Mark Chapter 3

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)

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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.” So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?”
- Mark 3:22-23

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
- Hebrews 12:1

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If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.
- Mark 3:24-27‍

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I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
- Matthew 16:19

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“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
- Isaiah 54: 17‍

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Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter,  but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
- Mark 3:28-29

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But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
- Romans 8:10

Mixer

You get to create your own room to get rid of stress - what’s in your room?

Neighborly - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In Pastor Harry’s 3/22/22 entry, Rocket Science, he reminds us of the power in prayer. Jesus knew it - and asked for it regularly. So if we are to become more like Jesus, we have to regularly connect to the power source. What God-like capacities are yours for the asking? What kinds of things will you be able to do with them?
2. 2. In Som’s 3/23/22 entry, Prayer Is A Weapon, she reminds us of the privilege of being able to approach God in prayer. Even Jesus himself needed to commune with the Father in this way. What hinders you in your prayer life? Have you ever considered using prayer as a weapon against your troubles? What are the characteristics of God’s weapons and what do they do? What can a prayer weapon do for that thing you are trying to battle all by yourself?

Sermon Questions

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Mark 3:22-29; Hebrews 12:1; Matthew 16:19; Isaiah 54:17; Romans 8:10

1. What impacted or challenged you in today’s message?
2. What is a stronghold? What is a stronghold according to the Gospel author Mark?
3. Josh began with the statistic that 80% of our thoughts are negative, and they have significant impact on self-esteem, value and the way we feel. What is an example of someone in your life (or maybe it is you) living under this kind of stronghold? What effects did you see?
4. How does 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 help us to see the benefits of responding to our strongholds spiritually versus the innate human/physical way? (Remember Josh shared the story of Paul gripping his arm and Josh trying to pull it away.)
5. How did Josh use Mark 3:22-29 to show you what you need to do to defeat the strongholds in your life?
6. ● You cannot eliminate what you emulate. How are you running a race that is not marked out for you? (See Hebrews 12:1)
7. ● You cannot eliminate what you don’t terminate. As Josh said, the angry brother is still outside the door. What does surrendering and asking for help look like for you? (See Matthew 16:19)
8. ● You cannot eliminate what you don’t consecrate (set apart). (See Romans 8:10) What does it mean to make your relationships holy?
9. Can your spouse, or your children, see what faith looks like in you? What is one stronghold that you are going to let them see you battle God’s way this week?

Living Deeper

God’s Word says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take our thoughts captive to Christ and put them under his authority. Read the article by Richard L. Ganz: 6 Ways to Take Your Thoughts Captive as 2 Corinthians 10:5 Says at Crosswalk.com:

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/take-your-thoughts-captive-509888.html

Serve

• Good Neighbor Day is coming up Saturday, April 9! Register online or in app.
• Vacation Bible School is coming up June 20-24! If you would like to be a part of kids experiencing the best week of their summer, contact heidi@thechurchrb.org or lisak@thechurchrb.org !

Pray

Our next Good Neighbor Day is focusing on caring for the Foster Youth in San Diego County. God knows the names of all of these young people and knows the challenges they face to find love, connection, security, and value in their lives. Please be in prayer for God to have good things for each of them. Pray that as our church forges the way as Good Neighbors, others in our circles will be inspired to also be good neighbors!

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