Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 7:1–51, Mark 4:26–5:20, Prov 1:28–33

Today’s Theme: Grow Strong

Today’s theme is about us growing, as we are established in strength by God. God desires that we grow greatly and live securely as we trust in Him.

1 Kings 7:1–51

Don’t let your heart be stolen

His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage.(1 Kings 7:8, ESV)

A sign that Solomon was allowing his heart to be stolen. Signs will be the thing or one you spend the most money and time on.

Like Bezalel

He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.(1 Kings 7:14, ESV)

A bit like Bezalel from Moses’ time, both are a good examples of how the Lord blesses us and wants us to use our practical skills to build His kingdom.

Be established in strength

He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz.(1 Kings 7:21, ESV)

The names of these pillars are significant; the first means established, and the second means strength. We ask the Lord that you, your household, career and ministry would be established in strength.

Be a finisher

Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished all the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of the Lord:(1 Kings 7:40, ESV)

We must be finishers of the work we set our hands to.

Mark 4:26–5:20

Growth in God

But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”(Mark 4:29, ESV)

We do not know how the kingdom of God grows, but we do know that we benefit from the regeneration, sanctifying and building work of the Holy Spirit.

Great growth

yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”(Mark 4:32, ESV)

In God’s kingdom, internal value and potential is most important, thus the example of the mustard seed, which seems most insignificant but grows larger than all other seeds in its class.

It is through internal growth and investment that great growth and progress is made.

Everything explained

He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.(Mark 4:34, ESV)

Ours is not a mystery religion, The Lord explains everything to His disciples, He wants us to be informed, intelligent and in the know, so we grow.

Don’t be afraid

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”(Mark 4:40, ESV)

It is so easy to respond like the disciples. Lord, help us to have faith and to not be afraid of the storms around us.

Fear God

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”(Mark 4:41, ESV)

Now they were filled with the right kind of fear.

Total authority

So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.(Mark 5:13, ESV)

There was no fight here, Jesus had total authority over these demons, they had to ask His permission.

Mental health has a spiritual dimension

And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs.(Mark 5:16, ESV)

The pigs prove this is not just a state of mind.

Proverbs 1:28–33

Have a soft heart

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.(Proverbs 1:28, ESV)

We must not have hard hearts towards The Lord or His instruction, otherwise when we seek it in earnest, we may not find it.

Don’t be complacent

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;(Proverbs 1:32, ESV)

Avoid complacency at all costs, it will lead to destruction.

Live securely, listen to Jesus

but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”(Proverbs 1:33, ESV)

Whoever listens to Jesus, who is wisdom, will live securely.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 5

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 5:1–6:38, Mark 4:1–25, Prov 1:20–27

Today’s Theme: Listen carefully & intently

Today we read about not being complacent, walking in wisdom, making preparations, and the importance of the internal condition of our hearts. These all point to the main theme which is found in the parable of the soils.

We are called to listen intently to the teaching of Jesus, the bible and our leaders, humbly apply what we hear to our lives and walk in repentance. This is only possible because of God’s desire to reveal the truth to us, so that we will be fruitful.

If we are not careful about what we hear or do not listen intently to the good revealed to us, the same teaching will either be a snare (when it is false), or stand as judgement against us (when it is true).

1 Kings 5:1–6:38

Don’t become complacent

But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.(1 Kings 5:4, ESV)

This is good and means the kingdom of God can be built, but as we see later in the story, it can cause complacency.

Good business relationships

As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.”(1 Kings 5:7, ESV)

This is wonderful, there appears to be a genuine alliance and friendship here. Also, God gave wisdom to Solomon to deal with Hiram with respect and honour, which was reciprocated.

Wisdom leads to peace

And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.(1 Kings 5:12, ESV)

Ask God to give you the wisdom that leads to peace today, at home, school, work and church.

Make preparation

When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.(1 Kings 6:7, ESV)

This is significant and makes two points. Firstly, the building of God’s kingdom is not accomplished through the hard work of men, it is the work of God, so no flesh can glory.

Secondly, it speaks of the preparation that is needed before we go to build up the body of Christ. For example, if teaching, we should prepare the teaching and not try to work it out in the middle of the youth group, Sunday School or event.

Finish the job

So he built the house and finished it, and he made the ceiling of the house of beams and planks of cedar.(1 Kings 6:9, ESV)

When we set our hands to build something for God’s kingdom, we must finish it. Lord, help us to finish whatever we have begun in You.

A conditional promise

“Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.(1 Kings 6:12, ESV)

This verse is conditional, God promises to establish His word, only under the condition that His statues are lived out. God is not just a force that can be fooled or manipulated, God’s promises are almost always predicated on right relationship and His own grace.

The importance of the internal

And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.(1 Kings 6:21, ESV)

This is symbolic, that the internal is far more important and valuable than the external. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for getting this wrong, they made their bodies and clothes clean, but their hearts were still dirty.

Mark 4:1–25

Jesus teaches with parables

And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:(Mark 4:2, ESV)

Again Jesus is teaching, we do not know everything He taught but we do know He used parables and the parable of the sower and the seed was one of them.

Jesus, the sower of the seed

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.(Mark 4:3, ESV)

The sower of the seed is Jesus, even if it is through us, it is still Jesus.

The effect of parables

so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”(Mark 4:12, ESV)

This verse can seem strange but as a quote from the OT, it reveals the truth of a basic principle, the teaching and proclamation of truth can have either of two effects, it can lead to repentance (good soil) or cause a hardening of heart (bad soil).

God has chosen us, we are no longer those on the outside, so we need to listen intently to that which we are taught, so that we can apply it to our lives in humility and repentance.

God is active and necessary in the revelation of truth.

God later (in verses 21-23), speaks about His mission to reveal truth, which supersedes its concealment implied here, and shows us the ultimate purpose of the hardening of hearts. God’s ultimate pursue is to reveal, illuminate and save by the truth shone through the teaching of the parables.

However we cannot cower away from the truth that the same teaching which brings life, will stand as a judgement and condemnation to those who hear but do not listen and repent. The warning is clear.

Share the word

The sower sows the word.(Mark 4:14, ESV)

We, like Jesus, must sow the word of God by sharing it with others.

We have an enemy to combat

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.(Mark 4:15, ESV)

We have a real enemy in Satan and his demons, when we share the word with someone.

The word must take root

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.(Mark 4:17, ESV)

We must allow the word to take root in our lives or we will fall away. What does that mean for you today?

Chocking materialism

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.(Mark 4:19, ESV)

The deceitfulness of materialism can choke out the word of God. Meditate on the word of God today, over and above the concerns of this life. Find a moment to be quiet today, to silence the chocking hold of materialism.

Intently hear

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”(Mark 4:20, ESV)

This is what we must do with the word, intently hear it, accept it and as a result put it to work and bear fruit.

What are you paying attention to?

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.(Mark 4:24, ESV)

We must be very careful what we give our attention to, we will grow in what we give ourselves to.

Proverbs 1:20–27

Don’t be simple

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?(Proverbs 1:22, ESV)

We should not love being simple, in some false sense of piety, we should seek to be wise in God’s word and in walking with God.

God did not call us to be anti intellectual, we should love knowledge.

Repentance and revelation

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.(Proverbs 1:23, ESV)

If we listen to God’s call and repent, He will make His word known to us.

Don’t reject wisdom

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,(Proverbs 1:26, ESV)

If we reject the wisdom that God offers in Jesus, we will remain under the wrath of God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 4

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 3:1–4:34, Mark 3:1–35, Prov 1:13–19

Today’s Theme: Ask for wisdom

Today’s main themes puts the wisdom of man against the wisdom and power of God. We should, like Solomon, ask God to give us wisdom and learn to live in wisdom like Jesus.

We must have faith in God in order to walk in true wisdom, otherwise we are left with the ways of men and demons. So, let us do God’s will as the family of Christ.

1 Kings 3:1–4:34

Man’s wisdom

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem.(1 Kings 3:1, ESV)

This was Solomon’s first bad move, it shows he was operating in the wisdom and political wit of men and not the wisdom of God.

Darling sins

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.(1 Kings 3:3, ESV)

We should not have darling sins, that we are not willing to give up for true worship. Solomon’s heart was not 100% for the Lord.

Ask for wisdom

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”(1 Kings 3:9, ESV)

Solomon asked for the right thing; wisdom to rule. We are encouraged in James to do the same.

A wise and discerning mind

behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.(1 Kings 3:12, ESV)

Our minds and understanding belong to the Lord, not the devil.

True wisdom

And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.(1 Kings 3:28, ESV)

True wisdom comes only from God.

The king’s friends

Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king’s friend;(1 Kings 4:5, ESV)

This was a special position, we have been called to be the king’s friends too.

Breadth of understanding

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,(1 Kings 4:29, ESV)

We should ask God to give us a breadth of understanding, the bible sense lexicon calls this a broad capacity to understand.

Greater wisdom

so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.(1 Kings 4:30, ESV)

Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of the world.

Solomon the scientist

He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish.(1 Kings 4:33, ESV)

It seems that some of what Solomon spoke about was scientific, like biology.

A picture of Jesus as King

And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.(1 Kings 4:34, ESV)

This prefigures Christ, when all nations will flow to Him.

Mark 3:1–35

Hardness of heart

And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.(Mark 3:5, ESV)

Jesus was grieved at the hardness of heart of those trying to catch Him out, this kind of thing must grieve us too. The hardness of heart was toward God, Jesus and to fellow man.

Demons acknowledge Jesus

And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”(Mark 3:11, ESV)

The demons know who Jesus is.

Calling those he desires

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.(Mark 3:13, ESV)

God is still calling those He desires to call, this is the motive of His election.

The purpose of the twelve

And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.(Mark 3:14–15, ESV)

Notice the order; firstly, that they may be with Jesus, secondly, Preach the word and thirdly, cast out demons.

Dealing with unbelief

And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”(Mark 3:21, ESV)

Jesus had to deal with unbelief in His own family.

The strongman bound

But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.(Mark 3:27, ESV)

The strongman Satan, is bound by Jesus so that those oppressed by Satan can be set free.

The eternal sin

for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”(Mark 3:30, ESV)

This is the eternal sin and could only be committed when Jesus walked the earth. The context is full revelation with full rejection, as mentioned in Hebrews 6.

Jesus’ family

For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”(Mark 3:35, ESV)

Doing God’s will makes us kin, this also deals with the lies of Roman Catholicism regarding the status of Mary.

Proverbs 1:13–19

Hold back

my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,(Proverbs 1:15, ESV)

Young people need to make an effort to hold their feet back from doing evil.

The trap

but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.(Proverbs 1:18, ESV)

When we scheme to get unjust gains, we are setting a trap for our own lives.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 3

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 2:1–46, Mark 1:35–2:28, Prov 1:8–12

Today’s Theme: New Wine

Today’s themes include faithful service and the impact of Jesus. Of particular note is the theme of new wine. Jesus inaugurated a new covenant through the resurrection and the indwelling Holy Spirit, the new life He gives cannot coexist with outdated dead systems of religion or being.

1 Kings 2:1–46

Be strong, show you are a man

“I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man,(1 Kings 2:2, ESV)

Something we need to call men back to.

Conditional love

that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’(1 Kings 2:4, ESV)

Note the word ‘if’, this is conditional. So often we hear that relationship with God and the love of God is unconditional, that is not true. God’s promises, relationship with Him and yes, even His sustained love is connected and dependant on the meeting of conditions.

Otherwise the cross and the commands of the word of God would be pointless.

God did not want the heartless meeting of conditions, He wanted these men to be genuine, full of passion for God’s glory and pleasure. God requires heartfelt devotion, not sterile observance.

Be loyal

But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother.(1 Kings 2:7, ESV)

We don’t hear much about this today, but we are called to be loyal in heart and service. So often men are leaving wives, churches and companies, because there is no sense of loyalty.

God’s appointment, undeniable

He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel fully expected me to reign. However, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother’s, for it was his from the Lord.(1 Kings 2:15, ESV)

It was evident to all, that the Lord had appointed Solomon as king over Israel, and although Adonijah was being deceitful, he could not deny it.

Be faithful

So King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died.(1 Kings 2:25, ESV)

Beniah the faithful servant, served Solomon as he had served David. It is worth knowing that Abishag was David’s last concubine, so Adonijah wanted to have her to control the harem and have the right over the kingdom.

Don’t be rash

So Benaiah came to the tent of the Lord and said to him, “The king commands, ‘Come out.’ ” But he said, “No, I will die here.” Then Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, “Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.”(1 Kings 2:30, ESV)

Beniah was not rash, he was a thoughtful man and went to the king to clarify his wishes.

Faithfulness will be rewarded

The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab, and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of Abiathar.(1 Kings 2:35, ESV)

Beniah received his promotion to leader of the army, now that Joab had been removed. His faithful service had paid great dividends, we should learn from his example.

A tool in God’s hand

Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.(1 Kings 2:46, ESV)

Beniah was the tool in the Lord’s hands, used to establish the kingdom for Solomon.

Mark 1:35–2:28

Morning devotion

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.(Mark 1:35, ESV)

This is beautiful and is the model for our lives. This is why we have a time of devotion every morning, this is why we do it in the morning and not the evening, it is the example left for us by Jesus.

We should consciously encourage each other to pursue a disciplined pattern of prayer and bible reading at the start of each day, and make a conscious decision to do this before the regular activities of our day begins.

Jesus purpose, to preach

And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”(Mark 1:38, ESV)

Jesus’ main purpose was to teach and preach the Gospel.

Power over sickness

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”(Mark 1:40, ESV)

Jesus’ power over sickness is recognised.

The impact of Jesus

But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.(Mark 1:45, ESV)

Even though Jesus commanded those who He healed to keep it secret at the time, because He didn’t seek fame on this mission (Jesus knew He had to fulfil the suffering servant prophecy before becoming the King), they simply could not help proclaiming that the Messiah had come. This serves to show us how powerful and impactful the work of the Son of God was.

Preach the word

And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.(Mark 2:2, ESV)

Preaching the word is so important, Jesus was always preaching the word as through by default. Jesus never turned up just to heal, like an evangelist with a tent, He came to teach and healed along the way.

Faith for others

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”(Mark 2:5, ESV)

This is amazing, our faith can help others.

Jesus is God

“Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”(Mark 2:7, ESV)

Well yes, this is true, thus proving that Jesus is God.

Recognise that you are a needy sinner

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”(Mark 2:17, ESV)

Jesus came to call those who recognise themselves as needy sinners, not the self righteous.

The new wine

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”(Mark 2:22, ESV)

The new wine is Jesus’ dynamic ministry and the new covenant, as opposed to the shadow of the old covenant, which cannot be adapted to the new, the two cannot coexist. Jesus has come and inaugurated a new covenant which has at its core, salvation in His name, by God’s grace, open to all peoples, and the indwelling of the Spirit of God.

In a personal way we cannot expect to append our new life in Christ to our old life and ways, any man in Christ is a new creature.

Lord of the Sabbath

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.(Mark 2:27, ESV)

Jesus created man in God’s image before the Sabbath day and created the Sabbath for man. Because He created both man and the Sabbath day, He is Lord over the Sabbath. The problem is that the day had become Lord, aside from relationship with God.

In light of Jesus’ resurrection on the 1st day of the week, the Sabbath observance has moved for Christian’s, from the 7th to the 1st day of the week.

Proverbs 1:8–12

Don’t be enticed

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.(Proverbs 1:10, ESV)

May this truth be cried out over our young people, do not consent to the enticements of the world, the allure of sin is deceptive and leads only to destruction.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 2

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 1:1–53, Mark 1:1–34, Prov 1:1–7

Today’s Theme: Jesus the Teacher

Today’s theme is true wisdom exemplified best through Jesus as the greatest teacher the world has ever seen. We see the wisdom that David has through his experience with the Lord, the seeds of Solomon’s wisdom, and the fruits of wisdom and studying in Proverbs.

1 Kings 1:1–53

Service, humility and hard work

The young woman was very beautiful, and she was of service to the king and attended to him, but the king knew her not.(1 Kings 1:4, ESV)

It seems that David’s character had grown in his old age, after all he had been through. The younger David would probably have slept with her.

This woman shows great character too. She was of service to David which shows a commitment to hard work and humility.

The folly of self exaltation

Now Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” And he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.(1 Kings 1:5, ESV)

Reading this, it sounds like such folly but how easily we can fall into this trap. Lord, keep us from self exaltation and taking what is not ours or what we are not ready for.

Speak to your children

His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, “Why have you done thus and so?” He was also a very handsome man, and he was born next after Absalom.(1 Kings 1:6, ESV)

David still had a problem with disciplining his children, was this because he was the youngest and picked on at home, or was it through guilt of past sin?

Benaiah the faithful

But Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and Nathan the prophet and Shimei and Rei and David’s mighty men were not with Adonijah.(1 Kings 1:8, ESV)

Pastor once preached on the great significance of this faithful servant, we should seek to be like him in service, honour and loyalty.

Don’t have a deceptive heart

but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother.(1 Kings 1:10, ESV)

This man’s deceptive heart is here revealed, notice he is at the serpents stone which is no small coincidence. A deceptive heart will always keep you hiding from those who will correct, rebuke or challenge you.

Grow in experience with the Lord

And the king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity,(1 Kings 1:29, ESV)

David knew the Lord more deeply now, through the experiences of his life.

Can the king rely on you?

King David said, “Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king.(1 Kings 1:32, ESV)

Zadok, Nathan and Beniah are faithful servants the king can rely on.

Beniah the faithful worshiper

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, “Amen! May the Lord, the God of my lord the king, say so. As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.”(1 Kings 1:36–37, ESV)

This is one of the first times we have heard words from Beniah and he is clearly a worshiper and faithful, loyal servant, who is also full of faith. We must emulate him as men.

Praise to breakthrough

And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.(1 Kings 1:40, ESV)

Praise and worship at God, accomplishing His purposes, will break up the flesh (split the earth).

Solomon’s wisdom

And Solomon said, “If he will show himself a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he shall die.”(1 Kings 1:52, ESV)

It seems that even before he asked for It, God gave Solomon great wisdom. If someone is walking in righteousness, they would not fear for their life in this way. Sin brings fear and fear brings torment.

Mark 1:1–34

Jesus, The Son of God

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.(Mark 1:1, ESV)

Mark opens his account of the life of Jesus Christ with the bold affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God.

The ministry of John

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.(Mark 1:4, ESV)

This had two elements; it was a baptism not just as a rite but an active expression of repentance, and that repentance was for the forgiveness of sin. This is radical because if a man repents of his sin, he is no better off without the grace and mercy of God. We know that the ministry of John was empowered by the Holy Spirit and blessed by the Father, making it effectual for the forgiveness of sin, in anticipation of Jesus’ final work on the cross.

Confession

And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.(Mark 1:5, ESV)

When we truly repent we confess our sin to God and even to men, as the Lord leads.

Immersed in God

I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”(Mark 1:8, ESV)

Jesus immerses us in the Holy Spirit. Think about that for a second, to be immersed in God.

Like a dove

And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.(Mark 1:10, ESV)

This was no gentle scene, the heavens were torn open, violently, and the mighty Spirit of God came upon Him, but in His might the Spirit came like a dove – this is so profound.

We need the mighty Spirit to come like this to us, if He tore through the heavens and hit us with that same ferocity, we would not survive the impact. No, the Spirit comes gently and gradually like a dove, restraining the full extent of His awesome power as God, to us as mere men.

So, yes Lord, rend the heavens and come down but when you do, come like a dove.

The Trinity at the baptism of Messiah

And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”(Mark 1:11, ESV)

The whole trinity is present here, God is not tricking us as the modalist say, no, the Son was being baptised, the Spirit was descending and the Father was speaking.

This is key; the Son pleases the Father, we should seek to do the same.

The temptation of Jesus

And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.(Mark 1:13, ESV)

This seems to suggest that Jesus was tempted by Satan for the entirety of the 40 days.

God is the gospel

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,(Mark 1:14, ESV)

The good news of God is that God has come, God is the gospel.

Jesus, The fulfiller

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”(Mark 1:15, ESV)

Jesus was the fulfilment of OT.

The first imperative of the ministry of Jesus is to Repent and Believe, not just believe. We must repent.

God’s effectual call

And immediately they left their nets and followed him.(Mark 1:18, ESV)

Jesus’ call on the lives of these fishermen was effectual, they came straight away, we must not delay in following and responding to the Lord.

Jesus, the teacher

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.(Mark 1:21, ESV)

Jesus’ default activity was as a teacher.

A different teacher

And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.(Mark 1:22, ESV)

Jesus taught with passion, truth, integrity and great authority because of the genuineness of His knowledge and heart. This was not just stuff from His head, He taught with heart and soul. Lord, help us to teach like You.

Jesus’ authority over demons

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”(Mark 1:25, ESV)

Jesus had both power and authority over demons.

Spread God’s fame

And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.(Mark 1:28, ESV)

We live to spread His fame.

The character of Jesus

And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.(Mark 1:34, ESV)

Jesus had total authority over the demons, and we also read about Him doing amazing healing. We should not take it for granted, the healing and casting out, along with silencing of the demons, tells us a lot about the character of Jesus.

Proverbs 1:1–7

Increase in learning

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,(Proverbs 1:5, ESV)

The NT picks this up and tells us to study to show ourselves approved, we must avoid anti intellectualism. After all, God gave us our minds and the ability to think and learn, so that we might know Him more and have the best possible quality of relationship to and with Him and one another.

Embrace wisdom and instruction

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.(Proverbs 1:7, ESV)

If we fear God then we will love instruction and wisdom and all that entails, including investment of time, money, energy and life, in study and meditating upon the truth of God, revealed in His word.

If we revere the Lord, we will love His word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 1