Approval Of The Father

I just started Mark’s Gospel. Strong church tradition makes the Apostle Peter the main source of Mark's gospel. Some think of Mark as "The Gospel According to Peter." One indication of Peter's influence is that Peter speaks very affectionately of Mark: “Mark my son” (1 Peter 5:13), and he says that Mark was with him. Mark (who is also called John-Mark in passages like Acts 12:25) was a "failure" in ministry as pictured in the book of Acts with Paul (Acts 15:36-41). His relationship with Paul was restored in the end (2 Timothy 4:11). Like Mark, Peter knew what it was like to be a "failure" in following Jesus when he denied Him three times, but he was also restored in the end. So Mark is recording Peter’s accounts of Jesus. Just think two failures working together something great. Truthfully the church is a bunch of people who have failed and sought the grace and strength to work together to do something great.

Mark is noted for it brevity, over 40 times in the book Mark says “and immediately.” I always read Mark like talking someone is so excited, and they are dying to tell me something, that is incredibly important, so I had better listen. Mark begins with John the Baptist proclaiming the way of the Messiah, then Jesus baptism it is as if, he wakes up, throws water on your face and says let’s go! One of the things I read that stood out yesterday was verse Mark 1:11 And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You! This was the God the Father speaking to His only son. This was the beginning of Jesus ministry at his baptism. The Father, says “Son, I love you and I am thrilled with who you are!”

So many people are dying to hear this from their parents. Many peoples problem of longing for acceptance of others comes from the fact that they never feel they won their parents approval or acceptance of who they are. They then in turn project their image of their earthly father, who might have been distant, harsh, and never satisfied on to God the Father. They then view God as someone who is never pleased, never happy with them, always wanting more from, them and they silently and even unknowingly begin to dislike and maybe even hate God. Remember A.W. Tozer said “What comes to mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.”

What about God, does he accept you, do you have his approval, and have you won His acceptance? It depends, what have you done with Jesus? Have you accepted and trusted Jesus or have rejected him and still trying to do life on your own? You see Paul speaks of frequently being “In Christ.” 79 times in his letters he extols the benefits of being “In Christ.” For what is true of and for Jesus, becomes what is true of and for us as well. So, if you have trusted and accepted Jesus as you Lord and Savior, then today you can walk in the reality that God says to you today, right now, “You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!” We are God’s children through the blood of Jesus. God loves you, and God is pleased with you! Nothing can ever change that reality! Just as Peter and Mark, God loved them through their whole entire failures and forgave them, and restored them serving again! Now, any good father wants what is best for us, so we are accepted in Christ, but God will discipline and direct our lives so that we begin to like Jesus reflect the exact image of our heavenly Father as well. He wants us to be a chip off the block, so that when people encounter us, the see a lot of heavenly Father shining through us.

Pastor Phillip

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, (17) encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. 2 Thessolians 2:16-17