Messages
A collection of sermons and messages Mark has given over the years
New messages are added as they become available
Apr 28, 2024, 5:30 AM
The chief priests, the elders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, an expert in the Law. Jesus has been questioned over and over again. All to discredit Him, to turn the crowd against Him. Every attempt failed. Some examiners were further enraged against Him, some were amazed; the crowds were astonished. But did any of them actually want to learn from Jesus? All these questions and no seeking of knowledge. What a waste. The God of Creation stands before them, and they have no question of value, for learning from Him. Now Jesus asks a question, and the result is an end to further questions. What a shame. What a missed opportunity. From Matthew 22:41-46.
Apr 21, 2024, 5:30 AM
It is amazing how much time and energy we can spend on debating meaningless things. Carpets. Music. Greatest commandments. Does God actually rank His commands so that there are some we really need to pay attention to and others we can pretty much ignore? Not if we listen to Jesus! He shuts down all argument and points us where we really need to be focusing. From Matthew 22:34-40.
Apr 14, 2024, 5:30 AM
How wise we think we are! How intelligent! So we have the boldness to deny the truth of things we don't like, even in God's Word! The Sadducees are not so different from us. They preferred to believe in what they could see and touch and test by the senses, so they denied the resurrection and the existence of angels and immortal spirits. What would possess someone to deny so great a hope? What advantage would there be in denying the resurrection? What if they're wrong? From Matthew 22:23-33.
Apr 7, 2024, 5:30 AM
The patience of Jesus' enemies is wearing thin. They are ready to kill Him. The only thing that holds them back is the great crowd in Jerusalem for the Passover. Too many of them think He is the Messiah; too many of them hang on His every word. If only they could turn the crowd against Him! In this passage, we see their first attempt to cast Jesus as the villain. From Matthew 22:15-22.
Mar 24, 2024, 5:30 AM
Are you merely called or are you chosen? There is a difference. In the conclusion to this parable, Jesus tells us that "many are called, but few are chosen." The gospel goes out into all the world; daily people receive a call from God's servants. Some ignore it; they've got better things to do with their time. Others respond, but rightly have no assurance of salvation. Still others are chosen, and it is clear to all who are willing to see. Are you chosen? How can you know? There is a right way. From Matthew 22:1-14.
Mar 10, 2024, 5:30 AM
A vineyard. Tenants. Slaves beaten, a son killed. Jesus both sums up Israel's history and foretells His own death. More than that, He foretells the end of all those faithless leaders of God's people, and the birth of His Church! A bad day for the priests and elders and Pharisees; a great day for believers in Jesus! Don't celebrate too soon, though! Jesus' warning is one for us too! Day in and day out, churches and believers are making the same mistake made by those Pharisees and priests and elders of old. Are we bringing God the fruit we owe Him when He comes looking? How do we respond when called out? That tells more about our future than we realize. From Matthew 21:33-46.
Mar 3, 2024, 4:30 AM
The Bible can be hard to understand, for a variety of reasons. But it isn't so much because the Bible is written in complex language or complicated logic, or even that its teachings are cloaked in impenetrable cultural concepts. Jesus reveals two of the key reasons many of us can't grasp the Scriptures. Do you struggle with either of these problems that tripped up the chief priests and elders, men whose responsibilities required a thorough understanding of God's will? From Matthew 21:23-32.
Feb 25, 2024, 4:30 AM
Jesus seems to have it in for fruitless fig trees and mountains! What's so bad about them that the one would deserve a curse and the other to be tossed into the ocean? Given the wider context, this doesn't seem to be simply a landscaper's rant. These are warnings to each and every one of us who claims faith in Christ. But there's also an incredible power and responsibility entrusted to us! From Matthew 21:18-22.
Feb 18, 2024, 4:30 AM
God has placed almost every one of us in some position of authority. Why? What does He intend? What should we do? Jesus sets an important example for us in this passage. From Matthew 21:1-17.
Feb 11, 2024, 4:30 AM
All who trust in Christ and serve Him are promised eternity with Him. But does that satisfy you? We've seen that Jesus has more to offer those who give up the things of this world and this life in order to build His kingdom. Does that inspire you? Are you drawn to do more for Jesus? Jesus has even more to offer! But the path leads beyond simply forsaking property and family. Jesus is looking for a certain kind of person, to whom He can entrust authority and responsibility in His kingdom. Is that you? From Matthew 20:17-34.