Messages
A collection of sermons and messages Mark has given over the years
New messages are added as they become available
Oct 13, 2024, 10:30 AM
Elders had two tasks: encourage the believers by sound doctrine and refute those who opposed sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). Refuting those who oppose sound doctrine is no joyful task, but one that is desperately needed, even today. There are far too many servants of Satan seeking to steal, kill and destroy those who seek Christ. Paul had tangled with enough false teachers in his day (and Titus was no stranger to them). He wanted these new elders to have confidence in their role of protector, but also ensure that the sheep were no easy prey. From Titus 1:10-16.
Oct 6, 2024, 10:30 AM
Paul appoints Titus to finish laying a foundation of Christian life and doctrine for the fledgling churches of Crete. This is what the whole letter is about, notes for Titus as he seeks to complete this task. Chief among Titus' duties is to establish trustworthy elders to guard each of the new congregations, so Paul turns immediately to a brief list of the main qualities Titus needs to look for in potential elder candidates. These are actually qualifications that every believer should be working on; this list is a guide for spiritual growth and maturity, whether anyone aspires to the office of elder or is barred from it. From Titus 1:5-9.
Sep 22, 2024, 10:30 AM
The Great Commission included instruction for the Apostles to teach their disciples to obey everything Jesus commanded them. If everything Jesus commanded them had been included in the Gospels, there would be no need for the letters that make up the rest of the New Testament. But so much of the New Testament are letters from Paul! Who's Paul? Should we listen to him? If he is a legitimate Apostle, that means we have to obey everything he taught! From Titus 1:1-4.
Sep 8, 2024, 10:30 AM
The angels joyously announced the birth of Jesus; the angels rejoice over the resurrection of Jesus! The resurrection seals the whole testimony of God. The resurrection proves Jesus is all He claimed to be. The resurrection changes everything! It frees us from all our fears and sets our lives on God's intended course. There is only one right response to the resurrection of Jesus Christ! From Matthew 28:1-20.
Sep 1, 2024, 10:30 AM
Jesus is dead. The priests and Pharisees have won! They are so confident and clever. They anticipate the next and final deception and take steps to prevent it. Yet in truth, they have it all wrong. Not only do they overestimate Jesus' disciples, but they, like the disciples, believe they have succeeded. On the contrary, everything they have done has only served the purposes of God. They haven't won. Jesus did! But they, and the disciples, are still looking at things from a human point of view. What about you and me? Do we recognize the victory in this moment? From Matthew 27:51-66.
Aug 25, 2024, 10:30 AM
Now it's time to carry out the sentence of death against Jesus. You've heard it before; you've seen it in movies. It is brutal. And the worst thing we can do is become numb to it. Jesus Himself had the opportunity to take a concoction designed to ease His suffering and numb His pain. He refused. And that is a lesson for us: We need to face His suffering, as surely as He did. We need to see it; we need to feel it; we need to respond correctly to it. Why? Come find out. From Matthew 27:27-50.
Aug 18, 2024, 10:30 AM
Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, by the people and even by Pilate—against his better judgment. Can this really be God's desire for His only Son? We know it is, but do we realize that in suffering all these things, He was leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps? But Jesus is not the only one who is condemned in this passage. Not only is His stand before His unjust judges a lesson for us, but the actions of those around Him are warnings to us. How desperately we need to search our own hearts and lives to make sure we are learning and submitting to the will of God in Christ Jesus for us! From Matthew 27:1-26.
Aug 11, 2024, 10:30 AM
Both Peter and Jesus are on trial here. You can see the difference between the One who submitted Himself to the Father's will, even to the point of death, and the one who gave in to his flesh. Jesus knows when to remain silent and when to answer, all in honor of His Father. Jesus practices true meekness. Peter is still enslaved to the wishes of his flesh. But before we come down too hard on Peter, we should consider where we stand in comparison to these two men. How will we respond when our lives are at stake? Jesus' success and Peter's failure still have much to teach us. From Matthew 26:57-75.
Aug 4, 2024, 10:30 AM
How do you handle the most terrifying diagnosis? How do you handle tragedy befalling a loved one? How do you respond to a spouse who fails you in one way or another? How do you respond to a car breaking down by the side of the road or a printer that won't do what it's supposed to? We constantly face little tests and sometimes face the worst of tests. How can we face them and pass the test? How can we respond well, as Jesus wants us to, as we want us to? Jesus has been there. And He shows what we need if we're going to honor Him in the big and little trials of life. From Matthew 26:31-56.
Jul 28, 2024, 10:30 AM
Time is short now. Jesus has finished His teachings on the end of this age and His return. Now it's time to prepare for His departure and inauguration of the New Covenant. So many preparations to make! Over the next 30 verses, we jump from scene to scene, all in preparation for the sacrifice of God's Passover Lamb. Two people stand out in these verses: one devoted, one a devil. It bids us consider, "Which am I?" From Matthew 26:1-30.