Pastor's Corner: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

  Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures (Or, “The Death of the Passover-King”) Mark 15:33-37 Introduction: Memorial Day is a day for all Americans to remember and honor those who served to preserve our freedom and paid the ultimate price. I hope you will take time tomorrow to think about those who laid down their lives for us. Their sacrifices helped preserve our freedom… even this freedom we are expressing today as we come together and worship. Not all nations have such freedom! It is appropriate on this Memorial Day weekend that our series in Mark brings us to the account of the death of Jesus on the cross . Because of His sacrifice we are free from bondage to sin and to Satan: “ If the Son therefore should make you free, you shall be free indeed! ” That brings us to... The BIG Idea : The Cross was the place of divine judgement against sin, and the death of the Son, as our substitute, is the only way to forgiveness and reconciliation with God. We’ll look ...

  THE KING ON THE CROSS: What more could He have done? Mark 15:21-32 Introduction : Brennan Manning, the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, enlisted in the army with his childhood friend Ray. They had grown up together and stayed best friends… Together they went to Boot Camp, and then served on the front lines during the Korean war.   One night while sitting in a foxhole, Brennan was reminiscing about the old days in Brooklyn while Ray listened and ate a chocolate bar. Suddenly a live grenade came into the trench. Ray dropped his chocolate bar, looked at Brennan, smiled, and then threw himself on the live grenade. It exploded, killing Ray instantly, but Brennan was saved. Years later, Brennan was visiting Ray’s mother in Brooklyn . They sat up late one night having tea when Brennan asked her, “Do you think Ray loved me?” Mrs. Brennan got up off the couch, shook her finger in front of Brennan’s face and shouted, “What more could he have done for you?” Brennan said that m...