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End of the Beginning – Week 7

ByFrank Bowden

February 15, 2026
Close to Jesus, But Not Changed
Pastor Frank Bowden

Sermon Notes

I. You Can Do Church But Miss Jesus

Mark 14:12-16
And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Exposure to Jesus does not equal submission to Jesus.

II. You Can Sit with Jesus and Still Have a Divided Heart

Mark 14:17-18
And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”

III. Look In Before You Look Around

Mark 14:19
They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Real faith is when we stop defending ourselves and invite God to examine us.

IV. What You Do With Jesus Matters

Mark 14:20-21
He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

Being Near Jesus Can’t Save You. Only Trusting Jesus Can.

Next Steps

  • I’ve been around Jesus, but never surrendered to Him. Today I turn from sin and put my trust in Jesus as my Savior and Lord.
  • I’m tired of defending my divided heart. Pray with me as I take steps of obedience to fully live in Christ.
  • I commit to taking steps towards someone who is far from Jesus and invite them to come with me next week.

Deep Dive

  1. In what ways might you be “near Jesus” but still holding onto divided loyalties? What competes most often for your trust, obedience, or affection?
  2. The disciples asked, “Is it I?”—how often do you invite God to examine your heart instead of defending your actions? What would honest self-examination look like this week?
  3. What is one tangible step of surrender or obedience Jesus may be calling you to right now? Who could help hold you accountable to follow through?

Springboards

  • Read Hebrews 9:15. How is the New Covenant better than the old?
  • How does the promise in Mark 14:25 give you hope today?
  • In what ways can your family or small group make the Lord’s Supper more meaningful?

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