Gospel Reading: Mark 3:20 – 35

Mark 3:20 – 35 20 Then Jesus went home. Again such a large crowd gathered that Jesus and his disciples had no time to eat. 21 When his family heard about it, they set out to take charge of him, because people were saying, “He's gone mad!” 22 Some teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem were saying, “He has Beelzebul in him! It is the chief of the demons who gives him the power to drive them out.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 23 So Jesus called them to him and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a country divides itself into groups which fight each other, that country will fall apart. 25 If a family divides itself into groups which fight each other, that family will fall apart. 26 So if Satan's kingdom divides into groups, it cannot last, but will fall apart and come to an end.

Mark 3:20 – 35 27 “No one can break into a strong man's house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can plunder his house. 28 “I assure you that people can be forgiven all their sins and all the evil things they may say. 29 But whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, because he has committed an eternal sin.” (30 Jesus said this because some people were saying, “He has an evil spirit in him.”)

Mark 3:20 – 35 31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside the house and sent in a message, asking for him. 32 A crowd was sitting around Jesus, and they said to him, “Look, your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, and they want you.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 33 Jesus answered, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 He looked at the people sitting around him and said, “Look! Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does what God wants is my brother, my sister, my mother.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 .

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum People gathered around Jesus

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum People gathered around Jesus His family wanted to stop him

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum People gathered around Jesus His family wanted to stop him Teachers of the law opposed him, accused him of being Satan’s agent

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum People gathered around Jesus His family wanted to stop him Teachers of the law opposed him, accused him of being Satan’s agent

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum People gathered around Jesus His family wanted to stop him Teachers of the law opposed him, accused him of being Satan’s agent How can Satan oppose Satan?

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum People gathered around Jesus His family wanted to stop him Teachers of the law opposed him, accused him of being Satan’s agent How can Satan oppose Satan? Divisions lead to falling

Mark 3:20 – 35 Jesus continued in ministry – Capernaum People gathered around Jesus His family wanted to stop him Teachers of the law opposed him, accused him of being Satan’s agent How can Satan oppose Satan? Divisions lead to falling Be united in Christ

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ V20 Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand V20 Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand - Christ lives in us V20 Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand - Christ lives in us - We are united in our desire to obey Christ V20 Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand - In unity, we grow together to understand Christ V20 Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand - In unity, we grow together to understand Christ. - We gather, share, support and encourage V20 Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand V22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth V22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth Teachers of the law – copied, interpreted and taught V22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth Teachers of the law – copied, interpreted and taught They were experts in Scripture V22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth Teachers of the law – copied, interpreted and taught They were experts in Scripture But they refused to accept Jesus V22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth V28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved V28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved Unforgiven sin V28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved Unforgiven sin = those who align Jesus’ ministry with the work of Satan V28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved Unforgiven sin = those who align Jesus’ ministry with the work of Satan - those who continue to reject God’s saving work V28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved In communion

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved In communion We are united with Christ through faith

Mark 3:20 – 35 Be united in Christ United in Christ, we understand United in Christ, we accept the Truth United in Christ, we are saved In communion We are united with Christ through faith We are united in our desire to remember him