Sermons on marion clark:

Jesus' Bad Company Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 23, 2012

The messy business of Jesus and the church is the invitation and welcome to sinners such as us.

Introduction When Jesus begins his ministry, people are filled with wonder at what he can do – cast out demons and heal the sick. “Wow! I saw Jesus command a demon to come out of a man!” “That’s nothing, I saw him heal a man born blind.” “Well, I saw ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus' Negligent Disciples Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 24, 2012

This passage presents the distinctions between Old Covenant and New Covenant religion.

Introduction We’ve noticed that, while Jesus has gotten off to a great start amazing everyone with his teaching, healing and exorcising of demons, he has also started to create controversy. He first seems like he has all the markings of a special man of God – maybe a prophet, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus’ Bad Sabbath Habits Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 24, 2012

This text presents what the sabbath is about.

Sabbath Conflict Our text today covers two stories, both of which focus on the matter of Sabbath-keeping. So, let’s take a moment to understand the place of the Sabbath in Jewish culture. That the Sabbath must be observed was not a matter of debate among the Jews. The observance was grounded in ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Managing A Ministry Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 25, 2012

Jesus' ministry, though popular, was mostly misunderstood. Indeed, he was popular with the crowd precisely because he was misunderstood.

Introduction Mark takes a break from confrontation stories between Jesus and his critics to give us an overview of Jesus’ ministry. It can be easy to lose sight of what actually is going on around Jesus. Mark reminds us that Jesus has become a superstar, and with that he has inherited the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:7-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus: Crazy Or Possessed? Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Has anyone ever considered you to be crazy? How about demon-possessed? If you have been accused of either of these conditions, take heart; Jesus received the same diagnoses.

Introduction Has anyone ever considered you to be crazy? How about demon-possessed? I know some women who have suspected the first of their husbands and the second of their toddlers! If you have been accused of either of these conditions, take heart; Jesus received the same ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-30

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

Good Topsoil Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The failure to live by the gospel is found in people’s hearts.

Jesus’ Parables We come to our first parable this morning, so we ought to consider before we get into it, what is a parable? I’ll give you a starting definition. A parable is a picture with a point. The picture may be a story such as the tale of the good Samaritan. It may be an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Time To Hear Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Jesus is saying, “I, the lamp, have come with the light of the gospel. Don’t cover me and my message over as many of you are doing. Let the lamp shine openly. The reason that you hide my light is that you really prefer something else which is less than

Introduction We are back to the parables this morning. In contrast to our extended metaphor of the sower and his soil conditions, we now come to a collection of short images and sayings. Remember how I said that usually it is the context that makes the parable’s meaning clear? The peculiar ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-25

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 Terrifying Question Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

The problem with the disciples is not that they didn’t have enough faith to trust Jesus in the storm. The problem is that their faith was not directed at the real Jesus.

Introduction As we move along in our study of Mark, we would do well to review the purpose and theme of the gospel. Mark and the other gospel writers had an agenda, which was to tell the “good news” about Jesus Christ. They were not writing biographies to give insight into the man ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Terrifying Jesus Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

It is those who know what it is to tremble before Jesus who are those who learn the real peace that he gives.

Introduction Why do we like to be scared? Why are we fascinated with evil? I mean real evil. Our adventure movies today don’t simply feature good guys battling bad guys; they take on the forces of evil – demons, vampires, spiritual forces of wickedness. Moviemakers do their best, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Waking The Dead Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

We can have and must have faith in Jesus because Jesus is Lord over all.

Introduction What miracle will Jesus do now? He has calmed a storm; he has delivered a man possessed by hundreds of demons; and he has healed a woman suffering from an illness of twelve years, merely by her touching his garment. Indeed, that happened while he was on his way to accomplish another ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Freed From Suffering Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Do you understand that that is what Jesus wants to do for you? He wants to heal the disease of your heart that alienates you from his Father and leads you to your eternal death. He wants to make you whole, not just feel better.

Introduction There was a series of commercials that featured particularly embarrassing moments for individuals, followed by an announcer saying, “Need to get out of town fast?”, and a camera shot of an airplane flying overhead. The main character in our passage this morning (at least for a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Amaze Jesus Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Two types of people amaze Jesus - those who have great faith just by what they know about Jesus and those who lack faith even when they see him at work.

Introduction Mark has made it clear how Jesus amazed people. He amazed them by his teaching; they were definitely amazed at his casting out demons. He amazed them by his healings; he amazed his disciples by calming the storm, and he amazed two parents by raising their daughter to life. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The First Short-Term Missions Trip Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Short-term missions is mostly a modern concept, probably because technology and modern transportation makes it easy to do. Even so, it was Jesus who started the practice with his twelve disciples.

Introduction Our missions chairman has made it clear to anyone who gets in earshot of him that he thinks short-term mission trips is one great idea. He likes them because he thinks they are a great means to convert Christians into lifelong missionaries, whether they travel to another land or stay ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:6-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed