TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Mark 13:9–10
Read: Mark 13:7-13
Listen: Mark 13
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for the trials they’ll face after his death and resurrection. He warns that following him won’t be popular or pain-free. They’ll be hated and harmed. Jesus-followers will be flogged, interrogated and imprisoned. Families will fracture and turn on each other. But Jesus offers the promise of his presence through the Holy Spirit, who will give them the words to say. In the midst of it all, he urges them to stand firm in their faith. Their endurance and perseverance will bring the message of Jesus to the farthest corners of their world.
When people challenge or reject us because of our faith in Christ, we join Jesus, his disciples and generations of believers who’ve faced the same pain. Jesus’s encouragement to be on guard and endure is for us too. We may have friends who mock us for our beliefs, professors who attempt to dismantle our faith, a spouse who scoffs at our church attendance or family who fights our new life as a Jesus-follower. It may feel easier to give up and conform to our culture. Jesus urges us not to give up and to stand in his love.
We may desire insider information for when our struggles will end. Instead, Jesus offers what we need—the truth that we can stand firm and secure in him. If we put our trust in Jesus, we are never alone. His presence through the Holy Spirit goes with us. He will provide words, courage and strength to hold on to our faith when it feels like everything else is falling apart. Watch this video clip as Pastor Aaron reminds us how the Holy Spirit helps us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
One way to stand firm is to worship God for who he is and what Jesus has done. Join the Ada Worship Team as they sing “All the Earth.” Praise God that “Jesus, you have rescued us. You are good, and you are just. One name alone be praised.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
