Preached by Chris Broom, 3/29/2009

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Asiaa White (center) Gets Baptized

Shaina Hill (center) is Baptized

Review of Mark chapters 1-6:

Introduction: Do We Have As Much Sense As A Goose? (Author Unknown)

This fall when you see geese heading back south for the winter flying in a “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing what scientists have discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.  If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are. When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Sadly we live in a culture that thrives on ‘put downs’. I see this a lot when working with groups of young people where the words used are always negative and nick-names are often hurtful. In such an environment it is unheard off to hear a young person praising another, congratulating them or saying ‘you are really good at that.’ What do your words do? Do they build others up? Do they spur others on tho greater love and good deeds? Greater Speed? Or do they destroy and cause division? What messages do we give when we honk from behind?

Finally … and this is important … when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

Mark 1:

• The Bible was written and put together by teamwork.
• Jesus begins to call His team. Jesus’ plan was to put together a team that would bring His life-giving message to the world. (Mark 1:16-20)
• Are you on God’s team? (Mark 1:35)
• Jesus was focussed on His reason for coming. Every team needs a focussed leader that doesn’t get distracted by problems. (Mark 1:36)

Mark 2:

• The paralytic’s friends brought him to Jesus (teamwork).
• That’s how we must work together in our Bible talks!

Mark 3

• A team of religious leaders and politicians forms against Jesus. (Mark 3:1-6)
• Jesus choses his dream team (the Messengers). (Mark 3:13)
• Religious leaders claimed that Jesus was Satan and his family thought he was crazy.
• Jesus states that a kingdom divided can not stand (Teamwork Makes the Dream Work).
• Jesus prioritized his spiritual family (those who do the Father’s will) over his physical family.

Mark 4: The Teaching of Jesus.

Mark 5: The Power of Jesus.

Mark 6: The Miracles of Jesus (Great faith equals great miracles / little faith equals little miracles / no faith equals no miracles).

• Jesus sends out His dream team 2 by 2 (teamwork). (Mark 6:6)
• Jesus gave them instructions that would make them depend on God and their fellow man.
• Their message was the same as when Jesus preached… that people should repent.
• Matthew 18:15 teaches us how to handle conflict in the church.
• They come back to report all they had done and taught. (Mark 6:30)
• Good news around the movement! The Lord added ten disciples through baptism in Phoenix in March – New York City continues to baptize weekly with another baptism in the Hudson River / Praise God for the New York City Church’s faith – with 33 disciples, a weekly giving of $1,600, and a Missions Contribution goal of $25,000, God blessed them with an amazing $31,011! Amen! Also, in LA, we were blessed with fifteen more baptized into Christ in March and most encouragingly, the 100 sisters of the City of Angels Church had at the Women’s Day and the Latin Women’s Night 250 in attendance! Keep praying for the abundant harvest!

The book of Acts is a history book of all the first century disciples did and taught on the way to evangelizing the world in their day (the only time it’s ever been done)!

• In Acts 2, Peter preaches and 3000 were baptized and added to the team!
• They took on the attitude that God’s team is “all for one and one for all!” (Acts 2:42-47 / Acts 4:32-36)
• We must, like them consider none of our possessions our own and meet each other’s needs.
• World MIssion’s Contribution is in 4 weeks!
• Our theme scripture for March is Galatians 5:6b … The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
• Let’s work to make our Bible talk teams awesome!

-Chris Broom

Categories: Mark Series, Sermons
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