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MARK - GOOD NEWS (January 3 - December 26, 2010)
The original "gospel" was a political gospel. Roman citizens had no recourse but to put their hope in Emperor Augustus to bring life, health, peace, prosperity, and salvation. Mark introduces us to a different gospel--one that is centered in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth.
MARK - GOOD NEWS (January 3 - December 26, 2010)
|  | The Beginning of the Gospel of Mark
[January 3, 2010] The Beginning of the Gospel of Mark about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark wrote this gospel in an era where the emperor Augusus was the hope of the Roman civilization. But John Mark wrote of the one, Jesus, who is the gospel message and the hope of all mankind. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | A Different Kind of Kingdom
[January 10, 2010] A Different Kind of Kingdom. There is one kingdom that has endured through the ages, and Mark is telling us how it began. The coming king would be preceded by a messenger, John the Baptist. John was preaching a religiously incorrect message of repentance, baptism, and forgiveness. He called people to truly live under the kingly rule of God instead of being pretenders. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Jesus the Son
[January 17, 2010] Jesus the Son. John the Baptist brought news of a new kind of kingdom. As foretold in ancient scriptures, there would be an arrival of a king who would change the trajectory of history. Through Jesus Christ the king, the Son of the living God, we received the gift of forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit. If we accept Christ's gifts, he will change our very lives. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | KIngdom Business
[January 24, 2010] Kingdom Business. They were successful business men, working alongside their fathers making good money and providing for their families. But Jesus of Nazareth invited them to embrace his Father's business. Jesus asked them to leave their secure jobs for a wild and dangerous mission in God's world. Simon, Andrew, James, and John immediately left their nets to follow Jesus. What compelled them to follow Christ? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | One With Authority
[January 31, 2010] One With Authority. Authority has been often misused on earth. Peter, Mark's mentor, says in 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV), "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." How did Jesus exercise his authority on earth? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Beyond Expectations
[February 7, 2010] Beyond Expectations. People were amazed by Jesus' authority when he taught and healed. The crowd expected more and more from him. Then Jesus did an unorthodox thing. Jesus withdrew to be in prayer and then he decided to, "go somewhere else" to preach. What can we learn from Jesus' remarkable ability to advance God's kingdom in the face of complex needs?
A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Forgiven and Clean
[February 14, 2010] Forgiven and Clean. Lepers were society's outcasts, shunned for what many assumed was the direct punishment for their sins. But a leper and a paralytic have the faith to come forward and beg Jesus for healing. Jesus healed them and this created tension in Jesus' ministry. The crowd was distracted from embracing the deepest blessings and realities of Christ's kingdom. God wants to heal us spiritually, for all eternity. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Momentum Sunday
[February 21, 2010] Momentum Sunday. The Pharisees were alarmed to find Jesus eating meals with tax collectors and sinners. They didn't understand that good company can redeem bad characters. Catch God's vision for the restorative influence that the kingdom of God can have on sinners and bad company, including all of us. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Questioning Discipleship
[February 28, 2010] Questioning Discipleship.
Some of the toughest questions that Jesus faced came from scary religious people. These people believed that they were too righteous to associate with sinners. They also believed that the letter of the law should be followed, not the spirit of the law. Learn how Jesus answered their probing questions. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | The Psychology of Crowds
[March 7, 2010] The Psychology of Crowds. With word about Jesus' miraculous deeds spreading, the crowd comes forth to affirm its hope in a redeemer. They saw Jesus had the power and authority to make everything good. But soon, it was evident that the crowd was not interested in Jesus' mission, and Jesus would have nothing to do with the crowd's agenda. He began calling disciples out of the crowd to serve God and advance his kingdom. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | The Twelve
[March 14, 2010] The Twelve. With the crowd in full pursuit, Jesus withdraws to a mountainside to take care of some important business. Jesus chose some of his closest followers to come alongside him and help him establish his kingdom. He appointed twelve, designating them apostles, so that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | The Unforgiveable Sin
[March 21, 2010] The Unforgiveable Sin. The evangelist Mark goes to great lengths in the gospel of Mark to emphasize Jesus' relationship to the Holy Spirit. Mark protrays the powerful influence of the Spriit on Jesus' life. Now Jesus reveals the unforgiveable sin. Learn about the powerful influence the Holy Spirit must have on our lives. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Jesus' Invitations
[March 28, 2010] Jesus' Invitations. This Palm Sunday, Jesus offers us three invitations. He invites us to repent of our sins, to believe in his identity as the Son of God, and to understand that God spared no measure to welcome us into his kingdom as sons and daughters, and friends.
A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette.
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| | | Resurrection Sunday
[April 4, 2010] Resurrection Sunday. In the gospels, we see what Jesus did for others. We see what God did when raising Jesus to life from the grave. But now we must ask, "Do we trust God to do just as he said he would?" Do we believe that Jesus will return in glory, and take us to be with him forever? Our belief in the resurrection will be tested, just as it was for Jesus’ disciples. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Jesus' Family Matters
[April 11, 2010] Jesus' Family Matters. Jesus was under immense pressure from the crowds who followed him, from the religious leaders, and sadly, from his family. His family was embarrassed and ashamed of Jesus' actions. But for Jesus, everything and everyone else was secondary to doing the will of his Father in heaven. Such a commitment to do the will of God forces us to make a wrenching choice between pleasing our biological family or pleasing God. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | The Power of the Seed
[April 18, 2010] The Power of the Seed. The word "hear" or "listen" is used thirteen times in Mark 4. This Sunday, we wrestle with our receptivity to the words of Christ. In Mark 4:14-20, Jesus warns us that some who hear the word accept it, others listen but quickly fall away from its truths, and others flatly reject it. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette read more...
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| | | The Growth of the Kingdom
[April 25, 2010] The Growth of the Kingdom. The purpose of receiving God's word is as Warren Wiersbe writes, "We receive that we might share, just as a lamp gives itself to provide light for the house. All we can do is sow the seed; God alone can give the increase. We cannot make the seed grow; in fact, we do not fully understand how the seed grows. Our task is to sow the seed and be alert when the harvest is ready." A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Surviving the Storms
[May 2, 2010] Surviving the Storms. A storm begins brewing on the horizon. The seas of life begin churning. The waves of hardship grow increasingly angry, battering our only sense of security. It's in life's great storms that we are forced to wrestle with how much we truly believe and trust Christ. This Sunday, we take a deep look at one of the most inspirational stories in all the gospels. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | A Parent's Wish
[May 9, 2010] A Parent's Wish. Jairus' daughter was dying of an unspecified illness. Would Jesus respond to the request? Would he be too late to help her? Meanwhile, a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years reaches out to touch Jesus in the hope that he could heal her. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | The Crazy Wild Man
[May 16, 2010] The Crazy Wild Man. The first person Jesus encountered in Mark 5 was a man possessed by an evil spirit. He was so physically powerful, and under the control of an evil spirit, that no one could bind him, not with chains or iron cuff links. He roamed among the tombs crying out, cutting himself with stones, and terrifying everyone he encountered. Nothing could free him from the evil spirit, but then he met Jesus. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Without Honor
[May 23, 2010] Without Honor. Sometimes the least receptive people to the gospel are those who think they know us best. When Jesus returns to his hometown and begins teaching in the synagogue, people were amazed by his teachings, his wisdom, and his ability to do miracles. But within moments, their amazement turns to skepticism. They couldn't reconcile how Jesus could be the Son of God when he also had an earthly family. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Jesus' Call to Action
[May 30, 2010] Jesus' Call to Action. We are not always called to be comfortable when Jesus calls us, but as his disciples, we are still called to go and proclaim his message. We are sent out with Jesus' authority, and we should act confidently in that. However, to live in this confidence, we must first be obedient and act on what Jesus has taught us. A message by Daniel Thompson. read more...
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| | | Preaching Requires Sacrifice
[June 6, 2010] Preaching Requires Sacrifice. It was never Jesus' intention to do all of the preaching. He called his disciples to him and gave them the power to preach and teach. But preaching can be dangerous, and it's personally costly. John the Baptist was beheaded because he preached the gospel. Do you have what it takes to preach the gospel of Christ? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Five Thousand Hungry Mouths
[June 13, 2010] Five Thousand Hungry Mouths. Jesus' disciples found themselves in an impossible circumstance. Jesus had been teaching all day long and as the day wore on, the Twelve were agitated, hungry, and tired from a long day. They insisted that Jesus send the crowds away so they could eat and rest. The crowd was just as hungry, and Jesus told his disciples to "give them something to eat." What is Jesus trying to teach his disciples here? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | How to Be a Real Man
[June 20, 2010] How to Be a Real Man. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were obsessed with "looking good", but their minds were full of corrupt thoughts, their hearts were far from God, they were neglecting family responsibilities, and they were being ruined by their appetites. Jesus unapologetically advanced an inside-out approach to manood. Jesus taught that authentic manhood begins within, as we submit ourselves fully to the King of kings. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Scrounging for Bread Crumbs
[June 27, 2010] Scrounging for Bread Crumbs. In Jesus' day, dogs were considered unclean, so for many Jews, "dogs" became a choice metaphor to insult non-Jews. Because the Jews saw themselves as the true children of God, they thought that their needs should be met first. Jesus tests the faith of a non-Jewish woman seeking the healing of her child. Would Jesus allow a few crumbs for the "dogs" in the presence of his hungry children, Israel? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Can You Hear Me Now?
[July 4, 2010] Can You Hear Me Now? Jesus encountered a man with a physical hearing problem who was also unable to speak. In dramatic frashion, Jesus opened his ears and loosened his tongue, allowing him to hear and speak freely! God will help those of us with spiritual hearing and speaking problems. How high is our spiritual receptivity? Just as important, how faithful are we in proclaimng the truths we've heard? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Here We Go Again
[July 11, 2010] Here We Go Again. Throughout the gospel of Mark, we witness a collision of two paradigms-- the paradigm of sight versus the paradigm of faith. In Mark 8, the Pharisees seek a sign from heaven confirming Jesus' divinity. But later, a blind man, who cannot see, trusts Jesus and is healed. Which paradigm do you live by in your relationship with Jesus Christ? Faith or sight? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Peter's Great Confession
[July 18, 2010] Peter's Great Confession. When Jesus was on earth, some thought he was a prophet, while others saw him as a great teacher. In contrast to what others thought he was, Jesus came to establish the authority of his kingdom in our lives and to deliver us from the power of sin and death forever. This is the issue in Mark 8:29 when Jesus asks Peter, "Who do you say I am?" Is Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords in your life, or something less? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Counting the Costs
[July 25, 2010] Counting the Costs. After Peter's declaration of faith in Christ's divinity, Jesus demanded that his disciples keep silent about his identity until they fully understood the costly nature of discipleship and had witnessed the resurrection. Being a follower of
Christ is not easy, and Jesus wanted the disciples, and us, to understand that fact. Discipleship that isn't costly is ineffectual. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Rising From the Dead?
[August 1, 2010] Rising From the Dead? When Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountaintop, he was transfigured before their very eyes and they heard God speak. But when Jesus was alone with them again, he instructed the disciples to remain silent until the Son of Man, Jesus, had risen from the dead. The disciples thought they had misunderstood Jesus. Could a person be raised from the dead? A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Everything is Possible
[August 8, 2010] Everything is Possible. A young man is possessed by an evil spirit that would seize him, throw him to the ground, and cause him to do scary things. The disciples were unable to cast out the spirit. The young man's father begins questioning why the disciples were unable to perform the same works as Jesus. Why couldn't the disciples drive out the demon? Jesus' perplexing response has challenged the faith of Christians for centuries. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Gospel Rivalries
[August 15, 2010] Gospel Rivalries. An embarrassing argument breaks out among the disciples about who is the greatest. Was it Peter, or James, or John? In Mark 9:35, Jesus redefines greatness. "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." The Twelve were to assume positions of servanthood, thus following the example of Christ. A message by Dr. Don Green. read more...
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| | | Jesus on Family Life
[August 22, 2010] Jesus on Family Life. Where was Jesus when he took a child in his arms and spoke these words? "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He was in the home of a family in Capernaum. Servanthood begins in the home as we serve the most vulnerable among us, our children, and learn to love those closest to us, our spouses. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | That One Thing
[August 29, 2010] That One Thing. A man asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" The man had set high standards of personal righteousness for himself, but despite his moral goodness, the man had a significant blind spot. Jesus loved him, but said, "One thing you still lack...." Jesus personalizes the costs of discipleship and calls us to live by God's righteous standards, not our own. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | The Road to Greatness
[September 5, 2010] The Road to Greatness. Expecting to ride on Christ's coattails to glory, the twelve disciples begin jockeying for position at the top. In Mark 10:37, James and John have the audacity to ask Jesus to sit at his right and left hand in glory. But Jesus warned them that whoever wanted to be first, must be the slave of all. The pathway to glory would be difficult indeed. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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| | | Crying Out for Mercy
[September 12, 2010] Crying Out for Mercy. To most people in the Middle East, a blind man sitting alongside a road was a common sight and an unwelcome intrusion. As Jesus made his way to Jericho, just such a man begins shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Would Jesus be delayed in his journey by responding to this man's needs? Yes! Jesus was compelled to stop and and invite the man nearer to him. A message by Dr. Jon Morrissette. read more...
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