In Mark 2:23-28 some Pharisees accuse Jesus and his disciples of violating the Sabbath law by snacking on some grain while they walked through the fields. Jesus does not argue with their accusation. We notice, instead, that he teaches that there is a righteousness more important in God's sight than religious observance. He wants them to know that God gave some religious instructions for the benefit of humankind, not as a way to keep human beings "in line." Jesus teaches his disciples to honor God's heart as well as God's words.

In Mark 2:18-22, Jesus provides two vivid parables that give a vision of his revolutionary mission in the world. Jesus came to establish a New Covenant from God with humankind. This new covenant includes God's gracious gift of a new way of thinking about everything. Something sorely needed in today's chaos.

Sermon from Mark 2:13-17
Jesus calls Levi the tax collector to follow him and learn the way of the Kingdom of God. On further thought, this is a surprising choice that offers a lot of hope to the rest of us.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to our churches being closed for about two months now. What if we can't go back to the way things were before? What if we can reopen our churches only at a drastically reduced capacity? Times like these urge us to look to Lord Jesus for guidance. The story of the healing of a paralytic in Mark 2:1-12 suggests that we need to consider that Jesus might be doing something new with the Church today. To preserve genuine worship gatherings in this time of social distancing, might house churches be a way forward? Might it be that Jesus is sending his Church home?

Mark 1:40-45
Jesus compassionately heals a leper from his dread disease. On closer inspection, though, we learn that Jesus was angry for several important reasons. By his example, then, we gain some important insights about how to respond constructively when we get angry.

Mark 1:35-39
Jesus sets a powerful example of discipleship. In this lesson, we notice three practices we can do to follow Jesus like he follows the Father.
Below are some resources that might be helpful. One is an outline for taking notes on the sermon. The other is a manuscript version of the message.

Sermon from Mark 1:32-34
As Mark summarizes the first day of Jesus teaching his new disciples to be "fishers of men," we gain valuable insights to do our part to spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
If you would like to take notes, an outline is available to download and print at the link below.

Due to technical difficulties, there is no sermon video this week. However, the sermon content is available in written form by clicking the picture gallery below. Click one picture to open the gallery, then you can move from one to the next.

Mark 1:29-31
In this very short episode, Mark shows us what it means to "repent and believe the good news" that the Kingdom of God has come with Jesus Christ. When Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law of a deadly fever, we learn that he has come to free us from the fear of death. In response, like this woman he healed, our part is to live within the will and the ways of God Jesus teaches his followers. In this way, we live in freedom and in the hope of being raised from the dead someday to live forever with Jesus in heaven.

Mark 1:16-20
As Jesus begins his ministry proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God, he calls his first disciples. These are to be the first who follow him closely enough to learn his way directly - from Jesus the person. Our lesson comes from noticing how Mark describes their response when Jesus lets them know it's "go time." Without delay, they leave everything else behind to follow Jesus wherever he will lead them.