Sermons

Mark records fewer words of Jesus than any of the other Gospels. The first half of Mark (1:1-8:26) is about the person of Christ. Jesus moves through Galilee with power and compassion. He is almost constantly active and his growing popularity is met by growing opposition. Jesus is frequently telling people he has healed or…

Tonight are the Academy Awards, Hollywood’s annual celebration of itself. I’ve always liked movies so I will probably watch at least some of it. One of the things you sometimes hear at a key point in a movie is. “I’ve got good news and bad news.” This is true not only in movies but sometimes…

Traveling as I did the last two weeks provides the opportunity to observe and listen to other people. On February 2, after attending a three day gathering in Florida with American Baptist pastors, spouses, and denominational leaders, Jill and I settled into our seats on the plane that would bring us home. Seated in front…

Mark 5:1-20 NASB And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, 3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able…

But now, this is what the LORD says he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I Have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will…

 “8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set youb free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending…

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted….

“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight…

While sitting in the dentist’s office in December I was perusing a magazine and saw the following statistic: “Percentage of Roman Catholics who knew Genesis was the first book in the Bible: 41%. Percentage of Atheists and Agnostics who knew: 72 %.” I don’t mean to pick on our Roman Catholic friends in relaying that…