Category: Mark

SERMONS

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man
of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
-- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

He is Risen (Mark 16:1-8)

9/6/2020

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He is Risen
Mark 16:1-8

I. Intro
Big Idea: The resurrection authenticates Christ’s words to us. John 2:22

II. After Sunrise
A. The women expected Jesus to be dead. Mark 16:1-2
B. The women had forgotten Jesus’ words. Matthew 16:21; Mark 16:2-3

III. The Tomb
A. God created the stone He rolled away. Mark 16:4
B. The witnesses to the resurrection did not collaborate. Mark 16:5

IV. Risen
A. Jesus’ tomb is still empty! Mark16:6
B. Jesus goes before us. Mark 16:7

V. Trauma and Ecstasy
A. Discipleship is messy. Mark 16:8a
B. This account is still unfolding. Mark 16:8b, 9-20

The Next Step

What’s something that convinced you of the reality of the resurrection?
Can you relate to the women’s’ lack of faith throughout Mark’s resurrection account? If so, how?
How can we help others to know that Jesus’ resurrection occurred?
How can Jesus’ resurrection encourage us in our struggles?
Does the fact there’s controversy about including Mark 16:9-20 encourage or discourage your trust in the Bible as God’s Word? Why?
What’s a specific way you can respond to Mark 16:1-6?

Crucified (Mark 15:21-47)

8/30/2020

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Crucified
Mark 15:21-47

I. Intro
Big Idea: Jesus was humiliated, rejected, and suffered death – to save us.

II. Humiliated
A. Jesus’ death was meant to demoralize. Psalm 22:16-18; Mark 15:21-26
B. Jesus’ death delivers from shame. Mark 15:27-32; Luke 23:39-43

III. Rejected
A. Jesus’ death separated Him from God. Psalm 22:1; Habakkuk 1:13; Mark 15:33-34
B. Jesus’ death was complete. Mark 15:35-37; John 19:30

IV. Death
A. Jesus’ death opens the way to life. Mark 15:38-39
B. Jesus’ death can change us. Mark 15:40-45

V. Preparation
A. We can’t out give God. Mark 15:46
B. Jesus died to bring you to God. Mark 15:47; 1 Peter 3:18

The Next Step

What’s something you don’t like thinking about?
Why do you think Mark only says, “And they crucified him…” in Mark 15:24 without any further explanation?
If you got an opportunity to explain to someone why Jesus died, what would you say?
What are reasons you’re thankful Jesus died for you?
How has Jesus’ death in your place changed your life lately?
How is the Holy Spirit calling you to respond to Mark 15:21-47?

Decision (Mark 15:1-20)

8/23/2020

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Decision
Mark 15:1-20
I. Intro
Big Idea: Jesus judges us. Acts 17:31

II. Plans
A. The Jewish leaders needed a Roman ruling to murder Jesus. Mark 15:1
B. Jesus is the Lord of life. Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:2

III. The Custom
A. Barabbas was the kind of savior people want. Mark 15:6-8
B. Self-interest always rejects Jesus. Mark 15:9-11

IV. Committed
A. Jesus didn’t meet the crowd’s expectations. Mark 15:12-14
B. Pilate feared people more than God. Mark 15:15

V. Homage
A. Someday we will all bow before King Jesus. Mark 15:16-19; Philippians 2:9-11
B. Jesus came to save us. Mark 15:20; 1 Corinthians 4:2-4

The Next Step

What’s something in your life right now that reminds you of God’s presence and faithful?
When do you feel most compelled to pray?
Why do you think people find it difficult to pray?
How can seeking God and His will for us and others change our prayer lives?
Read Hebrews 4:15. How can remembering that Jesus sympathizes with our weakness change our prayer lives?
What’s a specific way you can respond to Mark 14:27-42?

Trials (Mark 14:53-72)

8/16/2020

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Trials
Mark 14:53-72

I. Intro
Big Idea: Self-confidence leads to disillusionment, but faith in Christ leads to deliverance.

II. False Testimony
A. Peter’s commitment was about him. Mark 14:53-54
B. Jesus testimony was flawless. Mark 14:55-59; John 2:19, 18:13

III. Condemned
A. Jesus had nothing to prove. Mark 14:60-61a
B. Jesus truthfully declared Himself our Judge. Daniel 7:13-14; Mark 14:61b-62

IV. Blasphemy
A. The high priest’s devotion was a show. Mark 14:63-64; John 3:1-21
B. Jesus humbled Himself but would soon be exalted. Mark 14:65

V. Remember
A. Peter defended himself. Matthew 26:73; Mark 14:66-71; Luke 22:61
B. Jesus restores. Matthew 16:18; Mark 14:72; Luke 22:32; John 1:42; Ephesians 5:27; 1 Peter 5:10

The Next Step

What’s something you do when you feel unjustly accused? How can self-confidence be dangerous?
Why was Jesus silent before His accusers? Can you relate to Peter in this story? If so, how? If not, why not?
Read Luke 22:32. How can Jesus use our past failures to help us minister to others? What’s something the Holy Spirit is calling you to do in response to Mark 14:53-72?

Arrested (Mark 14:43-52)

8/9/2020

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Arrested
Mark 14:43-52

I. Intro
Big Idea: Jesus was arrested so we could be set free. John 8:32

II. Judas
A. Judas had a busy night. Mark 14:43a; John 13:27
B. The crowd came to illegally arrest Jesus as a criminal. Mark 14:43b

III. A Signal
A. Judas betrayed Jesus with fake affection. Mark 14:44-45
B. Peter waged a worldly war. Matthew 26:53; Mark 14:29, 46; Luke 22:38, 51; John 18:10

IV. Fulfilled
A. Jesus confronted injustice with truth. Isiah 53:12; Mark 14:48-49; Luke 22:37
B. Jesus stood alone. Mark 14:50

V. Following Jesus A. Good intentions are not enough. Mark 14:51-52; Luke 9:23
B. Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5; Romans 4:7

The Next Step

As a kid what was the worst trouble you ever got in?
What was something that stood out to you as important, convicting, or confusing about Mark 14:43-52?
What does Peter’s cutting off the servant’s ear tell us about his mindset when Jesus was arrested?
What are some clues that Jesus was in total control of His arrest?
How has Jesus helped you to realize the limits of your personal power and depths of His salvation lately?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to respond to Mark 14:43-52?

The Hour (Mark 14:27-42)

8/2/2020

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The Hour
Mark 14:27-42

I. Intro
Big Idea: We would all forsake Christ, if He were not forsaken for us.

II. Scattered
A. The Shepherd came to purify and regather His little ones. Zechariah 13:7; Mark 14:27-28
B. Failure is a hard, but effective teacher. Mark 14:29-31

III.Gethsemane
A. Jesus depended on God and others. Genesis 2:18; Mark 14:32-34
B. Jesus would not be holy if He were not averse to sin. Mark 14:35-36; Luke 22:44; Hebrews 5:7-8

IV. Asleep
A. We cannot obey God in our flesh. Mark 14:37-38; Luke 22:45
B. We have no way to justify ourselves. Mark 14:39-40

V. Delivered
A. Jesus expects us to stay awake. Mark 13:37,14:41a
B. Jesus faced death in victory. Mark 14:41b-42 And because He did, so can we!

The Next Step

What’s something in your life right now that reminds you of God’s presence and faithful?
When do you feel most compelled to pray?
Why do you think people find it difficult to pray?
How can seeking God and His will for us and others change our prayer lives?
Read Hebrews 4:15. How can remembering that Jesus sympathizes with our weakness change our prayer lives?
What’s a specific way you can respond to Mark 14:27-42?

Prepared (Mark 14:12-26)

7/26/2020

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Prepared
Mark 14:12-26

I. Intro
Big Idea: Jesus prepared a meal for us at God’s table.

II. Customary
A. God planned the Passover. Mark 14:12; Hebrews 10:14
B. Jesus planned to eat the Passover with His disciples. Mark 14:13-16

III. Woe
A. Someone close to Jesus betrayed Him. Psalm 41:9; Mark 14:17-20; John 13:18
B. There’s something worse than death. Mark 14:21; John 13:27; Romans 7:24-25; Hebrews 10:28-30

IV. Given
A. Jesus gave Himself. Mark 14:22; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
B. Even Judas drank from the cup. Mark 14:23-24; 1 Corinthians 11:25, 27; Hebrews 10:4

V. New
A. Jesus knew He would overcome death. Mark 14:25
B. The cross comes before glory. Mark 14:26; Hebrews 12:2

The Next Step

What’s something you miss about church potlucks?
How does Mark 14:12-26 prepare us for what unfolds in the rest of Mark?
What’s the difference between having empathy and having sympathy for Judas?
Why is self-examination important before taking communion?
How is God leading you to respond to Mark 14:12-26?

Beautiful (Mark 14:1-11)

7/19/2020

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Beautiful
Mark 14:1-11

I. Intro
Big Idea: The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6

II. Scheming
A. People love darkness. Mark 14:1; John 3:19
B. The religious leaders feared people. Mark 14:2; Romans 1:24

III. Expensive
A. Mary knew Jesus’ true worth. Mark 14:3; John 12:3
B. Darkness hates genuine faith. Mark 14:4-5; John 12:4-6; 15:8

IV. Prepare
A. Jesus exalts the humble. Matthew 23:12; Mark 14:6-7; Colossians 1:13
B. Mary exalted Jesus as King. Mark 14:8-9

V. Opportunity
A. Jesus knows and judges our intentions. Psalm 44: Mark 14:10
B. Jesus paid for our betrayal. Mark 14:11

The Next Step

Right now, who do you identify most with in this passage? Why?
What’s something that goes through your mind when you see people taking great steps of faith?
How do you think Mary felt when the disciples rebuked her for her devotion?
How do you think Mary felt when Jesus praised her for her act of faith?
What’s a specific way you can respond to what God has revealed to you through Mark 14:1-11?

Watch (Mark 13:28-37)

7/12/2020

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Watch
Mark 13:28-37

I. Intro
Big Idea: Watching means working by faith.

II. Learn
A. Expect change. Mark 13:28-29
B. Jesus keeps His word. Mark 13:30-31; Luke 21:23-24; Romans 11:1-36

III. No One Knows
A. No one knows! Mark 13:32
B. You do not know! Mark 13:33

VI. Assigned
A. Focus on our task, not timetables. Mark 13:34
B. Readiness reveals trust. Mark 13:35

V. Suddenly
A. Don’t sleep on Jesus. Mark 13:36; Ephesians 5:8-15
B. We’re all called to watch. Mark 13:37

The Next Step

What stood out to you from this weekend’s message on Mark 13:28-37 as meaningful, challenging, or confusing? In what ways are end of world predictions detrimental to our faith?
Read Mark 13:32. How could Jesus be God and not know when He would return? What does it mean to “watch” in terms of waiting for the Lord’s return?
How can you watch for the Lord this week?

Desolate (Mark 13:14-27)

7/5/2020

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Desolate
Mark 13:14-27

I. Intro
Big Idea: Jesus is Lord in and over all time.
II. Flee
A. The desecration of the sacred signaled the need for flight. Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:1; Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
B. For Christians there’s no going back. Matthew 23:37; Mark 13:15-18
III. Unequaled
A. The destruction of Jerusalem was absolute. Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Mark 13:19
B. God is merciful. Mark 13:20
IV. False
A. We must cling to the truth, not signs. Matthew 16:4; Mark 13:21-22; 1 Corinthians 1:22-23
B. Preparing for the future means remembering the past. Mark 13:23
V. Son of Man
A. Jesus will return with power. Mark 13:24-25; 2 Peter 3:10
B. Jesus will gather His own. Danial 7:13; Mark 13:26-27; Mark 14:62

The Next Step

When you think of Christ’s Second Coming what comes to mind?
Mark 13 is Jesus’ longest message in Mark. Why do you think Mark included it for his mainly Gentile audience in Rome?
Why is it important for us to know Jesus as Lord over all history?
How can the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. prepare us for the trials we face now and to come?What’s a specific way you can respond to Mark 13:14-27?