Sermon List

Most of us know how working in monotony can erase our sense of destiny. Are we really created for important work? Paul deepens our understanding of salvation to widen the canvas of our lives as masterpieces. Through the Gospel, God destines us as His masterpieces to perform a life-long work of good deeds.

By chapter 3 of Mark's gospel, the early returns on Jesus are in - he is playing to mixed reviews. Some stand against him, others continue to press around him, while the demons fall, lacking heart felt adoration, before him. Yet, Mark goes on to reveal to us that Jesus is committed to gathering his own to him, while warning others of the 'unpardonable sin' that would be held against them.

Often we are persuaded by the world and Solomon (traditionally held to be the author of this text) certainly bought this myth that greatness equals some kind of excess: wealth, great pleasure, works, or lovers. Can an ordinary life be great? Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 teaches that in our urban-jungle, full of thistles and thorns, we can still celebrate the simple joys of meal, marriage and work knowing even a simple life, lived well by faith can honor God.

You either reject Jesus or do the will of God and are a part of the family of God

Contrary to contemporary practice, ancient wisdom literature has a rich history of being used to charge members of the next generation to oversight in the family of God. This is true the time of kings, and surprisingly so, even up to the Apostle Paul. Here we get a good look at the role, duties and responsibilities of a minister of the gospel.

Men of faith who sought Jesus are contrasted with the religious leaders of Jesus' day who questioned His authority to forgive. Faith in Jesus results in forgiveness and wholeness from Jesus, as then, so now.

Genesis 3 teaches that people are alienated from their work because of something much deeper than class struggle, the industrial or information revolution, globalization or the WTO. According to the Bible we discover that there is a fundamental disjointedness; that the world is not the way it was created to be. Though we were created to work – work has become defiled by what theologians call The Fall.

Mark introduces Jesus with three unmistakable claims: Jesus is worthy of our attention, he comes highly recommended, and there is something about his death and resurrection that will bring about spiritual restoration.