Tag Archives: life

Now He’s Really Done It!

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 5:21-43 Parallel Texts: Matthew 9:18-26; Luke 7:41-56 In this section, Jesus responds to the plea of a synagogue leader in Capernaum to go to the man’s house to heal his 12-year-old daughter who was seriously ill. On the way, … Continue reading →

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False Premises: An Example

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

There are times when people express arguments for cases that are difficult to respond to, not because they contain a great argument for a worthy cause, but because they contain flawed logic. Last Friday I received just such an argument … Continue reading →

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Legion

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 5:1-20 Parallel Texts: Matthew 8:28-33; Luke 8:26-39 Right after Jesus completed His teaching in parables, He and His disciples began to make their way across the Sea of Galilee, where they encountered a fierce storm that threatened to swamp … Continue reading →

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And a Storm Came

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 4:35-41 Parallel Texts: Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25 Right after Jesus wrapped up His teaching in parables, He was tired and ready to leave, so the disciples joined Him in the boat, and they began to cross to the other … Continue reading →

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The Mustard Seed

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Don Merritt

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, … Continue reading →

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Parable of Seeds

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Don Merritt

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All … Continue reading →

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A Troubling Conversation

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Don Merritt

The other day, I had a conversation with a group of Christians, a group I am coming to know fairly well; this is a regular thing. Many of them grew up in another church tradition, one that has its roots … Continue reading →

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Two Short Parables

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 4:21-25 Parallel Text: Like 8:16-18  This brief section contains two more short ones, the Parable of the Lampstands and the Warning for Hearers. First, let’s talk about lamps… Lamps and lampstands are used several times in the New Testament … Continue reading →

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Jesus Teaches in Parables

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Don Merritt

Parable of the Sower Mark 4:1-20 Parallel Texts: Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15 With the beginning of chapter four, we see a shift in Mark’s narrative into a battery of parables. Parables are interesting things, little stories that teach a moral … Continue reading →

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Weekly Podcast: June 16, 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Don Merritt

Why do Christians Argue so Much? This week’s podcast kicks off several posts this week about interpretation that will just cover a few things I’ve noticed going on with the hope that you’ll take the opportunity to think about some … Continue reading →

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