Sermon Central
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Daily Reflection
Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Jan 19, 2021 (message contributor)
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1. Murderous Leaders
Contributed on Jan 19, 2021
Why are religious leaders so full of hate they would want to destroy somebody full of love? It is a question for our times.
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:1-6 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it ...read more
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2. Who Are You?
Contributed on Jan 20, 2021
There are three categories of people who were to be found with Jesus: the committed, the curious, and the condemned. Which one are we?
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:7-12 Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his ...read more
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3. When Jesus Calls
Contributed on Jan 21, 2021
The twelve men Jesus chose 2,000 years ago changed the world. God is looking for people to do that today. Are you one of them? https://youtu.be/o9bP1OQJgpY
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:13-19 He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the ...read more
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4. The Mind Lock
Contributed on Jan 22, 2021
The things Jesus said 2,000 years ago made people think he had lost his mind. If he were to speak to us today, would we feel differently?
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:20-21 Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” Reflection Today’s passage is only two verses long, but is packed ...read more
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5. Hated, Yet Loved
Contributed on Jan 24, 2021
Though the world might hate us and persecute us because we do not belong to the world, we have the assurance that God will love us. What’s more important? (Watch video reflection here: https://youtu.be/mwGtoUqpcv8)
Scripture Reading: Mark 16:15-18 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name ...read more
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6. The Family Of God
Contributed on Jan 25, 2021
If we want to truly belong to the family of God, it isn’t enough saying we are Christian; we need to do what Christ tells us to.
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:31-35 Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my ...read more
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7. Country Of The Blind
Contributed on Jan 27, 2021
In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Or is he?
Scripture Reading: Mark 4:21-25 He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” And he ...read more
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8. Receiving The Word
Contributed on Jan 28, 2021
God’s word will change us if we receive it. But how do we receive it fruitfully?
Scripture Reading: Mark 4:26-34 He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain ...read more
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9. Hakuna Matata
Contributed on Jan 29, 2021
Do you worry? Of course you do! Do you want to stop worrying? Of course you do! Here’s how!
Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so ...read more
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10. Power Preaching
Contributed on Jan 30, 2021
Jesus spoke with authority because he was God. However, we can speak with a certain degree of authority too. Here’s how. (Watch video https://youtu.be/I7Esj4iAEFo)
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-28 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and ...read more
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11. Victory Over Darkness
Contributed on Jan 31, 2021
While we shouldn’t make the mistake of acting like the devil doesn’t exist, we shouldn’t forget that we have victory over him as well.
Scripture Reading: Mark 5:1-20 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained ...read more
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12. Heart Of The Matter
Contributed on Feb 1, 2021
What did Simeon mean when he said that Jesus was going to cause the rising and falling of many? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/dl0sCOH54JY]
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-32 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ...read more
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13. The Carpenter’s Son
Contributed on Feb 2, 2021
The people of Jesus’ time judged him on a variety of factors, except the really important one which was who he was. How do we fare in comparison?
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:1-6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What ...read more
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14. Two By Two
Contributed on Feb 3, 2021
Why did Jesus send out his apostles in pairs? Why is this a good thing for us to do today? Watch video: https://youtu.be/ISE_w3JJARY
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:7-13 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. ...read more
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15. Skeletons In The Closet
Contributed on Feb 4, 2021
Are you worried that those skeletons you have buried in the closet will come out to point a finger at you? Well, give Jesus the key and let him clean them out!
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:14-29 King 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.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like ...read more
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16. Real Compassion
Contributed on Feb 5, 2021
Real compassion is not pity or empathy, but suffering with the sufferer. This often takes experience. [Watch video: https://youtu.be/McY-TyeB93s]
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-34 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, 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.” So ...read more
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17. The Main Purpose
Contributed on Feb 6, 2021
While Jesus healed the sick and delivered the demon-possessed at every opportunity, that was not his main purpose. His main purpose was to preach.
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:29-39 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she ...read more
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18. Tradition
Contributed on Feb 8, 2021
Tradition is a good thing, provided it does not nullify the word of God.
Scripture Reading: Mark 7:1-13 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ...read more
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19. Internal Affairs
Contributed on Feb 9, 2021
All of us — every single one of us — is inwardly corrupt. How do we heal the corruption? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/TdZjy3sBoW4]
Scripture Reading: Mark 7:14-23 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, ...read more
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20. Shameless Prayer!
Contributed on Feb 10, 2021
Are we persistent in petitioning God? Or do we give up in frustration that he doesn’t answer our prayers?
Scripture Reading: Mark 7:24-30 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and ...read more
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21. Lessons In Aramaic
Contributed on Feb 11, 2021
There were three occasions when gospel writer Mark did not translate the words of Jesus into Greek but let them remain in the original Aramaic. Why? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/zY62PLiVBhY]
Scripture Reading: Mark 7:31-37 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him ...read more
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22. Slow Learners
Contributed on Feb 12, 2021
Why is it that when it comes to the faith we are such slow learners? Well, at least we are in good company!
Scripture Reading: Mark 8:1-10 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will ...read more
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23. Made Clean
Contributed on Feb 13, 2021
We can sometimes get over-enthusiastic about bring people to Jesus and exaggerate what he has done for us. There is a simpler, more effective way. [Watch video: https://youtu.be/JiP5I9KTGQE]
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:40-45 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Jesus ...read more
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24. In The Image Of Man
Contributed on Feb 14, 2021
When we can’t reflect the image and likeness of God, we try to make him in our image and likeness.
Scripture Reading: Mark 8:11-13 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and ...read more
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25. Hard Hearts
Contributed on Feb 15, 2021
A hard heart prevents us from understanding spiritual truths. What causes it, and what’s the antidote? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/xfdCdhRhS3I]
Scripture Reading: Mark 8:14-21 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no ...read more
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26. In The Spotlight
Contributed on Feb 16, 2021
Many Christians across denominations start Lent today, practice the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Jesus says do them outside the spotlight
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on ...read more
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27. Life And Death
Contributed on Feb 17, 2021
What’s the point of gaining the whole world but forfeiting our own self? What’s the point indeed? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/sTwCeYyes44]
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:22-25 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny ...read more
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28. The Daniel Fast
Contributed on Feb 18, 2021
If we want to know the benefits of fasting, we only need to look at the life of Daniel, a young man who fasted regularly.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:14-15 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from ...read more
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29. The Hospital
Contributed on Feb 19, 2021
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick,” Jesus said. The church needs to be a hospital.
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:27-32 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax ...read more
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30. The Wilderness Of Testing
Contributed on Feb 20, 2021
The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be among wild animals and tempted by the devil. Why?
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:12-15 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The ...read more