Mark, Media, Sermons | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This morning we reach 2:23-3:6. On the surface, similar to last week, it looks like the topic of this passage is the Sabbath, but what’s really at stake is the identity of Jesus. There are two separate stories here, but they are linked by the same issue (Sabbath) so we’ll handle them together. The big idea today is that Jesus is the only one who can offer us real rest, real Sabbath, for our souls.

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.