St Marcus Mke Sermons

After Jesus was struck by one of the Jewish leaders, he said, "If I said something wrong...testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" By our inherent sinful nature, we are also guilty of striking Jesus in the face. We tearfully answer Jesus' question with a question of our own:  "Jesus, why did you take it?" He willingly absorbed every offense that we bestowed upon him so that a world full of sinners could be saved. 

RSVP: Your presence is requested! God has invited YOU to the Great Banquet. That's exciting news - but that's not all! He's tasked us with handing out more invitations. By leading with the Gospel, we can ensure that there is room at the table that awaits all believers. Check "yes" to God's grand invitation, and bring your friends too!

This week we'll be studying Mark 9:42-50 under the theme of "Sensitivity to Sin." You've perhaps noticed that "sin" is not exactly a word that gets much usage in modern society. That's largely because our culture no longer fully believes in the basic concept. But Jesus takes sin and hell very seriously. Furthermore, he's not only concerned about our personal purity, but the influence our lives have on impressionable "little ones" in our midst. The bigger caring for the smaller has always been the pattern of a God of grace. 

We continue our Lenten Vespers series "Questions of the Passion." Every step of the way, Jesus showed Judas nothing but grace. What would lead Judas to this betrayal? Why would God pick such a weak and flawed character to be the catalyst of our Savior's demise? We see our own sin in this story, and this is a beautiful time to repent of our own weaknesses and betrayals. Jesus suffered every injustice in our place. Stand in adoration of His surrender!

Today's study comes from Matthew 21: 28-32, The Parable of the Two Sons. As sinners, we are fighting a constant battle against Satan and his whisperings of denial. Customizing our own personal "gods" and ignoring the One God who matters is a trap that we fall prone to daily. As Christians, it is important to recognize these shortfalls and confess our need for a Savior. This Lenten season, we sorrowfully lay down our idols, pride, and guilt at the foot of the cross. Let Jesus speak His words of healing and mercy to you. Serve Him joyfully in His vineyard, and do the work He has graciously designed for you - all for His glory. 

This week we'll be studying Mark 9:14-29 under the theme of "Dependent on God."  Last week, we mentioned the spiritually self-aware statement of a man who exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) This week we look at his larger story, including the disciples' failure to drive out his son's demon, because they weren't dependent enough on God.  Self-sufficiency, a noble-sounding demonic lie, is the enemy of spiritual health. 

"Questions of the Passion" is the series for our devotions during Lent. Before his arrest, Jesus asked his disciples "Could You Not Keep Watch for One Hour?" while he prayed to God the Father in Gethsemane. He needed the spiritual support of his closest friends as the crushing weight of his impending death drew near.  We face the same enemy as Jesus, the one who wants to destroy us and enslave our souls for eternity. Jesus asked for another way out, yet He submitted to His Father's will. We too are strengthened by the Father's promises.  Look to Christ, our substitute. Stay anchored in His Word. Be confident in His forgiveness. Keep watch this Lenten season.

In fulfilling the Will of God, He followed the Word of God. Today's teaching comes from Luke 4:1-13, the account of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. However, it wasn't just this one time that Satan tried to tempt Him - but every single day of His earthly life. Satan tempts us by making us think that he can make our lives easier and more pleasant, and once we dive into that belief, it only brings about destruction and misery. To live our best life means to go God's way. Wield the ultimate weapon that is the Word of God, to defend against that old evil foe.

This week we'll be studying Mark 8:22-33 under the theme of "Seeing Life Clearly." In our text we'll be looking at an absolutely unique miracle, one only recorded for us in Mark's Gospel, where Jesus cures a blind man in stages. This is not because his first attempt at a miracle didn't take, but because Jesus was teaching a visual parable. Did the disciples understand? Do you? Embedded in the story is a powerful teaching about ongoing conversion. 

Throughout the Bible, God chose to unveil his glory to his people in different ways. He showed only a fraction of His glory to Moses and through the Law, which would eventually fade away. Jesus displayed his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration to three of His disciples. Just as Moses and Jesus were transfigured, we, His people, are also transformed by His Light and His Word and seek to reflect that light in our daily lives.

This week we'll be studying Mark 7:1-23 under the theme of "Jesus & Religion." Human nature has a sinful tendency toward self-righteousness. It's a subtle, deadly rejection of Christ alone as the righteousness necessary for salvation. We add little manmade commands, bind consciences by them, and assume that if we keep them, we're closer to God based on something other than the merits of Jesus. This is the sin of the Pharisees, manmade religion, and unfortunately can creep into Christian churches as well. For the self-righteous person, life becomes a constant "washing" trying to rid ourselves of our feelings of inadequacy rather than resting in the righteousness of Christ.

Pastor Jeske continues the series EPIPHANY SIGNS AND WONDERS with #4: Jesus' power over death. Today's study comes from the Gospel of Luke 8:49-56, where Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. Just like Jairus' daughter, we too, will one day fall "asleep," putting aside all earthly sorrows, pains, and strife. This sleep is only temporary. When we awake at Jesus' side, we shall live again in eternal gladness.

This week we'll be studying Mark 6:14-29 under the theme of "Beheading the Prophet." According to Jesus himself, John the Baptist was amongst the greatest humans ever born. So, why does he have to get imprisoned and executed...for doing the right thing? Jesus, of course, was perfect, but was crucified to pay for our sins. But does his cross not take our smaller crosses away? Why does following him even add a cross to our lives? This week's lesson gets to the heart of how the Christian life is not merely about bringing immediate results, but about glorifying the Father in discipleship by walking a path similar to that of the Son. 

This week we'll be studying Mark 5:21-43 under the theme of "Expressing Faith." This text contains a fascinating story within a story, with wonderful parallels between them. Faith includes not only trust that God can help us, and loves to help us, but also that his timeline for helping us is better than ours. Here we are encouraged by several humble individuals who are rewarded for placing their faith in Jesus. 

Pastor Jeske continues the series EPIPHANY SIGNS AND WONDERS with #3: Jesus' power over the animal world.  The bible study highlights Jesus’ knowledge and power over creation. Jesus used the fishing miracle recorded in Luke 5:1–11 to illustrate a great spiritual truth.  The devil is a fisher of people just like Jesus is a fisher of people. The devil has his hooks out and is trying to hook people, and he does. He hooks them on drugs. He hooks them on alcohol. He hooks them on lust. But Jesus is in a great fishing enterprise also. Jesus wants to use us as His partners in the fishing enterprise to catch people alive, to win men and women to salvation and to service.

This week we'll be studying Mark 4:21-34 under the theme of "3 More Parables." These parables all come on the heels of a more famous parable, "The Sower and the Seeds" (4:1-20). In these 3 subsequent parables, Jesus teaches powerful truths about the privatization of faith, the rationalization of faith, and the underestimation of faith. And in the final of the three, he brilliantly explains the gospel in terms of an unimpressive seed that reaches to the heavens. 

Pastor Jeske continues his bible study series, “Epiphany Signs and Wonders”, with #2: “Jesus’s power over human disease”.  Matthew 8:5-13 is an astounding account of Jesus healing a person from a distance.  The centurion displays great faith in Jesus, recognizing Jesus to be the Messianic deliverer who can heal on the authority of his word alone.

This week we'll be studying Mark 3:7-19 under the theme of "Made Disciples by Jesus." Many were attracted to Jesus due to what he could offer. Far fewer were willing to follow him on a path to discipleship. This path requires intimacy with Christ, growing in Christian community, going where God sends you, fueled by a New Name you've been given.

Pastor Jeske launches a new message series on “Epiphany Signs and Wonders”.  Today’s study “#1: Jesus' power over nature” dives into Joshua 10:1-14 and Mark 4:35-41 where accounts are given when God displays His power over nature.  In Mark’s gospel, the disciples are on a journey toward faith. We, as Mark’s readers, not only are watching this journey but are also drawn into the same experience of moving toward faith in Jesus Christ.  One of the questions here comes from the disciples: who is Jesus? Even the wind and the waves obey him.  If the disciples truly knew who Jesus was and had faith in him, they would not have feared for their lives. The kind of faith Jesus requires is faith in him—properly understood—even in the face of death.

This week we'll be studying Mark 2:18-2 under the theme of "New Wineskins." Jesus continues to explain to the Pharisees why his gospel ministry CANNOT be patched onto their ministry of self-righteousness. And he uses some really helpful analogies about bridegrooms, clothing patches, and new wineskins in which he embeds some timeless wisdom.  We'll learn how this affects the form and spirit of Christian ministry today.