March 17 Sermon: Faithful Unto Death
As we've been making our way through the book of Revelation thus far, I've been emphasizing that the book of Revelation is a word of hope to these seven churches who, in the first century, were going to experience great persecution at the hands of the Roman Empire. To first appear in the face of persecution is something that most believers desire to do. No one stops and thinks about persecution and says man, I hope if persecution ever comes, I'm the first one to sell Jesus out. That's not the way we think. No one wants to be the first one to give up their faith. In fact, our aspiration is actually the exact opposite. We see faithfulness as a very important virtue. To have a conviction, to have beliefs and to hold to them is something that we greatly value.
Marked By Grace: Day 33
Endurance Amidst Persecution and Tribulation
Scripture: Mark 13:1-13
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus speaks about the coming destruction of the temple and the trials that will precede this event. He warns of false prophets, wars, earthquakes, and famines but emphasizes these are not the immediate signs of the end. Jesus mainly focuses on the persecution His followers will face, encouraging them to endure and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide their testimony. This teaching serves as a reminder of the reality of persecution in the Christian life and the necessity of steadfast faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit during trials.
Marked By Grace: Day 32
True Humility and Generosity
Scripture: Mark 12:38-44
Reflection:
This passage contrasts some scribes' showy, hypocritical behavior with the humble, sacrificial giving of a poor widow. Jesus criticizes the scribes for seeking honor and exploiting the vulnerable, highlighting the dangers of spiritual pride and hypocrisy. Though minor in monetary value, the widow's offering is commended by Jesus as truly generous, for she gave all she had. This account challenges us to examine our motives in religious practices and to value sincerity and selflessness over outward appearances or recognition.
Marked By Grace:Day 31
The Greatest Commandment and the Lordship of Christ
Scripture: Mark 12:28-37
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus articulates the greatest commandment: to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love one's neighbor as oneself. This teaching summarizes the essence of God’s expectations for human conduct, emphasizing love as the foundation of the law. The subsequent discussion about the Messiah being David’s Lord highlights Jesus' authority and divinity, challenging common Messianic expectations and inviting us to recognize His lordship in our lives. These teachings call us to a life of profound love for God and others, anchored in the recognition of Jesus' divine authority.
Marked By Grace: Day 30
Discernment in Controversy and the Reality of the Resurrection
Scripture: Mark 12:13-27
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus faces two separate challenges: first, a question about paying taxes to Caesar and then a query about the resurrection posed by the Sadducees. His response to the tax question, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's,” displays His wisdom in navigating political and religious entrapments. It highlights the balance between civic duties and ultimate allegiance to God. The discussion on the resurrection demonstrates His deep understanding of Scripture and the power of God, correcting the Sadducees’ misunderstanding. This teaches us about the reality of the resurrection and the nature of life after death.
Marked By Grace: Day 29
The Parable of the Tenants
Scripture: Mark 12:1-12
Reflection:
Jesus tells the parable of the tenants who, instead of respecting the landowner's rights, rebel and harm his servants, ultimately killing his son. This parable is a stark depiction of Israel's rejection of the prophets and, ultimately, of Christ Himself. It challenges us to examine how we respond to God's messages and messengers. The parable also speaks of judgment against those who reject God's Son while affirming Jesus as the cornerstone, essential and chosen by God, yet rejected by many. It invites reflection on our acceptance or rejection of Christ's lordship.
Marked By Grace: Day 28
Authority and Humility
Scripture: Mark 11:27-33
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus is confronted by the chief priests, scribes, and elders who question His authority. Jesus responds not by directly asserting His authority but by posing a question about John the Baptist's authority, which they cannot answer. This interaction highlights the wisdom of Jesus in dealing with those who opposed Him and His understanding of the hearts of His questioners. It also challenges us to consider the source and recognition of true spiritual authority and the humility needed to accept it, especially when it confronts our own beliefs or positions.
Marked By Grace: Day 27
Righteous Anger and Forgiveness
Scripture: Mark 11:15-26
Reflection:
This passage showcases two significant aspects of Jesus' ministry: His righteous anger against the misuse of the temple and His teaching on the power of faith and forgiveness. Jesus' cleansing of the temple is a powerful statement against the corruption and commercialization of religious practices. It prompts us to consider how we maintain the sanctity of our worship and faith practices. The latter part of the passage emphasizes the importance of faith in God and the necessity of forgiveness. Jesus links forgiving others with receiving forgiveness from God, highlighting the interconnectedness of our relationship with God and others.
Devotions: Return to Your First Love
Reading: Revelation 1:1-8
Devotional: Today, let's reflect on the introduction to Revelation, considering how it sets the stage for understanding the timeless messages within. Contemplate the concept of "chronological snobbery" and how it might affect our approach to ancient scripture. Meditate on the idea that the words spoken to the seven churches hold value for us today, connecting us to the greater body of believers across time.
March 10 Sermon: Return to Your First Love
This week, we look at Revelation 2:1-7 and reflect on the Ephesian church's commendation for diligence and truthfulness, its critique for abandoning their first love, and the call to repentance. In this passage, we see the importance of maintaining a genuine love for Christ and the continuous need for repentance in our faith journey.
Marked By Grace: Day 26
Trust and Obedience in Uncertain Times
Scripture: Mark 11:1-14
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus instructs His disciples to find a colt that has never been ridden and bring it to Him. This act, seemingly small, was filled with profound trust and obedience. The disciples didn't question Jesus but followed His instructions, displaying a faith that didn't require understanding every detail.
Marked By Grace: Day 25
Faith That Sees and the Journey to Follow Jesus
Scripture: Mark 10:46-52
Reflection:
The story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, highlights the transformative power of faith and Jesus’ responsiveness to those who call out to Him. Despite being rebuked by the crowd, Bartimaeus' persistent cries for mercy demonstrate his unwavering faith in Jesus' ability to heal. Jesus' question, “What do you want me to do for you?” and Bartimaeus' response indicate a personal, direct encounter with Jesus that leads to physical and possibly spiritual sight. His immediate following of Jesus on the way reflects a life change and a new path of discipleship.
Marked By Grace: Day 24
The Path to Glory Through Suffering and Service
Scripture: Mark 10:32-45
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus predicts His suffering, death, and resurrection for the third time, emphasizing the inevitability and necessity of His sacrifice. The request of James and John for places of honor in Jesus’ glory reveals a misunderstanding of the nature of His Kingdom. Jesus corrects this by teaching that true greatness in His Kingdom is found in servanthood and sacrifice, not in traditional notions of power and status. He exemplifies this through His own mission: to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. This passage invites us to embrace a life of service and sacrifice, following Jesus' example.
Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 5: Of Providence
As we navigate through the complexities of life, the doctrine of God's providence offers us immense comfort and guidance. This is the theme of Chapter 5 of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), a foundational document for churches in the Reformed tradition. As a congregation recently making our home in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, we are working through the Confession to get to know it better.
This chapter, titled "Of Providence," delves into understanding how God interacts with the world He has created. It is a complex topic, but the Westminster Confession helps us understand this concisely and is accessible to everyone, regardless of theological background.
Marked By Grace: Day 23
The Challenge of Wealth and the Possibility of Salvation
Scripture: Mark 10:17-31
Reflection:
This passage recounts the encounter between Jesus and the rich young man, highlighting the spiritual challenge of wealth. The man's inability to give up his possessions to follow Jesus illustrates how material wealth can hinder one’s relationship with God. Jesus' statement about the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God shocks the disciples, leading to a discussion about salvation's human impossibility but divine possibility. This teaches us about reliance on God for salvation rather than on wealth or personal merit. The promise of rewards for those who have left everything for the sake of the Gospel underscores the value of spiritual over material riches.
Marked By Grace: Day 22
Marriage, Divorce, and Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child
Scripture: Mark 10:1-16
Reflection:
This passage begins with Jesus teaching on marriage and divorce, a response to the Pharisees’ testing question. Jesus emphasizes the sanctity of marriage, referring to the creation narrative to underscore God's original intent for marital union. The discussion on divorce highlights Jesus' commitment to the permanence of marriage and the seriousness of covenant relationships. The subsequent scene of Jesus blessing the children illustrates the value Jesus places on childlike faith and humility. These teachings challenge us to uphold marriage's sanctity and approach God's Kingdom with a childlike, humble heart.
Marked By Grace: Day 21
Understanding Jesus' Mission and True Greatness
Scripture: Mark 9:30-50
Reflection:
In this section of Mark, Jesus predicts His death and resurrection a second time, emphasizing the necessity of His suffering. The disciples struggle to understand and are afraid to ask for clarification, showing a gap between Jesus' mission and their expectations. The discourse on greatness in the Kingdom of God, where Jesus places a child among them, overturns worldly concepts of power and status, highlighting humility and service as key values. The teachings about causing others to sin and the metaphorical language about salt and fire challenge us to consider our influence on others and our commitment to living out the Gospel.
Marked By Grace: Day 20
Transfiguration, Faith, and Deliverance
Scripture: Mark 9:2-29
Reflection:
This passage in Mark narrates the Transfiguration of Jesus, His discussion on Elijah's return, the healing of a boy with an unclean spirit, and a lesson on faith and prayer. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus' divine glory, affirmed by the Father’s voice. This event strengthens the disciples' faith and understanding of Jesus' identity. The boy's healing demonstrates the disciples' limitations and the need for faith and prayer in confronting evil. Jesus' words, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer,” emphasize the power of faith and reliance on God
Devotions: The Vision of the Son of Man
Day 1: Encountering the Divine Majesty
Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:9-11
Devotion: As we continue through Revelation, consider the Apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, yet still profoundly connected to God through the Spirit. On the Lord's Day, he hears a voice commanding him to write a message to the churches. Reflect on how, even in isolation, John remained faithful and was entrusted with divine revelations.
March 3 Sermon: The Vision of the Son of Man
We've all had someone come to us with a story of something amazing that they've seen. Now some people experience, say, a rare phenomenon or an unlikely event, and it becomes something that they just have to tell other people about. It's something you just can't keep to yourself. You have to share, and actually the chances are that you've been on both sides of having to tell a story like this. I know that I have been and I will say that I find it to be just as hard to explain something amazing to someone as it is to understand something amazing that someone is telling you. I don't know about you, but when I'm telling people about something amazing, I find myself spitting out well, it was like this, but it wasn't quite like this. It was that, but it wasn't that right. I'm sure it doesn't make any sense to them, but I'm excited about it. It's something I need to share and I'm sure if you have ever been on the other side of me describing something in this way, you're just trying to keep track of what I'm saying. You're trying to picture in your mind, but you know that unless you see what I'm talking about yourself, you'll never fully be able to understand what it is that I'm trying to describe. Regardless of how well somebody describes something to you and regardless of how well you understand it, you can never really understand it unless you see it. But you do come away with something. You do know that what they saw was exceptional, maybe it was even amazing. That is easy to convey.