Sermons on Mark Twain:

How To Deepen Your Insight - Mark 10:47-52 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 3, 2024

How do you increase your spiritual insight and find blind spots? Jesus answers that question in the account of blind Bartimaeus.

Mark 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving the city with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:47-52, Matthew 20:29-34, Luke 18:35-43

Ridiculous Patience: Parable Of The Vineyard - Mark 12:1-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 18, 2024

Why does Jesus tell such a farfetched story? The answer will help you in times when you're afraid God is losing patience with you.

Mark 12:1 He then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12, Matthew 21:33-46, Luke 20:9-19

Take This Cup From Me - Mark 14:32-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 12, 2024

One preacher said, “Prayer is not about getting God to do what you want. It’s about getting you to do what God wants.” But if that’s the case, why make requests? What is the real purpose of prayer?

Introduction: Unanswered Prayer Does prayer work? We all know the right answer: “Yes, of course it works. Prayer changes things!” But what about when you pray and nothing happens? Let me ask you this: Did Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane work? To answer the question of whether prayer ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-36, Matthew 26:36-39

Jesus Before The Supreme Court - Mark 14:53-65 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 20, 2024

Why does Jesus remain silent at his trial? And why does he speak up at one point? We'll learn from his example when we should keep quiet and when to speak up.

Mark 14:53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-65, Matthew 26:57-68, John 18:12-14

Big Life Little Life - Mark 15:1-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 22, 2024

What is it about the natural human heart that prefers someone like Barabbas to Jesus? If we don’t know the answer to that question, we’ll miss one of the most important messages of the whole book of Mark. And when it comes to a choice, we’ll make the wrong decision too.

Mark 15:1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-15, John 18:28-40, Matthew 27:11-26, Luke 23:1-25

Shame You Don’t Deserve - Mark 15:21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 27, 2024

What do you do when the opinions of others mean too much to you? You can’t stand it when certain people disapprove of you, maybe you’re a people pleaser or you shy away from conflict. How do you escape the fear of man?

Mark 15:21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was pass-ing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. Introduction Simon Well, they finally wrap up their gruesome vaudeville entertainment session and get on with the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21, Matthew 27:32, Luke 23:26

Why Have You Forsaken Me? - Mark 15:34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2024

What did Jesus mean when he said, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Did the Father forsake his Son?

In Mark 15:34 Jesus cries out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God actually forsake Jesus? If so, what’s the answer to Jesus’ question? Why? And if you think the answer is obvious, then why does Jesus ask the question? He knew he had to drink this cup, he agonized ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46

When God Is Distant - Mark 15:34 And Psalm 22 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2024

What can you do when God is far away? You cry out to him and receive no comfort, no strength, it just seems like your prayers bounce off the ceiling. That actually happened to Jesus, and when it did, he quoted a psalm that teaches exactly what to do in times like that.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Introduction What can you do when God is far away? You cry out to him and receive no comfort, no strength, it just ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46

A Gracious Call To A Social Outcast (Mark 2:13-17) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 25, 2021

So many people today feel like they exist more than they live, thinking that everything in this world is against them and that no one cares. Matthew, the tax collector, is just such a case. It turned out that Jesus had a plan for him, and for you as well.

Jesus' compassion for people is evident as we progress through this Gospel. This display of Divine love is recorded by Matthew and Luke as well. The Lord Jesus is not the exclusive property of any group or man- made religious system. Nobody can mold Him into one particular behavior to suit ...read more

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

Denomination: Baptist

The Healing. A Story Of A Man With Leprosy. Mark 1:40-45

Contributed by David Cramer on Nov 13, 2022

This is a story that was shared to me many years ago which is about faith, hope, and healing in our walk here on earth with the Lord our Saviour.

Good Morning Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the word of God. The indestructible, never ending, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Party Time - Mark 2:18-22 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 29, 2023

Jesus is asked why his disciples don’t engage in the expected fasting like John’s and the Pharisees. Answer: his presence is the arrival of God as bridegroom bringing salvation to Israel, so fasting would be inappropriate.

Mark 2:18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” 19 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:18-22

My Beloved Son - Sermon On Mark 1:10-20

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 6, 2023

We should appreciate the Father’s love for the Son because that’s the love we get if we repent and believe enough forsake everything and follow him.

Mark 1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:10-20

Amazing Unremarkable Healing - Mark 1:28-34a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 3, 2023

The people were amazed at Jesus’ authority, but that response is inadequate. Only repentance and faith are sufficient.

Mark 1:28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:28-34

Jesus’ Private Prayer Life - Mark 1:35-39 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 1, 2023

The fact that we are told of the circumstances of Jesus’ prayer but not the content shows that it’s recorded as an example for us to follow.

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Make Me Clean Lord - Mark 1:36-45 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 1, 2023

What Jesus did for the leper is a picture of what he does for our hearts.

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:36-45