Sermons on The Mark Of The Beast:

Stay Salty - Mark 9:49-50 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 31, 2023

These are the footnotes that go along with my previous sermon on Mark 9:42-50 titled "Don't Go to Hell"

Mark 9:49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other." This is a very difficult passage to interpret—trying to figure out what Jesus means by salt, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:49-50

Male And Female - Mark 10:1-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 8, 2024

When asked about divorce, Jesus’ first response was to point out maleness and femaleness. This message will help you see how the characteristics of the sexes combine to create a whole greater than the sum of the parts.

Mark 10:1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 "What did Moses ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12, Matthew 19:1-12, Luke 16:18

Separation Anxiety - Mark 10:17-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 20, 2024

Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler the way to eternal life is to keep the law? And why was he the one guy who had to sell everything in order to be saved? And what does all that have to do with your daily life?

Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good-- except God alone. 19 You know the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30

The New Temple - Mark 11:11-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 9, 2024

The new way to find forgiveness

Mark 11:11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig-tree in leaf, he went to find out if it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:11-24, Matthew 21:12-22, Luke 19:45-48

Moving Mountains - Mark 11:20-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 9, 2024

What did Jesus mean when he promised we could cast mountains into the sea?

Mark 11:20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:20-24, Matthew 21:20-22

Jesus Kills A Tree - Mark 11:21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 9, 2024

Why did Jesus kill a tree? And what does that say about the age of the earth?

Introduction They’re on their way back into Jerusalem, but on the way, much to the chagrin of the commentators, Jesus stops and kills a tree. 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig-tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:21, Matthew 21:19-20

Jesus And The Agnostics - Mark 11:27-33 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 11, 2024

Jesus has awesome authority, and it’s beautiful to us because it protects us from ourselves and others, it grants us all the freedoms we enjoy, and it authorizes us to act on his behalf without fear.

Mark 11:27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" 29 Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:27-33, Matthew 21:23-27, Luke 20:1-8

The Man Of Integrity - Mark 12:12-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 18, 2024

Jesus' enemies were astonished at how little Jesus feared men. And Mark shows us how this is the key to many elements of godliness.

After highlighting how the authorities feared man three times, Mark now makes a point of how Jesus was the opposite. Against the dark backdrop of their sin (which results in hypocrisy, dishonesty, cowardice, and favoritism), Mark shows us Jesus in stark relief. He uses the very words of their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:12-14, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26

Jesus’ Daughter - Mark 5:21-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 2, 2023

Jesus stops in a long delay to draw attention to what happened, and to call this woman “daughter” to teach everyone that the intensity of emotion Jairus had for his daughter is the same way Jesus feels about this despised, unclean woman who trusts him.

Mark 5:21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 One of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-34, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56

Agnostic Nazarenes - Mark 6:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

In his hometown, the people didn’t believe Jesus because he was a local handyman. Such an irrational conclusion is due to living by feeling instead of fact. Agnosticism is an effort to justify ignorance.

Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him and such miraculous ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 13:54-58, Luke 4:16-30

Sending The Twelve - Mark 6:7-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

After many months of training, Jesus finally sends out the 12 to preach. He empowers them with the same miracles he did to show they were doing his work by his authority and power. Rejection of them meant forfeiting Jewishness.

Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. 8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-13, Matthew 10:1-14, Luke 9:1-6

Compassion On A Crowd - Mark 6:30-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2023

Jesus needed a day off. But when he saw the spiritual needs of the people, his plans went out the window.

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 1 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." 32 So they went away ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Matthew 14:12-14, Luke 9:10-11, John 6:1-2

Feeding The 5000 - Mark 6:35-44 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 21, 2023

Jesus sets up the scene with all the trappings of the Messianic Banquet, then proves he is the one who will bring it about by feeding the multitude.

35 When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. 36 Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But he answered, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:35-44, Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:5-13

The Great Confusion - Mark 8:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 19, 2023

The question, “Who do you say I am” is important, but it’s not everything. Equally important is the question, “What does the way you listen to the hard words of Christ say about who you really believe he is?"

Mark 8:27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:13-24, Luke 9:18-23

Go! And Serve Others - Mark 9:35 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 29, 2025

Mark 9:35 is a powerful and challenging call from Jesus—a call to serve others.

Go! And Serve Others Introduction It is a joy to gather together and open the Word of God. Today, we are focusing on a powerful and challenging call from Jesus—a call to serve others. The world tells us that greatness is about power, influence, and status. But Jesus turns this thinking upside ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:35, Philippians 2:5-7, Galatians 5:13, Matthew 25:40

Denomination: Pentecostal