Mark Friz

Sermon Notes: 

schedule.2011.pdf

The PDF under "Sermon Notes" shows upcoming sermons planned for St. Paul's.

Sermon Notes: 

jacobmessyblessed05n.b17.pdf

God promised Jacob that through him, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Sometimes we cannot discern God's presence, but just as he promised Jacob, "I am with you and will watch over you whever you go (Genesis 28:15), God still promises to work out his grand plan through our lives.

Sermon Notes: 

jacobmessyblessed06n.b17.pdf

Rachel wants children, Leah wants her husband's love. This leads to a feud between the two sisters. God works in mysterious ways to perform his purposes in the midst of this family soap opera.

Sermon Notes: 

jacobmessyblessed08n.b17.pdf

Jacob's faith is revitalized in Genesis 31 after 20 years where the word "God" does not cross his lips. He mentions God often in this section, and become more spiritually connected and directed as the leader of his family.

His revitalized faith also leads him into an adventure for which he was not totally prepared. However, God walks with him through it all, working behind the scenes, and providing solutions for each new problem that arises.

Sermon Notes: 

jacobmessyblessed07n.b17.pdf

Jacob is a popular name, but why? His life and family are very messed up. Today, we learn the graceful truth that God is the architect of the blessed life.

1. God can still bless us, even when we're being "clever."
2. Those who mistreat God's people are eventually disadvantaged.
3. Those who recognize God's activity and respond in faith will eventually be rewarded.

As Christians, Christ is our ultimate reward, and blessing.

Sermon Notes: 

jacobmessyblessed02n.b16.pdf

This sermon reveals three bad examples from the OT on how to handle a blessing from God. Isaac, Rebekah and Jacob were very foolish, but God still chose to bless them. Even so, we learn that some aspects of the blessing not able to be received by anyone without a holy heart.

Sermon Notes: 

freedomvacationn.b15.pdf

In this Memorial Day message, Pastor Mark recalls the phrase, "Freedom Isn't Free," which he saw written on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D. C. The sermon talks about the cost of freedom, and the obligations placed on our lives when someone has died for us. A small section of this message treats the much neglected doctrine of "mortification." It also includes a touching story of a young man who died, protecting his wife, in the recent Joplin tornado.

Sermon Notes: 

jacobmessyblessed01n.b16.pdf

In this, the first in our Summer Sermon Series on the life of Jacob, Pastor Mark Friz discusses the paradox that "the life God blesses may not be the life you'd choose." The life God blesses even incorporates our messy sins. It does, however, demand that we value our "family birthright." This sermon may bring encouragement to those who feel their lives are beyond God's redemptive touch.

Sermon Notes: 

actsrestofstory04n.b15.pdf

Pastor Mark outlines the phenomenal growth in the 1st Century Church, and the trouble that came with it: persecution, sin issues, division, distraction. This sermon asks Christians the question: "Are you willing to deal with the uncomfortable realities of growth?" The sermon also deals with opportunities that growth provides, and ways to take advantage of those opportunities.

Sermon Notes: 

actsrestofstory03n.b15.pdf

This message deals with the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and the first sin in the early church. The sin of lying was dealt with immediately and harshly by God because of the possibility of hurting the unity experienced in the early church. God loves unity in the church, and it is one of the signs of revival!