Messages by Michael Staley (Page 5)
Watchers and the Betrayers
Mark 14:32-52 Before the betrayer did the job that he was determined to do, Jesus prayed. He prayed to the father asking for options, but there were none so He submitted to the will of the Father and He prepared Himself to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Scriptures Referenced Isaiah 53:1-8 Daniel 9:24-26 1 Timothy 2:3-4 Zechariah 13:7-9
Prayer
Mark 14:32-41a Prayer, conversation with God. What an insightful thing to do, to ask Jesus, the Son of God how to pray. And what a gift, that Jesus would share with His disciples, the concepts we need to understand to have effective prayers with our God. Scriptures Referenced Luke 5:15-16 Matthew 6:9-13 Mark 1:35 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Communion and Commitment
Mark 14:22-31 Communion is an important sacrament instituted by Jesus, Himself as a practice that helps us remember and identify with Him. He has done everything we need for salvation and all we have to do is believe in Him, repent of our sins and commit our lives to Him. Scriptures Referenced John 10:9-13 Zechariah 13:7
Dinner With Jesus
Mark 14:12-26 Do you wonder if the disciples were surprised when Jesus told them He had been longing to have supper with them? It was a special evening and a special meal that Jesus shared with them in the upper room. Scriptures Referenced Romans 10:9-13 Deuteronomy 16:5-6 John 13:21-30 Luke 22:8 Luke 22:21-23 John 13:31-35 Exodus 12:1-13 Matthew 26:20-25
Doing for Jesus?
Mark 14:1-11 Even though Jesus wasn’t well regarded by the religious authorities, He was loved by many people and many cared for Him. Some even made huge sacrifices to meet His needs, not even realizing the sacrifice He would make for them was beyond anything they could imagine. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 26:1-13 John 12:1-8 Luke 22:1-2 Luke 7:36–50 John 11:45-53
What’s Your Problem Jonah
Jonah 4:1-11 Just because God uses you to accomplish His purposes, doesn’t mean that you are going to like it. Jonah did what God called him to do, but he didn’t like the results. It seems kind of foolish, but God’s will, will be done. And that’s a good thing, like it or not. Scriptures Referenced Genesis 22:15-18 Matthew 12:39-41 Esther 4:13-14 Luke 11:29-32 Matthew 22:37-39
It Seems Fishy to Me (Part 2)
Jonah 2:1-10, 3:1-10 After dining with a big fish for a few days, Jonah is energized and prays to God because he is ready to do the work that God has prepared for him. After landing on a beach and taking a little walk, Jonah travels through the streets of Ninevah preaching a message of repentance. The funny thing is, it worked! The people repented and God didn’t destroy Ninevah, at least not then. Scriptures Referenced Jonah 1:17 1 Samuel…
It Seems Fishy to Me (Part 1)
Jonah 1:1-17 God speaks to Jonah and tells him He has a job for him to do. Jonah turns and tries to run away and since God sees him taking a little holiday, God decides Jonah needs to spend a little time fishing, so he is fresh for the challenge that awaits him. Scriptures Referenced 2 Kings 14:25 1 Kings 22:8 Genesis 10:8-12
What Will Be The Sign
Mark 13:7-37 The disciples wondered about the things that Jesus told them were going to happen. They also wondered when they were going to happen. This message looks at that conversation and tries to make sense of what Jesus said in light of what is currently going on in the world. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 24:6 Matthew 24:29-31
Do Not Be Misled
Mark 12:35-13:1-6 We are warned repeatedly not to be misled in the scriptures. The only way that we can do that is to know what the scriptures say, so we need to study them and learn them. If you know the scriptures well enough to know God’s character, you will be well prepared to avoid lies, distractions, and deceit. Scriptures Referenced 2 Tim 2:15 Mat 28:18-20 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Acts 17:10-11 2 Corinthians 13:14 1 Corinthians 15:52 Matthew 3:16–17 Phillipians…
Hypocrisy, Hypocrisy, Curiosity?
Mark 12:13-34 When we seek God, we need to do it with good intentions and without hypocrisy. When our search for God is only to find Him and demand that He bend to our will, our bad intentions will lead to difficulty and struggle because God is sovereign and His will is what matters. Truly, we should be interested in seeking His will because He wants what is best for us, always. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 22:15 John 11:53 Deuteronomy 25:5-6…
By Whose AutHORITY?
Mark 11:27-33, 12:1-12 When someone asks a simple question with bad motives, are you obligated to provide them an answer. Jesus didn’t think so, so He asked a simple question in response. An honest answer would have gained the questioners the answer that they sought. The result, no answer was given that day. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 21:1 Matthew 3:1-3 Isaiah 28:16 Exodus 18:13-24 Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 118:23 Romans 3:23 Psalm 118:22 Romans 3:1-4a