St Marcus Mke Sermons

This week we'll be studying Ephesians 4:25-32 as we worship under the theme "Disconnection from OTHER PEOPLE." In an unapologetically individualistic society, it's important to note that not only is depression prevalent, but our impulses to overcome depression (which are inherently individualistic) only exacerbate the problem. To be cured, we need to stop being ourselves, and start immersing ourselves in the lives of others. Theologically speaking, this is the doctrine of "The Church." God designed us for one another, and here also teaches us how to live constructively with one another.

Mark Jeske will be doing a bible study on Psalm 66:1-12 explaining how to "Re-energize" with the power that God gives.

This week Pastor Hein will be studying Colossians 3:22-25 as we worship under the theme "Disconnection from MEANINGFUL WORK." On Labor Day weekend, it's worth taking a moment and reflecting on the theological purposes of labor. So many Christians struggle, as does the world, with finding meaning in daily efforts, beyond simply a paycheck. But from the Garden of Eden onward, God infused work with meaning when he told humanity, created in his image, to "subdue the earth." In this lesson we will see how daily work is meaningful, what the goal of work for a Christian should be, and how to find fulfillment in doing "whatever" to the glory of God.

A Sermon from Mark Jeske: This Sunday we'll be studying Luke 24:36-49 as we worship under the theme Re-church: Rethink.

Ron Kelly leads a bible study based on 2 Corinthians 4:1-17. "Our Identity in Christ".

This week we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 as we worship under the theme "My Impending Resurrection".

A Sermon from Mark Jeske: This Sunday we'll be studying 1 Samuel 7:1-13 as we worship under the theme: Re-church: Survive the Disruption.

A Sermon from James Hein:This week we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 as we worship under the theme "My Love".  Most tend to forget that when Paul penned this text, which is read at virtually every wedding, Paul was never just asked "What is Love?" and then provided some sentimental musings. No, he's writing it after 12 other chapters addressing the spiritual pride of the Corinthian Church. This group believed their identity was wrapped up in their giftedness. And as Paul defines love, he's offering a critique of the way many religious people view Christianity, a critique of the way the modern world views love, and teaching us that love is actually much more a person than a concept.

A Sermon from Dan Leyrer: This Sunday we'll be studying Romans 8:26-27 as we worship under the theme: "Give it Over to God". We will be discussing the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit's intercession in our prayer life.

A Sermon from James Hein: This Saturday we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 as we worship under the theme "My Gifts". Many Christians have thought vary little about the purpose of their spiritual gifting. They know their StrengthsFinder assessment, their Enneagram profile, and certainly their personal preferences; but their spiritual gifting remains something more mysterious. EVERY believer is uniquely gifted. And the purpose of that gifting is to glorify God by loving and serving others ahead of self. But what is your gift? Where should you plug in? If only half a body works, it's generally considered "disabled." Christ gifts his entire body to accomplish his extraordinary purposes. The Apostle Paul teaches us how to think about that this week.

A Sermon by Mark Jeske: This Sunday we'll be studying Job 38:1-11 as we worship under the theme "Enjoy God's Amazing Creation".

A Sermon by James Hein: This Saturday we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 as we worship under the theme "The Meal of Fellowship". Much of the debate over the years surrounding the Lord's Supper, and this text in particular, pertains to what is or is not truly present in Holy Communion.  Deservedly so. Significantly less time, however, has unfortunately been given to the context. The Corinthians are so worldly that Paul goes to the extent of saying they're not even celebrating the Lord's Supper, though they think they are. Their lifestyle and interactions with one another are so contradictory to what God designed them to be, that they're doing more harm than good. So...what lifestyle IS the Lord's Supper designed to promote and celebrate? We'll get to the bottom of it.

This week we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 as we worship under the theme "My 'Rights'". Christians are blessed with many freedoms. It's an essential concept to faith, as Jesus died to set us free. That said, there is such a thing as an abuse of Christian freedom, and the Corinthians struggled with that too. Abusing freedom involves not only exercising freedoms excessively, but exercising them in ways that are unloving to "weaker" brothers & sisters. The Christian faith is as much or more about "we" than it is about "me." Paul has a great deal more to say as he helps reconcile the divisions in Corinth.

Based on Jeremiah 28: 5-9, Pastor Leyrer asks "When will I find peace?". No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.

This week we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 as we worship under the theme "Understanding Sex & Marriage." There is not a single more candid, practical section in the Bible for addressing human sexuality, temptation, romantic relationships, and what to do about all of it. While these conversations sometimes make me highly uncomfortable, they always tend to bear so much fruit. God's design for human sexuality, as well as the way he talks about intimacy with Him, its amazing!

As we observe Independence Day Pastor Jeske will take us through his message “You Don’t Have to Like the King to Support the King,” which is based on Daniel 1:1-7.

1 Corinthians 6:1-11 Christianity is nothing if it isn't forgiveness. So what would does it say to the world if two Christians cannot resolve their conflicts without taken it to a secular court? Christians are not necessarily the most talented, most beautiful, or most intelligent, but we  should absolutely be leading the world in skills of conflict resolution - patience, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

This week we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 as we worship under the theme "Different From The World." Paul has talked about pride (self-righteousness, boasting, identity) for 4 chapters. Now he's going to teach on a manifestation of that pride: an incident of unrepentant sexual immorality in the church and the church's tolerance, even pride, of it. This chapter is one of Scripture's great teachings on self-discipline and church discipline.

Join us for our annual Juneteenth worship, celebrating our freedom in Christ, our diverse membership in a diverse neighborhood, and our compelling mission in the city. You will hear an original poem by Ron Kelly, traditional spirituals, gospel music by the Distinctively Different Quartet, and a Bible study on living our freedom from Galatians 5.

This week we'll be studying 1 Corinthians 3:16-4:7 as we worship under the theme "The End of Self." As Paul helps shepherd a messy church in Corinth from a distance, he's eventually going to give them practical guidance on issues like sexuality, marriage, abuse of freedoms, lawsuits, worship, spiritual gifts, etc. But he's addressing the underlying issue first - i.e. PRIDE manifesting itself in self-righteousness. The church in Corinth needs to empty themselves of pride. They need a new perception of self that comes from viewing themselves only through the lens of Jesus' cross. They need to find their identity only in Christ. In this section, Paul teaches the freedom of losing yourself in Christ.