If you own a Bible then you have the opportunity to read four ancient eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These four voices sing one song in harmony. This message explains why we can be so confident in the accuracy, authenticity and integrity of these documents.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory.

John 6:35

“I am the Bread of life”

– Jesus

If you own a New Testament you have four ancient accounts of the life of Jesus. This series explores how these four distinct accounts work in harmony to tell one story. In this message we look at Mark’s account. Mark’s goal is to get us participating in the story and life of Jesus! In this message we look at Mark’s invitation to participate - specifically the encouragement for us to witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Mark 14:27-31, 53-54, 66-72

On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

“No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”

But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

If you own a New Testament you have four ancient accounts of the life of Jesus. This series explores how these four distinct accounts work in harmony to tell one story. In this message we look at Matthew’s account. Matthew is trying to communicate Jesus is part of something bigger that God has been doing all through history. And, as God has redeemed the history of the people of Israel - our past can also be redeemed.

Matthew 1:3

Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar.

Matthew 1:5

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.

Matthew 1:6

Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.

Matthew 1:17

All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners.

But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”