Messages
A collection of sermons and messages Mark has given over the years
New messages are added as they become available
Feb 11, 2024, 11:30 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.
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.
Dec 17, 2023, 11:30 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, 11:30 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, 11:30 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.
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.