Mark (Page 2)

Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce

What was Jesus’ teaching on divorce? Regardless on where you fall on the issue, we must remember that Christian marriage is different. Disciples of Jesus Christ are called to a life of self-denial and this attitude must also be present in our marriages.

The Discipleship Road

Humility and suffering mark the road that Jesus walked. For his followers, the weight of sin must be shed as we travel this road to the kingdom of God.

Feeble Faith, Strong Savior

Prayer is an expression of faith in a strong Savior. As our faith in Jesus Christ grows, the product is powerful prayer.Lack of faith results in lack of prayer which leads to lack of power. In this text, Jesus highlights the faithlessness of his disciples and directs their focus back to himself as the object of faith. Jesus also shows the power of God to redeem the captive that is available to his followers through prayer.

The Cost of Discipleship

What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? What does it mean to deny yourself? This sermon examines Jesus’ difficult challenge. Pastor Tim looks at what it meant practically to the first disciples, and how we are called to live it out today.

Ears to Hear, Eyes to See

Jesus continues to demonstrate that he is the Christ, the Son of God by doing the very things that were spoken of the promised Christ long ago. Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, but his ability to see Jesus for who he truly is is still blurred. What Peter is missing is that the Christ must suffer and die as a sacrifice for the sins of his people (Isaiah 53). The question for us is, how do we see…

The Heart of Man

The religious leaders continue to confront Jesus. This time Jesus demonstrates that their traditions nullify the commandments of God. Not only that, but their traditions expose their faulty view of man. They believe that what defiles a person comes from the outside. Jesus teaches that what defiles a man comes from within. That is, evil is in the heart of man. The only cure for the human heart is found in Jesus Christ. In him we find forgiveness and grace…

Mission and Misunderstanding

When you’re a disciples of Jesus you will go on mission for him. You will be called to suffer for him. You will be reliant on him and his provision in order to be obedient to him. You will go through times of trial that are God ordained to bring you into a closer dependence and greater faith in Jesus. This is discipleship!

Who then is this?

Jesus amazingly commands a storm to cease, casts out demons, and even raises someone from the dead. His disciples ask, “Who then is this?” This is the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, the promised Messiah, the prince of peace, the Son of God himself. Yet Jesus is greeted by both acceptance and rejection. What about you? As this text demonstrates: Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrates the power of God for those who believe.

Teaching in Parables

What are parables and what purpose did they serve in Jesus’ teaching? Jesus said to his disciples, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.” How should we understand what Jesus is saying here? What is the secret of the kingdom of God that Jesus…

The Parable of the Soils

Jesus authority to teach demands that you listen. So what does a good listener look like? Those who hear: take the word and deny the devil’s lies. Those who hear: endure trials and persecutions. Those who hear: overcome the trappings of the world. Those who hear: accept the word and bear its fruit””love, character, and obedience.

Responding to Jesus

The curious crowds flock to Jesus for healing and to see miracles, but their amazement is different from saving faith. Jesus calls his disciples to be with him, and work with him in preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Finally, his family tries to control him and the scribes attribute his work to Satan. But, Jesus cannot be controlled or bound, rather he has bound Satan and has authority over him. Are you curious about Jesus? Are you a skeptic…