Mark Driscoll Audio

John was one of the closest people on the earth to Jesus, as his best friend and eyewitness to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Even after being boiled alive and then exiled to the island of Patmos, John was faithful and never stopped talking about Jesus. For John, it’s always about Jesus. Revelation, penned by John, is all about King Jesus and Jesus’ church, because Jesus loves the church.

Jesus said he was God. And Jesus showed, through his death, burial, and resurrection, that he alone is God. Jesus is either God, or he’s not God. Jesus either told the truth, or he lied. Jesus is either alive, or he is dead. It’s that simple! Do you believe Jesus is God? Do you believe that he died for your sin? Do you believe that he rose from death? Turn from sin; trust in Jesus.

Pastor Mark looks at how Jesus died (crucifixion) and why he died (for our sins), to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus is God. He lived without sin, died on the cross for our sin, and then rose from death. Jesus is our high priest, sacrifice, and scapegoat. It all comes down to Jesus. Did he die and rise for you? Do you trust in him, or will you suffer like him?

The most important day of your marriage is the last day. What will that day look like? As you think about and plan for that, consider that you need Jesus, Jesus’ people, prayer and planning, as well as some flexibility and a sense of urgency. Pastor Mark interviews families whose stories illustrate each of those biblical principles. We want to make the most of each day, in case it’s the last day.

When the Corinthians asked the Apostle Paul a list of questions about sex, he directed them to consider three categories: 1) Is it lawful? 2) Is it helpful? and 3) Is it enslaving? Pastor Mark encourages married couples to do the same, so that they may be free in Christ to enjoy one another and use whatever freedom they prayerfully agree is acceptable to them.

Jesus is the unselfish servant, but we are all selfish. Our selfishness is rooted in pride; we believe “I’m more important than you.” Proud people are selfish lovers, in and out of the bedroom (and most problems in the bedroom are the result of problems outside of the bedroom). Selfishness shows up in the “little things.” Are you proud and selfish, or are you a humble servant, by the grace of God?

Porn hurts God. Porn hurts men, women, and children. Porn hurts marriages. There is no such thing as free porn. Crissy (iamatreasure.com), a former pastor’s daughter who grew up to be a porn star and has since returned to a vibrant relationship with Jesus, shares her story and realities of the porn industry. Those of you on the porn path: Jesus died so you can kill your sin before it kills you.

Sexual assault is an epidemic: 1 of 4 women and 1 of 6 men have been assaulted—including Pastor Mark's wife, Grace. Sin would leave us as shamed, defiled victims, but in Jesus, we are cleansed from all unrighteousness if today we turn from sin and trust in him. Two key books on assault from Mars Hill leaders: "Rid of My Disgrace" http://amzn.to/fWmyl3 and "Redemption" http://amzn.to/huKDbT

Before sin entered the world, God created sex for marriage between one man and one woman. People distort this gift and tend to see sex as either god or gross. However, the Bible gives six ways in which sex is a gift from God: for pleasure, children, knowledge, protection, comfort, and oneness. When God tells you to be faithful to your spouse, what he’s saying is, “I want the best for you.”

If you don’t take out the trash in your marriage, it will stink up the whole relationship. Don’t fight with criticism, contempt, defensiveness, or stonewalling. Rather, fight to the glory of God by recognizing sin and repenting of sin. The only way your relationship will be enduring and endearing is if repentance and forgiveness are practiced; otherwise, it will not get better, it will get bitter.

A wife is to respect her husband (Eph. 5:33). A respectful wife has a head of respect (How do you think about your husband?), a heart of respect (How do you feel about him? What do you say about him?), and hands of respect (What do you do for him?). A disrespectful wife may be silent/compliant, or loud/contentious. Still, it is possible to disagree respectfully. Do you respect your husband?

Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. Every covenant—including the new covenant of salvation—has a head, who is ultimately responsible for the covenant. The husband is the covenant head of a marriage; he is responsible for his marriage, his wife, and his kids. Similarly, Christ took that which was not his fault—our sin—and he made it his responsibility on the cross. He is our covenant head.

God the Trinity is a friend and has friends, and he made us in his image and likeness for friendship with him and one another. Marriage is about friendship. Your spouse is to be your “lover and friend” (Song 5:16); in other words, your friend with benefits. Marital friendship is to be: Fruitful, Reciprocal, Intimate, Enjoyable, Needed, Devoted, Sanctifying. How’s your friendship with Jesus? With your spouse?

Pastor Mark kicks off Real Marriage by sharing his and Grace’s marriage testimony, in which God has given them a new marriage with the same spouse. You can defeat Satan in your life and marriage by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11). Jesus died for sin so you can put your sin to death. Because of the blood of the Lamb, there’s a testimony. In a testimony, Jesus is the hero. What’s your testimony?

Pastor Mark visits 9 of 14 Mars Hill churches, seeing God’s work and asking what mission looks like for each. Being on mission means having the Father’s heart, then going to work with him. Just like the Apostle Paul, we become all things to all people, doing whatever we can to reach as many as possible. What does it mean to be a missionary—not just a Christian—in the city where God has placed you?