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MARKed by Jesus: Mark 1:14-45 — 9/2/2025 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Dr. Thomas White, President of Cedarville University. In today's message, Dr. White teaches from Mark 1:14-45 that others pointed to the way, but Jesus revealed that He is the way.
Notes
The Way of Jesus: Chapel Reflections from Mark 1 With Dr. Thomas White
In this chapel service, Dr. Thomas White continued the Marked by Jesus series with a powerful message from Mark 1:14鈥45. His central theme was 鈥淭his is the way!鈥 While others pointed to the way, Jesus revealed that He Himself is the way.
Dr. White reminded us that Mark鈥檚 Gospel is written with urgency: 鈥淢ark is on a mission to the cross.鈥 In this passage, Dr. White highlights five defining marks of Jesus鈥 ministry that reveal His identity and shape our response as His followers.
1. The Content of His Message (vv. 14鈥15)
Jesus centralized His ministry on proclaiming the Gospel of God: 鈥淩epent and believe in the gospel鈥 (v. 15).
2. The Call to Action (vv. 16鈥20)
When Jesus called the disciples, His words were direct: 鈥淔ollow me, and I will make you become fishers of men鈥 (v. 17). Therefore, following Jesus always requires action.
3. The Commanding Authority (vv. 21鈥28)
Crowds marveled at Jesus鈥 teaching because it carried an authority that even demons obeyed. Jesus wasn鈥檛 given authority; He is the authority.
4. The Commitment to His Mission (vv. 35鈥39)
Even at the height of His popularity with the crowds, Jesus withdrew to pray. He stayed focused on His mission: preaching the Gospel and moving forward to new towns. His communion with the Father anchored His commitment to the mission.
5. The Compassion of His Touch (vv. 29鈥34, 40鈥45)
Whether lifting Peter鈥檚 mother-in-law by the hand or cleansing a leper, Jesus revealed His deep compassion and miraculous power. Dr. White then drew a parallel between leprosy and sin: Both corrupt, isolate, and spread, but both can be cleansed by the grace of God.
From these five marks, Dr. White reminded us that our lives should mirror Jesus鈥 pattern.
Therefore, we must:
- Repent 鈥 Be faithful to the content of the Gospel and believe
- Respond 鈥 Follow the call to action and follow Jesus
- Reach 鈥 Commit to His mission of sharing the Gospel to all who need to hear it
- Rely 鈥 Follow Jesus鈥 example and pray to our Father
- Reveal 鈥 Show compassion by loving the least of our society