Encounter #35 : “ All Things Are Possible” Read: Mark 9:14-29 The disciples, a great multitude and the scribes were all together. The scribes were questioning the disciples. Jesus shows up and the people are greatly amazed and astonished. When people begin to question the ways of God, expect Jesus to show up. Jesus to the rescue! Jesus asked the scribes what they were questioning. They didn't answer. They knew Jesus would have corrected them again. A father brings his only son to Jesus to deliver him. The son couldn't talk nor could he hear. The father said the spirit tormenting his son tears him, dashes him to the ground, seizes him, and the boy foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes emaciated. The disciples couldn't help him. Jesus said it was a faithless and unbelieving generation. He rebuked them. The boy comes to Jesus but the spirit throws him into convulsions. Jesus asks the father how long this has been going on. The father said since he
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Question: Are YOU a Christian? "What is Christianity and what do we Christians believe?" Answer: The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of "do's and don'ts," the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Beyond these core beliefs, there are many other items that are, or at least should be, indicative of what Christianity is and what Christians believe. Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired, "God-breathed" Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16
Encounter #34: Prepare the Way Read: Mark 9:11-13 The Jewish religious leaders questioned Jesus as to whether Elijah should come before the Messiah. Jesus said that Elijah is to come before the Son of man comes. The words “Son of man” were a term used for the Messiah. The prophet Daniel states this in 9:26 of his book. Jesus was saying that He is the Messiah and Elijah had already come (Matt.11:14). When you read Luke 1:17 you understand that John the Baptist came “with the spirit and power of Elijah.” John was to be forerunner of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Lk. 3:4; Isaiah 40:3). Jesus was saying that John had the “spirit and power” of Elijah and that He was the Messiah. Elijah had come. In Mark 9:4 who was with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration? Moses and Elijah were with Him. Jesus said that He was to suffer and die. But the Jewish leaders wanted the Messiah to free them fr