THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK 1. WRITER Also called John, native of Jerusalem, mother was Mary (Acts 12:12) Relative of Barnabas. Went with Paul and Barnabas on First Missionary Journey. His turning back caused a split between Paul and Barnabas. (Acts 15:36-38) Later Mark is seen at Paul's side (Philemon 24). Paul sent for him before his execution (2 Tim 4:11). Peter called Mark "My son" (1 Pet 5:13). 2. KEY VERSE: (Mk 10:45) "For even the son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister and give His life a ransom for many." 3. MAIN THEME: Jesus The Servant of Jehovah.      a. Written to the Roman to present Jesus as the perfect Servant.      b. Key word "straightway", shows pronounced activity throughout the book.      c. Book of deeds pointing to divine power.      d. No genealogy or miraculous conception mentioned.      e. No law or judicial sentence pronounced. 4. OUTLINE:      A. The Servant's Declaration (1:11)      B. The Servant's Dedication (1:12, 13)      C. The Servant's Deeds (1:14 - 13:37)      D. The Servant's Death (14:1 - 15:47)      E. The Servant's Deliverance (16:1-20) 5. NOTE: The Gospel of Mark is best understood with a prayerful consideration of (Phil 2:5-11) COMMENTS: The word 'straightway' (KJV) is used over 40 times in the book of Mark to emphasize the activity of the Lord Jesus Christ. PHILIPPIANS 2:5-9 reveals: 1. Christ felt the manifestation of His deity was not a thing to be held on to. 2. He put off the outward manifestation of His deity, not the nature of deity. 3. He took on Him the form of a servant. 4. He came in the likeness of man. Note, not form of man, form would mean everything that could be said of man could be said of Jesus. Jesus was without sin. 5. As a man, He did not stand on His rights for human greatness or distinction. 6. He humbled Himself. 7. He allowed Himself to be crucified, a most humiliating, painful and cursed death.