1. Seek first the kingdom of God
We look for but sometime find
Health & Creativity Sickness
Righteousness & Justice Injustice
Love & Joy Selfishness
Trust and Truth Lies
Peace & Hope Despair
Grace & Mercy Meanness
Do we sometimes think that evil is winning over good?

2. Our Hope is in our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thessalonians 1:3
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7)

3. Jesus said “The Time has come The Kingdom of God is near Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
God is present doing good
and confronting what is not good
(Mark 1:16 onwards!)
e.g…

4. Confronting what is not good
Casting out Evil spirits x4,
Heal: Fever, Leprosy, Paralytic, Storm, Jairus’ daughter, Bleeding woman, Syro Phoenician, Deaf Mute, Blind man, Bartimaeus
Confront: Levi, Sabbath, Beelzebub, Sower, Death of John, Unclean, Herod, Who is greatest, Divorce, Rich man, Little children, James and John, Tenants in vineyard, Tax, Resurrection
Where is this going? Where will this end?

5. Where is this going? Where will it end?
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. (Mark 8:35)

6. 25 Mar 11:1-11 Palm Sunday
7 Jan 11:12-33 Fig tree & Temple
14 Jan 12:1-12 Tenants in vineyard
28 Jan 12:13-27 Questions: Tax & Resurrection
21 Jan 12:28-44 Greatest command & Widows mite
4 Feb 13:1-31 Apocalypse
11 Feb 14:1-11 Plot & Bethany
18 Feb 14:12-31 Passover
25 Feb 14:32-52 Gethsemane
4 Mar 14:53-72 High Priest & Peter
11 Mar 15:1-20 Pilate & Crowd
18 Mar 15:21-47 Crucifixion & Burial
1 Apr 16:1-8 Resurrection

7. Mark 14: What is Peter doing?
“You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Mark 8:33)
The guards are by the fire

8. Mark 14: What are the priests doing?
 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Do not let your hair become unkempt and do not tear your clothes. But your relatives, all the Israelites, may mourn for those the Lord has destroyed by fire (Leviticus 10:6)
One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19:15)
Jesus said “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19) “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Mark 13:2)

9. Mark 14: What is Jesus doing?
But Jesus opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
In my vision there before me was one like a son of man, He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked Bartimaeus. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” (Mark 10:51)

10. Mark 14 What is Peter doing? What are the Priests doing?
What is Jesus doing?

11. Mark 14
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

12. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

13. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Thank God for his written Word to us

14. Mark 14: Priests
Avoid
looking for evidence to condemn those who threaten you
half truths about your enemies
condemning people on the evidence of one person
believing caricatures

15. Mark 14: Jesus There is a time to remain silent.
for confrontational truth-telling

16. Mark 14: Disciples (Peter)
Beware of
following Jesus at a distance
sitting with the guards (who beat Jesus)
warming yourself by the fire
not knowing Jesus
Remember:
there is a time to break down and weep

17. Mark 14 D Beware following Jesus at a distance
D Beware sitting with the guards (who beat Jesus)
D Beware warming yourself by the fire
P Avoid looking for evidence to condemn those who threaten you
P Avoid half truths about your enemies
P Avoid condemning people on the evidence of one person
J There is a time to remain silent.
J There is a time for confrontational truth-telling
P Avoid believing caricatures
D Beware not knowing Jesus
D There is a time to break down and weep

18. Our Gathered worship has ended, our Worship & Service continue
From Amen to Action
May you know the blessing Staying close to Jesus Mourning your losses and your shortcomings Confrontational truth-telling
Today and every day, for ever. Amen? Amen
Our Gathered worship has ended, our Worship & Service continue
Tea, coffee and squash are served Children at the front, Adults at the back