Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara Message

Introduction

• Speaker expresses gratitude for:
  • Connection with the church family and opportunity to preach
  • Ministry work with pastors and church leaders
  • Receiving offerings as part of worship
  • Presence of Brett Shellabarger

Gospel of Mark Study

• Chapter 3, Verses 6-19
  • Jesus was rejected, working, and followed

Jesus' Miracle

• Jesus healed a man with a withered hand in the synagogue
• Command to stretch out hand was both a command and enabling
• Logical reaction: amazement and gratitude

Reaction of Religious Leaders

• Pharisees plotted with Herodians to destroy Jesus
• Contradictory reaction to a miraculous act
• Rejection despite evidence of miracles

Rejection of Jesus

• Jesus is still rejected today without reason
• Cultural examples of anti-God attitudes
• Mockery and rejection on social media

Continuing Work of Jesus

• Despite opposition, Jesus continued His work
• Crowds from various regions followed Him

Jesus' Healing and Authority

• Healed many; showed compassion
• Power over illness and demonic spirits

Spiritual Warfare

• Balanced understanding of demonic influence
• Confidence in Jesus' triumph over evil

Discipleship

• Jesus chose and trained twelve disciples
• Importance of Jesus' work with disciples

Steps to Discipleship

1. Chosen by Jesus
   • Believers are chosen by Jesus
2. Presence with Jesus
   • Be with Jesus daily in life and work
3. Task from Jesus
   • Active participation in His work
4. Empowerment
   • Jesus empowers disciples for their tasks

The Twelve Disciples

• List of disciples with brief notes
• Importance of their role in spreading the Gospel

Conclusion

• Jesus was rejected; expect occasional rejection
• Continue to be about the Father's business
• Importance of being a disciple and serving
• Call to respond to Jesus' call for discipleship

Final Prayer

• Pray for drawing near to Jesus, being about His business, and living with love for each other and the world.