He Began to Curse and Swear

I made the point last week that these events happened at the same time: while Jesus was undergoing his trial, Peter was denying that he knew Jesus.  Jesus was being falsely accused, with false witnesses standing up and lying about Jesus, while Peter stood by and lied about knowing Jesus.  Peter could have been a truthful witness to Christ at the court case, instead he stood just outside, too scared to acknowledge that he even knew Jesus.  Peter didn’t witness for Peter, he denied him.  Today we will focus in on Peter’s story and his three-fold denial.  We’ll consider his confidence, fear, sadness, and joy.

Passage: Mark 14:66-72
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/01/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: He Began to Curse and Swear

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They Went Out and Preached that People Should Repent

This passage shows Jesus and his disciples on a revolution — they are out with a radical message and an urgent mission. As we look at this passage, we’ll learn more about that message and how Jesus and his disciples are getting that message out. We’ll see how people respond to this message in this passage. And as we look at Jesus and his disciples sharing this message, we’ll see that we too are both recipients of this message and those entrusted to carry this message forward to the world — we are all part of this revolution of hearts and souls!

Passage: Mark 6:1-13
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 06/01/2008 in Novato, CA.

Click here for the manuscript.

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How is it that He Eats and Drinks?

What is appropriate behavior for the people of God and their leaders?  In our passage for today, we see Jesus and his disciples eating and drinking.  We see Jesus eating and drinking with tax collectors and others who were known as sinners.  And it is in the midst of his eating and drinking where we see more opposition rise up against Jesus.  In both of the scenes in this passage there is opposition against Jesus and both rounds of opposition are ultimately asking the same thing.  They are both questioning the appropriateness of Jesus’ conduct and his behavior in leading his disciples.  This passage wonderfully shows his Jesus actions are quite appropriate, and finds the basis of their appropriateness in the gospel.

Passage: Mark 2:13-22
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/02/2008 in Novato, CA.
Other Scripture Readings: Leviticus 23:26-32; Revelation 19:5-6

Click here for the manuscript.

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