Akron FBC Michael Moos

Mark 1:1-8

Imagine that you are a Christian living in first-century Rome, during the time of Emperor Nero's persecutions. If the authorities discover that you are a believer, it could mean arrest and death. So, instead of gathering in a church, you and your fellow believers have assembled underneath the city in catacombs, surrounded by skeletons and cadavers.

Now, imagine that you are there on the Lord's Day, worshipping with your congregation, and the pastor walks in with a new document - the gospel of Mark. This gospel was written for the Christians who were suffering persecution in Rome, to remind them of their salvation in Christ and to teach them about the suffering Jesus Himself experienced.

The gospel of Mark begins with the words, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." It is a powerful message of hope and faith in times of great adversity.

Resurrection Sunday

Psalm 23:1-6 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23

Christ is the central person in the Bible. Calvary is the central place in the Bible.

Everything that happened in the Old Testament points us forward to Jesus Christ and the cross. Everything in the New Testament after Christ's death, burial, and resurrection points us back to Jesus Christ and the cross.

The death of Jesus is not the end of the story. It’s the theme of the story. This truth couldn’t be more clearly seen than when we read Psalm 22.