Sunday Sermon, God Isn’t Through With You So Be Encouraged, Mark 1:1 – Sunday, February 22nd, 2026

·1 hr 19 min·5 clips

How did John Mark, who abandoned Paul and caused a church split, become one of the four Gospel writers?

Pastor J.D. Farag opens by announcing the start of a new verse-by-verse study through the Gospel of Mark, following the completion of Revelation. He titles the sermon 'God Isn't Through With You So Be Encouraged' and focuses on Mark 1:1. J.D. explains that he skipped Mark, Luke, and John earlier in the church's history to go through Acts first. He introduces John Mark, noting his Hebrew and Roman names, and presents three truths from Mark's life as sources of hope. The first truth is that failure does not determine future, illustrated by Mark's desertion of Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia, which caused a sharp disagreement and split. Despite this, Mark was inspired to write a Gospel. The second truth is that friends who unfriend can become best friends, shown by Paul later requesting Mark near his death in 2 Timothy 4, indicating reconciliation. The third truth is that God brings the right ones at the right time, linking Mark to Peter, who also failed but was restored. J.D. discusses how Peter spiritually fathered Mark, as seen in 1 Peter 5:13. He emphasizes that God chooses the foolish to confound the wise, using Mark as an example. The sermon includes personal anecdotes, such as J.D.'s grief over his wife's death and struggles with spiritual warfare. He explores biblical themes like God not keeping a record of wrongs, the enemy as accuser, and the importance of forgiveness. J.D. concludes with a detailed explanation of God's positioning perfection, connecting the four Gospels to the four tribes of Israel, their banners, and the camp formations in Numbers, suggesting a cross-shaped layout that symbolizes protection and blessing.

As heard by us

A sermon on Mark offers a steady word about failure, grace, patience, and renewed usefulness.

This single-episode review follows a sermon that uses Mark's story to speak to anyone living with failure. The message explains the move from Revelation back to the Gospel of Mark, then settles on Mark's desertion in Pamphylia and his later restoration to usefulness.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when Mark's failure feels familiar and you need reason to believe your story can continue.

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