St Marcus Mke Sermons

This week we will be studying Revelation 2:1-7 under the theme “A Letter to the Church in Ephesus.” Ephesus had been a pivotal congregation in the Early Church, but they’d lost their original love. It’s entirely possible for a Christian congregation (or individual) to check major boxes of doctrine and religious practice, but lose internal vitality. We’ll see how that fall happens and needs to be done to reignite vibrancy. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two millennia. As apocalyptic literature, it’s unique in the New Testament for numerous reasons, not the least of which is that it is the book that speaks of things yet to come. Revelation is a message to Christians to remain faithful to Christ and to resist evil. It includes visions and images that point to Jesus' return as the ultimate King, Warrior, and Savior, and the restoration of his people. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How can we pray for you? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Fill out our online connection card!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to leave an

This week we will be studying Revelation 1:8-18 under the theme “Introducing the Alpha and the Omega.” This week we read the Apostle John’s introductory image of Jesus in heaven. John is overwhelmed. But the Lord tells him, “Do not be afraid,” because this all-powerful King holds the keys to our future. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two millennia. As apocalyptic literature, it’s unique in the New Testament for numerous reasons, not the least of which is that it is the book that speaks of things yet to come. Revelation is a message to Christians to remain faithful to Christ and to resist evil. It includes visions and images that point to Jesus' return as the ultimate King, Warrior, and Savior, and the restoration of his people. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How can we pray for you? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fill out our online connection card!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

This week we will be celebrating the Reformation, as well as concluding our series on David, studying 2 Samuel 12:1-25 under the theme “The Repentant Will Be Reconciled.” The first of Martin Luther’s famous 95 Theses states: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Contrary to what this world thinks about progress or self-image, by God’s design, the path forward for humanity is always in humbling ourselves before a holy, gracious Lord. This week we’ll see how David experiences new life in repentance, but also how the prophet Nathan skillfully addresses sin in the life of a man he loved. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemption, it may or may not surprise readers that David is one of Scripture’s most relatable characters. Much like our lives; however, David’s narrative is less ab

This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 11:1-27 under the theme “The Proud Will Fall.” Here, we encounter perhaps the most notorious series of sins in the Bible. Amongst other things, we learn the power of sin to grow from a cell in our hearts to a monster that can ruin our lives. But we also learn that no murderer or adulterer is beyond God’s saving grace. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemption, it may or may not surprise readers that David is one of Scripture’s most relatable characters. Much like our lives; however, David’s narrative is less about David and more about the one to whom David points. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How can we pray for you? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We want to know more about you! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out our online connection card!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 9:1-13 under the theme “Kindness to Friends & Those in Need.” David had experienced the goodness of God, and he’d also made a vow reflecting that goodness to his friend Jonathan. So, when David had opportunity to do good to Jonathan’s family after Jonathan had passed away, he seized the moment. David’s kindness is a picture of what Jesus (the GREATER David) came to do for us, but also an inspiration to proactively seek out opportunities to extend God’s undeserved goodness to others. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemption, it may or may not surprise readers that David is one of Scripture’s most relatable characters. Much like our lives; however, David’s narrative is less about David and more about the one to whom David points. ⁠⁠⁠⁠How can we pray for you? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We want to know more about you! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out our online co

This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 6:12-23 under the theme “When Your Family Won’t Support You.” As David matured as a believer, he sometimes found discouragement from those who should have been encouragers – like his wife, Michal. We’ll learn how to find joy and dancing in God even when the world is dragging us down. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemption, it may or may not surprise readers that David is one of Scripture’s most relatable characters. Much like our lives; however, David’s narrative is less about David and more about the one to whom David points. ⁠⁠⁠How can we pray for you? ⁠⁠⁠⁠ We want to know more about you! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out our online connection card!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

This week we will be studying 1 Samuel 24:1-22 under the theme “Doing Life HIS Way.” King Saul wanted to kill David. David’s friends wanted David to kill Saul. It was easy to rationalize. But David said, “I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.” David was committed to the will and grace of God more than justifiable human reason. By God’s grace, we don’t get what we reasonably deserve, but we receive grace through a greater David. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemption, it may or may not surprise readers that David is one of Scripture’s most relatable characters. Much like our lives; however, David’s narrative is less about David and more about the one to whom David points. ⁠⁠How can we pray for you? ⁠⁠⁠ We want to know more about you! ⁠⁠⁠Fill out our online connection card!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary dona

This week we will be studying 1 Samuel 17:32-54 under the theme “Slaying Giants.” “David and Goliath” has become a proverbial term for underdog stories. But it’s actually less about our personal empowerment and more about the courage instilled in us when we recognize that a Greater David’s victory has become our own. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemption, it may or may not surprise readers that David is one of Scripture’s most relatable characters. Much like our lives; however, David’s narrative is less about David and more about the one to whom David points. ⁠How can we pray for you? ⁠⁠ We want to know more about you! ⁠⁠Fill out our online connection card!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

This week we’ll be studying 1 Samuel 16:1-13 under the theme “God’s Decision Process.” When it is time for God to choose a new king in Israel, he doesn’t just make an unusual choice, but a selection that wasn’t even standing amongst the reasonable considerations. This tells us something about how God operates, how we are to revise our decision-making processes, and even more, something about God’s plan of salvation. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemption, it may or may not surprise readers that David is one of Scripture’s most relatable characters. Much like our lives; however, David’s narrative is less about David and more about the one to whom David points. How can we pray for you? ⁠ We want to know more about you! ⁠Fill out our online connection card!⁠ ⁠If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

This week we will be studying Galatians 6:1-10 under the theme “Doing Gospel Good”. God works through each of us in a different way, and we are to examine ourselves and take responsibility for what He asks us to do. God also calls each of us to sow good, spiritual seeds in this life, so that the harvest may be reaped in our next, eternal life. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them to focus more on themselves and their obedience than on Christ’s deliverance. In this series, we’ll learn that everything in a fallen world is fighting to drive us further into self-focus. But the beauty of Christ pulls our eyes to him, healing our self-inflicted wounds, and liberating us to love and serve others. How can we pray for you? We want to know more about our listeners! Fill out our online connection card! If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.

This week we will be studying Galatians 5:13-26 under the theme “Freedom to Fight Against Your Flesh." We are in a daily struggle against temptation and sin, and sometimes we feel like we are losing the struggle more than we are winning. Christ has claimed victory over these daily battles, freeing us from the desires of our flesh, and over the enemy of death. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them to focus more on themselves and their obedience than on Christ’s deliverance. In this series, we’ll learn that everything in a fallen world is fighting to drive us further into self-focus. But the beauty of Christ pulls our eyes to him, healing our self-inflicted wounds, and liberating us to love and serve others. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

This week we will be studying Galatians 4:8-20 under the theme “Haunted by Idols.” The Galatians had been influenced by false teachers (Judaizers) who were leading them into a work-righteousness that was actually quite similar to their old paganism. Paul persuades them away from this error of religion through a combination of truth and love – personalized gospel ministry. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them to focus more on themselves and their obedience than on Christ’s deliverance. In this series, we’ll learn that everything in a fallen world is fighting to drive us further into self-focus. But the beauty of Christ pulls our eyes to him, healing our self-inflicted wounds, and liberating us to love and serve others. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

This week we will be studying Galatians 3:1-14 under the theme “The Appeal and Failure of the Law.” We see here how proud humans are always tempted to plagiarize from God, attempting to give ourselves some level of credit for our salvation, righteousness, and blessings. But self-merit in God’s Kingdom will only cause spiritual sickness. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them to focus more on themselves and their obedience than on Christ’s deliverance. In this series, we’ll learn that everything in a fallen world is fighting to drive us further into self-focus. But the beauty of Christ pulls our eyes to him, healing our self-inflicted wounds, and liberating us to love and serve others. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

This week we will be studying Galatians 2:11-21 under the theme “The Damage of Believers Forgetting the Gospel.” Paul illustrates this theme to the Galatians by telling a story of even the Apostle Peter acting out of line with the gospel and causing great pain. There is great transformation in not scolding ourselves, or others, but explaining how a behavior might be “out of line with the gospel.” SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them to focus more on themselves and their obedience than on Christ’s deliverance. In this series, we’ll learn that everything in a fallen world is fighting to drive us further into self-focus. But the beauty of Christ pulls our eyes to him, healing our self-inflicted wounds, and liberating us to love and serve others. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

This week we will be studying Galatians 1:3-12 under the theme “No Other Gospel.” Reversing the gospel is a primary mechanism by which Satan tries to steal confidence, hope, joy, and even salvation away from Christians. This lesson teaches the right order of the gospel. We’ll learn how to fight against an upside-down, perverted ordering of the gospel in our thinking and relationships. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them to focus more on themselves and their obedience than on Christ’s deliverance. In this series, we’ll learn that everything in a fallen world is fighting to drive us further into self-focus. But the beauty of Christ pulls our eyes to him, healing our self-inflicted wounds, and liberating us to love and serve others. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive

This week we will be studying John 15:9-17 under the theme “Dangerous Friendship.” As God has called us “friends,” and treated us as his greatest friend by laying his life down for us, we are also to go and do likewise – not as friends of the world, but as the best friends in the world. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of people walking away from the Christian faith. But what's repelling people isn't Jesus - it's that what is often widely spread as mainstream Christianity is simply not worthy of His name. Jesus invaded the world with love for the forgotten, hope for the hopeless, and freedom for the bound. "Dangerous Jesus" reintroduces us to the true Jesus, the one who poses a threat to the status quo, to our division, and to our rebellion. We need to reconnect with this Jesus. We need to become a threat to the threats. We need to be dangerous for good. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary d

This week we will be studying Acts 2:42-47 under the theme “Dangerous Spirit.” After Pentecost, the Spirit of God worked mightily in the Early Church to produce a countercultural lifestyle amongst God’s people as they graciously did life together. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of people walking away from the Christian faith. But what's repelling people isn't Jesus - it's that what is often widely spread as mainstream Christianity is simply not worthy of His name. Jesus invaded the world with love for the forgotten, hope for the hopeless, and freedom for the bound. "Dangerous Jesus" reintroduces us to the true Jesus, the one who poses a threat to the status quo, to our division, and to our rebellion. We need to reconnect with this Jesus. We need to become a threat to the threats. We need to be dangerous for good. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click her

This week we’ll be studying Philippians 3:17-21 under the theme “Dangerous Citizen.” When Christians in this world forget that their citizenship is truly in heaven, they tend to have an unhealthy relationship with political power. Christian Nationalism has become an unhealthy development. This week we’ll learn the confidence that comes from knowing Jesus on his throne, and how he primarily wants us to influence society. "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of people walking away from the Christian faith. But what's repelling people isn't Jesus - it's that what is often widely spread as mainstream Christianity is simply not worthy of His name. Jesus invaded the world with love for the forgotten, hope for the hopeless, and freedom for the bound. "Dangerous Jesus" reintroduces us to the true Jesus, the one who poses a threat to the status quo, to our division, and to our rebellion. We need to reconnect with this Jesus. We nee

This week, we will be studying Luke 9:18-20 under the theme, "Dangerous Jesus." Jesus asked the question to his disciples and to us all, "But what about you? Who do you say I am? "Find out why the only thing more risky than getting Jesus right is getting Jesus wrong. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of people walking away from the Christian faith. But what's repelling people isn't Jesus - it's that what is often widely spread as mainstream Christianity is simply not worthy of His name. Jesus invaded the world with love for the forgotten, hope for the hopeless, and freedom for the bound. "Dangerous Jesus" reintroduces us to the true Jesus, the one who poses a threat to the status quo, to our division, and to our rebellion. We need to reconnect with this Jesus. We need to become a threat to the threats. We need to be dangerous for good. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary d

This week we will be studying Revelation 7:9-14 under the theme “Christianity Is Necessarily Diverse.” As we close out our series on Urban Apologetics, we will look back at the doctrines we’ve covered, their implications, and applications for individuals and our church. We will also look ahead to the gathering of saints for worship in heaven, noticing how, by God’s design, they’ve come from every nation, tribe, people, and language. This series is loosely structured on a book by Dr. Eric Mason. "Apologetics" is the study of the reasonable defense of the Christian faith; being prepared to give the world a reason for the hope that we have. While the world takes offense at the Gospel, those in urban settings face unique challenges that are particular to a diverse context. This series will help members find greater confidence in speaking about distinct issues that our local church faces. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyur