River Church Sermons Lewis Marsh

Let Freedom Ring
Part One: Free to Serve Jesus, Gal. 1:1-10
By Louie Marsh, 6-2-2024
 
Intro – New Bible Trans – Map of Galatia,
 To be free to serve Jesus I need to know 4 things:
 
1) Know  WHERE  my loyalties lie.
 
“1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:” (Galatians 1:1–2, BSB)
 
I serve GOD not MAN.  
This gives me…
AUTHORITY  
1Paul, an Apostle, not from man or through men’s authority but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, the One who raised Him from among the corpses.  2And everyone with me, to the congregations in Galatia. Galatians 1:1-2 (LIV)
 
Not a translation or a paraphrase – but a Paralation!
CONFIDENCE POWER PURPOSE  
2) Know THE GOSPEL
 
“3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3–5, BSB)
 
“3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. 6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–7, BSB)
 
3) Know the COUNTERFEITS
 
“6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!” (Galatians 1:6–9, BSB)
 
 
“4For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.” (2 Corinthians 11:4, BSB)
 
4) Know that I can’t please EVERYONE.
 
“10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, BSB)
 
And I shouldn’t even be TRYING TOO.  
So I must choose to please either…
 
GOD  or MAN.  
 

The Gospel of Mark 1-8
Part 8: Lose the Leaven!
By Louie Marsh, 5-26-2024
 
Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.
 
The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are.  We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.'
 
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
 
The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are No problem. You don't need a ticket.  I'm sure you bought one.'
 
Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'"
 
1) To be like Jesus I must learn to THINK!
 
“14Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. (Mark 8:14–16, ESV)
 
They aren’t thinking, their reacting.
 
·       Jesus rebukes them for not using the BRAINS God gave them.
 
 17And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?” (Mark 8:17–18, ESV)
 
2) Then they understood SUBTLY change happens.
 
“12Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:12, ESV)
 
“33He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”” (Matthew 13:33, ESV)
 
3) The bad leaven also leads to HYPOCRISY.
 
“1In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:1–2, ESV)
 
The man-made teachings of the Pharisees were as pervasive as yeast in a loaf of bread. Their corruption advanced in hardly perceptible ways, but it was extensive. The Pharisees displayed an outward conformity to the law, but their hearts were full of unbelief and sinfulness (Mark 7:6–13).
 
“27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27–28, ESV)
 
What does this lead to – Drag Video
 
4) I must beware of what often seems like Godly LOVE.
 
“31And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” (Mark 8:31–33, ESV)
 
·       Love is good – but it is not ENOUGH.
 
“17He said to h

The Gospel of Mark 1-8
Part 7: Tradition!
By Louie Marsh, 5-19-2024
 
Last Slide – defining tradition.
 
1) Jesus didn’t CARE for mindless tradition.
 
“1Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)” (Mark 7:1–4, ESV)
 
·       This was done to be RITUALLY clean, no germaphobes!
 
·       Washing is just one of Jewish 1st Century traditions.
 
2) Traditions aren’t necessarily GOOD OR BAD.
 
“8You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)— 12then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”” (Mark 7:8–13, ESV)
 
·       Only God’s Word can be my AUTHORITY not tradition!
 
·       Never use tradition as an EXCUSE to disobey God.
 
·       The traditions I keep expose the true state of my HEART.
 
3) What comes out not what goes into me that DEFILES.
 
“17And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”” (Mark 7:17–23, ESV)
 
·       This means my heart is INCLINED to evil without God.
 
·       The natural state of the human heart is SELFISH.
 
4) There are COMMANDS from God, that are also called traditions.
 
“15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV)
 
·       These “traditions” aren’t COMPARABLE to pot lucks.
 
5) I must dare to BREAK traditions & follow Jesus.
 
“26Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.”” (Mark 7:26–29, ESV)
 
·       A Gentile woman asks Jesus to deliver her daughter -  non-traditional.
·       Jesus speaks to her – non-traditional, calls her a dog which is traditional.
·       She accepts her Gentile status – and still asks for deliverance – non-traditional.

The Gospel of Mark 1-8
Pt. 6: Being a Follower of Jesus
By Louie Marsh, 5-12-2024
 
Last slide – become what they want followers to become.
 
1) If I want to advance I’ve got to RETREAT.
 
“30The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” (Mark 6:30–32, ESV)
 
Divert daily, withdraw weekly, Abandon annually
 
2) When I have a chance to minister – I should  TAKE IT.
 
“33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:33–34, ESV)
 
3) I must never trust in MYSELF.
 
“35And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” (Mark 6:35–37, ESV)
 
4) Don’t put God in a human sized BOX.
 
38And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”” “39Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.” (Mark 6:38–41, ESV)
 
Jesus DID MIRACLES in many different ways…
 
·       He used CREATED materials.
 
“6Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.” (John 9:6–7, ESV)
 
“23And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” (Mark 8:23–25, ESV)
 
·       He simply SPOKE and a miracle happened.
 
“50Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” (John 4:50, ESV)
 
5) Trust God not only for today but for the FUTURE
 
“42And they all ate and were satisfied. 43And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.” (Mark 6:42–44, ESV)
 

The Gospel of Mark 1-8
Part 5: It’s Never Too Late
By Louie Marsh, 5-5-2024
Last Slide – God is never late
 
1) Above all else I must keep FOCUSED on Jesus.
 
“22Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.” (Mark 5:22–24, ESV)
 
·       Never be afraid to PRAY about anything!
 
“6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6, ESV)
 
·       Staying focused on Christ isn’t EASY.
 
“25And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”” (Mark 5:25–28, ESV)
 
2) God keeps a deeply PERSONAL focus on me & my growth.
 
“29And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ”” (Mark 5:29–31, ESV)
 
·       Jesus take time out of one ministry to personally ENCOURAGE her.
 
“33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”” (Mark 5:33–34, ESV)
 
3) I’m bothered by BUMPS in the road – not Jesus.
 
“35While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.” (Mark 5:35–37, ESV)
 
·       They laughed at Jesus and will do WORSE to me.
 
“39And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40And they laughed at him… (Mark 5:39–40a, ESV)
 
·       Jesus doesn’t waste time arguing, he ACTS.
 
…But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.” “41Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.” (Mark 5:40b–42, ESV)
 
4) Through it all, Christ is in CONTROL.
 
“43And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.” (Mark 5:43, ESV)