Authentic: Ministry by Jesus

7 Marks of a Jesus-Authentic Ministry

1. TEAMWORK (Mk 6:7a)


2. AUTHORITY (Mk 6:7b)


3. DEPENDANCE (Mk 6:8-10)


4. DETERMINATION (Mk 6:11)


5. BOLDNESS (Mk 6:12)


6. GLORY (Mk 6:13-15)


7. PERSEVERANCE (Mk 6:16-29)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:7-29

Evaluate the Ministry of Harvest Pittsburgh North (and your personal part of it) using a school grading system: ABCDF in the areas outlined above in the sermon. In the area(s) that are weak, what can be done to improve? What steps will you take to make it happen?

Breakout Questions:

Pray specifically for our nation and its leaders. (1 Timothy 2:14)

Unbelief: Jesus is Amazed

Unbelief is Amazing Because...

1. It chooses to ignore the EVIDENCE (Mk 6:1-2)



2. It chooses to object with IRRELEVANCE (Mk 6:3a)



3. It chooses to think with EMOTION (Mk 6:3b-4)



4. It chooses to forfeit BLESSING (Mk 6:5-6)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 6:1-6

1. What is the hardest objection to the Christian faith / the Bible, in your opinion? (Evolution, what about the dinosaurs, where did Cain get his wife? etc etc).
    
2. Why do people “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”? (Mark 6:12, Romans 1:18) Why is sin such a motivator to deny the truth of God?
    
3. Why did Jesus “do no mighty work there” in Nazareth? (Mark 6:5) How did unbelief play a part in that? Why did He still do a few?
    
4. How could Jesus “marvel” at their reaction if He already knows what is in the heart of a man? (John 2:24-25)

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another: that we be people of faith moving towards God instead of unbelief moving away from God.

Belief: Jesus Amazes

1 Corinthians 4:20 - For the Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in POWER .

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness."

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the POWER at work within us.

James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person has great POWER as it is working.

I Want to See Jesus Move...

... so I need to HUMBLE myself. (Mk 5:21-22)

... so I need to believe that He CAN and WILL help me. (Mk 5:23-34)

... so I need to trust Him if He seems LATE . (Mk 5:35-42)

... so I need to accept things I don't UNDERSTAND. (Mk 5:43)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 5:21-43

1. Can you come to Jesus without humbling yourself? Why or why not? How exactly do you humble yourself?
    
2. Why did Jesus tell the woman her faith made her well (lit. saved her, verse 34)? What was the substance of her faith?
    
3. How would you define “answered prayer”? What does “an answer to prayer” mean? How do you know when a prayer has been answered?

Breakout Questions:

1. What is something you have prayed for that “the Lord has seemed late in answering”? (Mk 4:35) Why do you think He hasn’t answered your prayer in the way that you wanted? What is your response going to be?
    
2. Pray for the upcoming Franklin Graham Crusade and our church’s involvement in it. If we are to be involved, we need the Lord to raise up a leader who will help get us plugged in. This is a tremendous evangelism opportunity!

Demons: Agents of the Enemy

Three Displays of Power:

1. Evil has the power to DESTROY. (Mk 5:1-7)

The Abyss (read): Luke 8:31, 1 Peter 3:19-20, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6-7, Revelation 9:1, 11:7, 17:8, 20:1, 3

Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.


2. Jesus has the power to DELIVER. (Mk 5:8-15)


3. Jesus has the power to DIVIDE. (Mk 5:16-20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 5:1-20

1. Do you believe demonic possession happens today? Why or why not? How could you tell if someone does have a demon?
    
2. Why do you think the demons wanted permission to enter the pigs? What do you think happened to the demons after the pigs died?
    
3. Why did the locals beg Jesus to leave? What does that tell you about them?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another: How do you need Jesus to show up powerfully in your life?

Fear: Absence of Faith

1. Storms reveal my WEAKNESS. (Mk 4:35-37)


2. Storms reveal what I THINK about Jesus. (Mk 4:38)


3. Storms reveal who Jesus REALLY is. (Mk 4:39-41)

Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Isaiah 12:2 - I will trust, and will not be afraid...

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 4:35-41

1. Why do you think the disciples assumed Jesus didn’t care about their plight? Have you ever felt that you were going through a storm, and Jesus doesn’t care (Mark 4:38)?
    
2. Think of a storm that you have gone through. What did Jesus revealed to you about Himself when the “wind ceased”?

Breakout Questions:

What are you afraid of? Illness? Financial crisis? Issues with your family? What reminder from God’s Word do you need to conquer your fear?