Sermon
The Real Story
Mark 7:31-37
September 25, 2022
Jesus said to him, “Go home to your own people,
and tell them how much the Lord has done for you
and what mercy he has shown you.”
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The most powerful thing we can tell people about Jesus is what he has done for us.
Deep theology has its place, but it is often an obstacle rather than an advantage for sharing our faith. Our greatest opportunity is the same call that Jesus offered to the previously demon-possessed man, to tell people "how much the Lord has done for us and what great mercy he has shown us."
Let us tell the story of Jesus in our own words and life.
Table Scraps
Mark 7:24-30
September 11, 2022
A woman whose little daughter
had an unclean spirit heard about Jesus,
and she came and bowed down at his feet.
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Jesus reveals that God's grace, mercy, provision, and love abundantly extend beyond human expectations and religious sensibilities.
Remodeling Christ's Home
September 11, 2022
Then Jesus said, "It is from within,
from the human heart, that evil intentions come."
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God's purposes and blessings for us always include reorganizing each dimension of our lives to be like that of Christ.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
September 4, 2022
Then Jesus called the crowd again and said to them,
“Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing
outside a person that by going in can defile,
but the things that come out are what defile.”
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Problems are solved by getting to the source of this issue. When it comes to problems in our lives, all too often people become so caught up looking good on the outside that we fail to deal with the real issue within us. Jesus, seeking what is best for us, invites us to deal with what is within us as the path to peace - both in our relationship with God, our own lives, and in relationship with others.
Old Habits are Hard to Break
August 14, 2022
The Pharisees and the scribes asked Jesus,
"Why do your disciples not walk according
to the tradition of the elders?"
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Jesus' harshest words were for the religious elite, rather than sinners. In Sunday's scripture, Jesus accuses those who were quick to judge others of substituting human tradition for the word of God.
Riding the Wave
August 14, 2022
Then Jesus got into the boat with them,
and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,
for they did not understand about the loaves.
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Jesus calls for us to follow him and to serve him, not because we can do it ourselves, but because God can do it through us.
Our Daily Bread
August 7, 2022
Taking the five loaves and the two fish,
he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke
the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set
before the people, and he divided
the two fish among them all.
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God provides our daily bread, not just for our own sake, but so we can provide for others.
Our apologies for the distant camera view. Unfortunately, our other camera was not working.
No Rest for the Weary - Mark 6:30-34
July 31, 2022
As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd,
and he had compassion for them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd,
and he began to teach them many things.
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Following Jesus, his being the Lord of our lives, means living and giving as Jesus does for us.
Living Light - Mark 6:6b-13
July 24, 2022
So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent.
They cast out many demons and anointed with oil
many who were sick and cured them.
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Jesus sent his disciples out by pairs, telling them not to pack for the journey, not to take a change of clothes, and to not even take food or money.
That is a big ask. It takes real faith to not prepare.
It is even more astonishing to consider that Jesus sent otherwise ordinary people to do things they could never do on their own, including healing people and casting out demons. Jesus sent them out, not because they could do these things themselves, but because God can do great things through ordinary people.
Hometown Welcome - Mark 6:1-6
July 17, 2022
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor
except in his own town, among his relatives
and in his own home.”
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What will we do with what we’ve seen and heard about Jesus?
Do we see him as the “carpenter’s son” or the Son of God?
A great teacher or the Living Word?
The one who heals on the Sabbath or the Lord of the Sabbath?
Will we reject Jesus or receive him?
