St Marcus MKE Sermons

"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.

This week we'll be studying Mark 6:14-29 under the theme of "Beheading the Prophet." According to Jesus himself, John the Baptist was amongst the greatest humans ever born. So, why does he have to get imprisoned and executed...for doing the right thing? Jesus, of course, was perfect, but was crucified to pay for our sins. But does his cross not take our smaller crosses away? Why does following him even add a cross to our lives? This week's lesson gets to the heart of how the Christian life is not merely about bringing immediate results, but about glorifying the Father in discipleship by walking a path similar to that of the Son.

This week we'll be studying Mark 5:21-43 under the theme of "Expressing Faith." This text contains a fascinating story within a story, with wonderful parallels between them. Faith includes not only trust that God can help us, and loves to help us, but also that his timeline for helping us is better than ours. Here we are encouraged by several humble individuals who are rewarded for placing their faith in Jesus.

Pastor Jeske continues the series EPIPHANY SIGNS AND WONDERS with #3: Jesus' power over the animal world. The bible study highlights Jesus’ knowledge and power over creation. Jesus used the fishing miracle recorded in Luke 5:1–11 to illustrate a great spiritual truth. The devil is a fisher of people just like Jesus is a fisher of people. The devil has his hooks out and is trying to hook people, and he does. He hooks them on drugs. He hooks them on alcohol. He hooks them on lust. But Jesus is in a great fishing enterprise also. Jesus wants to use us as His partners in the fishing enterprise to catch people alive, to win men and women to salvation and to service.

This week we'll be studying Mark 4:21-34 under the theme of "3 More Parables." These parables all come on the heels of a more famous parable, "The Sower and the Seeds" (4:1-20). In these 3 subsequent parables, Jesus teaches powerful truths about the privatization of faith, the rationalization of faith, and the underestimation of faith. And in the final of the three, he brilliantly explains the gospel in terms of an unimpressive seed that reaches to the heavens.

Pastor Jeske continues his bible study series, “Epiphany Signs and Wonders”, with #2: “Jesus’s power over human disease”. Matthew 8:5-13 is an astounding account of Jesus healing a person from a distance. The centurion displays great faith in Jesus, recognizing Jesus to be the Messianic deliverer who can heal on the authority of his word alone.

This week we'll be studying Mark 3:7-19 under the theme of "Made Disciples by Jesus." Many were attracted to Jesus due to what he could offer. Far fewer were willing to follow him on a path to discipleship. This path requires intimacy with Christ, growing in Christian community, going where God sends you, fueled by a New Name you've been given.

Pastor Jeske launches a new message series on “Epiphany Signs and Wonders”. Today’s study “#1: Jesus' power over nature” dives into Joshua 10:1-14 and Mark 4:35-41 where accounts are given when God displays His power over nature. In Mark’s gospel, the disciples are on a journey toward faith. We, as Mark’s readers, not only are watching this journey but are also drawn into the same experience of moving toward faith in Jesus Christ. One of the questions here comes from the disciples: who is Jesus? Even the wind and the waves obey him. If the disciples truly knew who Jesus was and had faith in him, they would not have feared for their lives. The kind of faith Jesus requires is faith in him—properly understood—even in the face of death.

This week we'll be studying Mark 2:18-2 under the theme of "New Wineskins." Jesus continues to explain to the Pharisees why his gospel ministry CANNOT be patched onto their ministry of self-righteousness. And he uses some really helpful analogies about bridegrooms, clothing patches, and new wineskins in which he embeds some timeless wisdom. We'll learn how this affects the form and spirit of Christian ministry today.

Pastor Jeske’s bible study is on Exodus 1:6-22: “Fight Dehumanization!”. In the opening chapter of Exodus, the lack of humanity is displayed by the Egyptian Kings in their ruthless oppression over the Israelites. Some of the Israelites were put to work in the fields, while many others were assigned construction projects. As their numbers continued to grow, Pharaoh embarked on a path of ethnic cleansing and even infanticide. Despite their harsh treatment, the Israelites continue to increase numerically. The abundance of the people of Israel is only a small microcosm of the people whom God would call to himself across the span of the centuries. Pharaoh’s cruelty toward the Israelites was legendary. Paul wrote that God had raised up this brutal pharaoh so that He might demonstrate His divine power in defeating this earthly ruler.

This week we'll be studying Mark 2:13-17 under the theme of "Jesus is TOO GOOD for None and All." This text briefly covers the calling of Matthew, the tax collector, to become one of Jesus' disciples. The text also shares how the self-righteous Jewish religious leaders reacted to such a selection. Finally, Jesus explains that sin functions like a sickness that needs not only medicine but a loving Physician. Through it all, we learn a great deal about our personal ministerial callings.

Today's bible study looks at Jesus' Baptism and what God gives us through it. Diving into Titus 3:4-7, it shows the three persons of the Godhead in close collaboration for the sake of believers, with special emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. God our Savior sent Jesus Christ our Savior, who saved us and justified us by his grace. God, through Christ, then poured out his Spirit on believers to spiritually regenerate them, cleanse them, and renew them, making them heirs of eternal life.

This week we'll be studying Mark 1:21-28 under the theme of "Jesus' Medicinal Teaching." In this text, Jesus preaches in a synagogue, revealing his authority, and then demonstrates his authority over a man possessed by a demon. This reveals the truth that Jesus is the ULTIMATE Authority over the physical & spiritual realm. But it also raises interesting questions about what level of authority Jesus plays in our lives. For that matter, are demons active the same way today? Do they affect our health? Do they show up in churches as they did here, and if so, what does it look like? What type of health would we experience if we were willing to fully submit to the authority of Jesus?

Today, we continue to celebrate the Christmas season with Pastor Jeske's bible study, "Christmas Changed the World Invisibly". Diving into Luke 2:36-38, Luke continues the themes of expectation we've read so far. Anna the prophetess, was, like Simeon, a member of the faithful remnant of Israel who was waiting for the advent of the Messiah. Anna thanks God and speaks to all the faithful people of God about Jesus. Her teaching would have been heard by all who frequented the temple. Her hope, like Simeon's, looks to the completion of what God is starting.

This week we'll be studying Mark 1:1-8. In this text, we encounter John the Baptist, the prophet that was testified to at the end of the Old Testament. John the Baptist's ministry lays the foundation for Jesus, points to Jesus, and demonstrates how the true God is typically encountered in the wilderness of life. Consequently, those who currently find themselves in the wilderness, if they humble themselves and listen, will find God.

Based on Revelation 21:1-7. I. A Yet Unquenched Thirst (vs.4-6) II. A Gospel of Inheritance (vs.5-7) III. The Transformation of the Earth (vs.1-3)

On the first Sunday of the Christmas season, our them for worship is "A Substitute for Christmas". Pastor Leyrer's bible study "Behold Your Bethlehem Brother!" dives into Hebrews 2:10-18 focusing on two points: I. His Cradle Led to the Cross II. His Cross Helps Us Overcome Our Crosses. Christ’s incarnation aimed at founding a new priesthood; as a priest of this priesthood, Jesus could forever make intercession between God and humanity and secure a perfect propitiation for sin.

Based on Luke 2: 8-20. Everyone is afraid. For all the excitement that surrounds Christmas, we humans tend to use the time around the holiday as a distraction from our daily fears. The First Christmas was also surrounded in terror. However, take comfort because we are told to "not be afraid." We need to listen and trust what we have been told by God through His Word. On this Christmas Eve, we ponder the good news of the Word made Flesh, just as Mary did upon our Messiah's arrival.

Pastor Jeske concludes his Advent series "What Magnificent Advent Plan!" with his Bible study on Galatians 3:26 - 4:7 - "Perfect Timing". Paul gives his final contrast between God's people before Christ's coming and the position they enjoy now. Paul has been stressing the temporal nature of the change. At this point he dwells on their status, moving from being slaves to becoming sons and daughters of their heavenly Father. Although Israel prayed for the Messiah to come during its many terrible times of national crisis, God waited until the world was ready to receive His Son—when the message of the gospel could be carried to the ends of the earth.

This week we'll be studying Judges 16:23 - 31 under the theme "The Weakness of Samson." Samson is famous for his feats of strength, but is was actually spiritual weakness that characterized most of his life. Disobedience to God, breaking his vows, and serving other gods are what ultimately led to his death. But in that rock bottom moment, in repentance, he returned to the One who'd given him every good thing. Samson was constantly failing. But God's grace to him was relentlessly unfailing. In his death, Samson saved more than in his life. And in so many ways, he points us to someone even greater, who was strong in his weakness, and saved many in his death.

Pastor Leyrer concludes his Advent Series "To Us a Child Is Born!" reflecting on Isaiah 9:6 "He Will Be Called...Prince of Peace."

Pastor Jeske' continues his advent series "What a Magnificent Advent Plan!" discussing the "retroactive benefits" in Hebrews 11:8-19. These verses highlight the glorious outcome of a lifetime of faith. The author reminds his readers that people like Abraham did not, in this life, receive all that they had been promised. God promised Abraham a nation as numerous as the stars. But all that Abraham received, in this life, was Isaac. Abraham died not yet receiving his nation. This did not stop Abraham from pressing on in faith. His faith was not in the reward but the God of the reward.

This week we'll be studying Judges 11:29 - 40 under the theme "The Recklessness of Jephthah." Like all of us, Jephthah is a bit of a product of his environment. He was raised in a highly dysfunctional environment, became a violent gang leader, but was tremendously gifted in leadership and battle. Unfortunately, though he knew who the true God was, Jephthah approached the Lord God not similar to the way the pagans worshipped their gods. In other words, he couldn't conceive of a God of grace, and it led him into doing, and saying, some really dangerous things. In Jephthah, we're reminded that God can use anyone to accomplish his purposes, but also that God's people will not want to approach him like any God, but as the one true God of grace.

In week two of Pastor Leyrer's advent series, we look at Isaiah 9:6 with the focus on "He Will Be Called...Everlasting Father". The prophet gives four throne names for Jesus in this verse - one being "Everlasting Father". He will be an enduring, compassionate provider and protector.