Sermons on Epiphany 3:

Sex In Marriage Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Sep 22, 2012

The blessing of marital sex.

Introduction 1 Corinthians is good letter for pastors to read whenever they are feeling discouraged. They read about Paul’s pastoral problems with the Corinth church and think to themselves at least their problems aren’t that bad! Let’s review for a moment the situation at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Married To An Unbeliever: Now What? Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Sep 22, 2012

Should one remain married to an unbeliever? Is divorce okay?

Introduction We come to yet another emotional topic – marriage to an unbeliever. Though it should be evident to every Christian that one ought not to enter into such a relationship, nevertheless some do. Some get married believing, or rather making themselves believe, that their loved one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spirituality Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 1, 2012

We are free in Christ, yes, but how is that freedom to be used? How can it be abused?

1 Corinthians 10:1-5 Spirituality 1/25/04 D. Marion Clark Introduction Let’s review the issue being addressed. The Corinth Church is abusing a correct doctrine, which is that we are free in Christ Jesus from having to observe regulations and restrictions in order to find favor with God. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In Remembrance Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 3, 2012

What the Lord's Supper is about.

Introduction We could have titled last week’s sermon, “Christians Behaving Badly.” It was bad enough that the Corinth “saints” were treating one another badly, but, as if to add insult to injury, they were doing so at the Lord’s Table. At the very meal which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Praising God Amidst The Impossible Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Oct 8, 2012

When life goes from bad to worse, and then from worse to impossible, we are tempted to ask "Where is God in the midst of all this?" Come and discover God's heart for the hurting and find the hope that is only found in Jesus!

Praising God Amidst the Impossible John 11:1-45 Hospital and Care Home Service – September 25, 2012 There are times in life when things go from bad to worse in the blink of an eye; times when a bad situation suddenly becomes seemingly impossible. Perhaps your “impossible” has ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: *other

Death, Be Not Proud Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 15, 2012

Death is a terrible curse, but death will not have the last word. For death will die and what awaits those who are in Christ is glory.

Introduction The first funeral I presided over was for Mitch Mitchell. He died in his seventies of cancer. He died with his loving wife and family around him. The sanctuary was full for his funeral, even though he had not held important jobs and positions. He was simply a well-loved man. Soon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-59

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Money And Ministry Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 15, 2012

What did you put in the offering plate this morning? Do you think God is pleased? And what about ministry? Did you do any ministry this past week that God would have been pleased with? Our passage will help us think these questions through.

Introduction What did you put in the offering plate this morning? Do you think God is pleased? And what about ministry? Did you do any ministry this past week that God would have been pleased with? Our passage will help us think these questions through. Text Now concerning the collection for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Good News! Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 16, 2012

An introduction to the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 1:1 Good News! 5/28/00 D. Marion Clark The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Background Mark’s name first appears in Acts 12:12: When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1, Mark 1:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Time To Forgive Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 22, 2012

Jesus' most audacious act gives us personal hope.

Introduction Last Sunday I introduced Jesus as the Great Gasper. He is the one who causes gaspers – making other people gasp. And he has done some pretty amazing things to make people gasp – casting out demons, healing the sick, even cleansing lepers. Sometimes, though, it is the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus' Family Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

In our passage, Jesus will use a family misunderstanding to give us greater understanding of his life and work.

Introduction Mothers, have you ever wondered what it would have been like to have Jesus for a son. At first thought, it would seem wonderful. Just think, a child – a son, no less – who doesn’t misbehave. He never lies to you; he does all of his chores; he doesn’t get ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:31-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Real Miracle-Grow Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The kingdom of God is mystery. Whether we are asleep or awake, whether its seed seems small or large, it will generate life that is abundant and rich.

Introduction A number of years ago at the prodding of a neighbor, who was also a church elder, my wife and I ventured into the mystical world of gardening. A section of our yard had once been a rose garden that one minister had lovingly cared for and another pulled up, so that it was bare when we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Miracle Worker Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The miracles of Jesus are significant, not because they reveal a miracle worker, but because they reveal the glory of the Son of God.

Introduction We come to yet another miracle. Jesus the miracle worker keeps pulling out one miracle after another. Even if our modern day magicians really were performing miracles with their tricks of illusion, they would have nothing up on Jesus. They might have pizzazz, but their showmanship ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Will You Listen? Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The disciples did not want to listen to Jesus' message. They were not going to argue with Jesus, but they did want to avoid the subject. How many of us do the same thing?

Introduction In the 13th century B.C., God called Moses to deliver his people out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land of what is now called Israel. His job included forming the descendants of Abraham into a nation, the kingdom of God. Soon after leaving Egypt, he led the people to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus’ Warning Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 30, 2012

Anytime I, or you, pare Jesus down to a figure that we can be comfortable with, we are guilty of murdering him.

Introduction There was one club in college that never enticed me to join; that was the Debate Club. My heart beats rapidly enough raising an objection in a meeting! The excitement of public debate is not the kind I care for. I am the kind of person who thinks best at least two days after ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Most Matters To God Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 30, 2012

The sermon preached after 9/11.

Introduction On Tuesday afternoon I pondered what to preach this Sunday morning. With the tragic events of the day, it seemed that a sermon should be preached addressing the questions and feelings that we would be wrestling with. But as I considered the text before me, I thought What better text ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed