Category: Mark Sermons (CChong)

When Men were at their Worst

c.f. Mark 14:41

The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinner

1. The Loyal Friends didn’t contend for Jesus

a. The Deception of Judas (14:43-45)

b. The Desertion of Jesus’ Followers (14:46-52)

c. The Denial of Peter (14:66-72)

2. The Lawless Foes showed contempt for Jesus

a. The Defamation of the Religious Leaders (14:53-65)

b. The Dissociation of Pilate (15:1-15)

c.f.  Acts 2:23; Rom 5:6, 8, 10

Questions for consideration & discussion

a. Recall a situation when it brought out the worst in me. From this incident, how has God surfaced for me what is in me or lacking in me?

b. If I were to take on the same perspective as Paul in 1 Tim 1:15-16, how would it affect the way I look at, relate & serve God & others?

A Death That Meant Much More

Main point:  The stage was being set for the Saviour’s sacrifice; it meant salvation for us & suffering for Himself

1.  A woman’s anointing is contrasted against the others’ plotting of Jesus’ death (14:1-11)

2.  The Passover event & the Last Supper are correlated to Jesus’ death (14:12-25)

3.  The disciples’ unpreparedness is compared to the Master’s readiness for His own death (14:26-42)

Questions for consideration & discussion

a. For friends of our church:

Will you live under Jesus’ rule & receive His offer of salvation?

b. For followers of Christ:

i. How valuable is Jesus to you & what are you willing to give Him?

ii. What does Jesus’ death mean to you in your daily living?

Truly Spiritual vs Merely Religious

1. A scribe questioned Jesus about the greatest commandment (12:28-34)

2. Jesus explained about the identity of the promised Christ (12:35-37)

3. Jesus warned of the pretence of the scribes (12:38-40)

4. A poor widow offered everything that she had (12:41-44)

Questions for consideration & discussion

How can I be truly spiritual in my life (especially with regards to my response to the rightful authority of God & my basic duty & genuine piety to Him)?

That’s Just What You Say!

Mark 11 begins with Jesus entering Jerusalem, being hailed as King (a descendant of David)

The crowd’s welcome was quickly met with the Jewish leaders’ opposition which would subsequently lead to Jesus’ death

a. (i) The religious leaders questioned Jesus regarding His supreme authority from God (11:27-32)

(ii) Jesus narrated a parable regarding the senseless hostility of the evil tenants (12:1-12)

b. The Pharisees & Herodians questioned Jesus regarding the secular duty to Caesar (12:13-17)

c. The Sadducees questioned Jesus regarding the spiritual reality of resurrection (12:18-27)

Questions for consideration & discussion

How does my life show that how I live & what I think are different from what the bible actually says? How do I go about reconciling the differences?

Who’s First & Who’s Last

Key Verse: Mark 10:31

But many that are first shall be last; & the last first

a. The First who became Last

– The Pharisees who were very religious (10:1-12)

– The young man who was extremely rich (10:17-27)

b. The Last who became First

– The children who weren’t highly regarded (10:13-16)

– The disciples who were firmly resolved (10:28-30)

Questions for consideration & discussion

a. What are examples in my life which show that my religiosity & resources could be hindering how I follow Jesus?

b. What does it mean for me to always rely on Jesus & stay resolved to follow Him?  

Beholding the King’s Glory

God’s kingdom comes with power (9:1)

1. Jesus relates His glory with how He will complete His Father’s work (9:2-13)

– The significance of the different people & events

– The response of the disciples

2. Jesus rebukes His disciples for how they have relied on themselves to do His work (9:14-29)

– The conversations with Jesus Christ

Questions for consideration & discussion

a. How have I been (or not been) listening to & talking about Jesus?

b. How can I tell if I’m relying on myself to do God’s work & serve Him?

Double Unexpectedness

1. The Woman’s Unexpected Belief (7:24-30)

   – The Gentile woman trusted the Lord

2. The Lord’s Miraculous Work (7:31-8:10)

   a. The Lord touched & opened the ears of the deaf  (7:31-37)

   b. The Lord cared for & fed the four thousand  (8:1-10)

3. The Pharisees’ Unexpected Unbelief  (8:11-13)

   – The religious Pharisees doubted the Lord

Questions for consideration:

Who are my friends & family (who are steeped in unbelief) whose salvation I can pray for? What are the areas in my own life (which I struggle with unbelief) that I can turn over to the Lord?

What do you see?

1. Jesus, his followers & the famished ‘flock’  (6:30-44)

2. Jesus, his followers & their hardened hearts  (6:45-52)

3. Jesus, the masses & His mighty miracles  (6:53-56)

Questions for consideration:

Do I see how the Lord has been really great & good in my life? How does this perspective in turn shape the way I see my limitations, current situations & motivation in following Jesus? 

A faithless Fear vs. a fearless Faith

1. The fact that Jesus is the Son of God (5:1-13)

a. The spirits exhibited great power (vv.1-5,13)

b. Jesus exercised greater authority (vv.6-13)

2. The impact that Jesus is the Son of God (5:14-20)

a. The unbelieving herdsmen told Jesus to leave (vv.14-17)

b. The believing healed man told others about Jesus (vv.18-20)

Questions for consideration:

How does knowing the goodness & power of Jesus,
a. help me confront my fears?
b. shape how I live out my faith?

A Growing Divide

1. Reception of Jesus (3:7-19)

a.  Huge crowds followed Jesus (3:7-12)

b. Twelve followed as Jesus’ disciples (3:13-19)

2. Rejection of Jesus (3:20-35)

a.  The scribes misjudged Jesus’ ministry (3:22-30)

b.  Jesus’ family misread His ministry (3:20-21, 31-35)

Question for consideration:

What is an area for me, as a follower of Jesus, to work on to draw close to Him, carry out His purpose & comply with His teachings?