Sermons On Mark
Introduction to the Book of Mark
rust in Jesus. • The gospel message is an invitation to trust in Jesus instead of myself to rescue you me from sin, from death, and from hell. • The reason this story is good news, no great news, is because we are undeserving of such love, undeserving of Jesus’ work in our place, on our behalf. • The gospel comes to us because religion has left us empty – religion is simply our efforts to make God like us – self-salvation. But the gospel is God’s work to make us holy – His salvation. • If you have not trusted in Jesus for your salvation, do it today – don’t leave without confirming that you don’t just know about Jesus, but that you have trusted Him to save you. Study Jesus. • Some think that after they put their confidence in Jesus for salvation, they are done with the process. • But we need to continue to look at Jesus (not just for our eternal hope) for two immediate reasons: 1) Jesus shows us the Father – He is the perfect revelation of God. 2) Jesus shows us the people we need to be. • Years ago, I realized that if I wanted to know God, I needed to study Jesus. He is God in the flesh. • Commit yourself to look at Him, learn about Him, and study Him throughout this series. • Become an expert in Jesus – as much as you learn about cars and TVs and yard-care and home improvement and child-rearing, learn about Jesus. Study Him – it will change your life. Follow Jesus. • Third and finally, commit to follow Him. Mark’s invitation is not just to know Him, but to follow Him. • We’re calling this series Disciple, which means student or apprentice – learning from the One we want to be like, to learn from. Our goal is not just to look at Him, but to become like Him. • If we finish this series and all you have to show for it is a book of new information on the shelf, then we have not honored the God who gave us these words. • He is calling us to follow His Son – to run after Jesus in all we do. • I ask you during this series to put into practice what you learn.
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Prepare the Way of the Lord; Mark 1.1-8
John was sent to prepare the way of the gospel by preaching repentance. Personal repentance must precede the forgiving work of the gospel.
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Prepare the Way of the Lord!
Advent today looks back, very briefly, to Jesus’ first coming, then fixes its strong worship gaze on his second coming. Anticipating the coming of a babe in humility is a different proposition than anticipating the return of a King in triumph, for there’s a striking difference between humility and glory. Such is our privilege this Advent season.
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Elizabeth Remembers John
Elizabeth remembers what it was like to be the mother of John. The Kingdom of God is always active, even when we are waiting. The promise is always there. It is the promise that allows us to wait, that helps us to bear the waiting. It is the seed of the promise received that starts to grow. We can only really wait if what we are waiting for has already begun in us.
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