Pastor Andy brings the message, “Grace for 2023” from John 1:16-18. What do we want to focus on as a church and as individuals this coming year? What will define us? This year, let's be defined by Grace.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Above All." In Mark 9:1-13, we see the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain and a voice from heaven declaring Him to be the Beloved Son. Clearly, Jesus' exalted status is being proclaimed, but it's Peter who unknowingly says that Jesus is on par with Elijah and Moses. How often do we fail to see Jesus' glory and then place Him right alongside (or below) other good things?
Pastor Andy brings the message, "Identity and Mission" from Mark 8:27-9:1. Mark 8:29 is the watershed moment of the gospel: Peter confesses Jesus is the Messiah. The disciples finally understand Jesus' identity. Immediately, Jesus begins to reveal his mission. With the disciples, we will begin to see Jesus' identity and mission as inseparable. And his identity and mission have ramifications on the cost of discipleship.
Pastor Luke brings the message, "The Power of the Church" from Acts 12. There are times when it seems like the church will be snuffed out like a struggling flame, or that the oppression and persecution will grow to a point when the darkness will overcome it. Yet, we are reminded in Acts 12 that the power of the church does not rest in the people of the church, but in the object of their faith.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Conclusion to Mark.” Have you ever noticed the little footnotes when you read Mark 16:9 that say something like “not in the earliest manuscripts”? In this message Nate explains the meaning and significance of that note in the first half of the sermon. The second half of the sermon focuses on the encouragement of Jesus’ finished work as presented in the Gospel of Mark.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Risen.” The resurrection of Jesus delivers joy to a world plagued by hopelessness and despair. The resurrection sends a loud and clear message: life will not always be this way. Jesus, who died, is now alive. And those who believe in Him will share in His eternal life.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Dead.” When it was obvious that Jesus was dead, a man named Joseph of Arimathea publicly stepped forward, took down the corpse, and buried it in his tomb. Such an act was a bold demonstration of faith and identity. How does your commitment to Jesus look to a world that has pretty much written Him off as dead?
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Forsaken.” When the hour of crucifixion came the crowds, religious leaders, and even the criminals taunted Jesus: “If you’re the Christ, save yourself!” And yet, Jesus’ mission was not to save Himself, but to give Himself as a ransom for many. Chris willingly remained on the cross and was forsaken by God so that we could be saved.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Crucified.” The Romans crucified their opponent as a sign of humiliation and defeat. But Jesus was not a defeated opponent or a martyred victim. Jesus willingly went to the cross, fulfilling the prophetic Scripture, and offering Himself as a substitute in our place. The cross of Jesus, which was a platform of public mockery, became the gateway to eternal salvation for those who will believe in Him.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus for Barabbas” from Mark 15. The theme of substitution is front and center in this section of Mark. Jesus is sentenced to death in place of a known murderer named Barabbas. But it wasn’t just Barabbas who deserved judgment. We all deserve death, but Jesus went to the cross for us.
Pastor Nate brings the message "To Die or Deny" from Mark 14:53-72. Earlier in the garden Peter had told Jesus, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." Yet, when the pressure cooker of life heated up, Peter's real treasure came to the surface: self-preservation. In contrast, Jesus continues his path to the cross of death and perseveres in what is true. The contrast is once again obvious. And, we are thankful that Jesus did die in our place.
Pastor Nate brings the message "Salvation for Those Who Fall" from Mark 14:26-51. It's a reminder that we all need to hear: the very nature of Christ's salvation is that it is a gift for those who fall. In Mark 14:26-51 we see Jesus deeply sorrowful and eventually abandoned by His followers. Yet, Jesus endures and pursues the Father's will. In agony, He continues toward the cross in order to provide salvation for fallen people like the disciples...and us.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "For 1300 years the Passover meal was celebrated by Jews as a reminder of God’s past redemption and as a confidence of His future redemption. When Jesus gathered the disciples together in the Upper Room, He explained to them that this meal had been pointing to Him. It’s through Jesus, the last lamb, that we have our redemption.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "A Beautiful Thing." In Mark 14 the scene is being set for Jesus' imminent death, and people are finding Jesus either to be valuable or dispensable. When a woman shows her devotion to Jesus in an extravagant and beautiful way, the disdain and anger of Jesus' skeptics overflows with sophisticated reasons as to why she shouldn't do such things. The question that begs to be asked is whether or not our hearts love Jesus above all things.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "A Grace Giving Widow” from Mark 12:41-44. Money and the economy have been part of the public conversation recently. How are we, the people of God, to think biblically concerning the money that God has entrusted to us? How should we use it for His glory? We’ll explore these questions (and answers) as we look at several passages in the Bible this Sunday.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus: David’s Lord and Son” from Mark 12:35-37. With just two days before His trial starts, Jesus explains that He is both David’s Lord and David’s Son. With Jesus’ identity coming into clearer focus, the audience (including us) must evaluate whether or not our responses to Him are simply religious or genuine worship from the heart.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Love God, Love Your Neighbor” from Mark 12:28-34. When Jesus was asked by a scribe what the greatest commandment was, He basically answered, :”Love God.” But then, Jesus kept right on talking and shared the second greatest commandment: “Love your neighbor.” Why do you think Jesus was compelled to put these two commandments together?
Pastor Nate brings the message, "The Challenge from the Sadducees" from Mark 12:18-27. With just three days before He goes to the cross, Jesus is facing public attacks from His opponents. However, in His magnificent wisdom, Jesus uses these occasions to not only silence His critics, but also explain truth in extremely helpful ways. This particular attack from the Sadducees opens the door for Jesus to teach on the encouraging nature of eternal life.
In this message we study Mark 11 in which we see Jesus’ first three days in Jerusalem. In this chapter Mark unpacks Jesus’ identity, His judgment, and His authority. Situated in the middle of these descriptions Jesus urges us to have faith in God. It’s as though Jesus says, “If you see me, not institutional religion, you will be able to believe.”
Have you considered Jesus’ emotion toward yourself? Jesus’ emotion comes up subtly yet regularly in the Gospel of Mark. This week we see Jesus’ mercy (or pity) toward a blind beggar who believes. As you identify with the beggar in the story, you will see a personal aspect of Jesus that encourages you to love Him more.
