Sermons on Darrell Vanwagner:

The Man Of Integrity - Mark 12:12-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 18, 2024

Jesus' enemies were astonished at how little Jesus feared men. And Mark shows us how this is the key to many elements of godliness.

After highlighting how the authorities feared man three times, Mark now makes a point of how Jesus was the opposite. Against the dark backdrop of their sin (which results in hypocrisy, dishonesty, cowardice, and favoritism), Mark shows us Jesus in stark relief. He uses the very words of their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:12-14, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26

Christ Vs. Caesar - Mark 12:14-17 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 20, 2024

In the jaws of a trap, Jesus utters 10 simple words that changed the world. If you're worried about what's going on in our government, this message is for you.

Mark 12:12 Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. 13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:14-17, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26

The God Of The Living - Mark 12:18-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 20, 2024

What does it mean to have God as your God? More than you think.

Mark 12:18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. 20 Now there ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-27, Matthew 22:23-33, Luke 20:27-38

The God Of The Living (Contd) - Mark 12:18-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 20, 2024

Jesus destroys the logic of those who deny the resurrection.

Mark 12:18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. 20 Now there ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-27, Matthew 22:23-33, Luke 20:27-38

The Best Thing You Could Ever Do - Mark 12:28-31 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 10, 2024

Of all the good deeds you’ve done, which is the best? What’s the best deed anyone could ever do?

Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-31, Matthew 22:34-40

Soul, Mind, Strength - Mark 12:29 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 10, 2024

You know what it means to love God with all your heart. But what does it mean to love him with your soul?

Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29, Matthew 22:34-40

When You Can’t Draw Near - Mark 7:1-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 23, 2023

Legalism is an insidious problem because it allows your heart to drift far from God while making you think you’re doing great spiritually.

Mark 7:1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13, Matthew 15:1-9

Morbid Anatomy: The Root Of Sin - Mark 7:14-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 23, 2023

Why did God make some food unclean, and now we can eat them? This message goes into the important and often misunderstood concept of uncleanness

Mark 7:14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’” 17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:14-23, Matthew 15:10-20

Men Like Trees Walking - Mark 7:24-8:26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2023

Did Jesus have to try twice to heal the blind man? Or was the two-stage healing a profound lesson for how we understand God's Word?

Introduction: Perception The Mexican cave fish has eye sockets but no eyes. Where they live, it’s so dark, eyes are useless and so they lost them. Biologists have discovered that same species of fish who live in waters that have some light, and they do have eyes. Stay too long in the dark and your ...read more

The Great Confusion - Mark 8:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 19, 2023

The question, “Who do you say I am” is important, but it’s not everything. Equally important is the question, “What does the way you listen to the hard words of Christ say about who you really believe he is?"

Mark 8:27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:13-24, Luke 9:18-23

Behind The Curtain - Mark 9:1-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What is the purpose of the Transfiguration? And how can it help you in your daily life? This message will answer those questions and show you how this event explodes with meaning when you understand the “hyperlinks” in the setting.

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-7, Matthew 17:1-6, Luke 9:28-35

Transfiguration Pt.2: Proof—listen Confidently - Mark 9:2-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 24, 2023

If you struggle with doubt or skepticism when you read Scripture, this message is for you. And even if you don’t have doubts, anything that increases our faith and confidence in his Word will improve our listening ear when Christ speaks to us. This message will fortify your faith.

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-7, Matthew 17:1-6, Luke 9:28-35

Transfiguration Pt.3: Listen Exclusively - Mark 9:4-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 24, 2023

If you are a believer, Jesus Christ is speaking to you every day. But whether his voice gets through depends on how you listen. These messages on the Transfiguration give insight into how to become a better listener.

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:4-8, Matthew 17:1-6, Luke 9:28-35

Transfiguration Pt.4: Did Elijah Fail? - Mark 9:8-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 24, 2023

John the Baptist was the fulfillment of the promised Elijah who would come and restore the people’s hearts in preparation for the Messiah. But if that’s the case, why was Jesus crucified? Did John fail?

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:8-13, Matthew 17:1-6, Luke 9:28-35

From Amazement To Faith - Mark 9:14-29 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 26, 2023

The best thing that can ever happen to you is for something to strengthen your faith. Amazement is not the same thing as faith, but this message will show you how to turn amazement into faith when you see or read about marvelous things God has done.

Mark 9:14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. 17 A man ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-23, Luke 9:37-45