Mark Friz

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Pastor Mark divides this passage up into three teaching sections: a pattern for prayer (the Lord's Prayer); a parable for prayer (the Parable of the Persistent Neighbor); a person for prayer (the Heavenly Father). This sermon came as a dear member of our church, who had struggled long with cancer, was nearing death. The sermon answers the question, "Does persistent prayer do any good?" Listen to find out.

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This message, based on the familiar story of Mary and Martha, address the issue of busyness and multitasking in our culture, leaving us little time for real leisure. Pastor Mark takes us back to the Greek word for leisure (scholia), and defines leisure as a time for growth and development. He explores many occassions in the Gospel of Luke when Jesus called people away from work. He provides a time for contemplation, and listening to Jesus, toward the end of the message.

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Pastor Mark speaks of five different attitudes toward our neighbors, and the real foundation for the motivation to love our neighbors.

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In this message, Pastor Mark outlines the battle between the flesh and the Spirit in the life of a believer, and offers practical help to life a victorious Christian life.

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On Father's Day 2010, Pastor Mark honored his Dad by sharing with the congregation "Seven Things My Father Taught Me." You can see the pictures included in this sermon by clicking on the following link: http://stpaulsefree.org/galleries/seven-things-my-father-taught-me.

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In this message, Pastor Mark shares three powers that come from the Holy Spirit, based on the Pentecost gifts of wind, fire and tongues. He also issues a special challenge to the congregation regarding VBS, and reveals an unexpected commitment from Carrie Fisher, Director of Children and Family Ministries, concerning reaching our community.

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This message from Acts 16:16-34 deals with the familiar story of Paul and Silas singing after being beaten with rods and put in stocks. Pastor Mark points out four lessons about trials from this passage, which can help us gain perspective and gain hope for our trials to bring others to faith.

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After Pastor Mark's mother died in November 2009, he thought back over some of the major lessons he had learned. This sermon is autobiographical in nature, and includes Pastor Mark's memories of being raised by his mother, Jane Friz. It includes some "old fashioned values" that should stir discussion for those raising children in our current culture.

Sermon Notes: 

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This message tells the story of the Gospel message spreading from first the Jews in Jerusalem, then to the Greek speaking Jews, and then beyond Jerusalem to Ethiopians, Samaritans and Gentiles. Pastor Mark explores the adjustments that the church made in getting out the messsage, as God does a "new thing" in the 1st Century Church. He also suggests "new things" for our evangelistic efforts as we reach out to a post-Christian culture.

Pastor Mark winds up the "Easter and Beyond" sermon series with this message based on one verse of scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58. The sermon encourages Christians to use the power of the resurrection to be steadfast in faith, immovable in hope, and abounding in good words, because none of this work is in vain.