In our passage for today, Jesus seems to be trying to get away and get some well deserved R&R.  Remember from last chapter, that he had been preaching from a boat along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.  In chapter 4, we saw that Jesus was exhausted and had his disciples take him across to the other side of the sea — into Gentile territory.  And yet, according to verse 2, immediately upon arrival at the other side of the sea, Jesus is confronted with a demon-possessed man.  And so Jesus’ break is short lived.  He wasn’t able to get much sleep on the boat ride over because he was busy silencing storms, and now he finds himself confronted with a demon-possessed man who desperately needs help that only he can provide.  And though we sinful people might have been frustrated if we were in Jesus’ shoes, that’s not how our Lord responds.  As we might expect, he responds out of a true compassion and love and frees the man from these unclean spirits.  And so as we look at this event, we’ll see that the gospel message of freedom and reconciliation in Christ comes even to the Gentiles.

Passage: Mark 5:1-20
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 05/11/2008 in Novato, CA.
Other Scripture Readings: Leviticus 11:1-8; Revelation 20:7-15

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 They Came to the Other Side of the Sea [38:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Topic: Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 19
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Adult Sunday School at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 05/11/2008 in Novato, CA.

We apologize, but due to technical difficulties, the recording for this Sunday School message was cut off before its completion. Only a partial recording is posted.

 

 Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 19 [35:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I want us to consider today in this passage the importance of Jesus being able to control the wind and sea by the very word of his power.  I want us to consider what it means for Jesus to have this power and authority.  What does this tell us about who he is?  Well, certainly, it points to his divinity.  We’ll see how this event shows forth that Jesus is indeed who Scripture presents: the eternal Son of God who has come in the flesh.  But I also want us to consider the significance of this fact.  If Jesus is God in the flesh, able to control wind and water, and every aspect of creation, what should that do to our faith?  How should that affect our faith and how we respond to the trials that come in our lives?

Passage: Mark 4:1-34
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 05/05/2008 in Novato, CA.
Other Scripture Readings: Proverbs 30:4; Romans 8:28-39

Click here for the manuscript.

 

 Do You Still Not Have Faith? [35:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download