Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This morning we reach Mark 2:18-22. On the surface, it looks like the topic of this passage is fasting, but what’s really at stake is the identity and mission of Jesus. This sections shows us that Jesus does not fit into any pre-conceived human category. Jesus did not come as one option among many religious options. In fact, he came (as the groom) to end religion.

Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This morning we are continuing our work through chapter two and come to Jesus' call of Levi to be his disciple (2:13-17). What's scandalous about this section is not that Jesus invites someone to follow him, but who it is that he invites. One of the recurring themes we've already seen taking shape in the Gospel of Mark is that Jesus goes after the most unlikely people. He does the same today, in this section, in his pursuit of Levi the tax collector. Whether you doubt Jesus would ever love you or think he'd be lucky to have you, there's something here for all of us this morning.

Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This morning we are heading into the second chapter of Mark and we see Jesus (again) perform a miraculous healing, but this particular healing is unique in that Jesus also forgives the man’s sin. This creates quite a stir among the crowd, particularly the scribes who lead the religious establishment. This is the first of five narratives which Mark places back-to-back (2:1-3:6) to highlight the increasing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, that ultimately culminates with Jesus’ sentence to death by crucifixion. Each of these stories illustrates the unique authority Jesus claimed to have. Today Jesus claims to be God and the long-awaited Messiah who has come to address our greatest need.

Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Today we are wrapping up the first chapter with what is possibly the most moving story in Mark, outside the cross. In Mark 1:40-45, Jesus heals a leper. Now to grasp what Mark is doing by placing this story here we need to understand that Jesus doesn’t heal for the sake of healing. Yes, his healing demonstrates his power. Yes, his healing authenticates his message. Yes, his healing points to the perfect world to come. But, his healing is also a visual of why he came. Today, more than a healing, we get a vivid picture of who we are, who Jesus is and what he came to do. In this passage we see that our need is great, but his provision is greater.

Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

One of the over-arching themes of Mark’s gospel is that everywhere Jesus went, things got better – the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and more. Just imagine what it would have been like to witness this life. What would a day in the life of Jesus look like? What did he do? Where did he go? How did people respond to him? Mark gives us an opportunity to do just that today, in 1:21-39, where we have a 24 hour window with Jesus where we get a massive demonstration of the character of the King and the Kingdom.

Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Last week we heard for the first time from Jesus himself, his primary subject was the “Kingdom of God”. Today we hear his call to follow Him and become “fishers of men”.

Mark, Media, Sermons, Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Last week we saw that Jesus came to identify with us, invite us into relationship with the trinitarian God, and intervene on our behalf. Today we hear from Jesus himself for the first time in Mark’s gospel. His primary subject of concern is the “kingdom of God”.

Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Last week (Mark 1:1-8) we met John the baptizer, the long-awaited messenger sent to prepare God’s people for the coming of Yahweh himself (cf Mark 1:3). Today (Mark 1:9-13) we meet Jesus for the first time in Mark’s gospel account.

Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Nearly 2,000 years ago, in a small rural province of Roman-ruled Israel, there was a man who claimed to not only be a king, but the King; not only one sent from God, but the Son of God. His name was Jesus. In dramatic detail, the Gospel of Mark tells the riveting story of Jesus’ brief years of ministry in sixteen short, action-packed chapters. Mark, an assistant to the apostle Peter, is a masterful story-teller. Using a style of writing that is simple and original he recounts the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; events which form the very center of cosmic and human history. Over the near we will be exploring the life and work of the One who fulfilled all the Old Testament hopes for the coming Christ, the Messiah, and see first-hand how only his story makes sense of our own.