Sermons

Epiphany 2025

Series Theme - The Mighty One has Come

“The fulness of the incarnation that has taken place will be manifested in various ways during the Epiphany
season - and climatically in Lent and Easter soon to follow. The themes of Epiphany can be powerfully preached
and taught for the health and growth of the church. They are revelatory themes, suitable to the overall motif of
manifestation or showing forth - the basic definition of epiphaneia in New Testament Greek.” (Fleming Rutledge -
Epiphany)
Taking off on her thinking about the various ways the incarnation of Jesus reveals His powerful glory I have
landed on the overall theme being “The Mighty One has Come” (Mark 1:7). I propose preaching the following
eight texts from Mark’s gospel. The first and last texts reveal the Father’s affirmation of His much loved Son,
and the command for us to listen to Him. The middle six texts reveal how Jesus exercised His power to meet
the needs of people at the point of their need. These direct responses by Jesus to the particular concern are
where I especially hope to help the church grapple with our need for Him to act with power and might for us
and for our region.

The sermons and Epistle readings will be from the NASB, but I will use the KJV for the OT readings.

January 12
Sermon Title/Text - This is My Son (Mark 1:1-11)
My plan is to emphasize the relationship of love between the Father and the Son. Because Mark has just a brief
word about the baptism of Jesus, I will be drawing from the other gospels that record the same event.

January 19
Sermon Title/Text - Who is This? (Mark 4:35-41)
Who is this? What a great question to consider. Who is the one that even the wind and the sea obey HIm? The
call to faith begins with our understanding of who He is. The comfort we need in times when we are afraid are
also deeply rooted in getting that question answered rightly. I hope I can provide a solid answer to the question:
Who is This? And, why does it seem at times that Jesus is still asleep?

January 26
Sermon Title/Text - Come Out (Mark 5:1-20)
Jesus not only had authority over the winds and the sea but also over the demonic world. Getting the identity
of Jesus right is once again important to receiving the powerful miracle needed. But this time, it was the
Demons who knew His identity and not the people. And then that odd little ending where the man wants to go
with Jesus but Jesus says, no. Go back home and let your people know what God has done for you.

February 2
Sermon Title/Text - Go in Peace (Mark 5:21-34)
This sermon is really a two-parter as two stories are being told within each other. Peace is the gift Jesus gives as
this precious woman is healed from her disease. While the woman receives immediate help and peace, the ruler
of the synagogue is still waiting for his miracle. Will it come?

February 9
Sermon Title/Text - Only Believe (Mark 5:21-43)
We return to Jarius and the need for a miracle. Will the healer be able to deliver? The objections are many but
faith must overcome each of them. What an ending as the faith of Jarius holds on the promise of Jesus.

February 16
Sermon Title/Text - Do not be Afraid (Mark 6:45-52)
Fear and faith continue to be story lines for Mark. Only this time something defective is revealed in the lives of
the disciples. We must keep in mind that while the power of Jesus is revealed to our outward senses, it is the
inward transformation that is of most importance.

February 23
Sermon Title/Text - The Demon is Gone (Mark 7:24-30)
It is quite a thing to consider how much demonic activity there was throughout Israel in the time of the
ministry of Jesus. But unlike the previous man who was delivered this time it is a little girl and she is the
daughter of a Gentile. What will Jesus do? And, what does His response teach us about His intentions for the
nations?

March 2
Sermon Title/Text - Listen to Him (Mark 9:2-13)
The final sermon takes us back to the beginning of the series (more or less) as it shows us the incredible
relationship of love between the Father and the Son. This sermon will not only put a wrap on Epiphany but
introduce Lent and push a bit into Holy Week and Easter. Why should we listen to Jesus? Once we see His
power and understand more fully His identity it becomes obvious that we would be utterly foolish to now listen to Him.