Epikos Church Sermons

In this message from Mark 15, we step into the tension of a Savior who is both rejected and resolute. As Jesus stands before Pilate, falsely accused and publicly condemned, His silence speaks louder than any defense ever could. While the crowd demands Barabbas and cries out for crucifixion, Jesus chooses the will of the Father over convenience, comfort, and self-preservation. This sermon invites us to wrestle with the same question the crowd unknowingly faced: will we choose what satisfies us now, or will we trust the One who saves us eternally? In a world driven by immediacy and self-interest, the quiet strength of Jesus reveals a deeper truth—trusting God often means choosing Him when it’s hardest. Through powerful storytelling and honest reflection, this message challenges us to examine where we might be choosing “Barabbas” in our own lives—opting for what’s easy, popular, or immediately gratifying instead of what’s eternal and life-giving. Jesus didn’t come to win arguments or meet expectations; He came to fulfill a mission that would cost Him everything so that we could go free. And because He chose the cross, we can choose Him—even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly. This is the invitation of the gospel: to trust deeply, surrender fully, and follow faithfully, knowing that true life is found not in having it our way, but in choosing His.

In this message from Mark 14, we step into the unfolding suffering of Jesus—where loyalty falters, strength fades, and the weight of the cross draws near. From the upper room to the garden of Gethsemane, we see a Savior who knows exactly what lies ahead: betrayal, denial, abandonment. And yet, He does not turn away. Instead, Jesus reveals a deeper truth about suffering—that it does not break the surrendered heart, only the self-reliant one. Even as His closest friends fail Him, Jesus remains anchored in His purpose, choosing obedience over escape, surrender over self-preservation. Through these three scenes, we are invited into a better way to endure suffering: with prayer, with surrender, and within community. Jesus models what it means to bring our anguish honestly before the Father while still trusting His will above our own. He shows us that suffering, when rooted in Him, does not define us—our identity in Him does. Whether we face deserved, innocent, or righteous suffering, the call remains the same: trust the One who endured it all without breaking. This is not just the story of His suffering—it is the path He lays before us, leading to redemption, resilience, and a faith that holds firm.

In Mark 14:1–25, we’re invited into a tension-filled moment where devotion and betrayal sit side by side. A woman breaks open an alabaster jar and pours out costly perfume—an act others call wasteful, but Jesus calls beautiful. At the same time, Judas quietly prepares to trade Jesus for silver. It’s a scene that confronts us with a question: what is Jesus worth to us? Is He someone we measure and manage, or someone we surrender to without reservation? In a world driven by efficiency and image, this passage reminds us that authentic worship is often misunderstood—and always costly. As the story moves to the Last Supper, Jesus reframes everything through bread and cup, pointing to a sacrifice that redefines love and loyalty. Even as betrayal looms, He offers Himself freely. This isn’t just a historical moment—it’s an invitation. To examine our own hearts. To recognize where we’ve held back. And to respond not with calculated gestures, but with wholehearted trust. Because in the kingdom Jesus ushers in, the greatest act isn’t taking—it’s giving everything.

When the future feels uncertain, how should followers of Jesus respond? In this message from Mark 13, Epikos Discipleship Pastor Jacob Machielski walks through one of the most challenging passages in the Gospel of Mark—a chapter filled with unsettling descriptions of wars, persecution, deception, and tribulation. While many focus on timelines, predictions, and end-times charts, Jesus points His followers to something far more important. Instead of fueling fear or speculation, this passage calls believers to remain steady in their faith, trusting the One who holds the future. Even when the world feels unstable and the details remain unclear, our hope in Christ is certain. Through Jesus’ teaching, we discover a powerful reminder: when the future feels uncertain, stay faithful to Christ. That faithfulness takes shape in two practical ways—looking for Jesus and staying on task. Rather than becoming consumed by anxiety about what might happen next, Jesus calls His followers to remain watchful, rooted in Scripture, and committed to the mission of sharing the gospel with the world. As we trust God’s control over history, we’re invited to live faithfully today—serving others, loving our neighbors, and bringing the hope of Jesus into every place we do life.

In this message from Gospel of Mark 12:35–44, we step into the temple during the final week of Jesus’ life and watch Him confront the religious leaders with a question they cannot answer. Quoting Psalms 110 and pointing back to the promise of 2 Samuel 7, Jesus asks how the Messiah can be both David’s Son and David’s Lord. The riddle exposes more than bad theology—it reveals hardened hearts. The scribes know the Scriptures inside and out, yet their love for recognition, status, and control proves they have missed the very One the Scriptures point to. This sermon unpacks that tension and reminds us: knowing who God is isn’t about winning debates or looking spiritual—it’s about lives transformed by the truth. The passage closes with a striking contrast at the temple treasury. As wealthy worshipers give from their abundance, a poor widow quietly offers two small copper coins—everything she had. Jesus declares her gift greater, not because of its size, but because of her surrender. Together, these scenes press one clear takeaway: knowing who God is shows up in how you live. From generosity to humility to daily obedience, our actions reveal what we truly believe. This message invites us to examine our own hearts—are we performing like the scribes, or trusting like the widow? And as we look to Jesus, the greater King who would soon give everything for us, we’re called to respond with wholehearted faith.

In Mark 11:27–12:34, Jesus enters Jerusalem and is immediately confronted by religious leaders demanding to know by what authority He acts. What follows is a series of searching questions and piercing parables that expose hardened hearts, misplaced allegiances, and shallow religion. Yet at the center of it all, Jesus reveals something deeper: true authority rests not in power plays or performance, but in the beloved Son who comes in humility and truth. In this sermon, we explore how Jesus dismantles counterfeit faith and invites us into wholehearted love for God — a love that engages our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As Jesus reframes the greatest commandment, we are reminded that Christianity is not about winning arguments or guarding appearances, but about responding to God’s initiating love with surrendered trust. Whether skeptical, curious, or long-time believer, this passage calls us to consider the authority of Christ and the kind of love that marks those who belong to His kingdom.