Category: Sermons

Mark 11:27-12:12 “What gives him the right?”

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We continue our study in the gospel of Mark, in the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. We find him in the temple having conflict with the religious leaders. These 7 conflict stories are started by questions about Jesus’ authority. Because Jesus claims to be the Lord of everyone and everywhere, each of us faces the same question – “why is it right for Jesus to demand my obedience?”

Questions for Reflection:

  1. What is the difference between authority and power?
  2. Why does it feel plausible to us that we should be our own boss?
  3. Why is it good news to belong to Jesus?
  4. What things are you tempted to cling to that you ought to surrender control of to Jesus?

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Mark 11:27-12:12 (ESV)

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Parable of the Tenants

12 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a servant[a] to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. 6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this Scripture:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;[b]
11 this was the Lord’s doing,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

Mark 11:12-26 “Jesus’ Judgement on the Unfruitful”

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Sermon Details:

This week we continue our study in Mark, with the story of Jesus cursing the fig tree and clearing the temple. There is a strong warning in this passage as we look at our own lives. It raises the question for each of us- “Am I bearing real fruit, or just leaves?”

Questions for Discussion:

1. Why Does Mark intentionally link the stories about Jesus in the temple and his cursing of the fig tree?

2. What are some ways that you have seen economic gain come before worship in the church?

3. In what ways can our own unfaithfulness hurt others? Can we always see this?

4. Why is it important to understand that Jesus is the temple, as well as those who are joined to him by faith?

5. Do you feel convicted about anything from today’s sermon? What could you do about that?

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Mark 11:1-11 “The True Messiah”

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This week it is Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Then as now, people tend to believe in the Jesus that they expect. This is often greatly influenced by the values of the culture around them. But Jesus comes as the true messiah who was promised by God and the messiah we actually need.

Questions for reflection:

  • What ways do you think our western culture tends to believe about who Jesus is?
  • How has your view of Jesus been shaped by your past? Has your view of him been refined or changed over time?
  • Why is it important to understand Jesus on his own terms?
  • How can we seek to be like Jesus instead of making Jesus like us?
  • How can we avoid reading the bible in an overly biased way, seeing what we expect to see, rather than what is there?

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Mark 10:46-52 “The Mercy of Christ”

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We are continuing our series in the book of Mark this week, and are looking at the story of Blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus gives us an example of what trust looks like but the story especially shows us the merciful character of Christ.

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Questions for Discussion:

  1. Is Bartimaeus an example of faith for us? How? Why do we need to be careful with seeking to follow examples in Scripture?
  2. Why can we be tempted to treat people as less than us when they are sick or have other struggles?
  3. How would the events in this passage encourage James and John?
  4. What steps do you need to take in order to follow Jesus more faithful, and rest in his mercy? Are you willing to take them?

Mark 10:46-52 (ESV)

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:35-45 “Self-centred or Sacrificial Service?”

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This week we are getting back into the Gospel according to Mark. Mark’s gospel was written to justify and explain why Jesus has the right to call everyone to repentance, faith, and discipleship. In the first 8 chapters, Jesus established his authority through his ministry that is mostly in Galilee. Chapters 8-10 describe Jesus on the way to Jerusalem and the cross. This morning we are looking at Jesus teaching about servant leadership.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. How can we tell if we are self-centred in our service?
  2. What did the disciples misunderstand about who Jesus was? What do many people today misunderstand about who Jesus was?
  3. In what ways do you think we can be tempted to follow the world with regards to leadership in the church?
  4. How does Jesus example change the way we should think about greatness?
  5. Is there a problem with doing good things for the wrong reasons? Why?

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