Sermons on the mark of the beast:

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

The Uniqueness Of Mark's Gospel: John The Baptist In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

Focusing in on Mark chapter one verses 1-20, and we’ll be reflecting on three key events in this first portion of Mark. We’ll be looking at the ministry of John the Baptist as he prepared for the coming of Jesus, then the baptism of Jesus, and Jesus’ calling his first disciples.

Last night I was listening to some beautiful music. And I was just thinking, this music is a gift from God. It really is. Who is this creator who made everything? How are we to understand who he is? Of course, we know we understand from his word, but I was thinking, and I wondered: What can we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

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

Finders Weepers Losers Keepers - Mark 8:34-38 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? And how does it help you in your daily battle with sin?

Excerpt #1: You are a radical, fundamentalist, extremist Christian or you are a non-Christian. Excerpt #2: People title this passage, "The Cost of Discipleship," but it could just as well be called, "The Cost of Non-Discipleship." Jesus wants us to compare costs. Excerpt #3: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 9:18-26

Not Your Name; My Name - Mark 9:36-41 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 31, 2023

Do you long for a greater experience of the presence of God? In this passage Jesus teaches how to attain that while bringing honor to Jesus and accruing eternal reward.

Mark 9:33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:36-41, Matthew 1:5, Luke 9:48-50

Don’t Go To Hell - Mark 9:42-50 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 31, 2023

This message will alert you to the worst dangers imaginable and show you how to avoid them.

Mark 9:41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. 42 "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to turn away, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42-50

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

Hopeless Ending—endless Hope - Mark 16:1-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 5, 2024

Mark's account of the resurrection ends this way: “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.” No appearances by Jesus? What kind of ending is that? It's a profound ending with an important lesson

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Sa-lome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, "Who will ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-8, Luke 24:1-11