The audio on this video is the property of Thru the Bible. It is offered free of charge. If you wish to make a donation, do not send it to us. Visit http://www.ttb.org for information. The audio is attributed to Dr. J. Vernon McGee and Thru the Bible. Intellectual property rights are those of Thru the Bible. Please contact us if you feel our understanding of the terms of use are in error. Copyright information obtained from https://ttb.org/about/copyright-policy
Dr. J. Vernon McGee introduces the Gospel of Mark as chronologically the first Gospel written and emphasizes that its author, John Mark, was not an apostle but had close associations with key figures like Paul, Barnabas (his uncle), and Peter (his spiritual son). Mark’s Jewish name was John, and Mark was his Latin surname. His mother, Mary, was a prominent Christian in Jerusalem whose home served as a meeting place for the church. Mark initially accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey but turned back, causing a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, with Barnabas later taking Mark to Cyprus. However, Mark eventually redeemed himself, becoming profitable for the ministry later in Paul’s life. Dr. McGee also notes the early church tradition, supported by figures like Papias, that Mark’s Gospel is essentially Peter’s account.
Dr. McGee explains that the Gospel of Mark was specifically written for the Romans, catering to the Roman mind which valued strength and action. He contrasts this with Matthew, written for the nation of Israel and the religious man; Luke, for the thinking man; and John, for the wretched man. The Romans, while bringing peace, justice, and order, did so through force, representing active human power and a tendency towards dictatorship. Mark presents Jesus not as the king (like in Matthew) but as God’s servant, a man of action, with “Flaming headlines” like “Jesus came” and “He is risen”. The style of Mark is described as brief, blunt, pertinent, pithy, and action-oriented, evident in the frequent use of the connective “and”. Unlike Matthew, Mark does not include a genealogy because Romans were more concerned with a servant’s ability to do the job than their lineage.
Moving into Mark chapter 1, Dr. McGee highlights the beginning of the Gospel, which focuses on Jesus’ coming into the world, his public ministry, death, and resurrection. He discusses John the Baptist as the messenger preparing the way for the Lord, baptizing not for the remission of sins but “unto the remission of sins,” preparing people for Jesus’ arrival. Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River marked his identification with mankind, accompanied by the Trinity appearing with the Spirit descending like a dove and the Father’s voice declaring, “Thou art my beloved Son”. Immediately after, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days where he was tempted by Satan, alongside wild beasts, while angels ministered to him. Following John’s imprisonment, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, calling his first disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) to become “fishers of men”.
Dr. McGee describes a typical busy day in Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, starting on the Sabbath where he taught with authority, astonishing the people. The first recorded miracle in Mark is the casting out of an unclean spirit in the synagogue, demonstrating Jesus’ power in the spiritual realm. This was followed by the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law who had a fever. That evening, the entire city gathered, and Jesus healed many who were sick and cast out demons, who recognized him. Despite his busy schedule, Jesus made time to pray early in the morning and then decided to move on to other towns to preach. The chapter concludes with the healing of a leper, emphasizing Jesus’ compassion as he touched and cleansed him. Jesus instructed the man to remain silent but to show himself to the priest according to Mosaic law; however, the man disobeyed and publicized his healing widely.
Mark Bishop’s New Song Highlights the Blessing of Grandchildren, and he has released a new music video celebrating the joy of grandchildren. His song, titled Grandkids, reflects on the deep and unique love that comes with being a grandparent.
Bishop recalls that before he experienced this love firsthand, many people told him there was nothing like it. At first, he was skeptical, believing that his love for his wife and daughters was as strong as love could be. However, when his first grandchild was born, he realized that it was, in fact, a new kind of love. His song captures this feeling, expressing gratitude for the blessing that grandchildren bring into a family. One of the lyrics states, “God’s had a lot of great ideas, but the one I think I love the most, has to be grandkids.”
The music video for Grandkids features clips sent in by fans, showcasing moments between grandparents and their grandchildren. Bishop wanted to include real-life experiences in the video to reflect the emotions behind the song.
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Mark Bishop’s Legacy in Gospel Music
Mark has been a prominent name in Christian music for forty years. A Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist, he has been writing and recording songs that inspire believers worldwide. He lives in east-central Kentucky with his wife, Carolyn.
His career began in 1984 with The Bishops, a family group he formed with his father and brother. Over seventeen years, they recorded numerous songs that became well known in the Gospel music industry. They were featured on television programs such as Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, The Grand Ole Opry, and The Bill Gaither Homecoming series. The group achieved multiple chart-topping songs and industry awards.
Mark wrote many of the group’s well-loved songs and continues to write music for other Christian artists. His solo career, which began after the family group retired in 2001, has been equally successful. He was named “Soloist of the Year” at the Singing News Fan Awards in 2005, and his 2020 album Beautiful Day was a Grammy nominee for Best Roots Gospel Album. In 2022, he received the J.D. Sumner Living Legend Award from SGN Scoops Magazine.
A Message for Christian Families
For Christians, songs like Grandkids serve as reminders of the blessings that God provides through family. The song emphasizes the joy that comes from seeing the next generation grow and learn. It also highlights the special role grandparents play in sharing wisdom and faith with their grandchildren.
As families continue to navigate the challenges of modern life, music like Bishop’s offers encouragement and a reason to reflect on the importance of faith and love.
The audio on this video is the property of Thru the Bible. It is offered free of charge. If you wish to make a donation, do not send it to us. Visit http://www.ttb.org for information. The audio is attributed to Dr. J. Vernon McGee and Thru the Bible. Intellectual property rights are those of Thru the Bible. Please contact us if you feel our understanding of the terms of use are in error. Copyright information obtained from https://ttb.org/about/copyright-policy
Dr. McGee’s sermon covers Matthew chapters 22 through 24, starting with the verbal clash between Jesus and the religious rulers. Chapter 22 begins with the parable of the king who made a marriage feast for his son. This parable is a continuation of Jesus’ answer to the chief priests and elders and parallels the parables in Matthew 13, focusing on how and why the current age began. The king sends servants to call those who were bidden (the lost sheep of the House of Israel), but they refused to come. He sent other servants, but the invited guests made light of it, going to their farms and merchandise, while others mistreated and killed the servants. In response, the king sent his armies to destroy the murderers and their city, which Dr. McGee believes is a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Then, the invitation goes out to everyone found on the highways, both good and bad, and the wedding is furnished with guests. However, a man without a wedding garment (the righteousness of Christ, essential for salvation) is found, bound, and cast into outer darkness, illustrating that while many are called, few are chosen and must come on the king’s terms.
Following this, the religious leaders launch their final attack on Jesus. First, the Herodians question him about paying tribute to Caesar, a political trick to trap him. Jesus, perceiving their wickedness, calls them hypocrites and uses their own coin to state, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s,” marvelously answering their question without falling into their trap. Next, the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, question him about a woman married to seven brothers. Jesus responds that they err by not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God, stating that in the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels. He further proves the resurrection by quoting God as saying, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” asserting that God is not the God of the dead but of the living. This silences the Sadducees. Finally, the Pharisees, after hearing that Jesus silenced the Sadducees, gather together and ask him which is the great commandment in the law. Jesus answers, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”. Then, Jesus questions the Pharisees about the Christ, asking whose son he is. They reply, “The Son of David”. Jesus then asks how David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord (Psalm 110:1), highlighting the impossibility of David calling his natural son Lord, implying a supernatural birth. No one is able to answer him, ending the verbal clash.
Chapter 23 marks Jesus’ denouncement of the scribes and Pharisees and his weeping over Jerusalem. He warns the multitude against the scribes and Pharisees who sit in Moses’ seat but do not practice what they preach. He pronounces a series of “woes” upon them, calling them hypocrites for binding heavy burdens on others, doing their works to be seen, loving titles and recognition, and shutting up the Kingdom of Heaven. He criticizes their outward piety and inward corruption, comparing them to whitewashed sepulchers full of dead men’s bones. He also rebukes their meticulous tithing of insignificant items while neglecting the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith. Dr. McGee emphasizes the harshness of Jesus’ language, contrasting it with the liberal conception of a gentle Jesus. Jesus condemns their rejection of the prophets and foretells the persecution of those he will send. He concludes this chapter with a lament over Jerusalem’s rejection of him.
Chapter 24 begins the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus’ disciples ask him privately three questions: when will the temple be destroyed, what will be the sign of his coming, and what will be the sign of the end of the age. Dr. McGee states that the destruction of the temple (fulfilled in 70 AD) is primarily addressed in Luke’s Gospel. Matthew focuses on the signs of his coming and the end of the age, which relate to his coming to establish his kingdom, not the church. Jesus warns them to “take heed that no man deceive you,” as many will come in his name saying, “I am Christ,” and will deceive many. He speaks of wars and rumors of wars, but these are not the sign of the end. Nation will rise against nation, and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, which are the beginning of sorrows. Dr. McGee believes they are currently in the age leading up to the Great Tribulation. He then discusses the Great Tribulation period, during which the nation Israel will be afflicted and hated by all nations. False prophets will arise, and iniquity will abound. He clarifies that the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness before the end comes, distinguishing it from the gospel of grace preached today. The sign of the end will be the “abomination of desolation” standing in the Holy Place. Those in Judea are instructed to flee to the mountains. This period will be a time of great tribulation, unprecedented in history. False Christs and false prophets will perform great signs and wonders, but believers should not be deceived. The coming of the Son of Man will be like lightning, visible to all. Following the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven. The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn when they see him coming in the clouds with power and great glory. He will send his angels to gather his elect (the nation Israel).
Jesus then gives the parable of the fig tree, which Dr. McGee interprets as the nation Israel. When the fig tree’s branch becomes tender and puts forth leaves, it indicates that summer is near. Similarly, when they see all these signs, they will know that his coming is near. Jesus states, “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled,” which Dr. McGee believes could refer to the Jewish race or the generation living at that time. He emphasizes that heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus’ words will not. However, the specific day and hour are unknown, not even to the angels, but only to the Father. Jesus compares his coming to the days of Noah, where people were eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage until the flood came and took them all away. The phrase “two in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left” refers to judgment, not the Rapture of the church; the wicked will be taken away in judgment, and the others will be left to enter the millennial kingdom. Therefore, they are to “watch,” a watching characterized by fear and anxiety in that day, unlike the comforting hope of believers watching for the Lord’s return today. The sermon concludes with a call to be ready, as the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour, and to live in light of the fact that everyone will stand in the presence of Christ to give an account.
The Bible gives a powerful assurance about the future: God will create a completely new Heaven and Earth. In Revelation 21:5, we read, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also, he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” This promise is not just about fixing the broken world we know today. Instead, God will replace the old with something entirely fresh.
Many people imagine Heaven as a perfected version of life as we know it. However, Scripture makes it clear that the transformation will be far greater. The suffering and loss we experience now will no longer exist. The sea, often symbolic of chaos and separation in the Bible, will be removed. Pain and death will be erased forever.
Although we cannot fully grasp what this new creation will be like, we can trust in God’s wisdom and goodness. His power and love ensure that eternity will be both glorious and perfect—not only for His.
REF 21:1-5 NASB: 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
In the book of Proverbs, we find a profound emphasis on wisdom. The Bible references wisdom over two hundred times, highlighting its importance in our lives. Proverbs, along with Ecclesiastes and Job, delves into the depths of wisdom, offering guidance on how to live wisely, explore its limitations, and understand God’s mysterious ways. James, in the New Testament, urges us to embody wisdom in our daily lives, navigating a world filled with distractions and endless options.
In today’s world, knowledge is readily available at our fingertips. We can access information instantly through our devices, but the wisdom the Bible speaks of is far deeper than superficial knowledge. It’s about shaping our hearts and aligning our lives with God’s will. True wisdom involves understanding how to live in harmony with God’s purpose and plan for us.
Wisdom is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. The more we examine our lives and the world around us, the more we realize how much we don’t know. That’s why we must seek Godly wisdom, recognizing that God knows and has a plan for us. Solomon, the author of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, began his reign with wisdom, understanding his need for it to fulfill God’s plan.
Our roles as parents, spouses, Christians, and citizens are bigger than ourselves. We need God’s wisdom to navigate these responsibilities effectively. Young people, especially, need wisdom to choose the paths that lead to fullness of joy in God’s presence. Lack of wisdom is not just about not knowing what to do; it’s about not understanding everything God has for us.
The call to wisdom requires a response. We must receive and respond to God’s wisdom in our lives. God wants us to live in wisdom, providing us with a way to obtain it through His word. The passage calls us to hear, heed, holler, and hunt for wisdom.
First, we are called to hear the word of God. Faith comes by hearing, and we must seek every opportunity to hear truth proclaimed and taught. However, hearing alone is not enough; we must also heed the word of God. We must apply the truths we know from the Bible to our lives. Wisdom is the knowledge or truth that is applied in our lives. We do it because God says so, and we live it because we know it’s the truth.
Furthermore, we are called to holler after knowledge, crying out to God for understanding. This is not a passive pursuit but a devoted commitment to finding God’s wisdom. We must recognize that we need what God is trying to teach us. We need to cry out for the wisdom of God in our lives, acknowledging that He has all wisdom and promises to give it to us.
Finally, we are called to hunt for wisdom, seeking it as we would hidden treasure. We must dig into the word of God and look for its treasures. The problem many of us face is that God is not the priority in our lives. Seeking the wisdom of God should not be a one-time thing but a daily, moment-by-moment pursuit.
The knowledge of God surpasses all other forms of knowledge. It’s about having a relational understanding of His character, ways, and will. This knowledge is not a burden but a delight to those who truly seek Him. The more we get to know God and His wisdom, the more we can live for Him and the more He can work in and through us.
Above all, we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all these things shall be added unto us.
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