Ekklesia Churches Sermons

Galatians 6:11–18 — Marked by the Cross

What truly marks a Christian? Paul’s closing words to the Galatians remind us that it’s not our background, our works, or our outward rituals — it’s the cross of Christ alone.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on April 20, 2025 (Easter Sunday).
In this final message from Galatians, Dan highlights Paul’s personal appeal: believers must resist any gospel of outward performance and cling solely to the life-transforming work of Jesus. There is no substitute for a life marked by the cross.
Teaching Highlights:
We boast only in the cross of Christ, not in our works or religious efforts.
True transformation is an inward work of becoming a new creation.
Standing firm on the gospel may cost us comfort, but it leads to true life.
A Christian is marked not by outward symbols but by the Spirit’s work within.
The simple and powerful good news is this: by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus alone, we are saved — and it is worth every cost to follow Him.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 1:1–15 — The Time Has Come

What if everything you’ve been waiting for has already arrived? In the opening words of his Gospel, Mark boldly announces that Jesus is the promised Son of God — the one foretold, confirmed by heaven, and proven in the wilderness.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan Morse on May 4, 2025.
This message launches a new series in the Gospel of Mark, a fast-moving, action-packed record of Jesus’ life and ministry. Here in the first 15 verses, Mark sets the tone: Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet — he is the long-awaited Messiah and the very Son of God, bringing good news to a broken world.
 
Teaching Highlights:
Jesus was foretold by the prophets, confirmed by God the Father, and proven through temptation.
The wilderness is a place of both testing and preparation — Jesus enters it for us.
His baptism models identification with sinners, even though he had no sin.
Jesus begins his ministry with a clear call: “Repent and believe the gospel.”
 
For a world full of suffering, sin, and longing for stability, this Gospel begins with a stunning claim: the time is fulfilled — Jesus has come.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 1:16–34 — Following the Lord of Heaven and Earth

What kind of authority is worth following? In this message, we see Jesus calling his first disciples — not just to a classroom, but to himself — and then revealing his power through teaching, healing, and compassion.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on May 11, 2025.
In this second section of Mark 1, Jesus begins his public ministry by inviting ordinary men into an extraordinary life. He demonstrates his authority over both the spiritual and physical world — and shows his deep compassion for those he came to save.
 
Teaching Highlights:
Jesus calls us to himself, not to a program or institution.
He qualifies the unqualified — the only prerequisite is to follow.
His teaching carries divine authority, not secondhand tradition.
Jesus’ compassion is personal: he draws near, touches, heals, and restores.
 
Jesus is the Lord of heaven and earth — and he is still calling disciples to trust him and follow.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 1:35–45 — Expectations of Jesus

What do you expect from Jesus — and what if he doesn’t meet those expectations? In the final verses of Mark 1, Jesus challenges his disciples’ assumptions and ours, choosing mission over popularity and bringing the outsider in through healing.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on May 18, 2025.
This message explores two scenes: Jesus retreating to pray and moving on from Capernaum despite his rising fame, and Jesus healing a leper in an act of compassion.
Teaching Highlights:
Jesus prioritizes prayer and the Father’s will over an enthusiastic crowd.
True blessing is found in the pleasure of God, obtained through Jesus!
The leper’s healing shows that Jesus comes to cleanse the outsider, which is all of us!
Our expectations of Jesus must be shaped by the cross, not our own desires.
Jesus doesn’t always do what we expect, but we can always expect Him to work all things our for His glory and our good.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 2:1–12 — Able and Willing

What kind of Savior do we need — and is Jesus really able and willing to meet that need? In his return to Capernaum, Jesus amazes the crowd by healing a paralyzed man, but also by declaring something even more powerful: “Your sins are forgiven.”
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on May 25, 2025.
Teaching Highlights:
Faith is more than belief — it’s action rooted in dependence on Jesus.
Jesus knows our deepest need is not physical, but spiritual restoration.
The forgiveness Jesus offers is a miracle greater than healing.
Some are drawn to Jesus in faith, others resist — but all must respond.
The good news? Jesus is both willing and able to forgive, heal, and restore all who come to him in faith.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 2:13–17 — The Call of Grace

Who deserves a seat at Jesus’ table? Jesus not only calls a hated tax collector to follow him — he reclines at his table, offering intimate fellowship to the outcasts everyone else avoided.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on June 1, 2025.
This message from Mark 2:13–17 dives deep into the grace-filled call of Jesus, showing that no one earns a place with him — and yet all who follow are fully welcomed. As Jesus calls Levi, later known as Matthew, he reveals a Gospel that turns religious assumptions upside down. Those who know they're sick, not the self-righteous, are the ones who receive healing and forgiveness.
Teaching Highlights:
Jesus calls the unqualified — not based on merit, but grace.
He not only calls sinners, but welcomes them in.
The table of Levi becomes the table of the Lord, a picture of Gospel fellowship.
Jesus’ mission is clear: he came not for the righteous (which NONE of us are), but for sinners.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 2:18–22 — Something New

Is Jesus just here to patch things up — or is he doing something entirely new? In this passage, Jesus is questioned about why his disciples don’t follow the religious patterns of the day — especially fasting. His answer contrasts the rigid, performance-based system of the Pharisees with the grace-filled presence of Jesus, who invites us not into a better method, but into a new identity, new righteousness, and new relationship with God.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on June 8, 2025.
Teaching Highlights:
Jesus is not a patch for old religion — he brings a completely new garment of righteousness.
He doesn’t fit into our systems or expectations — he calls us into relationship.
God’s presence is no longer contained in a place — by his Spirit, he now dwells within his people.
The good news isn’t that Jesus can hold your life together — it’s that he came to make you entirely new.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 2:23–3:6 — Lord of the Sabbath

What kind of rest does Jesus really offer — and what does it cost to receive it? In two connected Sabbath scenes, Jesus confronts religious expectations and calls people to a rest found only in Him, and shows the mercy of God.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on June 12, 2025.
In this we explore Jesus’ claim to be “Lord of the Sabbath.” We see him challenge man-made religious rules, restore a man’s withered hand, and expose the hard-heartedness of those who should have known God best.
Jesus reveals that true Sabbath rest is not found in legalism, but in himself. In a culture of constant activity and crushing expectations, Jesus invites us to rest — not just from work, but from the need to prove ourselves.
Teaching Highlights:
The Sabbath was made for our good, not to burden us with performance.
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath — offering us rest in himself, not in rituals.
The Pharisees prioritized rules over people; Jesus brings mercy.
Resting in Christ frees us from self-sufficiency and invites us to trust in God’s provision.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.

Mark 3:7–12 — Seeing Jesus

Do you really see Jesus for who he is — or just for what you want from him? As Jesus tries to withdraw from rising conflict, he’s pursued by massive crowds who want healing and help — but few truly recognize his identity.
Originally preached to Ekklesia Churches by Dan on June 22, 2025.
In Mark 3:7–12 we explore the difference between seeing Jesus partially and seeing him clearly. Crowds pressed in to touch him, and even the demons fell down and cried out that he was the Son of God, but none really saw the full picture that included the cross.
Teaching Highlights:
The crowd’s response reveals desire without surrender — they wanted to be served, not a King.
Demons recognized Jesus’ identity, but still rejected his mission.
Seeing Jesus clearly means responding with a life of worship and surrender.
Jesus will not be reduced to a healer or helper — he is Lord and Savior.
Jesus ultimately doesn't call for crowds, He calls disciples who see him clearly and follow him fully.
Learn more about us at EkklesiaChurches.org.