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The Gospel of Mark
He Is Not Here! 03/23/08
Mark 16:1-8
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
After an entire year in Mark's Gospel, we conclude with a discussion of the resurrection. Why does the story end this way? What would Mark have us learn about Jesus and about our role in the ongoing work of the Gospel?
Mocked and Reviled 03/02/08
Mark 15:16-32
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Mark recounts Jesus' crucifixion, but his focus is not on the physical brutality (though it was excruciating). Rather, he focuses on the substitution that Jesus makes for us, both in bearing our sin and in removing our shame.
I Will Not Deny You! 02/17/08
Mark 14:66-72
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Simon was Jesus' first disciple. Jesus renamed him Peter, which meant, "the rock." He was the ringleader amongst the disciples, the spokesman, and he functions in Mark's gospel as the source for most of the content. In tonight's passage, Peter fails Jesus, denying him three times and cursing the Master he so passionately confesses to love. So how did Peter go from failing Jesus to being the leader of God's church?
The Death of Religion 02/10/08
Mark 14:53-65
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As we continue our look into the final hours of Jesus' life, we are asking the question, "Why is this bloody story of betrayal and murder called good news?" Tonight, Jesus is on trial before the religious leaders, and religion is doing its best to condemn, judges, and silence Jesus. This passage reveals why we are all so committed to our religion and our morality, and how Jesus puts an end to religion.
Sorrowful Unto Death 01/27/08
Mark 14:32-52
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
In one of the most moving passages in the Gospel, Mark recounts Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. As one commentary put it, "On the cross Jesus' body was crucified; in the Garden, his soul was crucified." We see Jesus stagger under the weight of "the cup," a Biblical image describing God's just punishment of sin. In the Garden, the Father gives Jesus a glimpse of the hell that awaits him if he chooses the cross. In a final act of surrender, Jesus settles the issue in prayer and rises from his knees to give his life.
The Lamb of God 01/20/08
Mark 14:12-28
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Over the next 9 weeks we'll be exploring the last hours of Jesus' life. Throughout the last 2000 years, Christianity has become the world's largest religion, and it is still the world's fastest growing religion. And yet, at the center of it, is the bloody and shameful death of its founder. Why has the cross always been so central, and why have countless millions had their lives radically changed by this story? Tonight we explore the difference between the Gospel of Jesus and religion as we look at how Jesus explains his death in the Last Supper.
Proximity or Relationship? 01/13/08
Mark 14:1-11
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
In one of the more dramatic passages in Mark's Gospel, the religious leaders make a plan to kill Jesus, Judas plots with them to betray Him, and an unnamed woman displays an extravagant act of worship. Are we more like Judas, seeing Jesus as a means to an end, and willing to betray him? Or, like the woman, have we been captured by the strength and humility of Jesus, transformed by his sacrificial life and death, and so taken with him that we, too, become radical worshipers of Jesus?
The End of the World 01/06/08
Mark 13
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
In one of the most often misunderstood passages of Mark, Jesus predicts the coming fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. Jesus warns his disciples about what they are getting into as his witnesses, attempting to help them see the challenge of faithful endurance to the end. In this long passage, Jesus uses the coming destruction of Jerusalem as a way to talk about the future world-wide tribulation and his immanent return.
True Religion 12/30/07
Mark 12:35-44
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Scott Cooley
What does true religion consist of? What does it look like lived out? As we have studied Mark 12 during Advent, we've seen Jesus refute the religion of the Pharisees, Herodians, and scribes. In this final section of Mark 12, Jesus points to the sacrificial offering of a poor widow to paint a picture of the kind of religion that is pleasing to God.
Jesus and Religion 12/23/07
Mark 12:28-34
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
What is the greatest commandment, the one commandment that takes priority over all things and all people? Jesus answers this question with 3 separate and connected commands: Remember, Worship, and Serve.
Jesus and the Afterlife 12/16/07
Mark 12:18-27
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
One of the most important questions we all must answer is what happens to us when we die. In tonight's passage, Jesus is asked this perennially important question by the Sadducees, a group of religious leaders who think the idea of life after death is absurd. Jesus responds with insight and authority, proving the Sadducees wrong and pointing us all to the hope of the resurrection found only in Jesus himself.
The Politics of Jesus 12/09/07
Mark 12:13-17
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
What is a Christian response to politics, taxes, and the government? In tonight's passage, Jesus takes on the liberal left and the conservative right, reveals them both as inadequate political options, and describes a new trajectory and means for being a politically involved people. What might it look like for us to embrace his way in our city, nation, and world?
The Authority of Jesus 12/02/07
Mark 11:27-12:12
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
After Jesus' symbolic actions in the Temple, the religious leaders want to know why exactly he thinks he has the authority to put an end to the temple. But when they refuse to answer a question that he poses to them, he in turn refuses to disclose his source of authority. He goes on, however, to tell a parable that reveals his relationship to his Father as the source of his authority. In this parable, we see that the authority of Jesus is absolute, threatening, and marvelous.
Jesus and the Temple 11/18/07
Mark 11:1-25
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As Jesus finally makes his way into Jerusalem, he intentionally orchestrates a procession that fulfills the messianic prophecy of Zecheriah 9.9. Jesus wants to be clear about his identity and his mission, and the incident in the Temple serves to illustrate that he has come to be the final sacrifice, the end of the Temple system. The challenge for us 2000 years later is to remain fruitfully connected to Jesus as our Temple, a living faith in God that dynamically impacts our world.
A Ransom For Many 11/11/07
Mark 10:45
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
What is the meaning of the death of Jesus? Why did it happen? What does it mean for us today? The center of Christianity has always been the cross - remove the cross, and you don't have Christianity.
What Do You Want? 11/04/07
Mark 10:32-52
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As Jesus continues on his journey to Jerusalem, he once again predicts his coming death, and instructs his disciples in the Way of the Cross. In his interactions with the disciples, and in his healing of blind Bartimaeus, Jesus asks the question of a servant: "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus' servant life and sacrificial death are not only our hope and salvation, but also serve as the blueprint for the servant-life of a disciple. In tonight's sermon we tackle the question, the manner, and the power of a servant.
Jesus and Your Stuff 10/28/07
Mark 10:17-31
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As Jesus sets out on his downward journey to the cross, a rich young man on his way up in the world approaches Jesus with a question about eternal life. In the collision of the God-Man heading down and the young man heading up, the ruler gets his life dismantled. The cost of following Jesus is great, and he will lay claim to every inch of our lives. Will you let him wreck your life?
Jesus and Your Family 10/21/07
Mark 10:1-16
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As we continue in Mark's Gospel, the demands of discipleship become more challenging. This week, Jesus lays claim to our marriages and our families. He points back to Genesis to teach us what God intended for marriage, and paints an inspiring picture of the beauty of married life. He loves, welcomes, and blesses the children, showing indignation at his disciples' lack of care for the needy and helpless ones. And he offers us entrance into this kind of life if we are willing to become like children and receive his reign and lordship in our families.
Listen to Him! 10/07/07
Mark 9:2-29
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
What is our mental image of Jesus? Do we think of him as a poor Jewish peasant with long hair, soft features, and a wry smile? The image of Jesus in the book of Revelation is something entirely different, and in tonight's passage Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of the resurrected Jesus before his death and burial. What they see is hard to describe, but having the right view of Jesus is incredibly important for how we live, believe, and pray!
Do You See Anything? 09/30/07
Mark 8:22-9:1
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
In the healing of the blind man, Jesus teaches his disciples about their spiritual blindness. Spiritual blindness is the pervasive human problem, and it is both deep and self-destructive. But Jesus also show how he intends to heal his disciples. Our healing requires the rebuke of the cross, which first humbles us and then affirms us. By believing and living the Gospel we become free to live the upside-down dynamic of the kingdom.
Do You Not Yet Understand? 09/23/07
Mark 8:1-21
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As the first half of Mark's Gospel comes to a close, Mark gives us an opportunity to evaluate our relationship to Jesus. In this final scene, we see Jesus once again act with compassion on the crowd, once again battle with the Pharisees, and once again challenge his disciples. As we evaluate the reasons that Jesus deals differently with each group, we will get an honest glimpse into our own heart-level relationship with Jesus.
All Things Well 09/16/07
Mark 7:24-37
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
For the first time in Mark's Gospel, Jesus heads into Gentile territory. In these first 2 stories amongst the Gentiles, Mark teaches us how we are to relate to someone like Jesus, and why we can relate in that way. But Mark goes beyond that, too, and tells us more about the identity and purpose of Jesus. To relate to Jesus by faith is more than a ticket to heaven; rather, Mark wants us to see that in Jesus is wholeness and restoration, the complete and total healing of the world.
Becoming Clean 09/02/07
Mark 7:14-23
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Ryan Keogh
Though we may not understand the Old Testament obsession with ritual purity, our culture is equally obsessed with cleanliness. The problem, of course, is that no matter how much we shower, shave, and clean up the outside, our hearts are the true source of the filth in our lives. So what hope do we have for becoming clean? Listen to how Jesus deals with the issue of purity, and the gospel solution to our uncleanness.
The Terrifying Love of Jesus 08/19/07
Mark 6:45-56
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
For the second time in the Gospel of Mark, the disciples find themselves in a boat on the sea of Galilee, struggling against the wind and waves, and feeling utterly alone. Though Jesus sees them struggling in the evening, he waits until almost morning to do anything about it, finally coming out to them walking on the sea. What do we make of this story? Besides being one of the clearest revelations of the true identity of Jesus, it is also the clearest revelation of just how little the disciples understand that identity.
The Good Shepherd 08/12/07
Mark 6:30-44
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
More aptly titled, "The Revolution of Jesus", the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle story recored in all 4 Gospels. Why did this story have such a prominent place in the life of the early church?
Death of the Baptizer 08/05/07
Mark 6:14-30
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Matthew Green
In Mark's recounting of the death of John the Baptist, he reminds us of the cost of being associated with Jesus and the message of the Kingdom.
Lessons on Faith 07/22/07
Mark 5:21-43
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
The power of Jesus continues to be displayed in situations beyond hope, this time a dying child and a chronically sick woman. Mark emphasizes the role of faith in these healings, giving clues to us about how the power of Jesus might connect to our lives.
Defeat of Evil 07/15/07
Mark 5:1-20
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Demons, discipleship, and the death of pigs - this is the kind of stuff Mark loves. Mark is a master of taking the life of Jesus and inviting us into it so that we can experience what the eye witnesses experienced in Jesus. In this passage, Mark continues to highlight the power of Jesus - ultimate, sovereign, absolute power over all the forces of darkness. What is most striking, however, is that Jesus defeats the power of darkness not with a sword and shield but with a cross and and empty tomb.
Lord of the Storm 07/08/07
Mark 4:35-41
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
In this remarkable story, Jesus leads his disciples to the brink of death before powerfully rescuing them from the raging storm. Though the disciples question both his power and his care for them, Jesus wants to know why they refuse to believe that his power and his care are infinite. Maturity as a disciple of Jesus means coming to the place where Jesus is enough for us.
The Open Kingdom 07/01/07
Mark 4:21-34
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
The mystery of the kingdom can only be unlocked through being with Jesus as a disciple. In these parables, Jesus invites us to understand the way of the kingdom, the promise of the kingdom, and the magnitude of the kingdom.
The Seed of the Kingdom 06/24/07
Mark 4:1-20
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Ryan Keogh
In our first glimpse of the content of Jesus' teaching, we get a feeling for why everyone was so confused about Jesus! He teaches about the kingdom in parables and stories, and this first parable sets the stage for what is to come.
The Family of Jesus 06/17/07
Mark 3:20-35
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As we continue to look at Jesus in Mark's gospel, we realize that his claims and his actions defy our categories and leave us with very few options in deciding who he is. His family accuses him of being crazy and tries to stop him. The religious leaders accuse him of being demon possessed and deceiving the people. But Jesus is very clear about his identity - he is the serpent crusher, the long-awaited Messiah, the one who has come to bind the strong man and plunder his goods. In his dying and rising, Jesus has ransomed a people, creating one new family, and setting free the captives. True freedom comes from sitting at the feet of Jesus and walking in obedience to him.
With Jesus 06/10/07
Mark 3:6-19
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
What is discipleship? The Gospel of Mark is a handbook for discipleship, written to encourage and empower the church to fulfill the task of making disciples of all nations. In this week's passage, Jesus calls his disciples to himself and gives us the framework and model for discipleship. (Note: first half of sermon did not get recorded.)
Doubt Night One 06/03/07
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark, we will occasionally take a break from the verse by verse format in order to deal with questions and doubts about the Gospels, about Jesus, or about Christianity in general. This is a great chance to discuss some of the questions our culture is asking about Jesus. In tonight's Doubt Night, we tackle the reliability of the Gospels, the emergence of the Gnostic Gospels, and the work of the Jesus Seminar. We also tackle a great question about "tax collectors" in today's society.
Lord of the Sabbath 05/27/07
Mark 2:23-3:6
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
The conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders continues to escalate and comes to a head here in a controversy over the Sabbath. The religious leaders had added 39 separate categories of rules to the simple command to "keep the Sabbath holy," thereby making the Sabbath rest a burden! In the gospel, Jesus removes the burden of the Sabbath, restores the purpose of the Sabbath, and declares himself the lord of the Sabbath. True, deep, lasting rest is only found in Jesus.
Friendship and Feasting 05/20/07
Mark 2:13-22
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Are we as Christians called to be the morality police for our culture? How do we interact and relate with those outside the faith? In this passage, Jesus scandalizes the religious leaders by eating with and befriending sinners. This is the gospel, that God has come to us as sinners, offered friendship, offered a great feast, and it is this grace which leads to repentance. Therefore, as we allow the new wine of the gospel to explode our old systems, we'll become more joyful and less judgmental of those outside the faith.
Healing and Forgiveness 05/13/07
Mark 2:1-12
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Throughout the Gospel of Mark, three groups of people repeatedly get in the way of Jesus' ministry, particularly by crowding out those who most need to get to Jesus. In this passage, four men are trying to get their paralytic friend to Jesus to be healed, but can't because of the crowds, the disciples, and the religious leaders. But because of their faith, they find a way to Jesus - through the roof! But when the paralytic is finally before Jesus, he receives so much more than physical healing. Jesus looks deep into the man's heart and does something only God can do, and the very thing Jesus came to secure, forgiveness of sin.
Prayer, Word, Deed 05/06/07
Mark 1:35-45
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Ghandi once said, "I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." In this passage in Mark 1.35-45, we see 3 aspects of Jesus' ministry - his rich prayer life, his unsettling gospel message, and his passionate care for the marginalized. And in the story of the leper's cleansing, Mark presents to us how we ought to come to Jesus - confessing our sin-sick hearts and putting ourselves at his mercy. And if we come to Jesus like the leper, we can begin to be healed, so that our lives more accurately reflect the ministry of Jesus.
A New Authority 04/29/07
Mark 1:21-34
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Ryan Keogh
Mark's first picture of Jesus in ministry is a the story of a powerful ministry confrontation. Jesus comes into a synagogue to teach and the people are amazed at the authority in his words and character. A demon immediately cries out, and again the people marvel at Jesus' authority to silence the demon. What do we do with One with such authority? How are we to respond? Like the disciples, the only right response is to follow.
Called to be Disciples 04/22/07
Mark 1:14-20
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
The call of Jesus is the same today as it was 2000 years ago - a call to him as teacher and master, in which he takes the lead in making us become fishers of men. And he remains as competent, faithful, and trustworthy as he was to the early disciples
Father, Son, Holy Spirit 04/15/07
Mark 1:9-13
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
Mark is a master of saying much with few words, and in this passage he emphasizes both the total humanity of Jesus and the total divinity of Jesus. Jesus, as a man, was a carpenter from Nazareth. As the second member of the Trinity, however, Jesus is the Son, the Beloved of his Father. God became man in Jesus in order to reverse the effects of the fall and to welcome us back into the community of the Trinity!
The Man in the Wilderness 04/08/07
Mark 1:1-8
Series: The Gospel of Mark
Pastor: Steve Hart
As we begin our study through the Gospel of Mark this Easter Sunday, Mark introduces us to Jesus, the Anointed King, the Son of God. John the Baptist comes "preparing the way" in the desert, baptizing and preaching repentance. We meet the Anointed King in the desert, and he baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.