From Foundational truths to Frightful troubles

Mark 4:35-41

Introduction

Jesus has gone from teaching some foundational lessons to the disciples to a life lesson that would be etched in their mind. I have logged thousands of hours of classroom classes. Listening to messages, listening to lessons, messages, teaching, etc. Those are necessary, but there are some lessons in life, that are etched permanently in my mind. The lessons we have lived through usually make the deepest impression on our life, if we learn from them.

Troubled Woman

Mark 5:21-34

Introduction

As we continue to “Look unto Jesus” our theme for the year. We find a Calmed the Storm on the sea for the disciples. We find he brought calm to the maniac’s life who dwelt in the tombs. We find today that he brings peace to a Troubled Woman. Most of the miracles that Jesus did are a living parable. Someone was physically healed, but there is a great spiritual application of salvation. Often salvation occurs simultaneously with the actual physical healing that takes place. This is one of those.

June 05, 2024

Who is God for you?

Psalm 59:1

Introduction

It is amazing how many of the Psalms are born out of great hardship. May we ever be reminded that hard times are not without fruit.

Spurgeon “The Music of the sanctuary is no small degree indebted to the trials of the saints.”

Great trials bring great victories, and even great songs. Don’t think that a trial is worthless or vain there are great lessons to be learned in every trial and difficulty in life.

Disappointment in Ministry

Mark 6:1-3, 1-13

Introduction

Not everything in ministry goes well. We are programmed to think that if something is off, something doesn’t go well, then we must find the fault, we must change something, we must do something different.

I. Decision (1-2)

A. Travel (1)

1. “own country”

Mark 5:19 “19\ Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

June 19, 2024

Overwhelmed

Psalm 61:1-2

Introduction

Overwhelmed means to overspread or crush beneath something violent and weighty, or to become faint, or feeble at the weight of something.

We sometimes use it in a positive way, overwhelmed with joy, but in the Bible, we find it's context is always negative.

Psa. 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Psa. 77:3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

Consider God’s Work

Mark 6:45-53

Introduction

As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark, there is a lot to see in this passage. This passage is parallel passage of the one recorded in Matthew, however Mark doesn’t bring up the fact that Peter walked on water. It was an amazing thing that happened, however, it was not the be the focal point of this account. In other words, there are other lessons that can be learned from this passage, more than the fact that Peter walked on the water!

October 09, 2024

A Prayer of the Persecuted

Psalm 74:12

Introduction

This is a Prayer of the Persecuted. The first part of the Psalm very clearly presents the difficulty and problems the Psalmist is facing. This is not just outward, personal, but this is a serious persecution in which the Temple is destroyed. It is very likely a prophetic Psalm looking to the time when the Babylonians come in a burn the temple. There is certainly reference to that in 7-8.

April 30, 2025

Driving through the Fog

Psalm 89

Introduction

While living in Cajamarca, Peru. We lived 9,000 feet above sea level. Surrounding us were mountains in every direction you looked. It was a scenic view. We lived in a bowl in the mountains. You had to climb roughly to 13,000 feet to get in our out of our town, and then drop back down to 9,000. The climb was steep, the two roads in and out were switch backs. You climb across the hill, not straight up it, then you do a u-turn, and continue climbing up the hill. During certain times of the year, every day at 3pm fog would completely cover the mountain top road that entered our town. It was dangerous to travel that road while covered in fog.

July 23, 2025 - Wednesday

Aid for the Afflicted

Psalm 94:1-7

Introduction

Psalm 94, like the one before it, has no title, or author listed. However, it is not needed, for it is a timeless Psalm, that transcends a specific problem, person, or place. It is fitting for today, and our needs in our life time. It is fitting for every generation, in all places.

I. Alarm of the Saint (1-7)

A. Recognition of God’s vengeance (1)

1. Vengeance belongs to God!

• • Vengeance - Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense; retribution; — often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge.

  Rom. 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give

What to do when you are overwhelmed

Psalm 102:1-12

Introduction

The Psalmist is overwhelmed here, but not because of a personal problem. It would seem in looking at it all, the Psalmist is concerned primarily with a national issue.

It would do us good, to be so heartbroken, grief stricken over the sin of our country, that we had this kind of a heart!