Mark 3

"But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, "[Jesus is] possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That's where he gets the...."

"Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting..."

"These are the twelve [Jesus] chose: Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder"),..."

"Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people..."

"Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand in front of everyone." Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Does the law permit..."

"[Jesus said,] "Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never....."

"[Jesus:] "I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with..."

"[Jesus said,] "I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is...."

Do you worry about this? Phil Ware shares insight into the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit, or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and offers a four point way to invite the Holy Spirit into our world each day.

"Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of..."

"One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat. When his family heard...."

"Then [Jesus] appointed twelve of [his disciples] and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,..."

Why in the world would Mark tell this story about what Jesus couldn't do after telling about four powerful miracles Jesus did? Phil Ware challenges us with a hard truth about our low expectations of what we believe Jesus can do with us, for us, and through us -- are we, the church, the Nazareth of today?

How did Mary handle the transition of Jesus from her little boy to her Lord? Phil Ware continues his series on Mary the mother of Jesus called Window to Wonder talking about the transition of Jesus from Mary's little boy to her Lord.

How can Jesus be real to me and not just someone I read about on the pages of the Bible? Phil Ware continues his series on The Yearning, our need and desire and longing for Jesus to be real to us and close to us and experienceable in our daily lives.

"Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand."

"Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath."

"He appointed twelve — designating them apostles — that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out..."

"[After Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees about healing on the Sabbath,] the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how..."

"Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him."

"Here was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and fume, because they are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but reader be it thine....."

Inspirational illustration of Mark 3:14 -- 14He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.

Where are we going to get trained leaders for our church's future? Phil Ware reminds us of Jesus' practice in preparing his disciples for ministry and leadership.

"Dear Disciple, Read My harsh words to the Pharisees about their all-talk-legalism and not-much-help religion (Matthew 23:1-36). When you do, you will..."

Do you think James was really there through all of this mess? Phil Ware shares some insight and background on James the brother of Jesus and how he disbelieved, but came to faith.

What are you supposed to do with those December birthdays? We are thankful for our brothers' birthdays, but our Big Brother's birthday is the most important of them all.

How can the younger brother of Jesus help us find our way to hope? Phil Ware lets us journey with James, the half brother of Jesus, through the cross and resurrection to find our way to hope and confidence about our future.

Jesus asks us to trust him — not just for receiving our salvation, but also by obeying him in our daily lives. Phil Ware concludes his six-part series on the man with leprosy that Jesus heals (Mark 1:35-45) and how we can learn to impact the lives of others as Jesus did.

How in the world did they do this? Rick Brown talks about how we can accomplish the Great Commission in our world today, the same as they did it long ago.

Can we have a dash of stubborness in our mission stew? Greg Anderson completes the series on seasons in the life of a church and its vision, mission, and focus.

We rejoice in the grace so lavishly given us in Jesus by obeying the Lord. Phil Ware concludes his six-part series on the man with leprosy that Jesus heals (Mark 1:35-45) and how we can learn to impact the lives of others as Jesus did.

Why did Mark include it in his gospel? After all, his gospel is the shortest and most compact story of Jesus among the four gospels! Phil Ware looks at Mark 6:1-6 and reminds us that this story is for us because we are Jesus' family, relatives, and hometown!