Structure of the New Testament

1. The Four Gospels tell of the life of Christ
   o Gospel - good news
   o historical books
   
2. The Book of the Acts - Book of transition
   
3. 21 Epistles are letters
   
4. Revelation shares the vision of John concerning the thinks to come.

The Four Gospels

1. Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because of their many similar (parallel) passages.
   
2. 90% of the contents of Mark are found in Matthew
   
3. 53% of the contents of Luke are found in Matthew
   
4. The overlap of material at times includes identical wording.

Authorship & History of Mark

1. The Gospel does not identify its author within the text.
   
2. Tradition identifies him as John Mark, from Jerusalem
   
3. 10 years younger than the Apostles, about 20 at the time of the crucifixion
   
4. Son of Mary mentioned in Acts 12:12, and Barnabas’ cousin
   
5. Mary’s house is where Peter goes after getting out of prison
   o Could be “upper room” of the last supper
   o May have been the location of the pre-Pentecostal prayer meeting
   
6. Family was well to do
   
7. Mark went with Paul & Barnabas on the 1st missionary journey, probably as assistant.
   
8. He left after the work in Cyprus ~ Acts 13:13
   
9. Mark was the cause of the split between Paul & Barnabas before their next missionary trip. ~ Acts 15:37-38
   
10. Mark reappears 10 years later in Paul’s Epistle to Colossians, and is later referred to as being profitable.
    
11. Early writers attribute the book to Mark, but also claim that much of the message was passed on through Peter
    
12. Mark was believed to be Peters assistant for a time

Deductions about Mark

1. Brought up in the religious atmosphere of Judaism
   
2. May have been an eye witness to certain events in the book
   
3. A close associate with apostolic leaders of the early church, and would have been fully versed in their preaching about Jesus
   
4. He had preached and been witness to the beginning of the Gentile mission
   
5. The author stresses facts rather than themes or topics
   
6. May have been the young man at Jesus arrest in Mark 14:51-52

The Style of the Book

1. The book is very clear & pointed
   
2. A Style that would appeal to the Roman mind
   
3. There are many Latinisms in Mark & contains little emphasis on Jewish law
   
4. It is not considered biographical as it does not discuss parentage, early life, etc
   
5. Written in a general chronological order

FRIENDS LIKE THESE
Mark 2: 3-11

INTRODUCTION:

1. A message from Mark
   
2. Another story of Jesus performing a miracle
   
3. What lessons can we learn from this familiar story

His Critical Condition Vs. 3
a. What does it mean to be sick of a palsy?
b. My Nephew had Bells Palsy and lost some sensation in his face, made his mouth droop is this the disease?
c. Eastern diseases - The paraplegy, affecting all the systems below the neck. The catalepsy, this is caused by a contraction of the muscles in the whole or part of body and is very dangerous. The effects are very violent and fatal. The example would be a withered hand.

His Concerned Companions Vs. 3
d. What do we know of these four friends?
e. We don’t know their names, or occupations
f. We don’t know their marital status.
g. We know that they cared for this man.
h. Other activities would have been more fun.
i. We know they had faith. Vs 5

The Unconventional Effort Vs. 4
j. It would have been easy to give up when they could not get their friend into see Christ.
k. Men’s ministries are not always just the simple and normal way of reaching each other.
l. Sometimes the greatest ways of showing concern is to do something unconventional.
m. We discussed evangelism at this weeks deacons meeting.

i. More programs?
ii. More concern for the unsaved!

Christ’s Compassion Vs. 5 & 11
n. Jesus saw the faith of all five of the men.
o. Jesus forgave the man’s sins and healed him
p. Sickness was equated to sin.
q. Lu 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The Critics Vs. 6-7
r. Some can find bad even in the best situations

i. A hole in the roof
ii. Disturbed the meeting
iii. Better off the way he was – understood it

Conclusion:
Are we looking for those in need?
Are we concerned about their eternal destiny?
What are we willing to go through to see someone saved?
In the last 6 months or 1 year what have you done to tell or help someone to find Christ