The Gospel of Mark - Introduction & Purpose

Foreword

The Gospel of Mark moves fast. It opens with power, unfolds with tension, and ends abruptly. But every word is intentional—and every word is about Jesus.

When FBCC first went through the gospel of Mark, the preacher was serving in an interim role at a church that had recently said goodbye to its longtime pastor of 31 years. His ministry left a lasting imprint, and like many churches navigating pastoral transition, we were entering a season of reflection and uncertainty. We weren’t sure what the future held, but we trusted that the Lord was not finished with us.

Since that time, the preacher has been called to stay and serve as the church’s bi-vocational pastor. The work hasn’t been easy, but it has been steady. What once felt fragile has slowly become a quiet work of renewal. And we have seen firsthand that what sustains a church is not personality, strategy, or spectacle—it is the enduring power of God’s Word.

This collection of summaries comes from that season of preaching. They weren’t crafted in comfort. They were written in the midst of weariness, obedience, and hope—offered for real people with real spiritual hunger.

Many in our surrounding community don’t read the Bible. They’ve only heard fragments passed down through tradition or absorbed through culture. So these articles are written for them—for those who may be curious about what we believe, or who wonder, “What are those pesky Baptists up to?” They are also written for church members, friends, or seekers who want to know not just what we teach, but who we follow.

The central conviction behind every chapter is this: Jesus is the God of the Gentiles. He is not a cultural accessory, nor a tribal deity, nor a moral teacher to be admired from a distance. He is the promised King, the suffering Servant, the risen Son of God. And though He was rejected by many, He will return—and every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

This book is not a commentary. It’s not a devotional. It’s a testimony to the One we worship—laid out passage by passage, as simply and clearly as we could say it.

We offer it to our neighbors, our community, and anyone willing to take a serious look at who Jesus truly is—not who culture claims He is, but who He reveals Himself to be in the pages of Scripture.

If He is who He says He is, you’ll have to decide what to do about Him.

My prayer is that in reading these words, you’ll see Him more clearly, hear Him more personally, and believe in Him more fully.

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