The Gospels of
Matthew, Mark,
Luke & John
February 2020:
Dr. Kevin Calhoun
February 3-7
Matthew 24-28
Jonathan Norton
February 10-14
Mark 1-5
Rev. JT Overby
February 17-21
Mark 6-10
Dr. Craig Bowers
February 24-28
Mark 11-15
February 5, 2020
by Kevin Calhoun
Read Matthew 26
A familiar phrase for all of us is, “Appearances can be deceiving.” It is a comment that lets us know we can easily be fooled by outward appearances. This is certainly true as we look at our reading for today. Several observations we might make from this chapter could be:
1. Unanswered prayer – Jesus prayed, “. . . if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt,” (vs. 39). We might wonder why Jesus’ prayer was not answered as He asked.
2. An Angry Crowd – Verse 47 tells us a multitude of people came with Judas and verse 50 tells us they helped seize Jesus.
3. Complete Betrayal – In verse 56 we read, “. . . and all the disciples left Him and fled.” Matthew fled, John fled, James fled, Peter fled, the ALL fled.
Notice with me, however, how Jesus understood these events. As the soldiers took Jesus into custody, Jesus said, “. . . all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled,” (vs. 56). As Isaiah had written several hundred years earlier, Jesus was “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities,”
(Isaiah 53:5-6).
Yes, Jesus understood the purpose and plan of God. Jesus came to save sinners, and this salvation was accomplished through His death on the cross. I am reminded of the words we often sing, “How great the Father’s Love for Us?”
Application:
List ways you can love and obey Jesus today. ________________________________________________________________
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Also list ways we can worship Him through our lives each day. ________________________________________________________________
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I pray I will trust in Your sovereignty today. Help me to seek Your purpose and plan in my decisions this day! Amen!
February 7, 2020
by Kevin Calhoun
Read Matthew 28
As we come to a close of Matthew’s Gospel, we are confronted with an invitation, “come and see” (vs. 6), and a challenge, “go and tell” (vs. 7). Each of these terms has a special meaning for us today.
The invitation to “come” encourages us to look beyond our fears and turn to Jesus. Whatever fears were before them, the angel invited them to “come.” The angel then invited them to “see.” Seeing involves understanding. Don’t simply come. We are also called to look, to gaze upon, and to understand. If we look closely we can see the horror of our sin, the amazing love of our Father in Heaven, and the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Thus, we are invited to “come and see.”
We are also challenged to “go and tell.” Going into the world is the commission for the Church. As we go, we are to preach the Gospel, we are to make disciples, and teach others to observe the commands of God (vss. 19-20). But what are we to tell those we meet. My friends, if we have experienced the love and forgiveness of Christ Jesus, we have a testimony to share. You and I may not have answers to all the questions people may ask, but we are experts on what God has done for us.
That is our mission: come and see, go and tell.
Application:
If you have not turned to God by faith, will you come to Him today and see what He can do for you? ________________________________________________________________
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If you have already trusted in Christ, list ways you can go and tell others of His love. ________________________________________________________________
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus, as I come to You each day, give me strength and courage to tell others of Your love. Amen!
February 14, 2020
by Jonathan Norton
Read Mark 5
In this chapter we see the servant Jesus declare victory over demons (vs. 1-20), disease (vs. 21-34) and death (vs. 35-43). He conquers them all! We also see how Jesus can take any person, no matter how bad their past was, and restore them to be used by God.
In verses 1-20 we read about a man demon possessed. God is so powerful and merciful that he heals this man and uses him to grow His Kingdom. Isn’t that marvelous and amazing (v. 20)? It is important for us to understand that almighty God can restore anyone and use them for His glory. If you have ruined your marriage, been a horrible parent or caused problems at work, whatever chaos you might have created through your sin, you are not finished! God can restore any life. Not only can God restore you, He can use you in a marvelous way to make an amazing difference.
Now we must notice God does not permit the man to do what he wants to do. He wanted to follow along with Jesus, but Jesus told him to go home and tell his friends and family about the great mercy of the Lord (v. 19). We must understand that His mercy goes beyond letting us do as we please. The Lord may prevent us from doing what we want to accomplish for Him. But remember, His plans are better and we will see His Glory if we surrender, trust and obey.
Warren Weirsbe points out that “We see in this text three different forces at work: Satan, Society and the Savior”. The same forces that are still trying to control lives today. Which force are you allowing to control your life today?
Application:
Why are we often amazed when we pray for something and God answers? ________________________________________________________________
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Think about people that you have seen God totally transform. How has God used them that amazes you?
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February 27, 2020
by Craig Bowers
Read Mark 14
I ate an incredible meal the other night! It was delicious and I felt fulfilled. I noticed the next day, I was hungry again! This wonderful chapter begins with a lady being called out by others for being wasteful. They thought her money could have been used for a better cause. We are quick to evaluate the investment of money! That’s a really good thing. It’s important that we are good stewards of our money. However, we must be very careful here. This lady was called out by a group of guys. Jesus rebuked the guys and praised the lady. Got it? Their beef with her seemed legit! She “squandered” her money when it could have been used for a higher cause! WRONG!
I’ve noticed that people can get very passionate about money. Maybe if we were more passionate about the eternal as we are the temporal, more eternal things would get accomplished.
Jesus said to the money managers – ‘Feeding the poor would have lasted maybe a couple of days, but what this lady has done with her money is going to last for a couple of millenniums.’ So, what is the better deal?
The use of money, in your personal life as well as in the life of the community of faith to which you belong, is a very spiritual matter. Money has no inherent ethics. Those who possess money will use their own “values” to decide how to use it. The money managers in Jesus’ group had their own values. Jesus’ values differed. Is this not a spiritual issue? Absolutely!! Jesus talked more about money than any other subject other than the Kingdom of God.
Application:
How do you evaluate the use of money? ________________________________________________________________
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Prayer:
My King, You own it all. May I have eyes to see beyond the immediate to the eternal as I evaluate the investment of money.