1,000,000 Chapters – Part 4Sample

Thanks for joining us on our journey to read 1,000,000 chapters of the Bible as a church. It’s been so encouraging to hear about the transformation happening as we read the Bible. 

Today you’re starting the Gospel of Mark, and If you’re someone who likes to get to the point, you’ll love Mark’s Gospel. 

Mark is the most brief of all the gospels. Each gospel has its own flavor and motivation in describing the life of Jesus. When we look at Mark we see a motivation to highlight the actions of Jesus. Throughout this book we see Jesus on the move. He heals, he casts out demons, he calms seas, he feeds thousands, and we are left seeing love in action.
 

The phrase “talk is cheap” comes to mind when we see Jesus in the book of Mark. The fact that Jesus moves from words to action, pushes our understanding of following him. It reminds us that following Jesus is not about keeping a list of rules. It reminds us that following Jesus is not about saying the right things. As Christ followers too often we are known for what we are against more than what we are for. In the book of Mark we hear instruction from Jesus but it’s his actions that often speak louder than words in revealing the heart of God.  Jesus makes it clear that the heart of God is for people. 

This is demonstrated in Jesus’ answer to a question about the greatest commandment from God. This clarification was so crucial because we make faith too complicated. We make it about saying the right things and not making mistakes, but Jesus simplifies it in two sentences. He says that the most important thing we do is love God with everything we have, and love the people around us as much as we love ourselves. It means serving others. It means that we go places that make us uncomfortable to serve people who may make us uncomfortable. It means that our life and purpose is not to serve ourselves. We are called to serve God by loving others. Who has God placed in your path that you can love and serve. Have you made excuses as to why you can’t? Have you rationalized in your mind why someone else can help? Let Mark be a reminder to you that love is an action modeled by Jesus. God is calling all of us to get off the bench and get in the game to love and serve a world in need.
 

If you would like more resources on The Gospel of Mark or on how to read the Bible, visit http://parkviewchurch.com/1million