Establishing Our Salvation

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark, generally held to be the first gospel recorded, and is the shortest Gospel in our bible.

John Mark, the writer of the gospel and cousin to Barnabas and missionary companion to Paul.

The Gospel of Mark was likely written to persuade Gentile readers in Rome that Jesus’ death on the cross did not invalidate his claims to messiahship or his proclamation of the kingdom of God, but rather that his resurrection, miracles, and prediction of his death justified his claims.

“Jesus Is Our Salvation?”

Announcements:

Revival

Fall Festival (The Lost Hayride)

Sermon

No Illustration, no funny story, but tonight I want you to diligently listen as we look at the raw word of God.

Because this part of all 4 gospels is what separates us (as Christians) from every other religion in the World

Chapter 15 21-32 = Crucifixion

Crucified amongst robbers

Tormented, taunted, mocked

Chapter 15 33-41 = Jesus’ Death

“My God why have you forsaken me”

Temple Curtain torn

Roman guard realizing who Jesus is

Chapter 15 42-47 = Jesus Is Buried

Day before the Sabbath He is placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Most criminals would have been placed in an unmarked grave after crucifixion, but Jesus being placed in a specific “rich mans” tomb holds significance.

It fulfils prophecy in Isaiah as well as the disciples would know exactly where Jesus is.

Mark 16:1–8 ESV

1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

4 Largest World Religions

Christianity

Islam

Muhammad is dead

Hinduism

Polytheism is the attachment of divinity to a Monotheistic’s creators creation. The association of deity to the inferior creation of the Creator is counterintuitive.

Buddhism

Siddhartha “Buddha” has no historical evidence of existence.

There were really only two answers possible: either in Hinduism or in Christianity. Everything else was either a preparation for, or a vulgarization of, these. Whatever you could find elsewhere you could find better in one of these. But Hinduism seemed to have two disqualifications. For one thing, it appeared to be not so much a moralized and philosophical maturity of Paganism. And secondly, there was no such historical claim as in Christianity.”

- C.S. Lewis “Surprised by Joy”

Conclusion

Through the lens of philosophy and theology we can see how their is one world religion that stands apart. Christianity, and we can take it as truth.

John 3:17 ESV

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 John 2:2 ESV

2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 ESV

55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Only through Jesus will you find victory!