Like I said on Sunday, it was very sentimental for me to be preaching the final sermon in the Mark series. That sermon marked the 58th sermon from Mark—WOW! I feel like I’m saying goodbye to my Mark commentaries like they are real people who’ve been hanging out with me in my study. It’s been so good for us to just slow down and watch Jesus display his glory and grace as he is calling, changing, and commissioning his disciples. Whether you’ve been following Jesus for years, you’ve just started following him, or you’ve still got questions—this gospel has been exactly what we’ve all needed! Even though we are moving on from this teaching series we are not moving on from the gospel! We never do that. We need Jesus yesterday, today, and forever. And the good news is that he graciously offers himself to rescue, rule, and restore us yesterday, today, and forever. What a Savior!
Another thing I mentioned on Sunday was that I figured some of you might have been wondering why I wasn’t finishing the series by preaching through Mark 16:9-20. Great question. The short answer is that it is doubtful that those verses were originally a part of Mark’s gospel. Most modern translations of the Bible will include the section in brackets with a note of explanation because even though there are ancient manuscripts that include v.9-20, these verses are missing from older and very reliable ones. This is a complex topic in an area of study called textual criticism. If you want to read up on this topic here is a good place to start. But for this short article I thought it would be helpful to quote an excerpt from the ESV Study Bible that discusses what has been traditionally referred to as the Longer Ending of Mark. I hope this helps.
Mark 16:9–20 “Longer Ending of Mark.” Some ancient manuscripts of Mark’s Gospel contain these verses and others do not, which presents a puzzle for scholars who specialize in the history of such manuscripts. This longer ending is missing from various old and reliable Greek manuscripts (esp. Sinaiticus and Vaticanus), as well as numerous early Latin, Syriac, Armenian, and Georgian manuscripts. Early church fathers (e.g., Origen and Clement of Alexandria) did not appear to know of these verses. Eusebius and Jerome state that this section is missing in most manuscripts available at their time. And some manuscripts that contain vv. 9–20 indicate that older manuscripts lack the section. On the other hand, some early and many later manuscripts (such as the manuscripts known as A, C, and D) contain vv. 9–20, and many church fathers (such as Irenaeus) evidently knew of these verses. As for the verses themselves, they contain various Greek words and expressions uncommon to Mark, and there are stylistic differences as well. Many think this shows vv. 9–20 to be a later addition. In summary, vv. 9–20 should be read with caution. As in many translations, the editors of the ESV have placed the section within brackets, showing their doubts as to whether it was originally part of what Mark wrote, but also recognizing its long history of acceptance by many in the church. The content of vv. 9–20 is best explained by reference to other passages in the Gospels and the rest of the NT. (Most of its content is found elsewhere, and no point of doctrine is affected by the absence or presence of vv. 9–20.) With particular reference to v. 18, there is no command to pick up serpents or to drink deadly poison; there is merely a promise of protection as found in other parts of the NT (see Acts 28:3–4; James 5:13–16).
This shouldn’t shake our confidence in the Bible. Like the note above mentions, “no point of doctrine is affected by the absence or presence of vv. 9–20.” God promises to preserve his Word and the fact that there are those who have studied and compared New Testament manuscripts and deal with this subject with faith and skill is a means through which God is keeping that promise. We can trust that our Bible is the very Word of God. If you have any questions about this please feel free to set up a time to talk with me or one of the other pastors!
grace & peace,
Ian
Here are a few helpful articles that discuss the reliability of New Testament Manuscripts:
http://carm.org/manuscript-evidence
http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6068
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We gather to celebrate the greatness of Jesus, our Savior, God, and King who has given us peace with God through the blood of his cross.
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
Beautiful One (Camp) …You’ve opened our eyes
Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life
Colossians 1:15-22
(Leader) Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
(Congregation) And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
(Leader) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
(Congregation) And we, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present us holy and blameless and above reproach before him.
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
Once Again (Redman) …now you are exalted to the highest place
This is Love (Vineyard) I bow down to the lamb…
My Hope is in You (Shust) My hope is in You alone…
Danny Adams, Pastor for Children’s Ministry
Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:
U.S.— Sovereign Grace Church of Central PA in Altoona, PA, led by pastor Tom Kurtz.
Abroad— We will also be praying for Jeremy Farmer who is serving as a missionary in Cambodia.
(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids
Message: Repent and Believe the Gospel
Text: Mark 1:15
Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision
You Alone Can Rescue (Redman) You came down to find us…
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
Read More
We will live because Jesus lives!
Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education, Directs Music Team
Come Christians, Join to Sing (Traditional) On that triumphant day He took our sins away! Death could not bid Him stay, Alleluia, Amen!
Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education
1 Corinthians 15:19-26, 55-57
(Leader) If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
(Congregation) But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
(Leader) But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
(Congregation) “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education, Directs Music Team
In Christ Alone (Getty) Then bursting forth in glorious day / Up from the grave He rose again!
Christ is Risen (Maher) Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death…
Jesus Lives (Sovereign Grace) Jesus lives, and so shall I…
Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life
Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:
U.S.— Sovereign Grace Church, Lead Pastor Mark Altrogge, serving in Indiana, PA.
Abroad— The Neza Church in Mexico City, missionary Jim Dowdy, whom Grace has partnered with for many years.
(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids
Message: Jesus is Buried & Raised (for us)
Text: Mark 15:40-16:8
Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision
Saving One (Starfield) …anyone who calls upon his name, they will be saved
Rob Chisholm, Pastor for Music & Biblical Education
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We gather to pour out our hearts in gratitude and praise to the Father who sent Jesus to die in our place for our sin in order to bring us to God.
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
Beautiful One (Camp) …You’ve opened our eyes
Danny Adams, Pastor for Children’s Ministry
Romans 5:6-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18
(Leader) For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die
(Congregation) But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Leader) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(Congregation) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
What a Savior (Kauflin) When He comes our glorious King…
Once Again (Redman) …now you are exalted to the highest place
My Hope is in You (Shust) My hope is in You alone…
Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision
Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:
U.S.— Real Life Church, Lead Pastor Rob Burns, serving here in Philadelphia in the neighborhood of Port Richmond.
Abroad— Sovereign Grace Church of Sydney, Lead Pastor Dave Taylor, which is a part of our family of churches in Sovereign Grace.
(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids
Message: Jesus is Crucified (for us)
Text: Mark 15:16-47
Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Townend) Behold the man upon the cross…
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
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By trusting in Jesus, we will enjoy being in God’s presence forever!
Psalm 84:1-5, 10-12
(Leader) How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
(Congregation) Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
(Leader) Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
(Congregation) For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
(Leader) For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
(Congregation) O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
Tommy Horton, Worship Leader
1. Glories of Calvary (Sovereign Grace) Lord, You’re calling me to come…
Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life
2. Breathe (MercyMe) I’m lost without You…
3. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us (Townend/Getty) …wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.
4. Better Is One Day (Maher) …to find You in the place Your glory dwells…
Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision
Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:
U.S.— Cornerstone Community Church, Lead Pastor Bill Curry, serving in the Kensington section of our city.
Abroad— Covenant Life Church Addis Ababa, Lead Pastor Mo Tegene, serving in Ethiopia, and is part of our family of churches with Sovereign Grace.
(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids
Message: Doubt and Our Deliverer
Text: Isaiah 50:4-9
Dan Birkholz, Church Planting Resident
You Never Let Go (Matt Redman) …I will fear no evil for my God is with me
Tommy Horton, Worship Leader
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We gather to praise our God & Savior who is great and greatly to be praised!
Psalm 96:1-4
(Leader) Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
(Congregation) Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
(Leader) Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
(Congregation) For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
1. Come Praise & Glorify (Sovereign Grace) You are the God who saves!
Danny Adams, Pastor for Children’s Ministry
2. How Great is Our God (Tomlin) And all will see…
3. 10,000 Reasons (Redman) …for all your goodness I will keep on singing
4. My Hope is in You (Shust) My hope is in You alone… *NEW SONG
Tom Horton, Pastor for Family Life
Before the offering we will be praying for the building and advancement of God’s Kingdom through the gospel in the following local churches:
U.S.— Calvary Chapel, Lead Pastor Joe Focht which is located in the Far Northeast section of Philly.
Abroad— Christ Community Church, Lead Pastor Wilbroad Chanda, in Ndola, Zambia. Christ Community is a partner church with us in Sovereign Grace.
(break) Children are dismissed to childcare & grace4kids
Message: Jesus on Trial
Text: Mark 14:53-65, 15:1-15
Ian McConnell, Pastor for Preaching & Vision
How Deep (Sovereign Grace) You were broken that I might be healed…
Curt Brown, Worship Leader, Directs Music Team
*NEW SONG
My Hope Is In You
Words & Music by Aaron Shust
Verse 1
I meet with You and my soul sings out
As Your word throws doubt far away
I sing to You and my hearth cries holy
Hallelujah, Father You’re near
Chorus
My hope is in you Lord, all the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes, understanding is my song and I sing
My hope is in You alone
Verse 2
I wait for You and my soul finds rest
In my selfishness You show me grace
I worship You and my heart cries glory
Hallelujah, Father You’re here
Bridge
I will wait on You, You Are My refuge
I will wait on You, You Are My refuge
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