Sermons from February 2014
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…
Ritual Blindness
Religious rituals like fasting and Sabbath keeping are the concern of skeptics, rather than concern over who Jesus is and what he does and says. Their focus is on religious ritual and they are blind to the presence of God among them. These rituals are made for us, we are not made for them. Even good, God-given things can become bad when they are elevated above their rightful place.
The Authority of Jesus
Early in the gospel of Mark, one characteristic of Jesus that dominates is his authority. Jesus demonstrated that he has the authority to teach, the authority heal, the authority to cast out demons, and the authority to forgive sins. Only God carries such authority and Jesus demonstrates that he is the Son of God. What is our response? It is a fact that the one we follow has all authority which gives us confidence to be his disciple and go…