Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Mark 5:1-13 "1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped Him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of the most high God? I adjure Thee by God, that Thou torment me not. 8 For He said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought H...

Mark 4:35-41 "35 And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" As Jesus and His disciples cross the Sea of Galilee, a violent storm threatens to swamp the boat. While the disciples panic, Jesus sleeps peacefully. They...

Mark 4:30-34 "30 And He said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. 33 And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable spake He not unto them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples." Today’s passage presents the Parable of the Mustard Seed and a summary of Jesus’ teaching method. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (vv. 30-32) Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed; the smallest seed sown by Palestinian farmers. Though tiny when planted, it grows into the largest garden plant (often 6–15 feet tall), producing broad branches that off...

Mark 4:26-29 "26 And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come." In this parable (unique to Mark), Jesus illustrates the mysterious, autonomous, and certain growth of the Kingdom of God. While the Parable of the Sower emphasizes the human heart’s response, this one highlights the inherent power of the Word and God’s sovereign work in spiritual development. The Process of Growth Jesus pictures a farmer who scatters seed and then resumes ordinary life; sleeping and rising night and day. Mysterious Agency : “The seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how” (v. 27). The farmer sows but does not cause or fully understand t...

Mark 4:21-25 "21 And He said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? 22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And He said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath." Jesus continues teaching His disciples with two brief sayings; The Lamp and The Measure. These emphasize the believer’s responsibility to share received truth and the principle that receptivity shapes spiritual growth. The Parable of the Lamp (vv. 21–23) Jesus poses a rhetorical question: Would anyone light a lamp only to hide it under a basket or bed? Of course not. A lamp belongs on a stand to give light t...

Mark 4:10-20 "10 And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable. 11 And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And He said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for t...