Sermons Christ Community Church: Daytona Beach, FL

The important thing is: are you investing what you DO have? The knowledge you've been given, the time, the money, the energy. Yes, we absolutely should be ambitious for the Lord, we should want to take great risks on his behalf, but don’t break yourself on the wheel of what he hasn’t given you.

Persevering in prayer is fueled by God’s secure promises.

These parables Jesus tells are first and foremost about the kingdom of HEAVEN. And he has been saying, the kingdom of heaven has arrived. It’s here now. And Jesus says, you can enter it. All of you. Anyone who comes to Him can enter it freely because of Him, and what He's done.

So, what is the spiritual meaning of what he is asking here about a lamp? He is making it clear that Jesus did not come to hide his identity. And what does light do? It illuminates, it reveals, it exposes and Jesus has come to do the same, to illuminate truth, to reveal himself, and to shine his light into the darkness.

This morning we come to a parable that is only one sentence, only 28 words in our English translations. But although the parable is tiny, it packs an enormous punch. Which is exactly what the parable is about. It’s about how an invisible thing can change the world.

It's about whether or not the blessings we enjoy bring about the fruit that God seeks.

Let’s consider three questions from this passage. Firstly, how often should you forgive? Second, how much have YOU been forgiven? Third, how is it possible to forgive?

One of the ways we remember the gospel is in our prayers. We can appropriate the truths of the gospel as we cry out to the Lord for help and hope. Doing so helps us set our minds on what is true. It reshapes our emotions. And it draws us closer to the Lord as we respond in joy and Thanksgiving for all that he has done and will do.

The only way to live wisely in this life is to shrewdly use whatever we have now in light of the brevity of earthly life and the reality of eternity.

But if you put your faith in CHRIST… your faith won’t be shaken. Because even if you die, or your loved one dies, that doesn’t change the fact that Christ is Lord, it doesn’t change the fact that he was resurrected from death, and it doesn’t change the fact that he will raise you from death, and this entire world from death, when he comes.

And as Mark continues, it’s as if he’s saying to us, ok you think these people are slow to get who Jesus is, what about you? Do you get it yet? If YOU had been there, at the cross, would YOU have recognized who Jesus is, and what he’s achieving there?

God does not want us to substitute outward actions for a heart-deep relationship with him.

Firstly, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Vv25-28) Secondly, who is my neighbor? (Vv29-37) And thirdly, where am I in this parable? (Who am I supposed to identify with, or imitate?)

You must not let money blind you to the reality that to be wise in this world you must be rich toward God.

Jesus gives us two warnings in this passage, and these will be our two main headings this morning: First: beware of saying without doing. And second: beware of building on the wrong foundation.

Those who are utterly convinced of the value of Christ and His Kingdom will give up everything to gain that kingdom.

This is a parable about how all of us are in danger of listening without really listening. Hearing without really hearing.

Following Jesus means letting his words, in the Scriptures, shape our lives as his disciples.

When Jesus calls us to follow him. He is calling us to live like him.

A disciple’s devotion to Jesus comes from an experience of and appreciation for his grace.