January 11th 2026
Mark ch 1 v 16 – 45
How did people respond to Jesus and His ministry. He was so different to previous teachers, in fact NO one was ever like Him
1 The Prophets foretold …. The scribes interpreted the scriptures how they wanted too.
The people had no Bible to check the facts
2 The Pharisees / Seduces… They could not agree on a lot of their teachings The Law…. Eternal life….
Now along comes a 30 year old man with new ideas. In fact, He was just a carpenter
AMAZINGLY V 16 – 20
1) He chooses ordinary men (Fishermen) for His Disciples. He called, they followed
They were to carry on after He had left. No deep religious knowledge…. But they followed Him.
No real Experience of the talk about heaven.
V 22 He spoke with authority, not as the Scribes taught. Nothing He said was handed down from mouth to mouth. Nothing altered or amended in the scriptures
JESUS THE SON OF GOD
He had 1st hand knowledge of the laws teaching and
He had 1st hand knowledge about heaven, because that is where he came from.
V 21 – 28 His sympathy V 23 He cared about people His Power. We know where that came from. But His listeners did not know.
V 29 – 31 He went into common peoples homes. Used His power on people that did not matter.
V 32 When the people saw that, they brought other sick people to him for healing, this was while He was at Peters mother-in laws house. ….Even the demons obeyed Him
V 35 He went out alone to pray !!!!! Unheard of.
a) pray on the corner of the street, making a loud noise
b) Public prayers in the synagogue
WHY ALONE
1) the need for inner communion with His Father
2) Prayer for inner strength for the day ahead. WHAT ABOUT US do we need this?
V 40 – 45 Amazingly. TOUCHING A LEPER (forbidden)
But not Jesus, He had the power over the disease. They would watch for any signs of leprosy in Jesus.
It did not happen
What about today? Remember He is still alive today so these amazing things can still happen
1) Ordinary men and Women today still follow the call of Jesus
Not just the Poor, but now also rich men famous and educated people, are finding and following our Lord 2000 years later they see the wisdom of following Jesus
They have learnt from others how to find Eternal life
In the eyes of the Pharisees these 12 men would soon fail. How wrong could they be
2) His Authority is still here after 2000 years
The sick are healed (not always in the way we want it.)
The sinner granted salvation ( some people we think don’t deserve it)
Bible prophecies are still yet to be fulfilled
3) We still feel His presence with us
We have His sympathy
When you are in need He is still by your side “I will never leave thee or forsake thee”
We cannot see Him but His presence can still be felt
4) Jesus still enters any home where He is invited into
5) The power of His presence is still with us
Where 2 or 3 are gathered I am there in the midst
6) the final amazing thing
No matter how great or small our sin is ( a lie or a murder)
He is willing to touch us What an amazing Saviour we have
Ps 102 God never changes
News from the Church New dates
21st January…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
4th February..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
ANSWERS TO 4th January QUESTIONS
1) Adam 2) Cain 3) Abram 4) Lot 5) Isaac 6) Rebekah 7) Jacob 8) Esau 9) Joseph
10) Egyptian baker 11) Miriam 12) Pharaoh’s daughter 13) Moses14) Pharaoh 15) Aaron
16) Moses
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is Men and women of Israel
1 Joshua’s father?
2 She saved 2 spies in Jericho.?
3 He disobeyed Joshua and stole gold from Jericho?
4 Who along with Joshua said they could conquer the Promised land?
5 Who was the first judge in Israel.?
6 What was the name of the king of Moab described as “ a very fat man”?
7 Who was the first Woman judge of Israel?
8 Which judge helped win the battle with the Midianites?
9 Who is the judge that made a rash promise to sacrifice the first thing that came out of the city?
10 Who killed many of the enemy with the jawbone of an animal?
11 Who was the judge who was tricked into revealing the secret of his strength?
12 Who was the man in charge of the defeat of Jericho?
13 Who was the judge of Israel whose name begins with “T”?
14 Another judge whose name begins with “I”?
15 Who slew a lion with his bare hands?
16 Who was the shepherd boy who became famous?
God Bless