This week, we’ll be studying John 5:1-15, the account of “The Pool of Bethesda.” We see Jesus cure a man who has been an invalid for 38 years. Why didn’t Jesus come to him sooner? Why did he come now? Why doesn’t he always come in similar ways today? In this text, we’ll see the compassion of Jesus, but also the priorities of Jesus, as he’s even more concerned about the man’s spiritual welfare than his temporal circumstances. The Gospel of John, written a couple decades after the other Gospel rec...
Jan 30, 2024•32 min
This week we will be studying John 4:1-41 under the theme “Living Water.” Jesus’ insistence on ministering to a woman in Samaria with a scandalous moral lifestyle stands in stark contrast to his previous conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. Jesus teaches us here that not only does his gospel work for everyone, but that it’s necessary and life-changing. To the degree you understand this good news, you too will go and tell about this Messiah. The Gospel of John, written a couple decades after th...
Jan 22, 2024•35 min
This week we’ll be studying John 3:1-21 under the theme “Born Again.” Jesus has begun his ministry, gathered disciples, and performed signs which prove he is the Chosen One of God. Surprisingly, his toughest task will be to convince the Jewish religious leaders of this. We see in the story of Nicodemus the difficulty of moral, religious people hearing they need to be born again. The Gospel of John, written a couple decades after the other Gospel records, focuses less on the facts of Jesus’ minis...
Jan 15, 2024•21 min
We’ll be studying John 2:1-12 under the theme “Water Into Wine.” Jesus’ first miracle is a bit of shock. He keeps a party going and prevents a groom from enduring public embarrassment. But this miracle signals something greater for us — a God who works miracles to ensure that our party will never end. The Gospel of John, written a couple decades after the other Gospel records, focuses less on the facts of Jesus’ ministry and more on the meaning of those facts. John frequently refers to Jesus’ mi...
Jan 08, 2024•34 min
We are reminded to make and keep God a part of our plans, not just as we enter into a new year, but for the rest of our lives. Based on Luke 12:13-21. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive
Jan 02, 2024•23 min
Based on John 1:1-14. Message from the Nine Lessons & Carols Christmas Day service. The full service can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnH6PlEWjfo If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive
Dec 31, 2023•13 min
Based on Luke 2:1-20. Message from Christmas Eve. The full service can be viewed here: https://youtube.com/live/RyaynW1AzKg If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive
Dec 30, 2023•15 min
Chapter 10 of the Book of Daniel shifts from historical narrative to apocalyptic dream literature, similar to what is told in the Book of Revelation. Whether we are aware of it or not, there is a constant spiritual battle being fought around us and within us. Daniel's visions reveal that there is something we can do about these spirits and that there is One Great, Glorious Man who comes exactly when and how we need. SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Daniel chronicles a time in the history of God’s peo...
Dec 19, 2023•30 min
This week we’ll be studying Daniel 6:1-10, 16-28 under the theme “Identity in Babylon.” Daniel’s name literally meant “God is my Judge.” When he lived out of that identity, he wasn’t afraid of taking judgment from this world, even when it resulted in facing roaring lions. When we recognize that Jesus, the greater Daniel, shut the mouth of the one lion who could truly hurt us, we develop the courage to then face the smaller lions in life. SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Daniel chronicles a time in th...
Dec 12, 2023•35 min
This week, we’ll be studying Daniel 5:1-6, 17-30 under the theme “The Judgment of Babylon.” Our account here is where the phrase “handwriting on the wall” comes from. Babylon has been weighed by God, and he is left wanting. Therefore, exactly as prophesied, he’s bringing judgment. Here, we learn a great deal about God’s inevitable judgment on this fallen world and our responsibility as believers up until that point. SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Daniel chronicles a time in the history of God’s peo...
Dec 05, 2023•31 min
Daniel's vision in chapter 7 teaches us that God raises up earthly kingdoms and just as easily knocks them down. It is the Heavenly King who will win the day. SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Daniel chronicles a time in the history of God’s people when the Israelites found themselves in exile in a society that didn’t understand or tolerate the truth of the one true God. As such, it is arguably the most relevant book in the Bible for 21st century Christians navigating a pluralistic society that encour...
Nov 28, 2023•30 min
This week we’ll be studying Daniel 3:1-30 under the theme “Confidence in Babylon.” Daniel’s friends are confident that God will deliver them from King Nebuchadnezzar’s oppression, but also humble enough to not presume to know exactly how God will do it. Their resolve, faith, and faithfulness are all compelling to believers living in a post-Christian culture. Their strength comes from a fourth man who gets into the furnace with them. SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Daniel chronicles a time in the his...
Nov 21, 2023•37 min
One definition of tact is “the keen sense of what to do in difficult or delicate situations.” In Daniel 2, we’ll see how two men, Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar, each reacted to seemingly impossible situations. Nebuchadnezzar was irrational, rash, and cruel, while Daniel was able to be diplomatic and gracious without compromising the truth. In a world that is generally disinterested in Christian truth, what do we need to know and believe about God in order to do the same? SERIES SUMMARY: The Boo...
Nov 14, 2023•35 min
This week, we’ll be studying Daniel 1:1-21 under the theme “Education in Babylon.” Daniel and his friends are worshipers of the one true God, defiant of false gods, but respectful and self-sacrificial of people with differing beliefs. This provides insight into navigating public institutions in America in a post-Christian climate. SERIES SUMMARY: The Book of Daniel chronicles a time in the history of God’s people when the Israelites found themselves in exile in a society that didn’t understand o...
Nov 07, 2023•33 min
This week we will be celebrating the Reformation and studying Ephesians 6:10-20 under the theme “The Sword of the Spirit, Which Is The Word of Truth.” We’re concluding our “Testimony of Demons” series by recognizing the danger of demonizing anything but demons and the power of the clear, coherent Word of God over the spirit realm. SERIES SUMMARY: While all Christians have heard the stories of the demonic in Scripture, very few of us walk around with a daily awareness that we are battling evil sp...
Oct 30, 2023•29 min
This week we will study Matthew 8:28-34 under the theme “The Lucidity of Demons.” As we examine this encounter between Jesus and two demon-possessed men, what grabs our attention is the utter irrationality and wickedness of demons. Yet when Jesus shows up, they snap to attention, speak with clarity, and demonstrate a recognition and fear of his power and authority. As people who bear the name of Christ, we rejoice that he has revealed to us not just his power and authority, but also his heart. S...
Oct 23, 2023•28 min
This week we will be studying James 2:18-26 under the theme “The Unsaving Belief of Satan.” The devil not only has knowledge of the true God, but emotion regarding the true God. But knowledge and emotional reaction are not the sum total of true faith. Saving faith also requires trust. SERIES SUMMARY: While all Christians have heard the stories of the demonic in Scripture, very few of us walk around with a daily awareness that we are battling evil spiritual forces. This is, in part, because we li...
Oct 16, 2023•34 min
We’ll be studying 1 Samuel 28:3-25 and “The Witch of Endor.” One of the more bizarre spirit realm stories of the Old Testament tells the story of how far Israel’s King Saul had fallen. This is the fate of anyone who refuses to fully listen to God’s Word. Saul is a cautionary tale of the importance of listening to God’s Word carefully, trusting God thoroughly, and, therefore, not needing to know every detail of life. SERIES SUMMARY: While all Christians have heard the stories of the demonic in Sc...
Oct 09, 2023•36 min
This week we’ll be studying 2 Timothy 3:10-17 under the theme “The Conscientious Christian Life.” Through one of the most famous passages in these letters, Paul explains how Spirit-inspired Scripture is forever useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive
Oct 02, 2023•29 min
This week we’ll be studying 2 Timothy 2:14-26 under the theme “Majoring in What Matters.” Christian witness can be negatively impacted by debating about things that don’t matter much, combining genuine Christian teaching with worldly philosophy, or simply by a lifestyle that doesn’t support our beliefs. In 2 Timothy, Paul provides practical advice for anyone who desires to lead others in faith. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tin...
Sep 25, 2023•33 min
This weekend we’re celebrating the gift of Christian education and studying 2 Timothy 1:1-14 with the theme “Generational Faith Transmission.” All through our study of 1 Timothy, we have seen Paul’s pragmatic instructions for overseeing the church. In this first chapter of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he shifts his focus to Timothy’s own faith, prompting us to consider how we will carry out God’s command to pass the faith on to the next generation. If you’d like to leave an offering or monet...
Sep 18, 2023•20 min
This week we’ll be studying 1 Timothy 6:6-19 under the theme “Managing Finite Resources.” America has long practiced the belief that happiness can come through consumption. But Paul teaches that how we manage the blessings of this life, and with what attitude, says everything about what we believe is coming in the future. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive
Sep 11, 2023•31 min
We will be studying 1 Timothy 5:1-15 under the theme “Caring for the Elderly.” In the ancient world, long before Medicare and Social Security, it was assumed that family members would provide for aging parents. But sometimes there were no family members to care for the elderly. The Church became the first social organization to assist with the needs of the aging population. Here, Paul gives some practical instructions to his ministry pupil, Timothy, about how the church in Ephesus should handle ...
Sep 04, 2023•21 min
We’ll be studying 1 Timothy 4:1-16 under the theme “Youth & Maturity.” This section is where we get the famous encouragement to “not let anyone look down on you because you are young” but perhaps it doesn’t mean what you initially think. This section gets into the power of deceiving spirits, the benefit of personal spiritual training, and Paul’s expectation of spiritual maturation. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/...
Aug 28, 2023•31 min
This week we’ll be studying 1 Timothy 3:1-13 under the theme “Spiritual Leaders.” The grace of God expressed in Christ Jesus is the predominant theme of Christianity and the one thing that qualifies us for salvation. No human is more equipped than another. That said, God does establish qualifications for those who will serve as Christian leaders. These are traits desirable for all Christians, both in official and non-official leadership capacities. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary ...
Aug 21, 2023•32 min
This week we’ll be studying 1 Timothy 2:1-15 under the theme “The Who and What of Worship.” While this text contains some fairly difficult statements, we can’t get deterred from the clear, primary point. Paul encourages all believers to regularly gather for prayer and encouragement, worshipping the Mediator who made them right with God — their Lord & Savior Jesus.
Aug 14, 2023•29 min
THIS EPISODE: We’ll be studying 1 Timothy 1:12-19 under the theme “The Worst of Sinners.” Is it hyperbole that Paul, the greatest Christian missionary in history, was the worst of sinners? Is this false modesty? Is it self-effacing religious guilt? Or is there something true here that actually has become advantageous for proclaiming God’s grace? SERIES SUMMARY: Believers in their 20’s and 30’s represent the biggest demographic group at St. Marcus by a decent margin. As such, the Apostle Paul’s e...
Aug 07, 2023•36 min
This week in worship we will study Matthew 13:47-52 under the theme “The Comfort of God’s Judgment.” In the last of the “Kingdom Parables” of Matthew 13, Jesus tells us what will happen at the end — the righteous and the wicked will be separated. The idea of judgment rightly evokes feelings of fear and dread, but Jesus reveals to us several things. First, there is nothing to fear for those who are found in him. Next, the kingdom of heaven is unlike any other kingdom on earth. Finally, we have as...
Jul 31, 2023•33 min
This week we’ll conclude our Making Sense of God series by studying Romans 11:33-36 under the theme “Christianity as Reasonable.” In a world where “faith” has largely been insinuated to be the antithesis of reason, it’s important to see that the God of all thought is not against logic but uses wisdom that far supersedes what finite creatures can comprehend. This makes him deserving of our praise. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://t...
Jul 24, 2023•27 min
This week we’ll be studying Matthew 11:20-30 under the theme “Justice.” Biblical justice is a tricky issue. We should value life the way Our God values it and we are all subject to His perfect and beautiful laws. It is not our role to judge those who are under these laws, only He can do that. If you’d like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here: https://tinyurl.com/stmarcusgive
Jul 17, 2023•31 min
