Previous Page

MARK: The Gospel for Stressful Times

Jan 12, 2020 | Rev. Dr. K. Rick Baker

The Most Important Counsel in Stressful Times

Mark 9:2-13

Full Service

A lot of mess before we celebrate the glory! Super Bowl XXVII

Four conviction-building sightlines for stressful times from the Mount of Transfiguration...

1. To receive God’s help in trying times, allegiance to Jesus must be exclusive and absolute (9:2-4).

“For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud.” (Ex. 24:15-17)

Jesus is replacing Moses in God’s redemptive plan and the Jews are being asked to transfer allegiance. (2 Pet. 1:16-18)

2. To live victoriously through stressful times requires convictions about Jesus to be rock solid (9:2-4).

An epistemology lesson! – Upon what do you stand? – a glorious visual for those enduring hard times…

The “sun of righteousness” has come… (Is. 30:26; Mal. 4:2; Lk. 1:78-79; Acts 1:10; Rev. 3:4; 4:4; 7:9, 13-14)

As Moses (Deut. 18:15) and Elijah (Mal. 4:4-6) fade from the scene, Jesus remains as the fulfillment—the table is set for the Kingdom—it has drawn near (Mk. 1:15)

3. Since our fears constantly get in the way of right behaviour, visions and experiences must give way to the steadfast and immoveable word of God (9:5-7).

The command from heaven is not to look, or even to experience, it is to LISTEN TO JESUS! God’s Son whom he loves. Combat hard times with God’s Word.

What to watch for in 2020—more “soul infection superbugs”—biblical illiteracy

4. You cannot get the crown without the cross—Jesus did not inaugurate Messianic happy days; he inaugurated the struggle for salvation that runs through the Calvary road (9:8-13).

Those who think the glory will just be handed to them because they are religious people, or good people or the right kind of people are completely mistaken—you don’t get God without Jesus—without listening to him!

Share in sufferings; share in glory (Rom. 8:17)

DON’T DROP THE BALL BEFORE THE GOAL LINE!

PRINT

 

Series Information