Hope Church South Bedfordshire Talks

Hope in The Word Mark 9:30-37

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 9:30-37 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Bob prays and Helen reads the passage for us.
Today we look at Jesus training his disciples but also see how they are still not understanding what he is saying about his crucifixion and resurrection. In today's passage the disciple argue about which of them is the best which leads to further revelation of God's Kingdom.  

Hope in The Word Mark 9:14-29

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 9:14-29 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Nigel prays and Faith reads the passage for us.
Today we look at Jesus setting a family free from a demon which was troubling their young boy. He is full of compassion and focussed on the family. the disciples who couldn't drive the demon out learn that there is a need for a deeper prayer life and connecting with God.
Mark 9:14- 29
[14] And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. [15] And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. [16] And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” [17] And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. [18] And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” [19] And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” [20] And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. [21] And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. [22] And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” [23] And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” [24] Immediately the father of the child cried out(1) and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” [25] And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” [26] And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” [27] But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. [28] And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” [29] And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”(2)
Footnotes
(1) 9:24 Some manuscripts add *with tears*
(2) 9:29 Some manuscripts add *and fasting* (ESV)

Hope in The Word Mark 9:1-13

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 8:11-26 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Faith prays and Sue reads the passage for us.In today's passage three of the disciples see Jesus with Moses and Elijah and he is transfigured brightly before them. A voice comes from a cloud saying, "This is my son...' 
Mark 9:1–13
[1] And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
[2] And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, [3] and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one(1) on earth could bleach them. [4] And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. [5] And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(2) it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” [6] For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. [7] And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son;(3) listen to him.” [8] And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
[9] And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. [10] So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. [11] And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” [12] And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? [13] But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
Footnotes
(1) 9:3 Greek *launderer* (*gnapheus*)
(2) 9:5 *Rabbi* means *my teacher*, or *my master*
(3) 9:7 Or *my Son, my* (or *the*) *Beloved* (ESV)

Hope in The Word Mark 8:27-38

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 8:11-26 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Sue prays and Faith reads the passage for us.
Todays passage is a challenging one with lots of questions behind it for example: Who is Jesus?, what does it take to follow him? and what are we left with if we don't?It begins with some questions for Peter and also a rebuke and explanation when he goes off track.  
Mark 8:27–38
[27] And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” [28] And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” [29] And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” [30] And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
[31] And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. [32] And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. [33] But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
[34] And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [35] For whoever would save his life(1) will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. [36] For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? [37] For what can a man give in return for his soul? [38] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Footnotes
(1) 8:35 The same Greek word can mean either *soul* or *life*, depending on the context; twice in this verse and once in verse 36 and once in verse 37 (ESV)

Hope in The Word Mark 8:11-26

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 8:11-26 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Faith prays and Jenny reads the passage for us.
Todays passage bring the lack of understanding of the Disciples, the demands of the pharisees and the healing of a man who was blind to show how our understanding of who Jesus is needs to grow. It also shows how our hardness of heart can often prevent us seeing clearly. 
Mark 8:11–26
[11] The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. [12] And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” [13] And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
[14] Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. [15] And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”(1) [16] And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. [17] And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? [18] Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? [19] When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” [20] “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” [21] And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
[22] And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. [23] And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” [24] And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” [25] Then Jesus(2) laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. [26] And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”
Footnotes
(1) 8:15 Some manuscripts *the Herodians*
(2) 8:25 Greek *he* (ESV)

Hope in The Word Mark 8:1-10

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 8:1-10 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Sue prays and Bob reads the passage for us.Today's passage looks at Jesus miraculous feeding of 4000 people leaving baskets full of leftovers. This miracle occurs in a population of  mixed Gentile (Non Jewish) and Jewish people. Does it show God's Heart for all people groups?
Mark 8:1–10
[1] In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, [2] “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. [3] And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” [4] And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” [5] And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” [6] And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. [7] And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. [8] And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. [9] And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. [10] And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.(1)
Footnotes
(1) 8:10 Some manuscripts *Magadan*, or *Magdala* (ESV)

Hope in The Word Mark 7:24-37

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 7:24-37 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Sue prays and Bob reads the passage for us.Today we look at the faith of the Syrophoenician who pursued deliverance for her daughter and also how Jesus healed a man who was both deaf and mute. He has done all things well...Mark 7:24–37
[24] And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon.(1) And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. [25] But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. [26] Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. [27] And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” [28] But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” [29] And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” [30] And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
[31] Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. [32] And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. [33] And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. [34] And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” [35] And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. [36] And Jesus(2) charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. [37] And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Footnotes
(1) 7:24 Some manuscripts omit *and Sidon*
(2) 7:36 Greek *he* (ESV)

Hope in The Word Mark 7:1-23

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 7:1-23 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Faith prays and Laura reads the passage for us.
In today’s passage we read about a discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees about traditions and commandments.  We look at the importance of a heart relationship with Jesus and reading God’s word and not getting trapped in traditions and legalism.
 
Mark 7:1-13
 
Traditions and Commandments
7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly,[a] holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.[b] And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.[c]) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,    but their heart is far from me;7 in vain do they worship me,    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”
9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)[d]— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Footnotes
Mark 7:3 Greek unless they wash the hands with a fist, probably indicating a kind of ceremonial washing
Mark 7:4 Greek unless they baptize; some manuscripts unless they purify themselves
Mark 7:4 Some manuscripts omit and dining couches
Mark 7:11 Or an offering

Hope in The Word Mark 6:45-56

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 6:45-56 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Bob prays and Faith reads the passage for us.
In today's passage we read about Jesus walking on water to meet his disciples and crowds rushing to see Jesus at Gennesaret where many were healed.
 
Mark 6:45-56
Jesus Walks on the Water
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night[a] he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Footnotes
Mark 6:48 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Hope in The Word Mark 6:30-44

Hope Church continues our new series of Podcasts "Hope in the Word". Today we look at Mark 6:30-44 and people share what they learn from this passage and their experiences. Laura prays and Helen reads the passage for us.
In today's passage we read about Jesus miraculously feeding 5000 men, plus women and children, from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.  Again, we see Jesus' great compassion for people, first in inviting the apostles away from the crowds following them to rest and then in feeding a great number of people who were hungry both spiritually and physically.
Mark 6:30-44
30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii[a] worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Footnotes
Mark 6:37 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
(ESV)