Leprosy brought with it exclusion, separation, and shame. It was essentially incurable. Yet the Old Testament detailed a means to be reinstated to society if the priest declares the leper clean. Our sinful hearts are a lot like leprosy and separate us from God. Our High Priest Jesus is willing to cleanse our hearts if we are faithful to come to Him for healing.

Mark 1:40-45
Leviticus 13:45-46

This is aimed at everyone who has been a part of any church for any length of time, including our church. There is surely a comfort zone inside the doors of any church: you meet friends and develop relationships, you can even serve in the local church and this all can give us a false sense of assurance of our relationship with the Lord. In this sermon God will direct us to examine ourselves, test ourselves, make sure we indeed are savingly joined to the Lord Jesus, or convict us that we are not on that narrow way and hear the Savior calling us to repentance and a genuine relationship with Him.

2 Corinthians 13:5,5:17,5:15
2 Peter 1:10,1:2
Ephesians 5:6
2 Timothy 3:13,3:1-5
James 1:26
Matthew 7:21-23,25:1-12,26:26-28
Hebrews 4:12-13
Romans 1:16
1 Thessalonians 1:5
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Galatians 5:16-17,5:19-21

Jesus' new normal changed how we should deal with anger, revenge, and retaliation.

2 Chronicles 24:20-22
Acts 7:59-60
Romans 12:14-21,5:6-10
Matthew 5:10-12,5:14,5:38-42,23:34-35
Psalm 137:7-9
Luke 6:27-28

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Give an Old Testament example of how God's people sought revenge.

• Give a New Testament example of how God's people are to seek revenge.

• What changed?

• What did Paul mean by Heap coals of fire on your enemy's head?

God gave His Son... some do not grasp the magnitude of this gift.

Luke 12:13-31
John 3:16
Mark 8:36
Hebrews 9:27
Romans 3:19,3:23,8:31-32

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why was Marigold not happy with her incredible gift?

• What lessons do we draw from this in terms of God's gift?

• What are some of the reasons why we so need God's gift?

• What is God's gift?

• How does He meet our most important needs?

Troubles, difficult times, hurts, challenges... everyone has them. But why? What do they mean? Why does it seem like God is so far away when troubles come? Let's turn to Scripture and learn where to turn in our times of need.

Psalm 73
2 Corinthians 4:8
Isaiah 55:8-9
Hebrews 12:15
Ecclesiastes 1:12-14
Matthew 5:10-13,7:13-14
Acts 5:40-41

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What or who is the proper focus of Scripture?

• How does this truth affect your understanding of why we go through difficult times?

• How does Satan work in your hardship?

• Where does the Psalmist tell us to go when facing trouble?

• From where do we find meaning in our circumstances?

• Why does one protect himself from bitterness?

• How does one protect himself from bitterness?

Why did peoples' response to Jesus always seem so extreme? This passage from Mark highlights some extreme opposites. How do you respond to the person of Jesus Christ?

Deuteronomy 15:1-18
Mark 14:1-11
John 12:6

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How many responses to Jesus are there in this passage?

• Why are they so intense?

• Why did this woman waste all that money on Jesus?

• What does this teach us?

• Why did the leaders and Judas do what they did?

• What do all of them think about it now?

• How do you and I respond to Jesus?

As we face an uncertain future and growing hostility to Christianity, Jesus' words in Mark to His disciples soon before His death have much instruction and encouragement.

Mark 13
Matthew 24:3
Acts 9:15-16
Philippians 2:12-13

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How do Jesus' words in this passage help us plan for the future?

• What are some of the things we are to watch for?

• What are our responsibilities, and what is God's part in this passage and in our lives?

Where have all the Dads gone? What role has society, selfishness, and materialism hurt us? How can we get Dads back?

Isaiah 3-4
Ephesians 5:22-6:4
1 Corinthians 16:13,11:7
2 Samuel 10:12
1 Timothy 5:8

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why are Dads so important?

• Where are the Dads today... why do we seem to lack good Dads in our culture?

• What is masculinity and how is it different from machismo?

• What is the role of men in a society?

• How does this apply to Dads?

• Why is having a good Dad important to ones understanding of God?

What is True Religion? Mark contrasts Scribes and a Widow to help us know the real thing.

James 1:21-27
1 Timothy 5:1-16
Mark 12:38-44,11:27,12:28,12:32,12:35
1 Corinthians 11:31,15:58
Matthew 10:42

• The scribe was distinguished by his linen robe, a long white mantle reaching to the feet and provided with a long fringe. White linen clothes were regarded as a mark of distinction, so that men of eminence (priests, Levites, scribes) or those who wished to parade their position, wore white and left bright colors to the common people. By the majority of the people the scribes were venerated with unbounded respect and awe. Their words were considered to possess sovereign authority. When a scribe passed by on the street or in the bazaar people rose respectfully. Only tradesmen at their work were exempted from this display of deference. The scribe was greeted with titles of deepest respect: "Rabbi," "Father," "Master," and there is evidence that in the first century A.D. the designation "Rabbi" was undergoing a transition from its former status as a general title of honor to one reserved exclusively for ordained scribes. When the important men of Jerusalem gave a feast they considered it an ornament to the feast to have a distinguished scribe and his pupils there. The highest places were assigned to them, and the scribe was given precedence in honor over the aged, and even over parents. In the synagogues as well the seat of honor was reserved for him; he sat at the front with his back to the chest containing the Torah, in full view of the congregation.William L Lane The Gospel of Mark

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What is true religion according to the Bible?

• Why did Jesus say the Scribes were in danger?

• How did this widow show true religion?

• How can we give more money than Bill Gates?

In this passage from Mark, Jesus said Messiah will be David's Son and David's Lord. We greatly need Him as both and in this message we will explore why.

Psalm 110
Mark 12:35-37,11:27-28,12:14,12:18,12:28
Isaiah 11:1,9:6-7
Jeremiah 30:9,33:15
John 1:1,1:14
Romans 1:1-4
Acts 17:31

• Now it is for the abundant consolation of the saints, that their own Redeemer is appointed to be their judge; that the same person who spilled His blood for them hath the determination of their state left with Him; so that they not doubt but that they shall have what He was at so much cost to procure.
  What matter of joy to them will it be at the last day, to lift up their eyes, and behold the person in whom they have trusted for salvation, to whom they fled for refuge, upon whom they have built as their foundation for eternity, and whose voice they have often heard, inviting them to Himself for protection safety, coming to judge them. Jonathon Edwards The Final Judgment

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why is Jesus called David's son and David's Lord?

• Why do we need Him... as the human race; as individuals?

• Why do we need Him as David's son?

• Why do we need Him as David's Lord?