Mark Series
Individual sermon texts can be viewed in a new window by clicking on the date of the sermon.
In our major sermon series of the year 2005-2006, Pastor Cam Arensen studied the Gospel of Mark. The earliest of the gospels and also the shortest, Mark was writing for a primarily Roman audience. His language is vigorous and descriptive. He emphasizes actions over words. He presents a vivid portrait of Jesus, the Servant of God who came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
In this April 21st sermon, we wrap up the series of messages on the Gospel of Mark. Entitled "The Final Chapter" this message examines the controversy over the ending of Mark’s gospel, and then challenges each one of us to write our own final chapter as we consider our response to the gospel message and our responsibility to spread it.
In this Good Friday sermon, entitled “Surely This Man Was the Son of God!” we look at Jesus’ final hours on the cross, his death, burial and resurrection. We look at four facts that are emphasized in Mark’s account and then use them to answer 3 critical questions: Who is Jesus? Why did he die? What did his death accomplish?
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” What Scriptures was Paul referring to when he wrote those words in I Corinthians 15:3? In this message, (entitled “Crucify Him!” and taken from Mark 15:1-32) we find that the Scriptures Paul had in mind were the Old Testament Scriptures. In reading Mark’s account of Jesus’ arrest and trials, up through Mark 15:32, we find 8 different Old Testament prophecies fulfilled. What does this mean? And if these prophecies give credence to Jesus’ claims, what exactly did he claim for himself?
In this sermon, titled The Lesson of the Garden we survey the remaining events in Mark 14. We look at the events, first through the Divine lens. (What was God doing?) We then look at them through the human lens. What choices did Jesus make? What choices did Peter and the other disciples make? How did what transpired in the Garden of Gethsemane influence the outcome?
What a waste! In this message, taken from Mark 14:1-11, we contrast the actions of two characters: Mary of Bethany and Judas Iscariot. To which one do the words of this sermon title really apply? And which one would most closely parallel an assessment of our own lives and choices?
In Mark 13, in a sermon titled, Be On Your Guard, we look at the longest teaching passage in the Gospel of Mark. In this passage Jesus speaks of events of the end times and of his Second Coming. He also teaches us as his followers what to expect, and how to live effectively while we wait for his return.
In Mark 12, Jesus told a parable about a land owner and his wicked tenants. In this message, entitled, "The Son Enters the Vineyard," we use this parable to provide the basic outline for understanding the events of Jesus’ triumphal entry, the clearing of the temple, and the ongoing conflict with the religious leaders in Mark 11-12.
In this sermon, taken from Mark 10, entitled "On the Way to Jerusalem," we look at two riddles about the kingdom of God: “What is easy for a child, but difficult for a rich man?” and “When is the way up down?” As Jesus deals with the conflicting values and kingdom expectations of his disciples and the crowd, the answer to these two riddles reveal profound truths about the nature of the kingdom of God, those who enter it, and the path to greatness within the kingdom.
This message is from Mark 9:14-50, and is entitled “He Was Teaching His Disciples.” After the incredible experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus and his disciples had to come down to the foot of the mountain. What did Jesus find there, and how did he respond? One of the things we find Jesus doing in this chapter (and the rest of Mark) is devoting more and more of his attention to teaching his disciples. In this message, we will also look closely at 5 principles or truths that he taught them.
In a pivotal event of his earthly life, Jesus took three of his disciples up on a mountain, and there “he was transfigured before them.” In this message, taken from Mark 9:1-13, and entitled, Eyewitnesses of His Majesty, we look at this event and the eternal truths that are on display.
In this message, The Cross and the Crown, taken from Mark 8:34-38, Jesus explains the “deep magic” of the kingdom of God. After confirming his disciples’ faith in his identity as the Christ, the Messiah, Jesus prophesies his coming death. He then explains that for his followers the same order of life must prevail. The cross must precede the crown. Using powerful images and metaphors, Jesus challenges us to take up our cross, and then explains why this decision makes sense when we understand the “deep magic”.
In Mark 8:11-33, we come to the middle and also the turning point in Mark’s Gospel. In this passage, Jesus poses the question: "Who Do You Say I Am?" It is the most important question of human history. Our eternal destiny is riding on the answer. How did Peter answer it? How do you answer it?
"It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to their dogs." Do those words of Jesus trouble you? What was he saying to this woman? And what is the connection between this incident and the two incidents that follow (healing of the deaf and speech-impaired man and the feeding of the 4000)? In this sermon, taken from Mark 7:24-8:10 and entitled "Reflections on Children, Dogs and Bread" we look for the answers to these questions.
In Mark 7:1-23, we once again find Jesus in conflict with the Pharisees. Two critical issues come into focus in this passage: The Question of Authority and the Question of Defilement. The Pharisees had serious misunderstandings in both these areas. Jesus confronts them on both. In this message, titled Clean Hands and Dirty Hearts, we find that these two questions remain relevant to us in the 21st century.
In this message from the Mark 6:30-56, entitled Twelve Basketfuls Left Over, we look at two more of Jesus’ miracles: the feeding of the 5000 and walking on the water. What was Jesus trying to teach his disciples through these miracles, and how well did they learn their lesson?
This sermon, He Sent Them Out, from Mark 6:1-19 includes three somewhat disjointed accounts. How do we put them together and what lessons can we draw? From Jesus’ rejection in his home town, to the sending out of the Twelve, to the beheading of John the Baptist, we look at each through the eyes of Jesus’ disciples. What did they experience, and what did they learn?
Fear or faith? These two always operate in opposition to each other. Ever since the Garden of Eden and the fall of man, we have lived with fear. Only faith can banish fear. But what kind of faith is it? Faith in what, or more correctly, faith in whom? In Mark 4:35-5:43, Mark relates the account of four miracles of Jesus. In each account, we see fear in operation, and we see faith as the antidote. Not just faith in faith, but faith in Jesus as Lord. We hear Jesus’ words once again: Don’t Be Afraid: Just Believe
In Mark 4:1-34, Jesus Taught Them in Parables. In this message, we consider the context and background of Jesus’ most famous parable, the Parable of the Sower. As we look for the lessons we can learn, whether we are first time hearers of the Gospel or have been serving the Lord for many years, we learn that it’s all about hearing. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.
In Mark 3:7-35, we see two watershed events in the development of Christ’s ministry and the growth of the Kingdom of God. One of them is positive, the other is negative. Woven in and around these two events is another subplot, which gives us insight into a developing Kingdom Principle as Jesus reveals his New Family to us.
In Mark 2:13-3:6, the storm clouds of opposition and rejection begin to form over Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. At the forefront of the opposition were the Pharisees. In this message, entitled Jesus and the Pharisees, we analyze the sources of the conflict and find them to be, at root level, a conflict over identity and perception. Who is Jesus? Who are the Pharisees? As we analyze these questions, we come finally to the most personal question of all: Who am I?
The Gospel of Mark opens with a bold assertion: This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. How do we know whether this statement is true? What is the proof? What are Jesus’ credentials? In this message, taken from Mark 1:21 – 2:12, we look at six brief “video clips” of Jesus’ Galilean ministry as Mark presents powerful evidence for Jesus’ authority to make such claims. The people marveled, We have never seen anything like this!
This message, The Beginning, taken from Mark 1:1-20, traces the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. From John’s vigorous preaching to the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, to the calling of the first disciples, Mark moves quickly to set the stage for Jesus’ public ministry. What challenges did the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus present to the audiences of their day? How do these challenges relate to us today?