St Marcus MKE Sermons

This week we'll be studying a combination of Jonah 2:1-10 under the theme of "Jonah Prays to God." Having run away from God and God's will as central to his life...having endured a self-inflicted storm that threatened the existence of everyone in his boat...and having been thrown overboard to experience the chaotic  rock bottom of the sea, Jonah is finally ready to pray to God. Sometimes it takes a lot for us to truly open up to God. Experiencing our failures and God's undeserved goodness certainly helps.

This week we'll be studying a combination of Jonah 1:1-17 under the theme of "Jonah Runs From God." Jonah, a prophet of God, had a simple message to give to the city of Nineveh. But he refused to give it. Why? It wasn't the fear you might suspect. Rather, Jonah had a pride, and an idol, of religious nationalism that prevented him from loving humans the way he should. What does it look like for modern people to run from God? And what does God do about it?

The Big Idea this week would be to recognize we don't DESERVE relationship with God, but nonetheless HAVE relationship with God by grace, and therefore we're learning to LIVE out of that relationship with God in anticipation of knowing we'll experience it fully in eternity.

This week we'll be studying James 1:12-18 & Exodus 20:17-21 under the theme of "The 9th & 10th Commandments - Controlling Desires." In a society that teaches children to "follow your heart" as a life-operating principle, it's not surprising that a word like "COVET" has nearly dropped out of our vernacular entirely. But it's impossible to understand why you do what you do unless you can get to the bottom of why you desire what you desire. Coveting, the last of the commands, is about controlling our desires.

This week we'll be studying 1 Timothy 5:9-15 & Exodus 20:16 under the theme of "The 8th Commandment: Constructive Speech." Words can be the most powerful weapons in the world. We must take care to use them in the way the God who spoke the universe into creation uses his words - i.e. constructively. And we're saved and motivated to do this by seeing the Word who became flesh take a verdict of condemnation in our place so that we can have an affirmation of grace.

This week we'll be studying Luke 12:13-21 & Exodus 20:15 under the theme of "The 7th Commandment: Stewarding God's Stuff." The counterintuitive wisdom of gaining by giving is completely foreign to fallen humans from birth. Jesus spends LOTS of time in the Gospels talking about money - what he does & doesn't want us to do with it. But it's all with the intention that giving fits our design, and brings unique and lasting blessings.

This week we'll be studying Matthew 5:27-30 & Exodus 20:14 under the theme of "The 6th Commandment: Navigating Sex & Marriage." By God's design, sex is like a nuclear power in its capacity for good or evil. It can literally create life or destroy life. Only when we submit to God's will do God's gifts ultimately serve as blessings.

This is Pastor Mark Jeske's final message at St. Marcus Lutheran Church after 42 years of faithful service. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18 If you'd like to view this service in its entirety, click the link below.  YT: https://youtu.be/KVHe6wi-wlw

This week we'll be studying 1 John 3:11-18 & Exodus 20:13 under the theme of "The 5th Commandment: Protecting Our Neighbors." If we operate with the knowledge that relatively few have murdered, but the assumption that everyone has broken the 5th Commandment, it leads us to an understanding of the command that suggests the fallen human condition struggles with anger that leads us to poorly love our neighbors. Luther would go so far as to say that failing to help someone in need when we have resources to do so is tantamount to killing them. The only way to learn to love properly is to see clearly the Savior who was murdered in our place.

We live in a damaged and war-torn world and it will continue to be a broken place until the return of Christ our King. Revelation 19 contains fantastic imagery of our Heavenly Warrior leading angel armies, striking down the nations, and ultimately defeating death. This is the God we worship.

This week we'll be studying Romans 13:1-7 & Exodus 20:12 under the theme of "The 4th Commandment: Honoring Authority." The Bible makes it clear that God established 3 unique institutions for our physical and spiritual welfare - the Family, the State, and the Church. A spirit of individualism and sinful flesh makes it very difficult to honor the authority of each. But seeing Jesus above each of these authorities makes submitting to them a blessing, wisdom...SO THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU.

Does it drag your spirit down when you see the current state of America's politics? Look at it from God's perspective. America's greatest gift to the world is to present an ideal of the universal worth and dignity of ALL people -- equally endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights.  Pastor Jeske's Independence Day message is based on selections from Romans 12 & 13. Recorded on 7/3/2022. 

This week we'll be studying Psalm 122:1-9 & Exodus 20:8-11 under the theme of "The 3rd Commandment: Resting in God's Promises With God's People." Modern people have a very interesting relationship with work/rest. This week, we'll dig into why God needed to command intentional rest. We'll see that though the Sabbath Day was technically part of the Old Testament ceremonial laws, we nonetheless maintain the lasting principles of 1) Togetherness, 2) Rest, and 3) Joyful Worship that was associated with the Sabbath.

This week we'll be studying 1 Peter 2:11-17 & Exodus 20:7 under the theme of "The 2nd Commandment: Upholding God's Reputation." Most Christians feel as though if they don't use the Lord's Name in vain, they've perfectly obeyed the 2nd Commandment, which would be a fairly low bar. In reality, as Name Bearers of our Lord & Savior, everything we do reflects upon Christ. We'll consider the deeper implications of the 2nd Commandment as we recognize the beauty of his Name.

The story of Juneteenth and the freedom of American slaves can be compared to the spiritual freedom that we have in Christ. We are all enslaved to sin but have been set free by Christ! What shall we do with this freedom? We are not free to simply do as we please and to continue to live as unbelievers, rather we are free so that we may serve others and serve our God!

This week we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 & Exodus 20:3-6 under the theme of "The 1st Commandment: Prioritizing God." The single most comprehensive way of understanding human pathological behavior is to grasp the biblical teaching of idolatry - making a good thing a god thing in our lives, where we ask created things to give us what only the Creator God can actually give us. We'll try to identify the nature of idolatry, our own personal idols, and what the true God did about our false gods.

The decision of the Father to love us despite our sinful nature is the most amazing mystery. He came to us first, as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit so that we might be able to come to Him. Based on Titus 3:3-8.

Celebrate being chosen and loved by God the Father. Celebrate that your sins have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus, the Savior. Celebrate that the Holy Spirit lives within the mess of your mind and heart. Based on 1 Corinthians 12:1-3. Message from Sunday Worship 6/5/2022.

This week, we'll be studying Acts 9:19-31 under the theme "Assimilation of the Persecutor." We can only imagine what it was like for the widows and fatherless in Jerusalem to have to look into the eyes of Saul of Tarsus, who'd taken lives from their families, upon his return to Jerusalem. It wasn't until an encouraging, grace-filled man named Barnabas put his arm around Saul that the church was willing to welcome him. This lesson teaches us all sorts of things about humbling ourselves, forgiving, and welcoming the repentant back into our lives.

Jesus encourages us to look forward to the perfect place He is preparing for His people at the end of time without any worry. God has something much better in store for you than anything and everything that this material world can offer.

This week, we'll be studying Acts 8:9-25 under the theme "Disciples > Sorcerers." In this text, we encounter a man named Simon the Sorcerer, who attempted to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit. While there are numerous takeaways from this text, the main idea is that humans naturally approach God with the mentality that we can bribe, manipulate, or use him for our own advancement. In reality, the only thing we can offer him is our needs. And this is what he wants most.

This week, we'll be studying Acts 5:17-32 under the theme "Reformation Opposition." The opening quarter of the Book of Acts narrates both the otherworldly success and the earthly opposition of the Early Church. Though the religious establishment hoped to silence the Apostles, they responded "We must obey God rather than men?" What are the implications of this conviction for us now in a post-Christian society?

King Jesus is the head over every power and authority. We often panic because our earthly agenda is not aligned with His heavenly schedule. He is the glue that holds the entire world together. When you feel stressed and overwhelmed over disasters or daily life in general, that is the best time to take inventory of all the blessings that God has placed into your hands.

"What's Jesus Doing Now?" We know that after Jesus ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit down to expand His kingdom on earth, but that's not all. He is mediating as our Great High Priest - He is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Pastor Jeske's message is based on Hebrews 7:23-25.

This week, we'll be studying Acts 4:23-31 under the theme "The Earthquake of the Church." When faced with persecution, the Early Church's first instinct was to pray...but not to ask God to take all their problems away. What did they pray for? How did this make them stronger, healthier, and more effective in ministry? And what would it mean for us to adjust our mindsets and prayer life in a similar way?

Mother’s Day is not only a beautiful day to celebrate our moms, but also a beautiful day to celebrate the incredible value of the gospel forgiveness that Christ has gifted to His children! This Mother's Day message is based on Psalm 131.

This week, we'll be studying Acts 3:1-10 under the theme "Peter & John Make Miracles." This text offers us the first miracle worked through the Disciples after Jesus' resurrection. Like all miracles, this instance of restoring a lame man to walk is a picture of salvation. But the man's initial request for money, the sacrifice made by the miracle workers, and the illustration of God working through his people all give us marvelous, relevant spiritual insights.

This week, we'll be studying Acts 1:12-26 under the theme "The Disciples Replace Judas." God didn't technically NEED a 12th Disciple to replace Judas. So why replace him? And what do we learn by studying the process by which the Early Church replaced him? The short answer is that we receive deep understanding about the method of godly decision-making.

Have you ever been proven wrong about something? We are comforted in the fact that our faith will never be one of those things. The strength to believe in God’s promises does not come from ourselves, it comes from God. That does not mean that life is going to be easy; pandemics, economic troubles, outbreaks of war, a guilty heart; all these things may be enough for us to want to give up. We have a God that understands our suffering and gifted us His Son who gave up his perfect life so we may live in an eternity of righteousness with Him.

Christ is risen! Christ’s crucifixion was epic, but His resurrection made it marvelous. Full forgiveness of our sins became guaranteed. We forever have the promise of His favor. He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Recorded on 4/17/2022

This week we'll be studying Mark 15:33-41 under the theme of "The Gift of Light at the Cost of Darkness" for our Holy Saturday celebration. Most of us have likely not given much thought to the 36 hours between Jesus' burial on Friday and his resurrection on Sunday. The world had gone dark. Christ's body entered a dark tomb. The disciples hid behind locked doors in the darkness. It's the right time to meditate on darkness and light in this world as we anticipate the Light of the World coming back at dawn on Easter.

This week we'll be studying Mark 11:1-11 under the theme of "The Rich Man Who Dies for the Poor." On Palm Sunday, Jesus presents one of the most nuanced, carefully curated images of himself. Many then did not understand it, and many today still have false conceptions of Messiah. Who did our King come to be, and what does it mean to follow him?

Pilate's inquiry "What is Truth" is our fifth Question of the Passion that we reflect on this Lenten season. We should be able to hold up Jesus as the Truth at every turn and in every season of life. But that's easier said than done. We constantly bend the truth to fit our human wants and needs, but after bending comes breaking - we no longer have the real Truth. Keep Jesus as the Truth.

The final parable we study this Lenten season is the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. By sending us a Savior, God has showered us in His unconditional love. As Christians, it is our responsibility to allow that same mercy to flow through us and to distribute love to our neighbors and to "those who have sinned against us." Mercy heals.

This week we'll be studying Mark 10:17-31 under the theme of "Faith and the End of Self-Sufficiency." We're reminded that we're called to die to self. Jesus died to save us from sins and save us to eternal life. But he didn't die so that we wouldn't die at all. We physically die, of course. And we die to selves daily in a process called "Discipleship." It's impossible to become our best, most Christ-like selves unless we let go of our old selves. It's impossible to grasp eternal life without setting down this life.

Had Jesus' trial taken place in more modern times, it undoubtedly would have been labeled as "The Trial of Century." His trial was illegal, yet it fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. Jesus testified of His divinity as the Son of God. The evidence was laid out before the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law, yet they judged Him faithlessly. How will you judge Jesus? Recorded March 23, 2022.

Jesus' parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:1-9) reflects the repentance we need to show for our sins, the high expectations of the heavenly Father, and the patience He has for His people.

This week we'll be studying Mark 10:1-12 under the theme of "God & Intimacy." Challenged by the Pharisees, Jesus gives a very candid response to a question about divorce, going back to God's design at Creation. Asking what God designs as opposed to what God permits is a very different aim. So, we return to God's design for marriage & singleness to see what leads to human prospering.

After Jesus was struck by one of the Jewish leaders, he said, "If I said something wrong...testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" By our inherent sinful nature, we are also guilty of striking Jesus in the face. We tearfully answer Jesus' question with a question of our own: "Jesus, why did you take it?" He willingly absorbed every offense that we bestowed upon him so that a world full of sinners could be saved.

RSVP: Your presence is requested! God has invited YOU to the Great Banquet. That's exciting news - but that's not all! He's tasked us with handing out more invitations. By leading with the Gospel, we can ensure that there is room at the table that awaits all believers. Check "yes" to God's grand invitation, and bring your friends too!

This week we'll be studying Mark 9:42-50 under the theme of "Sensitivity to Sin." You've perhaps noticed that "sin" is not exactly a word that gets much usage in modern society. That's largely because our culture no longer fully believes in the basic concept. But Jesus takes sin and hell very seriously. Furthermore, he's not only concerned about our personal purity, but the influence our lives have on impressionable "little ones" in our midst. The bigger caring for the smaller has always been the pattern of a God of grace.

We continue our Lenten Vespers series "Questions of the Passion." Every step of the way, Jesus showed Judas nothing but grace. What would lead Judas to this betrayal? Why would God pick such a weak and flawed character to be the catalyst of our Savior's demise? We see our own sin in this story, and this is a beautiful time to repent of our own weaknesses and betrayals. Jesus suffered every injustice in our place. Stand in adoration of His surrender!

Today's study comes from Matthew 21: 28-32, The Parable of the Two Sons. As sinners, we are fighting a constant battle against Satan and his whisperings of denial. Customizing our own personal "gods" and ignoring the One God who matters is a trap that we fall prone to daily. As Christians, it is important to recognize these shortfalls and confess our need for a Savior. This Lenten season, we sorrowfully lay down our idols, pride, and guilt at the foot of the cross. Let Jesus speak His words of healing and mercy to you. Serve Him joyfully in His vineyard, and do the work He has graciously designed for you - all for His glory.

This week we'll be studying Mark 9:14-29 under the theme of "Dependent on God." Last week, we mentioned the spiritually self-aware statement of a man who exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) This week we look at his larger story, including the disciples' failure to drive out his son's demon, because they weren't dependent enough on God. Self-sufficiency, a noble-sounding demonic lie, is the enemy of spiritual health.

"Questions of the Passion" is the series for our devotions during Lent. Before his arrest, Jesus asked his disciples "Could You Not Keep Watch for One Hour?" while he prayed to God the Father in Gethsemane. He needed the spiritual support of his closest friends as the crushing weight of his impending death drew near. We face the same enemy as Jesus, the one who wants to destroy us and enslave our souls for eternity. Jesus asked for another way out, yet He submitted to His Father's will. We too are strengthened by the Father's promises. Look to Christ, our substitute. Stay anchored in His Word. Be confident in His forgiveness. Keep watch this Lenten season.

In fulfilling the Will of God, He followed the Word of God. Today's teaching comes from Luke 4:1-13, the account of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. However, it wasn't just this one time that Satan tried to tempt Him - but every single day of His earthly life. Satan tempts us by making us think that he can make our lives easier and more pleasant, and once we dive into that belief, it only brings about destruction and misery. To live our best life means to go God's way. Wield the ultimate weapon that is the Word of God, to defend against that old evil foe.

This week we'll be studying Mark 8:22-33 under the theme of "Seeing Life Clearly." In our text we'll be looking at an absolutely unique miracle, one only recorded for us in Mark's Gospel, where Jesus cures a blind man in stages. This is not because his first attempt at a miracle didn't take, but because Jesus was teaching a visual parable. Did the disciples understand? Do you? Embedded in the story is a powerful teaching about ongoing conversion.

Throughout the Bible, God chose to unveil his glory to his people in different ways. He showed only a fraction of His glory to Moses and through the Law, which would eventually fade away. Jesus displayed his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration to three of His disciples. Just as Moses and Jesus were transfigured, we, His people, are also transformed by His Light and His Word and seek to reflect that light in our daily lives.

This week we'll be studying Mark 7:1-23 under the theme of "Jesus & Religion." Human nature has a sinful tendency toward self-righteousness. It's a subtle, deadly rejection of Christ alone as the righteousness necessary for salvation. We add little manmade commands, bind consciences by them, and assume that if we keep them, we're closer to God based on something other than the merits of Jesus. This is the sin of the Pharisees, manmade religion, and unfortunately can creep into Christian churches as well. For the self-righteous person, life becomes a constant "washing" trying to rid ourselves of our feelings of inadequacy rather than resting in the righteousness of Christ.

Pastor Jeske continues the series EPIPHANY SIGNS AND WONDERS with #4: Jesus' power over death. Today's study comes from the Gospel of Luke 8:49-56, where Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. Just like Jairus' daughter, we too, will one day fall "asleep," putting aside all earthly sorrows, pains, and strife. This sleep is only temporary. When we awake at Jesus' side, we shall live again in eternal gladness.