Sermons on Mark 1:40-2:17:

Becoming The Real Deal Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 10, 2021

Watch out for fakes! Whether we're talking about counterfeit products from the internet or people, the results are similar. We're disappointed, angered, distrustful. Fake stuff doesn't live up to our expectations. Become the "real deal."

Authentic: Becoming The Real Deal   • Fake Rolex in NYC for $50. (real deal is anywhere from $10-$15K USED) That street corner Rolex will eventually turn your wrist green and quit right after that. • If you shop online at all, chances are good you’ve bought counterfeit or fake ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:11-24, Matthew 23:3-7, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Ephesians 4:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Physician Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 16, 2021

Jesus supports all the medical efforts to heal all diseases, even those that are caused by sin.

People who survive great dangers and diseases are often creative people who do the unusual. Robert Muller, in his memoirs, Most Of All, They Taught Me Happiness, tells of how creative he became under pressure. In 1943 he was a member of the French Resistance. Using the name of Parizot, he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Matthew The Tax Collector Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

Matthew was a rebel who had fulfilled his dream in the world, and who realized it was not satisfying. He calls himself the publican, however, in his Gospel, because he rejoices that he is a trophy of grace.

Someone said, you never could take your money with you, but some can remember when the government would let you keep some while you were still here. It is hard for many to believe that our country was founded partly to avoid taxation. As bad as taxes are, however, only two classes of people ever ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-16

The Healing Of A Leper Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Mar 18, 2021

At first reading, this story has the tones of a divine miracle but it is so much more.

Introduction At first reading, this story has the tones of a divine miracle. Something that would have been incredible to see as a member of the crowd. The image of a poor wretched man, probably on his last days on earth, begging the Lord Jesus for a new lease on life, and getting just that. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16, 2 Kings 7:3, Ephesians 2:1, Romans 10:9, John 8:28, Isaiah 64:6, Leviticus 5:3, Mark 1:41, 2 Corinthians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

The Surety Of God's Love

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 8, 2022

With all of this unrest in our country, some people may wonder where God is in all of this. Others are tempted to question God's goodness. But just because there is human hatred and violence in our presence, this in no way negates God's goodness and love.

This probably comes as no surprise to you, but since covid-19 rearranged so many of our lives and schedules, we have changed how much time we spend looking at a screen, whether it's a tv, smartphone, laptop, or computer screen. As a country, we're spending a significant amount of time on ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Touched A Leper

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 18, 2022

Nobody touched lepers in Jesus' day. Their disease was disgusting. People were afraid to catch it. Lepers were totally ostracized. When Jesus touched a leper, heads would turn. That just wasn't done. Who are the 'lepers' of our culture who need a loving touch from us?

A few weeks ago I heard a report on National Public Radio about a medical team that went to Kenya to meet the medical needs of those who had the least receive medical care available to them. They started out with a survey to see where the people were and where the doctors were. And in that survey ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16, Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45

Jesus Heals The Whole Person

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 18, 2022

Jesus is here for us to heal the invisible, deepest pains in our hearts.

Our text for this morning is a really nice story about Jesus, a story that shows a number of things. It shows some beautiful things about his character. It starts to explain to us why such an amazing man was persecuted and even put to death. It shows some deep insight into us human beings. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26, Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12

Bringing People To Jesus

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 18, 2022

There are people who need Jesus, but just aren't going to come to church on their own. Here's how you can help them come to Jesus.

Our text for this morning is another one of those stories of an amazing day that stuck vividly in the memories of his disciples. When you follow Jesus you never know what is going to happen. . Our text for this morning is Luke 5:17-26. 17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26, Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12

My God, Look What You Have Done Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 18, 2022

Is God revealing Himself as the ultimate egomaniac?

Seventh Sunday in Course The hot-shot sales representative had enjoyed his best year ever. The pinnacle case of the year was a year in the making, and involved a score of attorneys and technicians and endless hours stolen from his family, but in the end, the $50,000 commission brought them a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:6, Mark 2:1-12, Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Catholic

Follow Me

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 19, 2022

Jesus calls all of us to follow him. And if he could use a hated tax collector named Levi, he can use us.

Where do you turn to find wisdom today? We now have access to incredible amounts of information, but how do you sort out what is important? We have the technology to do so many things, but how do we decide which of those things are worth doing? We can travel very fast, but as we race through ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17

Showcase For Saints Or Hospital For Sinners?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 19, 2022

There is a temptation for us to put on our best front in church, a false front, and to especially welcome those who looked really good. But Jesus saw the church as especially for those who don't have it together and we will be wise to follow him.

When I was a boy, my mother used to tell us to be careful about the friends we picked. If you pick a study partner at school who doesn’t want to do school work, you won’t get much done. If you start going out at night and roving the town with kids who like to make trouble, it won’t be long before ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17

Hidden Gold

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 19, 2022

This sermon follows a short skit describing the reality TV show, American Pickers. They scanned junk and found value in it. Jesus did the same when he found Matthew, the hated tax collector.

Jesus was a picker. He travelled the back roads of Israel looking for rusty gold. He saw amazing things buried in people's hearts. What most people saw as junk, he saw as disciples who could change the world. Each person had a history all his or her own. There was no such thing as a nobody ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-31, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17

Getting People To Jesus

Contributed by Joseph Marshall on Feb 21, 2022

* Being a witness for Christ is not an easy task. It takes wisdom, practice, instruction, and perseverance.

* In Mark chapter 3, we read how four men brought their friend to Jesus for healing. [Review the story] * In studying this story, we can learn some helpful lessons about how to bring a sinner to Jesus. ** Let me teach you 6 steps it took to get a sinner to Jesus: 1) The sick man had a disease ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:3-12

Denomination: Baptist

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Want To Be Clean?

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Mar 14, 2022

The healing of this leper answers a basic question for all human beings, namely the desire to be clean.

Do You Want to Be Clean? Mark 1:40-42 40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42 And ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-42

Denomination: Baptist