The Common Sense Gospel

The time has come for Judas to separate himself from the other apostles and head to the chief priests to betray Jesus. What a terrible irony for us to behold! An apostle of Jesus, going to the men who taught the way of righteousness, knew the prophecies of the Messiah, and who handled holy things every day, to assist them in killing the Chief Priest of God. As they discuss their evil actions against the Lord, we see a room filled with greed, resentment, envy, hardened hearts, and satanic influence. the prophecies will be fulfilled according to the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God.

In this second episode of Why We Give, Danny and Kurt will look at how the New Testament church was instructed to use the funds it collected. The Christians in the first century remained steadfast in the apostles' teaching, and we are called to follow that same pattern today.

This will be a very interesting study. As Mark 14 begins, Mark will set Mary and Judas in contrast against each other. Judas is a thief and pretends to care about the poor, while Mary is devoted to Jesus and wants to do a good work for Him and His burial. Setting them side by side like this really emphasizes Mary's love for the Lord and Judas' selfish and bitterness towards another disciple.

Why do Christians gather together on the first day of the week and give of their means? Is this contribution a scam to take people's money, is it for a select few can use it as they see fit, or is it for a much greater purpose? Danny and Kurt will discuss this important biblical topic and use the New Testament to explain the commandments concerning our giving and the reason that it is done every first day of the week.

Thank you all for joining us in our Bible study today as we learn more about Jesus in the gospel of Mark. At this point in Mark, no one even dares to ask Jesus a question, so He'll ask them one. "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?"

As Christians, we pattern our lives after the saints who we read about in the first century. God records their actions, their devotion, and their mistakes by His Holy Spirit so that everyone who reads His word can understand what pleases Him and He requires of us. We are privileged to have this study and to do our very best to mimic the good examples we see in the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament.

Finally! After all of the questioning form the religious leaders in Jerusalem, a scribe with genuine care and concern for the truth takes his opportunity to ask Jesus a very important question. From all we can tell, this man wants to know the answer. The question is, "Which is the first commandment of all?"

In this Why We Do What We Do episode, Danny and Kurt will look at why New Testament Christians sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs when they are gathered together in worship to God.

In this episode, the Pharisees and the Herodians have joined forces to catch Jesus in His words. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Then the Sadducees will take their turn and ask the Lord about the resurrection. Jesus gives a haunting reply. "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God."

In Matthew 28, Jesus gave His apostles the great commission. These were His final instructions before He ascended into heaven, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

As Jesus comes back into the temple to teach the word of God to the people, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders have a question for Him. "By what authority are you doing these things and who gave You this authority?" Today we will hear the Lord's response.

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper with His apostles. He tells them, "Do this in remembrance of Me". The Lord's Supper is still observed today by disciples of Jesus, and the Lord has given us specific instructions on how it should be done. These instructions come from Jesus Himself and from His apostles.

In this week's study we will begin the final week of Jesus' life on earth. As He comes into Jerusalem, He will search a verdant fig tree, looking for figs. When He finds none, He curses the fig tree, and it withers. Then He comes into the temple, looking for faith in God. It is a very religious place, but there is no fruit.

Do you pray? Do you pray often? If so, what do you pray for? Danny and Kurt will look at these important questions and see what the Bible has to say about prayer and the way it should be done. Thank you for joining us in this important study.

The time has come for our Lord to enter Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of a donkey. This moment was prophesied of by Zechariah many years ago and today it will be fulfilled. Thank you for studying the gospel of Mark with Danny and Robert.

In this second episode of our 11th season, we'll look at why Christians meet on the first day of the week. Understanding why we meet and what is accomplished when we're gathered together will help us better appreciate God's will for His children and the role we play when we come together for worship.

Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus has heard that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. Bartimaeus knows what this means for him and he is NOT letting this wonderful opportunity slip through his hands. May we all be more like him in our desire to stand before the Lord.

For Season 11, we'll be looking at why we do the things we do in worship, and in our daily lives. Is seems appropriate to address one of the biggest questions for this study. "Why do we worship God?" Danny and Kurt will use the Holy Scriptures to explain the answer to this important question.

We have heard Jesus tell the apostles that they are going up to Jerusalem, where He will be betrayed, mocked, spit upon, and killed. After these things, He will rise again on the third day. James and John must understand the plain teaching of Jesus because they have a very strange request for our Lord.

IN Season 10, Danny and Kurt have looked at the 7 famous I Am's in the gospel of John. For this final episode of the season, they will share 9 more "I Am's" that are also in John. These 9 "I Am's" are absolute, not metaphorical.

Season 11 is right around the corner and Danny and Kurt have a special request for all of you. We're truly looking forward to all of our studies with you in this new season!

"How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God." Today we'll hear Jesus explain this statement and how much our trust matters to His Father. He will also prophesy of His own betrayal, mocking, scourging, and crucifixion. "And the third day, He will rise again." Praise God!!!

In John 15, Jesus will tell us that He is the true vine and apart from Him we can do nothing. Danny and Kurt discuss this eternal truth and the implications that it has for all of us. Thank you for studying with us!

Does Jesus love the little children of the world? His disciples don't seem to think so. Today, we will see how Jesus feels about our little ones. We'll also see Him speak to a man he loves and tell Him the truth, using these powerful words, "This one thing you lack..."

Well, the Pharisees have shown up again, interrupted our Lord, and ruined another teaching opportunity for the Son of God. This time they have a question about marriage and divorce. The question is, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" Let's listen carefully to Jesus' answer and take note that God's design for marriage was established in the very beginning.

As Jesus sits quietly in the large upper room with His eleven apostles, He understands their worry and their concern for Him. He has told them what is coming and His hour is now at hand. He knows they are troubled and so He lovingly says to them, "Let not your hearts be trouble; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

This will be the second time that Jesus tells His apostles about His betrayal, execution, and resurrection. Mark tells us that the apostles were afraid to ask Jesus about this teaching. As we get to the end of our reading today, we'll hear Jesus tell us how to deal with sin in our lives. "Find it and cut it off!"

Martha will come to Jesus and say, "Lord, if you were here my brother would not have died." She's right about that, but God is doing something far greater. "It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Peter, James, and John are coming down the mountain with the Lord, and they are met with a crowd of people and the disciples disputing with the scribes. A man has brought his only son, and he needs Jesus' help.

During the days of Jesus, there was a religious system that was well established and firmly set in place. There were religious leaders who were responsible for the people and their devotion to God. Matthew 9:36 tells us this, "When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." How sad!

As we make our way into Mark 9, we are reminded of all of the great things we have seen and learned about Jesus. He has proven Himself to be a wonderful compassionate Shepherd who helps the weak, heals the sick, and restores the broken. As wonderful as all of that has been, nothing can prepare us for what He will show us today. His glory will be revealed on the mount of transfiguration, and only three men will be allowed to go with Him and see this great event.

Today, Danny and Kurt will turn to John 10, where Jesus makes the striking claim that He is the Door. As we explore this together, we'll uncover why He chose that image and what deeper realities about His care, His protection, and His calling are waiting behind that simple illustration.

Last week we heard Peter make that good confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Now, just a few verses later, Peter will oppose the Lord and be told, "Get behind Me Satan!" What does Jesus mean by this and what can we learn about God and His eternal will? Let's find out together.

Jesus is the light of the world and the light of men that has been given by God. Today we will watch the light of the world speak kindly to a sinful woman and give her the kind of instruction that will improve her life and save her soul.

Today, we will read about the only time in the gospels that the healing of Jesus required a second touch. Why couldn't He heal the blind man with one touch, with one word, or even with one thought. Danny and Robert will explore this unique miracle and share what Jeus is doing in this important moment.

The day after Jesus fed 5,000 men with 5 loaves and 2 fish, the people follow Him to the other side of the sea and ask Him, "When did You come here?" Jesus ignores that question and gets to the source of their problem. "You came looking for Me because you want more bread."

Welcome back to More About Jesus! This is our 50th episode and we are excited to be in the gospel of Mark. Jesus will feed 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread, dispute with the Pharisees about a sign from heaven, and give a stern warning to His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod.

This is the beginning of Season 10, "The God Who Is"!!! Danny and Kurt will be looking at the names of God in this episode, and then they'll move into the names of Jesus as they are seen in John's gospel. He says, "I Am" seven different times with seven different names. Each one is very important, and we will be well served to study those names together.

In this episode, we will watch the Syro-Phoenician woman come to Jesus in great faith and ask Him for His help. Jesus will also heal a man who is deaf and mute in a very unique and different way.

We will spend our time this week looking at Mark's gospel as a whole. Simply stated, Marks gospel is written out to confirm the first verse in the book. "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark 1:1

The scribes and the Pharisees came to Him and said, "Hey, Your disciples didn't wash their hands before they ate bread! Why do they not walk according to the tradition of the elders?" Let's listen to Jesus answer their question and let's hear what God thinks of all of this.

The disciples have already graduated from Storms 101 in Mark 4, but today they will take their second course in storms. Storms 102! We will learn more about Jesus and the apostles who are with Him in this wonderful reading of Mark 6:45-56

Psalm 100:3 says, "Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." In the New Testament, the church is the Lord's flock, and He calls qualified men to shepherd and guide each local congregation. In this episode, Danny and Yell will talk about this work and what it means for the men who serve as elders.

"A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Mark 6:4 - We have seen people from all over the land honoring Jesus and worshipping Him, but not in Galilee. In our reading today, Jesus will be rejected by His own.

Our study today comes from Hebrews 10:24-25 "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works..."

We have seen the woman who was stricken with a 12 year blood flow being healed by Jesus with a touch of faith. What about Jairus? It took too long to get to his house and now his daughter is dead. Who will help Jairus now?

We started Season 9 by looking at Eve and it makes good Common Sense to finish this season with Mary, the mother of Jeus. She was told by Gabriel, "Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women." What a blessing, what a Gift!

Lightning Round question 23 is about the passages in Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18-19. Is the commandment given in these two books about these two books only, or does this commandment include all of Scripture?

Today, a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus will come to Jesus, fall at His feet, and beg Him to come and heal his 12-year-old daughter. While on their way to Jairus' house, a woman interrupts their procession and touches Jesus' garment. Danny and Robert will talk about her faith and what it means to leave the position of being behind Jesus and come before Him.

Hannah is such a marvelous woman in Scripture. She was bitter in soul because the Lord closed her womb, but she knew exactly what to do about it. Her faith is so great that once she prayed to the Lord, she was happy and knew that God would help her.

Did you know that Jesus can calm a raging sea by rebuking it with a word? He most certainly can and we will watch Him do it today! Not only does He have the power to control weather systems, but He will also show great compassion on one man who is demon possessed and is feared by all those who know him. Jesus is here, and He has come to help.