We at Straight Gate Ministries are adherents to the doctrine known as “SOLA Scriptura” which means: “By the Scriptures ALONE”. This simply means that we believe that the Holy Bible is a complete volume of sixty-six books which are “breathed by The Spirit of GOD”, and contain every teaching required for the Church, for time and eternity, and need no addition nor subtraction.
In the text for our lesson today in the Gospel of Saint Mark chapter six, we come to a verse that declares that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had natural children who were half brothers and sisters to Jesus, by Joseph her husband, a verse that is denied by dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, which teaches “The Perpetual Virginity of Mary” that is to say: Mary continued to be a virgin after the birth of Messiah.
What is the proper position to take with an obvious conflict like this against the written Word of God?
With this in mind, do you think it strange that virtually every denomination of Christianity obtains most of their basic teachings from the Bible; yet some of the denominations also teach things that are not in the Bible, or even deny things that are in the Bible?
Could it be that the teaching of such inconsistencies between professing Christians might be a major stumbling-block to many unbelievers against the Christian Gospel? Just where do you stand in your faith in the written Word of God? Well put on your spiritual thinking cap, get a note pad and pen, and listen in as Pastor Landis Fisher continues in our journey through the Gospel of St. Mark beginning from the sixth chapter with a lesson he has titled: “Faith In The Written Word”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Deutoronomy 8:1 – 6 (KJV)
Deu 8:1 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.
Deu 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Deu 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Deu 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Deu 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
Deu 8:6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 6:1 – 6 (KJV)
Mark 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. Mark 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. Mark 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. Mark 6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) Virtually every professing spiritual teacher whether good or not, offers some teaching about God and other spiritual matters based on the Holy Bible and at least to some degree, they allege that some of their knowledge about these things from the written Word are factual, but there are many who teach things contrary to what is called by the Apostle Paul: “Sound Doctrine” even right down to the point of open denial of things evidently set forth in Holy Writ.
#2) If any of the Holy Bible is “not true” then it can not be reliable if no one knows when it is or is not accurate, and this would suggest that God Who is said to be “Almighty” lacks sufficient power to communicate the truth, and that there is no logical reason to believe anything that is written at all; but the Scriptures claim that they are 100% true and are therefore binding and trustworthy entirely.
#3) Trusting in the LORD is trusting in His written Word and having faith in the things revealed in the Word of truth, which underscores the reason that Jesus commanded His disciples to Go therefore into all the world and teach all the nations, and to baptize them in the Name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and Lo I AM with you always, even to the end of the world.
Verses for Meditation:
#1) Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. #2) Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Prov 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. #3) Jer 23:16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. #4) Jer 23:21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. Jer 23:22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
Jesus Said: #5) (Mat 5:18 KJV) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
#6) Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
#7) (Mat 24:35 KJV) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
(Mark 13:31 KJV) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
(Luke 21:33 KJV) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.(Deu 8:3 KJV) And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Mat 4:4 KJV) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Luke 4:4 KJV) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
