Messages
A collection of sermons and messages Mark has given over the years
New messages are added as they become available
Jun 22, 2025, 10:30 AM
Last week, we looked at Paul’s main command to wives: to submit to your husbands. We saw that a wife’s submission to her husband was tied directly to her submission to Christ. She is supposed to submit to her husband as she submits to Christ, which hopefully is “right away, all the way and with a happy heart!” We also saw that that’s the same thing required of every believer in their relationship to Jesus Christ. Today we’re going to see some “whys” of her submission, and why a wife’s submission to her husband is not a temporary, cultural command, but one for all ages and peoples, at least on this side of eternity. From Ephesians 5:23-24, 33b.
Jun 15, 2025, 10:30 AM
“Submission.” We treat it like a dirty word. It’s OK if everyone has to submit to each other. Not so great when one group has to submit to another. So we’ve decided to fix that in our modern era. We’re discarding authority, thinking we’ve found a better way. But it’s no new way. It’s one that’s been around from the beginning. We’re actually falling into the trap of the devil, who refused to admit that God was over him, but insisted on making himself equal with God (Isaiah 14:12-14)—in stark contrast to Jesus, who actually is God (Philippians 2:5-8). In distorting these last 12 verses of Ephesians 5, we’re tearing down the fabric of society as God intended it. We’re only hurting everyone we think we’re freeing. ("Wifery" refers to the role and responsibilities of a wife.) From Ephesians 5:22.
Jun 1, 2025, 10:30 AM
Ephesians 5:15-21 is a summary and conclusion for the instructions that began at the beginning of Chapter 4. Verse 21 also acts as a springboard for what follows. There’s still more guidance to come! In the same way, there is still much for us to learn and practice. At the beginning of this chapter, we saw six behaviors that need to be removed from our lives and fellowship—and one behavior that should replace them. Next we saw how we have been made light to shine, exposing our own evil deeds, as well as those of our brothers and sisters—and of the world around us! That we all might repent and grow in the ways of Christ. For each other’s good, not condemnation. Here, Paul gives us several key summary points, both words of warning and words of clarification and instruction. From Ephesians 5:15-21.