How does Jesus show that he is Lord over the Sabbath? Jesus supports His claim to the lordship of the Sabbath by posing two arguments. In our previous episode, we examined His argument from scriptural precedent. In this second part of “Lord of the Sabbath”, we will discover his second argument—the human predicament. Jesus shows the Pharisees that the Sabbath is not for God, but rather for his creation.

In this first part of studying Mark 2:23-3:6, we will delve into Jesus’ teaching on the Sabbath. Ordinary people flocked to hear Jesus’ teachings, but the Pharisees had begun to openly oppose Him. Jesus confronts them with the statement that HE is the One qualified to decide what constitutes keeping the Sabbath, not them! Several words from His statement became the title for our study: “Lord of the Sabbath.” Other Places to Listen: Our website: https://heraldsofhope.org/hopefortoday/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LdD2ZaEc8FZsGNAQKZQnO?si=3158ac68101a46c2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-for-today-english/id1788937752

One of the things that validates God’s work on the earth is the lives that he changes. The Gospel can change people dramatically. This change is not normal, but when we see it, it reminds us of God’s amazing grace. No one, no matter how evil and brutal, is beyond God’s grace. The characteristic of joy is central to the portion of Scripture we are studying this time. The text we study today is Mark 2:18-22, and I’ve titled our study “The Gospel Pattern.” Other Places to Listen: Our website: https://heraldsofhope.org/hopefortoday/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LdD2ZaEc8FZsGNAQKZQnO?si=3158ac68101a46c2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-for-today-english/id1788937752

When you put a candle in the flame, it goes from hard to soft, but if you put a piece of bread in the same flame, it becomes stiff and rigid. This illustrates today's lesson: the same flame has an opposite effect depending on the material it burns. Jesus' grace had a different impact on two groups: sinners and religious people. In this episode, “The Offense of Grace,” we look at Mark 2:13-17 and follow the actions and reactions to the grace of Jesus and see how it can both be restorative and offensive.

The forgiveness we experience from Jesus is unique and powerful. Today, we reflect on the story of the paralytic being forgiven and healed in Mark 2:1-12. Jesus uses the healing of a paralyzed man to illustrate how our decisions affect our lives and our relationship with Him. In this episode, “Jesus Forgives and Heals,” we learn about how Jesus redeems and restores broken things.

Last time, we discussed the authority of the servant, and today we will examine a few practical areas of Jesus' ministry that are worth considering and applying to our lives. Jesus was here on earth and lived among us. In this episode, we’ll be looking at Mark 1:35-45, where Mark’s record of Jesus’ early ministry provides a template for us to follow in our service for Christ.

Authority has often been abused. The problem is not authority, but rather our own sinfulness. In Mark 1:21-24, Jesus demonstrates his authority in both the physical and spiritual realms. His authority over three different things—over definition, over demons, and over disease. Join us as we look at “The Authority of the Servant.”

Today, we explore the account of Jesus calling several of His disciples. In Mark 1:16-20, Jesus outlines a series of steps the disciples took to follow Him—the call, the commission, and the commitment. Jesus invites them to follow Him, so they immediately drop what they are doing and go with Jesus. This invitation wasn’t just for those disciples—each one of us is called to follow Him in the same way. Listen to this episode to hear about how we can follow Jesus.

Our episode this week is a continuation of last week’s episode “Preparing the Son of Man.” Last week, we examined how Jesus received approval and praise before His ministry. We will continue to look at the other two processes that Jesus went through—authentication and proclamation. J Mark teaches from Mark 1: 9-15 which shows us a closer look at these processes.

Our episode today examines Jesus and what He experienced to confirm His life here. This lesson, which is divided into two parts, is titled “Preparing the Son of Man,” and it highlights the different processes—approbation (approval), authentication, and proclamation—that Jesus went through to prepare for his ministry. These processes are essential in our preparation for sharing the Good News. Join us as we study Mark 1:9-15.

In this episode entitled “Preparing the Way,” J. Mark highlights three key aspects of this preparation: the mandate, the messenger, and the message. Are you ready to be a messenger and share the message of Jesus?

On this episode of Hope for Today, we’re beginning a study of the Gospel of Mark. That’s why I’ve titled today’s teaching, “On Your Mark.” This episode will explore some of the background material that helps enhance our understanding of Mark’s Gospel.

Colossians 4:7-18 Thank you so much for being there; we are honored to be with you today. Looking into the Word of God and allowing it to mold and shape us is a benefit for every human who is willing to do this. We trust today’s teaching will be a blessing for you.   Today is […]

Colossians 4:2-6 It’s good to be with you today as we take another look at God’s Word together. This program is produced by Heralds of Hope, where our goal is to use media to make disciples of Jesus. This program is the media. We are studying in Colossians, and Lord willing, all of us are becoming like Jesus; we are being His disciples.   As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we are nearing the end of the book of Colossians. After this lesson, we have one more, and that will complete our teaching from Paul’s fantastic book. As you may recall from last week, our title is “Getting the Word Heard,” and last week we explored how vital communion with God is in spreading the Word. Today marks the second part of this teaching, and the main points will be clarity, conduct, and conversation, each an essential element in allowing the Word to be heard.   If you can turn with us to Colossians 4:2-6.  2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;  3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,  4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.  5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.   6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each one.  This text contains several ELEMENTS we must consider if we want to be effective in “Getting the Word Heard.”   The Next ELEMENT (in getting the Word heard) is,  Clarity  If people can listen to our words but don’t understand them, the Word isn’t being truly heard. Genuine hearing involves the intellect and the heart. I recall my mentor, Dr. J. Otis Yoder, speaking about the importance of clarity in teaching and preaching. He said, “If you’re going to feed the sheep, you have to put the food where they can reach it.” To do that, you need to know your audience. Paul asked the Colossian Believers to pray that he would be able to proclaim the Word clearly, to put the food where the sheep could reach it.  Sometimes we Christ-followers use language that is familiar to us but foreign to non-believers. Several decades ago, people understood what it meant to be “born-again.” Today, many people are like Nicodemus. When Jesus talked with him about being born again, he couldn’t see how that was possible. Many people today have little or no exposure to God’s Word and biblical truth. So, the Word must be conveyed in language they can understand and relate to.     Paul emphasizes the importance of clarity in 1 Corinthians 14. The context is his teaching about speaking in tongues, but his conclusion applies just as well to this essential element of clarity. In verse 8, he says, “If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So, it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.”   Here again, prayer is part of the process because we can ask God, through His Holy Spirit, to help us share His truth in ways that people can understand, and to enable them, by His Spirit, to understand what we’re saying. That’s what Paul was asking the Colossian Believers to pray for him. He knew his effectiveness in getting the Word heard depended, at least in part, on his clarity. The same is true for you and me today.   The Next ELEMENT (in getting the Word heard) is,  Conduct  In the English language, we have a saying: “What you...

Colossians 4:2-6 Thank you for joining us as we study God’s Word together. No matter who you are or what you have experienced, we are confident the Bible has something for you right where you are. It is our prayer that as we look into God’s Word together, each of us will become like Jesus, and he will be glorified.   Today, we are looking at the first section of Colossians 4. As you can see, we are nearing the end of this short, powerful book, which emphasizes the supremacy of Christ. We will examine verses 2-6, and our title is […]

Colossians 3:18-4:1 Again, we have the privilege of looking into God’s Word to hear what He is saying to us. The time we spend with the Bible is an investment, and we thank you for joining us for this study in Colossians. As we examine some practical guidelines for our relationships, let’s not forget that the theme of Colossians is the supremacy of Christ. Remember verses 15-20 in chapter 1? Our majestic Messiah is over all creation and everything, and I mean everything, is subject to Him. This is our starting point, so when He tells us how to live, […]

Colossians 3:18-4:1 Thank you very much for joining us. God’s Word is so very instructive, and why wouldn’t it be? Since God is our creator, He knows best what is good for us and what we need. Think about an engine, the one who designed and built it will know the most about it. This is precisely how we should view God’s Word for humans. He designed and built us, so He knows what’s best for us.   This is exactly what our next lesson is about. At the end of Colossians 3, Paul gives instructions regarding a few common relationships. […]

Colossians 3:15-17 The Bible is a valuable resource for learning about God and His will for humanity. Last time, in Colossians 3, we examined two imperatives for living life to the fullest. They let the peace of Christ officiate and allow the Word of Christ to educate. Today is a continuation of this teaching, and the third one is to let the name of Christ motivate all we do.    As you can see, Christ is central to each point, and we, here at Heralds of Hope, believe that everyone who wants to live life to the fullest will have Jesus […]

Colossians 3:15-17 t is good to be with you today as we study God’s Word together. God, through His Word, has revealed more of Himself to us, and it is beneficial for us to apply ourselves and learn from this incredible book. Some passages require time and effort to understand, while others are easily explained and grasped. Through all Scripture, our goal is to love Jesus and become like Him.    As we study Colossians 3, we desire to see Jesus and pattern our lives after Him. Let’s examine verses 15-17 to see how Jesus teaches us to live life to […]

Colossians 3:8-14 It is good to be here with you for part two of “Pursuing Perfection.” This teaching is from the middle of Colossians 3. Last time, we had the first part of this teaching: discarding the old. We looked at several specific actions that we must get rid of.  Today, we will look at putting on the new man and the steps we can take in this area. We will end by focusing on verse 14, “above all put on love.” This is what sets Christianity apart: from top to bottom, inside to out, and through and through, love makes a difference.  Turn to Colossians 3 and follow along with J Mark as he teaches from this passage.   8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.   9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,  10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,   11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.  12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;   13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.   14 But above all these things put on love, the bond of perfection.   The Next Part of the Metaphor is,  Put on the New  Another reason to put away lying is that we have put on Christ. Christ makes us different; we’re not who we used to be. In other words, our practice must square with our profession!  Paul says that this new man is renewed in knowledge because we are created in the likeness of God. Unlike the former, corrupt life, we are continually being refreshed and changed into a new kind of living. It’s not an event, it’s a process. As we pursue a relationship with Him, the old man’s characteristics are flushed out, and the characteristics of the new man are welcomed and embraced.  Paul then made a revolutionary statement for his day. He says that in this new man, “…there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” In other words, the former distinctions of religion, ethnicity, and social status are not to be a part of the life of a person who is being renewed daily in God’s image. Paul insists that these distinctions cannot be; they’re impossible in the life of one who is living is putting on Christ.   Now, because we’re being renewed in the knowledge of God, that God chooses us, that we are holy and beloved, we are also to put on the following things that Paul highlights. The verb tense at the beginning of verse 12 indicates that this command must be obeyed immediately.   First, we are to clothe ourselves with tender mercies. Some of the older translations use the words “bowels of mercy.” In the Hebrew mind, the bowels were the place of the tenderest affections. In Philippians 1:8, Paul wrote: “For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” Other versions read “I long after you in the affection of Jesus Christ.”   Paul commands us as new creatures in Christ to put on a he...