Sermon Central
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Mark
Contributed by David Asch on Oct 5, 2004 (message contributor)
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1. Living In The Desert
Contributed on Oct 5, 2004
A look at 3 different scenes from desert living. Three scenes that show us how God uses the desert to form his people, to call his people to himself. By the time we’re done, maybe you will want to go out to the desert too…
LIVING IN THE DESERT Mark 1:1-13 INTRO: Have you spent much time in the desert? I have. For over 30 years I lived in Southern California, which is basically one big desert – with lots of sprinklers! We traveled, camped, and explored the desert. As a youth pastor, we took kids on desert ...read more
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2. Kingdom Come!
Contributed on Oct 12, 2004
In this text we see Jesus begin to proclaim God’s good news. He tells us what this good news is, and what we are invited to do about it. Then we see what we can expect from this good news, as well as what not to focus on. It all begins with some bad news,
Kingdom Come! Mark 1:14-39 INTRO: What’s the best news you have ever heard/could ever hear? Today, God has some really good news for you! PREV: Today we will see Jesus begin to proclaim God’s good news. He’ll tell us what this good news is, and we will see what we are invited to do ...read more
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3. An Offer Too Good To Refuse
Contributed on Oct 12, 2004
Int his text Jesus says come to me for compassion, forgiveness, and hope. Jesus says bring me your pain, your unhelathiness, and I will cleanse you. Come to me with your sins and I will forgive you.
AN OFFER TOO GOOD TO REFUSE Mark 1:40-2:17 INTRO: I’m a sucker for offers “you can’t refuse.” Examples: Bad tie, knife sharpeners, Bamix, Golf swing video, pocket PC (it should have been no surprise).. I’ve had to learn not to believe such offers. Even churches make such offers... Prev: ...read more
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4. How Not To Be A Hypocrite
Contributed on Oct 12, 2004
In this text Jesus will show us how to move beyond hypocrisy and into genuine, authentic faith. In this text we will see Jesus goes head to head with religious hypocrites, and show us what it takes to leave hypocrisy behind.
HOW NOT TO BE A HYPOCRITE Mark 2:18-3:6 INTRO: 1. What is the #1 thing that keeps people from faith in Christ? 2. Is there anything that keeps people from faith in Christ like my hypocrisy? Saying one thing, and doing another. Claiming to believe and live a certain way, but not demonstrating ...read more
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5. Who Is In God's Family?
Contributed on Oct 18, 2004
In this text Mark shows us what it takes to be in God’s family – who it is that makes us God’s family. We’ll see that it requires a radical commitment, but has radical benefits.
WHO IS IN GOD’S FAMILY? Mark 3:20-35 INTRO: Becoming a part of Anne’s family required a radical commitment: My family was not very “hands on.” We didn’t hug or kiss very much at all. But in Anne’s family, you could not leave a family meal or gathering of any kind without kissing everyone in ...read more
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6. Embracing And Extending The Good News
Contributed on Oct 18, 2004
In this text we discover what exactly the Good News of Jesus entails. We will be challenged to embrace fully the good news and to commit to extending the good news to others.
EMBRACING AND EXTENDING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS Mark 3:7-19 In this text we discover what exactly the Good News of Jesus entails. We will be challenged to embrace fully the good news and to commit to extending the good news to others. A. Jesus returns to the lake to reaffirm his mission Read ...read more
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7. Growing An Abundant Harvest
Contributed on Oct 20, 2004
God wants to produce a superabundant harvest in and through you. Will you believe it? Will you receive it? This message shows us what and how God wants to produce in and through us.
GROWING AN ABUNDANT HARVEST Mark 4:1-20 INTRO: This is the story of the sower and the superabundant harvest. A. A sower sows This is a story from everyday life. Its completely normal. Its about a farmer who puts on his long apron and fills it up with seeds. Then he walks over his field, ...read more
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8. What In The World Is God Doing?
Contributed on Oct 20, 2004
In Mark 1:15, Jesus says the kingdom of God is near, meaning that in the person of Jesus God’s kingdom comes near. If the kingdom has come near, what in the world is God doing?
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOD DOING? Mark 4:21-34 INTRO: In Mark 1:15, Jesus says the kingdom of God is near, meaning that in the person of Jesus God’s kingdom comes near. God has arrived on the scene, to establish his rule, take back what is his. If that is so, then I have some questions: 1. Why ...read more
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9. What Are You So Afraid Of?
Contributed on Oct 25, 2004
In this text we tackle our fears and discover the antidote to fear. We will see the cure for what you are afraid of. Whether or not you take the antidote will be up to you...
WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF? Mark 4:35-5:43 INTRO: 1. What are you afraid of? Recently my 6 year old, DJ, said ¡§my problem is arachnophobia.¡¨ Everybody has fears ¡V public speaking, spiders, caves, other people knowing they have fears. These fears, unless the go to the extreme of being ...read more
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10. Clean Hands, Dirty Hearts
Contributed on Nov 4, 2004
In this message we discover how to have a closer relationship with God, know God better, really get to know God.
CLEAN HANDS, DIRTY HEARTS Mark 7:1-23 INTRO: How do I have a closer relationship with God? How can I know God better? Really get to know God? Move from religion to relationship? You can’t drown if you don’t get wet; "Tradition is a fence around the law." But often our traditions become a ...read more
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11. When You Don't Get The Response You Want...
Contributed on Jan 10, 2005
In an unusual encounter Jesus has, we see some concrete steps to seeing God work in our lives.
WHEN YOU DON’T GET THE RESPONSE YOU WANT… Mark 7:24-30 INTRO: What does it take to get what you ask for? As kids, we perfect ways of asking… doing chores, etc. In A Christmas Story, Ralphie goes to elaborate ends to get the response he wants: a Red Ryder BB gun. What about God? Does ...read more
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12. More Than You Ask For
Contributed on Jan 10, 2005
In this sermon we will see if we ever get more than we ask for from God, and how we should react.
MORE THAN YOU ASK FOR Mark 7:31-37 INTRO: Once at a fast-food restaurant, I took my burger back up to the counter, pointed to the picture on the overhead menu, and asked, Can I have one that looks like that?” The one I had was smushed, smudged, and generally unappealing. At those places, I ...read more
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13. Will It Take A Miracle?
Contributed on Jan 10, 2005
Today we are going to see Jesus Christ do something miraculous, and we will see how our perspective determines our response, or how our response gives away our perspective, which ever you prefer.
WILL IT TAKE A MIRACLE? Mark 8:1-21 INTRO: Last October, the miraculous occurred. The Anaheim Angels beat the San Francisco Giants 4 games to 3 to win the World Series. It was miraculous because the Angels have been playing major league baseball for 42 years, and had never even been to the ...read more
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14. Who Do You Say That I Am?
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
Today we are going to see how Jesus can open your eyes, and what you will see when he does.
WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? Mark 8:22-9:1 INTRO: The Truman Show features Jim Carrey as a naive insurance salesman whose humdrum existence is, unbeknownst to him, being telecast live around the globe 24 hours a day. The film evolves from an intriguing premise. A corporation, personified by a ...read more
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15. Faith That Doesn't Fail
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
Can you keep from failing, from losing faith? Can you get it back if it has already failed? Can you keep it from failing? Today, we will answer these questions as we see Jesus face a man in this kind of a situation.
FAITH THAT DOESN’T FAIL Mark 9:14-32 INTRO: At the library a couple of weeks ago, where I often go to study, I saw a car with a bumper sticker. This car was parked in the first space, so it was unmistakable – you saw it the moment you pulled into the parking lot, and it confronted you as you ...read more
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16. Blueprint For Greatness
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
In our passage today, Jesus gives us God’s blueprint for greatness.
BLUEPRINT FOR GREATNESS Mark 9:33-50 INTRO: A TV news camera crew on assignment in southern Florida filming the widespread destruction of Hurricane Andrew. Amid the devastation and debris stood one house on its foundation. The owner was asked, "why is your house the only one still standing?" He ...read more
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17. Dealing With Divorce
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
As we study this passage, we will see God’s view of divorce. In doing so, we will discover God’s answer to avoid becoming a statistic, as well as what to do if divorce has already been a part of our lives.
DEALING WITH DIVORCE Mark 10:1-12 INTRO: Greet the people sitting next to you. Over 50% of new marriages end in divorce. That means either you, or the people sitting next to you. Statistics are the same for churches. Divorce is a big deal. Most don’t like it…. In church, you hear some ...read more
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18. Children And Jesus
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
Today in our passage in Mark chapter 10, we will discover 2 things, 2 important, crucial, life-changing things Jesus wants us to learn from children.
CHILDREN AND JESUS Mark 10:13-16 INTRO: You can learn a lot from children Read emails of things children said and did PREV: Today in our passage in Mark chapter 10, we will discover 2 things, 2 important, crucial, life-changing things Jesus wants us to learn from children. Its all found ...read more
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19. Getting That Camel Through That Needle
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
Today we will observe Jesus being asked this question: “What must I do to live forever?” Even if you think you know what’s coming, hang on, you may be surprised! There may be some facets to the answer that you aren’t familiar with, and they may explain w
GETTING THAT CAMEL THROUGH THAT NEEDLE Mark 10:17-31 INTRO: Throughout his history, man’s quest has been the answer to this question: “How can I live forever?” It used to be mummification and the fountain of youth. Today, for $100,000 you can be frozen ($50,00 for head only) SI reports ...read more
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20. What Do You Want Him To Do For You?
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
Imagine if you could have Jesus Christ himself come to you and say, “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you say? What would you ask, want him to do? Today, we will see two men, James and John, have that happen to them. We will see what they wa
WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO FOR YOU? Mark 10:32-45 INTRO: Imagine if you could have Jesus Christ himself come to you and say, “What do you want me to do for you?” What would you say? What would you ask, want him to do? PREV: Today, we will see two men, James and John, have that happen to ...read more
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21. The Healing Power Of God
Contributed on Jan 18, 2005
Today, as we look at the healing of Bartimaeus, we will ask and answer two questions. First, can God heal you? Can Jesus heal you? Secondly, will God heal you? Will he heal you?
THE HEALING POWER OF GOD Mark 10:46-52 INTRO: Today we come to a healing story. We’ve read it already – its the account of Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus. When we come to these healing stories, what do we do with them? We tend to take one of two approaches: We relegate them to the past, ...read more
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22. What God Wants
Contributed on Feb 16, 2005
In this message we discover what it is that God is looking for in us. In fact, we will see what it is that he hungers for. First we wil see what he definitely does not want.
WHAT GOD WANTS Mark 11:12-25 INTRO: Its hard to figure out what some people are looking for: • The man whose wife tells him he needs to bring her flowers, then cries and is unhappy when he does. • A boss whose requirements change frequently • A teacher whose grading seems arbitrary • A ...read more
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23. Avoiding Judgment
Contributed on Feb 16, 2005
Once, while helping out at my son’s soccer practice, a kid responded to my instructions by saying, “you’re not the coach.” Don’t you hate it when you get that response? What do you do then? In this message we see Jesus receive that kind of response. And
AVOIDING JUDGMENT Mark 11:27-12:12 INTRO: Once, while helping out at my son’s soccer practice, a kid responded to my instructions by saying, “you’re not the coach.” Don’t you hate it when you get that response? What do you do then? PREV: Today we will see Jesus receive that kind of ...read more
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24. Escaping The Trap
Contributed on Feb 16, 2005
How do we escape the traps of life, religion, etc? How do we get out, how do we keep out? In this message we discover the keys as we see some religious leaders try to trap Jesus.
ESCAPING THE TRAP Mark 12:13-27 INTRO: Pitch the hamster – feeling trapped. A hum-drum existence, punctuated by brief moments of excitement. Eat the food. Run on the wheel. Over and over again. Not able to be all a hamster could be. You could tell it was getting to her – more urgent climbing ...read more
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25. The Greatest Commands
Contributed on Feb 16, 2005
What is God’s most important command? In this message we will see what is most important to God. You will leave here today knowing what God’s top priority is and how you can do it. You will discover where to start, what comes first, what is most important
THE GREATEST COMMANDS Mark 12:28-34 INTRO: My kids get frustrated sometimes trying to figure out which of my many commands take priority, which comes first. Ever been frustrated by a boss who gives multiple assignments, all of which are ‘top priority?’ Overwhelmed by all you hear in church? ...read more
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26. A Spiritual Check Up
Contributed on Feb 16, 2005
In this message we will conduct a spiritual health check up. We will check 3 vital areas of our spiritual life, and each one will leave us with a question to answer.
A SPIRITUAL CHECK-UP Mark 12:35-44 INTRO: A check-up always leaves you with questions: • Am I eating the way I should? • Do I need to make lifestyle changes to improve my health? • Should I buy stock in Rogaine? Today we will conduct a spiritual health check up. We will check 3 vital ...read more
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27. What Are You Concerned About?
Contributed on Feb 16, 2005
A sermon on Jesus’ prediciton of the destruction of the Temple
WHAT ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT? Mark 13:1-11 Intro: “Who moved my cheese?” – disaster when cheese was moved 9/11 – everything changed. In one sense, the end of our world. Cubs and Red Sox fans – you’d think the world has ended Health failures Relationship failures Financial ...read more
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28. How To Live Through What's Coming
Contributed on Feb 16, 2005
A Sermon on Jesus’ Olivet Discourse
HOW TO LIVE THROUGH WHAT’S COMING Mark 13:14-37 INTRO: Do you ever want to know the future, know what’s coming? We seem to have a certain fascination with knowing the future How will my kids turn out? What stocks should I buy? What decision should I make about a job, relationship, ...read more