Messages
A collection of sermons and messages Mark has given over the years
New messages are added as they become available
Feb 4, 2024, 11:30 AM
"The first will be last and the last will be first." There are so many ways this can apply to us. Who is the first? Who is the last? Will they just be made equal? Will their positions be reversed? What does that mean for us who believe? Do you think about where you might fall in a kingdom hierarchy, or are you satisfied that you're "in," that you're saved? Might be good to give Jesus a listen here.... From Matthew 19:27 - 20:16.
Jan 28, 2024, 11:30 AM
What do you look to for assurance that you will enter Christ's kingdom? Is there a one-off event or deed that you did to confirm your salvation? Do you depend on your continued good deeds to assure your place in Heaven? In this passage, a rich young man who apparently faithfully keeps the Law is still looking for assurance. Notice how Jesus answers him; it's a lesson for all of us. From Matthew 19:16-26.
Jan 21, 2024, 11:30 AM
Marriage. It can be the hardest of relationships. Surely there's a way out when things go bad. Even God wouldn't make me endure with this impossible person. God's Word is restrictive; in some cases, to obey would be tragic. So we seek to follow the "spirit" of the Law and not the letter. At least, that's what we tell ourselves. How often are we, instead, like the Pharisees in this passage, distorting the Word of God to justify our evil desires? Who is Lord in that case? What is the heart of God in regard to marriage? Can we divorce? Jesus has an answer, but are we willing to receive it? From Matthew 19:1-15.
Jan 7, 2024, 11:30 AM
God hates sin. But He also hates unforgiveness with an equal passion—and consequence! There are brothers and sisters who are caught in sin that we need to correct, and we may have to escalate it to the point of cutting off fellowship with them. But ultimately, the goal is reconciliation and restoration. We want them to come to repentance and return to obedience to the Truth. When they return, however, are we ready to forgive? Especially when they've sinned against us? Is there someone in our lives that we find it impossible to forgive? God has a warning for us in this passage, one we've already heard in Matthew. From Matthew 18:21-35.
Dec 31, 2023, 11:30 AM
Earlier in Matthew 18, Jesus shares the parable of the lost sheep. In it He says, "If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away...." What would make a sheep wander away? What would make a believer leave the church? Jesus concludes the parable with "in the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." The very next thing Jesus says is, "If your brother sins...." Is Jesus pointing out at least one cause of lost believers, their sin? Is He also showing our part in working with the Father to keep from losing a brother? If so, it seems His technique is counter-intuitive! Seems more likely to drive people away! But what if He's right? (Scripture quotations from the NIV, 1984.) From Matthew 18:15-20.
Nov 26, 2023, 11:30 AM
Jesus introduced us to a small child last week, in the first few verses of this chapter. It turns out that such small children, because of their absolute trust and teachableness, are incredibly precious to God. And to us parents as well, right? Right? I wonder if we love them as much as God does. From Matthew 18:5-14.
Nov 19, 2023, 11:30 AM
Jesus' disciples want to know who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Two things they don't get: a rebuke and a name. Instead, Jesus warns them that unless they become like little children, they will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! What? These are His hand-picked and personally trained disciples! Apart from Judas, who betrayed Him, is there really any question that they will be saved? If Jesus so warns His own disciples, how much more important is it for us to examine ourselves to see if we'll even be in His Kingdom? From Matthew 18:1-4.
Nov 12, 2023, 11:30 AM
A desperate father reveals that both faith and unbelief can live in our hearts. How we listen to Jesus, how well we listen, not just hearing but doing, reveals our faith and our unbelief. How diligently we seek to know what God says and how diligently we seek to do it tells the world what we really believe and what we don't believe. But how many of us are willing to admit our unbelief? That scares us, as it should! But we need to face it if we want to gain victory. Come hear as Jesus reveals the unbelief of those around Him, and what we need to do about it. From Matthew 17:14-27.
Nov 5, 2023, 11:30 AM
The Mount of Transfiguration. Moses and Elijah have a chat with Jesus. But it is so much more than a few (very) old friends dropping by for a visit. They have a serious topic to discuss, for sure. But these few moments on a mountain top are so very significant for each one of us who truly desires to know the "Son of the Living God." From Matthew 17:1-13.
Oct 29, 2023, 11:30 AM
We live like this life is all there is. We have so many wants and wishes, dreams and desires. But God sent His One and Only Son, Jesus, to come to earth and die for us. To live His entire life to carry out the mission of His Father. Not to travel, not to see sights, not to excel at sports or a job, or just to make sufficient money to live a happy, comfortable life. God sent Him to die. For us. That's our God. Should we really believe and live like He intended Jesus to die for us so that we could live this life to the fullest, pursuing whatever we wanted in this world? Or is it more in line with God's character that He intended Jesus to die for us, so that we too would die to ourselves and live entirely for God's will? From Matthew 16:21-28.