Sermons on Defining Marks:

The Kingdom Like Malformed Mustard

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Mar 27, 2009

Like an unexpectedly huge mustard plant, the kingdom will grow and comfort, in unexpected ways.

Like Malformed Mustard Mark 4:30-32 The kingdom of God is like a VW Beetle. It is one of the smallest cars you will ever see. It is not very comfortable or powerful. It is not very stylish or practical. It is very cheap and not impressive in any way. There is no status with owning one. And yet, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Mennonite

How Do I Take Up My Cross?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Mar 28, 2009

This sermon looks at both what it means, and also what it does not mean, for us to take up our cross for Jesus.

Jesus said to his disciples and to the crowd following him, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (8:34). It’s hard for us to hear those words in the same way that those following Jesus heard it. The context is that Peter has just recognised that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Anglican

Be Careful What You Ask For

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Mar 28, 2009

Lent 5: James and John ask Jesus for seats of privilege at his right and left. Ambition, power and glory are often pursued - but at a cost. Glory to Jesus is much different than what we see... Be careful what you ask for!

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Christmas Story. The character around whom the story revolves is nine year-old Ralphie. Now more than anything else in the world, Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder BB gun. But every time he mentioned it, he would be rebuffed. Ralphie asked his momma for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-40

Denomination: Lutheran

Journeying With Jesus Through Lent #6 ‘along The Road Of Joy To Rejection Series

Contributed by Michael B. Perrott on Apr 1, 2009

We reflect upon Jesus’ Triumphal Entry and our hopes in and expectations of Jesus, our Messiah, as he travels from Celebration and welcome, to rejection.

Mark 11:1-11 Sermon Series: Lent 2009 We reflect upon Jesus’ Triumphal Entry and our hopes and expectations in Jesus, our Messiah, as he travels from Celebration and welcome, to rejection. A SERMON FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF LENT 2009 (Palm Sunday). Journeying with Jesus through Lent #6 ‘Along ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mission For Palm Sunday

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 1, 2009

Reflecting on the first Palm Sunday, we see that there is no better mission for our lives than to (a) Encounter Adverse Situations (b) Discover what God desires (c) Freedom from Bondage (d) Bring what God desires.

Opening illustration: There is a legend about an ancient village in Spain. The villagers learned that the king would pay a visit! In a thousand years, a king had never come to that village. Excitement grew! "We must throw a big celebration," The villagers all agreed. But, it was a poor village, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Chruch Needs To Worship Jesus

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Jul 2, 2009

A sermon for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 9, series B.

5th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 9] July 5, 2009 “Series B” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, you have come among us in the person of your Son, Jesus the Christ, your living Word, incarnate in human flesh. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Do People Really Listen?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 2, 2009

People who claim to not hear God speak may find the problem is they are not listening.

Mark 6: 1 – 13 / Do People Really Listen Intro: Have you ever watched a movie that has English subtitles? Have you ever listened to the news when the words of a dignitary who doesn’t speak English are interpreted? Have you ever thought that perhaps the translator was saying what they wanted and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Fine Art Of Not Paying Attention

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jul 4, 2009

Sometimes it is best to ignore the voices of doubt and the naysayers.

THE FINE ART OF NOT PAYING ATTENTION TEXT: Mark 5:35-36 Mark 5:35-36 KJV While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? [36] As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:35-36

Denomination: Pentecostal

Storms & Questions Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 6, 2009

That day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let’s cross to the other side." So they left the crowd and took him along in the boat just as he was. Other boats were with him. A violent windstorm came up, and the waves began breaking into the boat, so

I’m conscious this morning that we’ve had another baptism, which is wonderful, but I do get the feeling sometimes that when parents bring a child to baptism they are sort of quietly hoping that the experience might have a soothing effect on the child. After all, isn’t that part of what good ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Works For The Devil Too!

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Jul 6, 2009

The devil loves to make a playground out of people’s minds and imaginations.

Mark 11:23 Works for the Devil Too! For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:23

Denomination: Apostolic

Lessons From A Madman

Contributed by Larry Wolfe on Jul 6, 2009

An examination of the Demoniac of Gadara and his demon possession

"Lessons from a Madman" As a former alcoholic and drug-abuser, my attention was drawn to the account given in the Bible about the Madman, the demon-possessed man of Gadara (Mark 5:1-20). His attitude/actions, before the Lord delivered him from demon-possession and he was born-again, were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fan Or Follower?

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Jul 8, 2009

There is a big difference between a fan of God and someone who is a true follower. Which are you?

Fan or follower? Mark 10:17-22 Last week a tragedy struck Washington D.C. when one of the metro rail trains crashed into another train. That accident really struck me in an emotional way because I was just on those trains one month ago. While reading about the accident the thought, “that could ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

John The Baptist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 9, 2009

John the Baptist - radical and countercultural par excellence

Sermon: John the Baptist – Radical and Countercultural par excellence Story: A young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy and he was set the following problem to solve. “You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Anglican

Careful Promises

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 9, 2009

St. Thomas Acquinas said, "All of society is based on promises and trust." We must therefore be careful about the promises we make and our intentions to keep them.

Mark 6: 14 – 29 / Be Careful What You Promise Intro: An Irishman had been drinking all night at a pub. The bartender announced the pub was closing so the Irishman stood up to leave and fell flat on his face. He tried again to stand with the same result; so, he decided to crawl outside and get ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

My Valentine, My Wife, My Marriage.

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jul 10, 2009

At the time of preparing this outline, my wife and I have been married 47 years. During that time we have been almost constantly together. 24/7. Perhaps being missionary evangelists in over 100 countries has helped us to work, live and have a love that ha

My Valentine, my Wife, my Marriage. At the time of preparing this outline, my wife and I have been married 47 years. During that time we have been almost constantly together. 24/7. Perhaps being missionary evangelists in over 100 countries has helped us to work, live and have a love that has ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:6-12