 – Archaeological digs have since found a number of artifacts referring to Jesus and having various incantations similar to what is quoted here.

Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia (Acts 20:1-16)

• Acts 20:7 – Compare Acts 2:42, 46. The context must indicate whether “breaking bread” refers to the Lord’s Supper or not. This seems to be referring to the Lord’s Supper, while Acts 20:11 refers to a common meal.

Introduction

• What does it mean to be “called by God?” People today seem to have a different understanding of it than what it meant in Bible times. Especially “called by God” to do something specific. Can we say the same today?

We are all called to SALVATION by the gospel.

• II Thessalonians 2:14; 1:11-12
• I Corinthians 1:2-6

There is no doubt that God called specific people to do specific things for Him in the Bible.

• Jeremiah 1:4
• Hebrews 5:1-4
• Acts 9:3 – There was a specific thing God wanted Paul to do.
• Acts 13:2

But God’s direct intervention in Bible times cannot be generalized to everyone.

• Jeremiah 29:11, 1 – This was a letter to the exiles in Babylon.
• Romans 10:14-15
• Acts 16:6-10
• Esther 4:14

Caution: I might interpret signs and violate God’s will.

• I Samuel 24:1-7 – David’s men just knew this was a sign from God.
• Matthew 19:9 – We know this is God’s will. If we feel we are receiving sings to divorce, we know that any signs could not go against God’s written will.

Instead of looking for signs, just get to work obeying the Bible.

• Ephesians 2:10, 25-28
• Luke 7:28-30
• II Peter 1:10