Study Guides
Mark 14: The Last Supper and the Promise of Deliverance
Pastor Tim's sermon focuses on Mark 14 and the significance of the Last Supper, explaining its context within the Passover tradition and Jesus' arrival. He highlights how the Passover meal pointed to Jesus as the ultimate deliverer from spiritual enslavement, just as the Exodus delivered the Israelites from Egypt. The sermon explores the symbolism of the bread and wine as representing Jesus' body and blood, establishing a new covenant. It emphasizes both the historical remembrance and the future anticipation of a great feast in God's kingdom, connecting the Last Supper to both the Exodus and the ultimate heavenly celebration. The passage concludes with a reflection on personal enslavement and the liberating power of Jesus, alongside the communal act of communion.
Mark 13: End Times and Deception
Pastor Tim, focusing on Mark chapter 13, also known as the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus discusses the end times. Pastor Tim then walks through Jesus's prophecies, highlighting warnings against deception by false messiahs and the inevitability of wars, natural disasters, and persecution as "birth pains" preceding the end.
Mark 12: Whose Kingdom do you care about most?
Pastor Anson's sermon at Mercy Church Newmarket, NH, focuses on a passage from Mark 12, where Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of religious leaders. Using a personal anecdote about a zip-lining experience as an analogy for warnings, Anson highlights how Jesus cautions his followers to beware of those who prioritize outward appearances and personal gain over genuine faith and service to God.
Mark 9: The Kingdom of God, Transfiguration, and Discipleship
Mike Nagel's sermon focuses on Mark Chapter 9, exploring the arrival of the Kingdom of God. He highlights key events such as the Transfiguration and the healing of a demon-possessed boy to illustrate Jesus's power and authority. Nagel emphasizes that Jesus is not just a moral teacher, but the all-powerful Son of God who demands complete devotion.
God's Story: Creation to Re-Creation
Pastor Tim's sermon focuses on God's story of redemption, summarized by key "C" words such as creation, curse, covenant, Christ, cross, church and re-Creation. He explains that re-creation represents a restored relationship with God, others, the planet, and oneself. The sermon further discusses judgment and hell, clarifying that hell is the consequence of rejecting God's gift of his son and lacks God's comforting presence. Pastor Tim contrasts this with the hope of recreation, describing the new heaven and new earth from Revelation as a restored Eden with God dwelling among his people, free from death, mourning, and pain. He emphasizes accepting Christ's forgiveness as the guarantee for entering this eternal home. He encourages reflection and worship related to these truths.
God’s Story: The Church
Pastor Tim defines the church not as a building but as a community of believers who trust in Jesus for forgiveness and strive to live according to God's will. He emphasizes the church's mission to make disciples who love God and others, propagating faith through growth and outreach. Using biblical examples, he underscores the importance of this mission, contrasting the church's role with worldly influence and urging listeners to actively participate in spreading God's word. We are all encouraged to reflect on our roles in fulfilling the church's purpose.
God’s Story: The Cross
Pastor Tim's sermon focuses on the significance of the cross in Christianity. He explains that the cross addresses the problem of humanity's sin in relation to God's perfection, illustrating this with analogies of a courtroom and a tuning fork. The sermon highlights God's perfect justice and perfect love, demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice. The central theme is the resolution of the conflict between God's holiness and humanity's imperfection achieved through Jesus' death and resurrection.