suffering

That We May See and Believe

Though Jesus is the King of all kings, no one in our passage is recorded here as recognizing it.  In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  Jesus had been condemned to death for claiming to be the King of Jews.  That was the final charge that warranted the Roman death penalty.  And so in this passage, we finally see Jesus crucified.  And in these last few scenes, we see Jesus mocked as king.  We see him suffer and die as king.  And sadly, we see people completely miss him as king.  And so whether it was the mob mentality, or just plain the sinfulness of man, everyone in this passage seems to be turning against Jesus, denying that he is the Christ, and therefore denying that he is the King.  The inscription that identified him in verse 26, “The King of the Jews” was ironically so right, and yet so fully denied.  ANd yet even as the masses mocked and denied him as king, God’s Word was being fulfilled that foretold that this king would suffer exactly in this way.

Passage: Mark 15:16-32
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/15/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: That We May See and Believe

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They All Said Likewise

How far are you willing to follow someone?  Are you willing to follow someone, even to your death?  Who you are going to follow, and when it is fool hearty to give up your life, and when it is noble, isn’t always so easy to tell.  This tension is behind our passage for today in Mark.  The disciples will be instantly confronted with a choice.  How far are they willing to follow Jesus?  By this point, Jesus had repeatedly told them that his future held suffering and death.  At this point, that suffering and death is imminent.  It will be that very night that Jesus is betrayed by Judas.  The next day he will be convicted, beaten, and hung on the cross to his death.  That was Jesus’ imminent future.  Would they stand by Jesus at that time?  Would they faithfully follow Jesus all the way to the end?  What the disciples thought isn’t what Jesus knew would happen.  In this sermon we’ll see how the loving Shepherd takes care of his wayward sheep.

Passage: Mark 14:27-31
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 01/25/2009 in Novato, CA.

Manuscript: They All Said Likewise

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What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

In our passage for today, we have three specific events all of which are very similar to things that have already happened in Mark.  I mean, yes, they are new and distinct events in the history of Jesus’ ministry, but what’s going on and the general lessons that are being taught are some of the very same specific points that have just been taught in the last few chapters.  And so our temptation today might be to zone out.  We could say, yes, yes, I’ve heard these lessons before.  And yet the fact that Jesus is reteaching even the disciples here some of the same lessons, shows that we sometimes need these lessons repeated.  And so let’s look at what this passage has to say about Jesus’ mission of suffering, and even how we relate to that mission.

Passage: Mark 10:32-52
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 10/12/2008 in Novato, CA.

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If Christ Is Not Risen – A Defense of the Resurrection

In the words of verse 1 from 1 Corinthians 15, I “declare to you the gospel;” this very gospel which has been preached from the apostles, recorded in the Scriptures, and handed down through the centuries.  The gospel that was foretold in the Old Testament; the very gospel which declares that Christ died for our sins on the cross, was buried, and then raised from the dead on the third day!  And yet as we look at this passage in 1 Corinthians 15, we are reminded that the fact of the resurrection has not always been well received, even in the church.  Paul in this letter is confronting an issue in the Corinthian church.  Evidently some in the church had been teaching that there is no resurrection of the dead.  In other words, people who claimed to be Christians, were saying that there is no resurrection of the dead!  And so Paul instantly responds by showing that such a view is not consistent with the Christian faith.  Paul hypothetically considers what it would mean for Christians, if Christ had not been raised.  His ultimate conclusion comes in verse 19.  He concludes by saying that if Christ had not been raised, then we of all people, as Christians, would be most to be pitied.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-19
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 03/23/2008 in Novato, CA.
Other Scripture Readings: Psalm 16; Matthew 28:1-15; 1 Peter 1:3-9

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