When you study the Gospels, you’ll find that Jesus said many uplifting words but also many hard and challenging words. This is especially true in Mark.
From now until Easter, sermons at Shepherd of the Hills will be based on Mark’s Gospel. Last year we immersed ourselves in Matthew. Now we dive into Mark!
Mark is neatly divided into two parts: pre-Transfiguration (chapters 1-8) and post- Transfiguration (chapters 9–16). During the Epiphany season (now until Ash Wednesday), we’ll explore Mark 1-8.
To prepare you for the upcoming sermon series, below are eight quotes from Jesus in Mark’s Gospel, one from each of the first eight chapters. Some uplifting words, and some hard and challenging words!
“Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17)
“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)
“For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)
“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)
“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)
“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)
“There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (Mark 7:15)
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)
I encourage you to read all of Mark 1-8. What challenging words strike you?
Pastor Chris Kennedy 
Sounds like we are in for a great learning experience—–Thanks Pastor Chris
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