Sermon Notes

HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 38B

March 1, 2026

THE LURE OF WORTHLESS WORSHIP Pt 2

Mark 7:1-23

Mark 7 WORTHLESS WORSHIP

INTRODUCTION:

Leonard Ravenhill, “When there is something in the Bible that churches [or people] don’t like, they call it ‘legalism’.”

Here are two related definitions for legalism:

· Jesus, plus my own good works.

Galatians 3:1-5 + 10 (NIV) You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.²I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?³Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?⁴Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain?⁵So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?…¹⁰For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.

· Creating additional rules not found in Scripture. Then giving them the same weight as Scripture.

Mark 7:6-7 (NIV) ⁶He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
⁷They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’

They worship me in vain...

Vain: empty, useless, pointless, lifeless, worthless.

These people honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) says, Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NIV) ‘Hear, O nation, the Lord your God, He is One,”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

Mark 12:29-30 (NIV)²⁹“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.This is the first commandment.’”

THREE ATTRIBUTES OF WORTHLESS WORSHIP:

1. SURPASSES SCRIPTURE

Mark 7:2 (NIV) The Pharisees… saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.

Mark 7:3-4 (NIV)³The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.⁴When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many othertraditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.

Mark 7:5-8 (NIV)⁵So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

⁶He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
⁷They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’

⁸You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

Mark 7:13 (NIV) says, Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.

Are you encountering the heart of God!

Are you encountering the Lord in worship?

2. REPLACE OBEDIENCE

Mark 7:9-13 (NIV) ⁹And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observeyour own traditions!¹⁰For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’

¹¹But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—¹²then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.¹³Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

You can use , but all that do is reveal the in your heart.

1 John 1:9 (NIV) tells us, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

3. TRUMPS BEING RIGHT

Mark 7:14-15 (NIV) ¹⁴Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.¹⁵Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

Jeremah 17:9 (NKJV)The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately wicked;Who can know it?

Mark 7:17-19 (NIV) ¹⁷After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable.¹⁸“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?¹⁹For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

Mark 7:20-23 (NIV) ²⁰He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them.²¹For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder,²²adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.²³All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

CONCLUSION:

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

WORSHIP:

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HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 37

February 22, 2026

THE LURES OF WORTHLESS WORSHIP

Mark 7:1-23

INTRODUCTION:

Mark 7:6-7 (NIV) ⁶He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
⁷They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’

((KEEP THIS VERSE UP FOR A WHILE))

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NIV) ‘Hear, O nation, the Lord your God, He is One,‘ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.”

THREE ATTRIBUTES OF WORTHLESS WORSHIP: (One today)

1. SURPASSES SCRIPTURE

Mark 7:1 (NIV) The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus.

Mark 7:2 (NIV) The Pharisees… saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.

Mark 7:3-4 (NIV)³The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.⁴When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.

⁶He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
⁷They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’

⁸You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

The problem with tradition–.

How does a person get to a point where they elevate, and eventually reject scripture so they can hold on to tradition?

Jesus shows us in vs. 7, 8, 9, and 13.

· They teach them side-by-side.

v. 7 says, Their teachings are merely human rules.

· They lay aside God’s word.

v. 8 …you let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.

· They reject the word of God altogether.

v. 9“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!”

· Then when this happens, it robs the power of God in a person’s life.

v. 13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.

John 17:17 (NIV)Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

The major problem with making our own rules and traditions (legalism) is it’s a subtle form of idolatry.

That is the lure!”I’ve got to have it this way.” It’s a subtle form of idolatry. When I have to have a man-made tradition in any way, I have become an idolater.

Are you encountering the Lord when you worship?

Close:

Isaiah 6:1-9 (NIV)

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.²Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.³And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

⁵“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

⁶Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.⁷With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

⁸Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

⁹He said, “Go and tell this people:

Are you encountering the God of heaven with a “Woe is me, I’m undone!” If not, maybe it’s not the God of heaven.

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

These people honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain…

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HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 36

February 15, 2026

WHERE IS JESUS IN THE STORM Pt.2

Mark 6:45-56

Mark 6 WHERE IS JESUS IN THE STORM

INTRODUCTION:

John 6:14-15 (NIV) After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Mark 6:50 (NIV)Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.

Mark 6:45-56.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

TEXT:

Mark 6:45-56 (NIV) ⁴⁵Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.⁴⁶After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

⁴⁷Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.⁴⁸He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,⁴⁹but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,⁵⁰because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”⁵¹Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,⁵²for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

⁵³When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there.⁵⁴As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus.⁵⁵They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.⁵⁶And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

FOUR THINGS ABOUT JESUS IN THE STORMS OF LIFE:

1. JESUS KNOWS

Mark 6:47-48a (NIV)Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

Mark 6:48 (NIV) He saw the disciples straining at the oars…

Faith is not built on if you can see God, faith is built on you knowing God sees you.

Mark 6:45 (NIV)Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

Refining grace always comes in , but it always produces Kingdom benefits!

2. JESUS INTERVENES

Mark 6:48 (NIV)Shortly before dawn he went out to them…

Ephesians 1:22 (NIV) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church…

3. JESUS REVELEAS

Storms what’s in your .

Matthew 12:34 (NIV)For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Mark 6:49-50a (NIV) When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them…

Mark 6:51-52 (NIV)Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Jesus doesn’t want them to be amazed as much as He wants them to be .

Mark 6:52 …their hearts were hardened.

4. JESUS REINFORCES

Jesus shows three different ways that He is God.

· He came on the water.

Job 9:8 (NIV)He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

· He came His glory.

Mark 6:48 (NIV) Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them…

Exodus 33:22, 34:6 (NIV)When My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by… And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

· He came to Scripture.

Mark 6:50b (NIV) Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

CONCLUSION:

The storms of life help you to see the of God.

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

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HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 35

February 8, 2026

WHERE IS JESUS IN THE STORM pt.1

Mark 6:45-56

INTRODUCTION:

TEXT:

Highlights:

Mark 6:48 (NIV)He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them…

FOUR THINGS ABOUT JESUS IN THE STORMS OF LIFE:

1. JESUS KNOWS

Mark 6:47-48a (NIV)Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

Mark 6:48 (NIV)He saw the disciples straining at the oars…

Faith is not what you can see. Faith is built on you knowing God sees you.

Mark 6:45 (NIV)Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

(NKJV) Jesus constrained them…

John 6:14-15 (NIV)After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Hebrews 7:25 (NIV) Therefore he is able to save completelythose who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Romans 8:33-34 (NIV)Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

John 15:5 (NIV)Apart from me you can do nothing.

2. JESUS INTERVENES

Mark 6:48 (NIV)Shortly before dawn he went out to them… (NKJV) Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them…

Ephesians 1:22 (NIV) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church…

1 Corinthians 15:25 (NIV)For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

What is Mark trying to tell us? That Jesus is Lord over all!

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

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HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 34

January 25, 2026

WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH WHAT WE’VE GOT pt.2

Mark 6:30-44

INTRODUCTION:

Mark 6:30-44.

Are you satisfied with Jesus?

Background:

Mark 6:30 (NIV)The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

Mark 6:31-32 (NIV)³¹Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” ³²So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Mark 6:33 (NIV)³³But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

TEXT:

Mark 6:34-40 (NIV)³⁴When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

³⁵By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late.³⁶Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

³⁷But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

³⁸“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

³⁹Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.⁴⁰So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.⁴¹Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.⁴²They all ate and were satisfied,⁴³and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.⁴⁴The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Mark’s big main point – .

NOTICE THREE THINGS FROM THIS MIRACLE:

1. THE OF CHRIST

Mark 6:34 (NIV)³⁴When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:34c (NIV)So he began teaching them many things.

Compassion that doesn’t lead to is useless.

2. THE OF CHRIST

Mark 6:35 (NIV) By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late.”

Mark 6:39 (NIV) Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.

vs. 35 late in the day…

The multiplication didn’t happen in the hands of the disciples. It happens in the hands of Jesus.

Jesus is not just the people; He’s the disciples.

John 15:5 (NIV)Apart from me you can do nothing!

Matthew 6:11 (NKJV) Give us this day our daily bread…

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)Give us today our daily bread.

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

3. BE WITH CHRIST

Jesus is proclaiming to be the Messiah in three different ways.

· of life

John 6:35 (NIV)Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

· Good

Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV)The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…

· of the world

Mark 6:41 (NIV)Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people.

Mark 14:22 (NIV)While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

CONCLUSION:

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

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HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 33

January 25, 2026

WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH WHAT WE’VE GOT

Mark 6:30-44

Mark 6 WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH WHAT WE’VE GOT

INTRODUCTION:

Mark 6:30-44

Mark 6:30 (NIV)The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

Mark 6:33 (NIV)³³But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

TEXT:

Mark 6:34-40 (NIV)³⁴When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

³⁷But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

³⁸“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

THREE THINGS TO NOTICE FROM HIS MIRACLE:

1. THE OF CHRIST

Mark 6:34 (NIV)³⁴When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, he began teaching them many things.

Mark 6:34c (NIV)So he began teaching them many things.

1 Timothy 4:10 (NIV) That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

2. THE OF CHRIST

Mark 6:35 (NIV) By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late.

Mark 6:39 (NIV) Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.

vs. 35 late in the day…

John 15:5 (NIV)Apart from me you can do nothing!

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)Give us today our daily bread.

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

3. BE WITH CHRIST

Jesus is proclaiming to be the Messiah in three different ways.

· of life

John 6:35 (NIV)Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

· Good

Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV)The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…

· of the world

Mark 6:41 (NIV)⁴¹Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people.

CONCLUSION:

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

WORSHIP:

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HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 32

January 11, 2026

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE Pt. 2

Mark 6:14-30

Mark 6 THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

INTRODUCTION:

Leonardo De Vinci once said, “While I thought I was learning to live, I have been learning to die.”

The question we have to ask ourselves is, “What am I living for and what am I dying for?” And is what I’m living for worth Christ dying for?

What am I willing to die for?

Mark 6:14-30

James 1:22 (NIV)Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Mark 6:14a (NIV)¹⁴King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known.

TEXT:

Mark 6:14-30 (NIV) ¹⁴King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

¹⁵Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

¹⁶But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

¹⁷For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.¹⁸For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”¹⁹So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,²⁰because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

²¹Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.²²When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”²³And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

²⁴She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

²⁵At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

²⁶The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.²⁷So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,²⁸and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.²⁹On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.³⁰The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

THREE RESPONSES TO GOD’S TRUTH:

1. TO THE TRUTH

John demonstrated that he the truth by proclaiming it everywhere he went.

Mark 6:18 (NIV)For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

2. OF THE TRUTH

Mark 6:17-19a (NIV)¹⁷For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.¹⁸For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”¹⁹So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.

Mark 6:19b-20 (NIV)But she was not able to,²⁰because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) Live by faith, not by sight.

Romans 1:18 (NIV)”The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…”

Philippians 1:20-25 (NIV)²⁰I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.²²If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!²³I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;²⁴but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith…

3. OVER THE TRUTH

Mark 6:19 (NIV)Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to…

Mark 6:20 (NIV)Because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

Hebrews 4:7 (NIV)“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts.”

Mark 6:25 (NIV)At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

CONCLUSION:

John 8:31-32 (NIV) Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV) Jesus said, ³⁷“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.³⁸Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.³⁹Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their for my sake will find it.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

WORSHIP:

TEXT ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THIS MESSAGE TO 701-712-6030.

HITTING THE MARK WITH JESUS wk. 31

January 11, 2026

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

Mark 6:14-30

INTRODUCTION:

What are you willing to die for?

Mark 6:14a (NIV)¹⁴King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known.

TEXT:

¹⁵Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

¹⁶But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

²¹Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.²²When the daughter ofHerodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”²³And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

²⁴She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

²⁵At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

Highlights:

THREE RESPONSES TO GOD’S TRUTH:

1. TO THE TRUTH

Example:

Mark 6:18 (NIV)For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Leviticus 18:16 (NIV)”Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.”

Leviticus 20:21 (NIV)”If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother.”

Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)²When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

Matthew 11:4-6 (NIV)”Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.”’

How do you respond to the truth?

2. OF THE TRUTH

Example:

Mark 6:19b-20 (NIV)But she was not able to,²⁰because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.

Romans 1:18 (NIV)”The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness…”

3. OVER THE TRUTH

Example:

Mark 6:19 (NIV)Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to…

Mark 6:20 (NIV)Because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

Indecision is a decision.

Hebrews 4:7 (NIV)“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts.”

Mark 6:25 (NIV)At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

CONCLUSION:

John 8:31-32 (NIV) Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

WORSHIP:

TEXT ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THIS MESSAGE TO 701-712-6030.

2026 NEW YEAR MESSAGE

January 4, 2026

FACING THE FURTURE WITH BOLDNESS

Hebrew 13:5-6

INTRODUCTION:

Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and to go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8 (MSG)By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going.

Genesis 12:1 (NLT)The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land I will show you.”

Genesis 12:4 (NLT)“Abram departed as the Lord had instructed.”

TEXT:

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)Let your be without ; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; . What can man do to me?”

Highlight:

Hebrews 13:5-6(NKJV) Let your be without ;(NIV)Keep your lives free from the love of money…

Hebrews 13:5b-6 (NKJV)Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; . What can man do to me?”

v.6“The Lord is my helper, I will not fear

Four truths that will help us face the future with boldness:

1. GOD’S

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)Let your conduct be without covetousness; be with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

v.5“Be content with such things as you have.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Ecclesiastes 5:10(NIV)Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.

Luke 12:15 (NIV) Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) says, Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)“God will never leave us nor forsake us”,

Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be whatever the circumstances.I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

2. GOD’S

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 116:8 (NIV) says, For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

3. GOD’S

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For , “I will never leave you nor forsake you

Roman 10:17 (NKJV) it says, So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the .

1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV)The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the . And this is the word that was preached to you.

Matthew 24:35 (NIV) Jesus said, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

4. GOD’S

Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV)So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; . What can man do to me?”

Psalm 63:7 (NIV)Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you ;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

CONCLUSION:

PRAYER:

ALTAR:

WORSHIP:

The Quiet Life

December 28th. 2025

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

Psalm 46:10 where He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;.

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 “for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

…we must take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5b.

– The quiet life is not a life void of .

John 12:49-50 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

– The quiet life is not a to strong rebukes and remarks. A quiet life on God’s Word.

– The quiet life is not .

Psalm 118:24 that This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Colossians 1:15-18 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

(The parable of the talents) Matthew 25

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Matthew 7:21 ESV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Be about the Master’s , and no one else’s.

Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31-33 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

When we are diligently following God there will be a sense of .

Romans 5:3-4 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 12:12 says, Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Altar Call)