Messages
A collection of sermons and messages Mark has given over the years
New messages are added as they become available
Dec 29, 2024, 10:30 AM
From the exile to the Christ, that intervening 500 and some years, is incredibly chaotic. Little is known of the men listed in Jesus' genealogy between Jeconiah and Himself. But much is known of the history of those centuries. Somehow, through the chaos, not only would God preserve His people, but He would bring His Messiah in fulfillment of promises that grow more inconceivable as the generations pass. God laid out His plans in remarkable detail, but would anyone be listening? Would anyone be watching? His plans for Christ's second Advent are similarly revealed. Is anyone paying attention? From Matthew 1:12-25.
Dec 22, 2024, 10:30 AM
The kings in Jesus' lineage have not finished teaching us. On this third Sunday of Advent, we'll consider the proclamation of joy. For so many of us, we think that the only joy from the birth of Jesus is the forgiveness of sins and assurance of eternity with God. But God has so much more joy to offer us than something gained in the past and hoped for in the future. We can know a daily joy, if we will learn the lessons God has tucked away in the lives of these remaining sons of David. From Matthew 1:6-11.
Dec 8, 2024, 10:30 AM
Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, praises God and speaks of the Christ coming to lead us into the path of peace. We're not led through a doorway to peace, but onto a pathway upon which we're supposed to walk. Peace is not merely an emotion we're to enjoy or a state of existence with God. It defines a lifestyle we're called to live. David and his royal descendants illustrate with their lives the right ways that belong to the path of peace, and the wrong ways that can derail us. From Matthew 1:6-11.
Dec 1, 2024, 10:30 AM
"For God so loved the world..." John 3:16 tells us. Matthew's genealogy of Jesus proves it! Just looking from Abraham to David, we're blown away by the mercy and grace of God for people who in no way deserve His kindness. We find ourselves in Jesus' family tree. Our hearts are also challenged by it. We have much work to do. From Matthew 1:1-6a.
Dec 17, 2023, 10:30 AM
There are many joys of Christmas: gatherings of family and friends, festivities, music and lights, food and fellowship, giving and receiving gifts. As wonderful as these are, the real joy of Christmas isn't any of these things. The real joy of Christmas is that babe born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Because He was no ordinary baby. He fulfilled the promises that gave us hope of victory over Satan, Death, Sin and our Hard Hearts. He was born to pay the price to make peace between us and God. If we don't understand that, we don't understand the real joy of Christmas. Do you know real joy? From Luke 2:15-37.
Dec 10, 2023, 10:30 PM
Over the centuries from the beginning of time, the Lord has sent promise after promise, prophecy after prophecy, of the Seed of the Woman who would deliver us from Satan, Death, Sin and Our Own Heart. In the fullness of time, a baby is born in Bethlehem, and the angels cannot contain themselves! "Glory to God in the highest! And on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests!" (Luke 2:14) The promise of peace is finally here! But what is this peace? It has so many interpretations and iterations in our modern society. Are they all correct? Or does God have something more specific in mind? From Luke 2:1-14.
Dec 3, 2023, 10:30 AM
The first week of Advent focuses on the Hope that Christ brings. But hope for what? Why do we need hope? What are we hoping for? Interestingly enough, the first 6 chapters of the Bible reveal four of our chief enemies we face in this life. Peppered throughout Scripture are promises that give hope to the believer of victory over every one of these enemies. And these promises all point to a Son who's birth we will soon celebrate at Christmas.
Dec 4, 2022, 10:30 AM
The second Sunday of Advent is a time of preparation. Joseph, Mary and others knew or should have know the arrival of the Christ was at hand. But some missed the signs; some weren't ready for His arrival. He's coming again; are we getting ready to welcome Him? From Luke 2:1-7.