St Marcus Mke Sermons

This week we'll be studying Mark 4:21-34 under the theme of "3 More Parables." These parables all come on the heels of a more famous parable, "The Sower and the Seeds" (4:1-20). In these 3 subsequent parables, Jesus teaches powerful truths about the privatization of faith, the rationalization of faith, and the underestimation of faith. And in the final of the three, he brilliantly explains the gospel in terms of an unimpressive seed that reaches to the heavens. 

Pastor Jeske continues his bible study series, “Epiphany Signs and Wonders”, with #2: “Jesus’s power over human disease”.  Matthew 8:5-13 is an astounding account of Jesus healing a person from a distance.  The centurion displays great faith in Jesus, recognizing Jesus to be the Messianic deliverer who can heal on the authority of his word alone.

This week we'll be studying Mark 3:7-19 under the theme of "Made Disciples by Jesus." Many were attracted to Jesus due to what he could offer. Far fewer were willing to follow him on a path to discipleship. This path requires intimacy with Christ, growing in Christian community, going where God sends you, fueled by a New Name you've been given.

Pastor Jeske launches a new message series on “Epiphany Signs and Wonders”.  Today’s study “#1: Jesus' power over nature” dives into Joshua 10:1-14 and Mark 4:35-41 where accounts are given when God displays His power over nature.  In Mark’s gospel, the disciples are on a journey toward faith. We, as Mark’s readers, not only are watching this journey but are also drawn into the same experience of moving toward faith in Jesus Christ.  One of the questions here comes from the disciples: who is Jesus? Even the wind and the waves obey him.  If the disciples truly knew who Jesus was and had faith in him, they would not have feared for their lives. The kind of faith Jesus requires is faith in him—properly understood—even in the face of death.

This week we'll be studying Mark 2:18-2 under the theme of "New Wineskins." Jesus continues to explain to the Pharisees why his gospel ministry CANNOT be patched onto their ministry of self-righteousness. And he uses some really helpful analogies about bridegrooms, clothing patches, and new wineskins in which he embeds some timeless wisdom.  We'll learn how this affects the form and spirit of Christian ministry today. 

Pastor Jeske’s bible study is on Exodus 1:6-22: “Fight Dehumanization!”. In the opening chapter of Exodus, the lack of humanity is displayed by the Egyptian Kings in their ruthless oppression over the Israelites. Some of the Israelites were put to work in the fields, while many others were assigned construction projects. As their numbers continued to grow, Pharaoh embarked on a path of ethnic cleansing and even infanticide. Despite their harsh treatment, the Israelites continue to increase numerically. The abundance of the people of Israel is only a small microcosm of the people whom God would call to himself across the span of the centuries. Pharaoh’s cruelty toward the Israelites was legendary. Paul wrote that God had raised up this brutal pharaoh so that He might demonstrate His divine power in defeating this earthly ruler.

This week we'll be studying Mark 2:13-17 under the theme of "Jesus is TOO GOOD for None and All." This text briefly covers the calling of Matthew, the tax collector, to become one of Jesus' disciples. The text also shares how the self-righteous Jewish religious leaders reacted to such a selection. Finally, Jesus explains that sin functions like a sickness that needs not only medicine but a loving Physician. Through it all, we learn a great deal about our personal ministerial callings. 

Today's bible study looks at Jesus' Baptism and what God gives us through it. Diving into Titus 3:4-7, it shows the three persons of the Godhead in close collaboration for the sake of believers, with special emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. God our Savior sent Jesus Christ our Savior, who saved us and justified us by his grace. God, through Christ, then poured out his Spirit on believers to spiritually regenerate them, cleanse them, and renew them, making them heirs of eternal life.

This week we'll be studying Mark 1:21-28 under the theme of "Jesus' Medicinal Teaching." In this text, Jesus preaches in a synagogue, revealing his authority, and then demonstrates his authority over a man possessed by a demon. This reveals the truth that Jesus is the ULTIMATE Authority over the physical & spiritual realm. But it also raises interesting questions about what level of authority Jesus plays in our lives. For that matter, are demons active the same way today? Do they affect our health? Do they show up in churches as they did here, and if so, what does it look like? What type of health would we experience if we were willing to fully submit to the authority of Jesus?

Today, we continue to celebrate the Christmas season with Pastor Jeske's bible study, "Christmas Changed the World Invisibly". Diving into Luke 2:36-38, Luke continues the themes of expectation we've read so far. Anna the prophetess, was, like Simeon, a member of the faithful remnant of Israel who was waiting for the advent of the Messiah. Anna thanks God and speaks to all the faithful people of God about Jesus. Her teaching would have been heard by all who frequented the temple. Her hope, like Simeon's, looks to the completion of what God is starting.

This week we'll be studying Mark 1:1-8. In this text, we encounter John the Baptist, the prophet that was testified to at the end of the Old Testament. John the Baptist's ministry lays the foundation for Jesus, points to Jesus, and demonstrates how the true God is typically encountered in the wilderness of life. Consequently, those who currently find themselves in the wilderness, if they humble themselves and listen, will find God. 

Based on Revelation 21:1-7.  I. A Yet Unquenched Thirst (vs.4-6) II. A Gospel of Inheritance (vs.5-7) III. The Transformation of the Earth (vs.1-3)

On the first Sunday of the Christmas season, our them for worship is "A Substitute for Christmas".  Pastor Leyrer's bible study "Behold Your Bethlehem Brother!" dives into Hebrews 2:10-18 focusing on two points:  I. His Cradle Led to the Cross  II. His Cross Helps Us Overcome Our Crosses.  Christ’s incarnation aimed at founding a new priesthood; as a priest of this priesthood, Jesus could forever make intercession between God and humanity and secure a perfect propitiation for sin.

Based on Luke 2: 8-20. Everyone is afraid. For all the excitement that surrounds Christmas, we humans tend to use the time around the holiday as a distraction from our daily fears. The First Christmas was also surrounded in terror. However, take comfort because we are told to "not be afraid." We need to listen and trust what we have been told by God through His Word. On this Christmas Eve, we ponder the good news of the Word made Flesh, just as Mary did upon our Messiah's arrival.

Pastor Jeske concludes his Advent series "What Magnificent Advent Plan!" with his Bible study on Galatians 3:26 - 4:7 - "Perfect Timing". Paul gives his final contrast between God's people before Christ's coming and the position they enjoy now.   Paul has been stressing the temporal nature of the change. At this point he dwells on their status, moving from being slaves to becoming sons and daughters of their heavenly Father.  Although Israel prayed for the Messiah to come during its many terrible times of national crisis, God waited until the world was ready to receive His Son—when the message of the gospel could be carried to the ends of the earth.

This week we'll be studying Judges 16:23 - 31 under the theme "The Weakness of Samson." Samson is famous for his feats of strength, but is was actually spiritual weakness that characterized most of his life. Disobedience to God, breaking his vows, and serving other gods are what ultimately led to his death. But in that rock bottom moment, in repentance, he returned to the One who'd given him every good thing. Samson was constantly failing. But God's grace to him was relentlessly unfailing. In his death, Samson saved more than in his life. And in so many ways, he points us to someone even greater, who was strong in his weakness, and saved many in his death. 

Pastor Leyrer concludes his Advent Series "To Us a Child Is Born!" reflecting on Isaiah 9:6 "He Will Be Called...Prince of Peace."

Pastor Jeske' continues his advent series "What a Magnificent Advent Plan!" discussing the "retroactive benefits"  in Hebrews 11:8-19.  These verses highlight the glorious outcome of a lifetime of faith. The author reminds his readers that people like Abraham did not, in this life, receive all that they had been promised. God promised Abraham a nation as numerous as the stars. But all that Abraham received, in this life, was Isaac. Abraham died not yet receiving his nation. This did not stop Abraham from pressing on in faith. His faith was not in the reward but the God of the reward.

This week we'll be studying Judges 11:29 - 40 under the theme "The Recklessness of Jephthah." Like all of us, Jephthah is a bit of a product of his environment. He was raised in a highly dysfunctional environment, became a violent gang leader, but was tremendously gifted in leadership and battle. Unfortunately, though he knew who the true God was, Jephthah approached the Lord God not similar to the way the pagans worshipped their gods. In other words, he couldn't conceive of a God of grace, and it led him into doing, and saying, some really dangerous things. In Jephthah, we're reminded that God can use anyone to accomplish his purposes, but also that God's people will not want to approach him like any God, but as the one true God of grace.

In week two of Pastor Leyrer's advent series, we look at Isaiah 9:6 with the focus on "He Will Be Called...Everlasting Father".  The prophet gives four throne names for Jesus in this verse - one being "Everlasting Father".  He will be an enduring, compassionate provider and protector.