Pastor Nate brings the message, "A Word that Works” from 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16. When Paul defended his ministry in Thessalonica, he did so by pointing out the changes that happened in the lives of these new Christians. People were changed, not because of Paul's speaking skills, but because they received the Word of God in faith. As believers we can be thankful and confident that God has given His Word to be at work in our lives.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "The Character of a Gospel Witness” from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. One of the greatest blessings that God gives us is the privilege of sharing the Gospel with non-Christians. It's a joyful moment knowing that God is very specifically using that moment for His glory. As we long to practice evangelism more and more, Paul shows us four important lessons for being a Gospel Witness.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Life-Changing" Part 2 from 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10. In the opening chapter of 1 Thessalonians we are seeing the power of the Gospel in the lives of believers. Salvation does bring about change. And, as a church we want to be that change for the glory of God and for encouragement and witness to those around us.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Life-Defining" from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5. This message begins a new sermon series in 1 Thessalonians where the opening verses present defining marks of God's salvation in our lives. When we come to believe the Gospel, God empowers us to live changed lives that please and glorify Him.
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, "Jesus, the Messiah" from Mark 8:1-30. In this week's sermon we see Jesus asking His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" It's a question that must be answered by everyone. Some think Jesus was a good man. Others say He was a prophet. But what does God say about the identity of Jesus? And, How does His identity affect your life?
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Goes to the Gentiles" from Mark 7:24-30. In Mark's Gospel we have seen the good news spreading around Galilee with crowds attending Jesus' ministry. But in our next passage we see the Gospel launching into Gentile territory and bringing salvation to the nations. There is a picture of hope as the gospel will be a blessing to the world.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "What Defiles a Person." The passage of study for Sunday's sermon comes from Mark 7:1-23 where the Pharisees and scribes escalate their attack on Jesus by pointing out what they think is sin. Yet, Jesus responds by properly turning the tables and showing them that their authority for defining sin is wrong. In the end, this reminds us that we all need a Messiah to save us from our sin.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Provides and Abides” from Mark 6:30-56. In our next section of Mark we see Jesus performing two more miracles: feeding the five thousand and walking on water. Mark not only shows us Jesus is the Son of God once again, but he also encourages us to trust Jesus as opposed to being hardened towards Him.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "The Risk of Proclaiming Repentance” from Mark 6:7-30. What should you expect when you share the message of Biblical repentance? By showing us the ministry of John the Baptist, Mark presents us with a scene of rejection, even death. It certainly reminds us of the rejection Jesus will experience. In all of this, the proclamation of Biblical Gospel will lead us down a path of self-denial, even self-sacrifice.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Beware of Unbelief.” After having calmed the sea, cast out demons, healed a diseased woman, and raised a little girl from the dead, Jesus goes to his hometown of Nazareth. You would expect a spectacular homecoming. Yet, it turned out to be an all out rejection due to their unbelief. In this message, we talk about the roadblock of unbelief and the Biblical way forward.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Over Disease and Death.” Mark concludes his presentation of Jesus’ superiority over all things by showing us two interwoven stories concerning disease and death. They are powerful stories that tug at our emotions if we place ourselves into the shoes of those who are suffering. And yet, they are stories that point our attention and faith to Jesus whom we can trust in all things.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus, Do You Not Care?” This message brings us back to the Gospel of Mark and looking at Jesus, the Son of God, exercising power over nature, in particular, the wind and the sea. Questions are asked in this little story, one of them being to Jesus, “Do you not care?” When circumstances are difficult, that question comes up to the surface. But Jesus will follow it up with a question to us - a question that will cause us to inspect our heart and turn our focus to him.
Pastor Andy brings the message, "Words from the Cross." When faced with the final moments of life, what a person says becomes highly significant. Hanging on the cross with his death imminent, Jesus spoke. These seven statements will be the focus of our time together as we listen to and learn from Jesus' words.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” — Luke 23:43
“Woman, behold, your son!...Behold, your mother!” — John 19:26-27
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — Mark 15:34
“I thirst.” — John 19:28
“It is finished.” — John 19:30
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”— Luke 23:46
Pastor Andy brings the message, "Four More Kingdom Parables" from Mark 4:21-34. The 'Kingdom of God' parables he began with "The Parable of the Sower," Mark now concludes with four parables in rapid fire succession. To the "insiders" the parables point clearly to Jesus' identity and mission, but to the "outsiders" they are just stories. Pray for each other and for yourself that God may grant you a heart receptive to The Truth.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "The Parable of the Sower.” A parable is an everyday story that conveys spiritual truths, and in Jesus’ teaching ministry, He used parable often. In the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-20) Jesus relates the practice of sowing seeds (everyday story) to the responsibility of intentionally hearing God’s Word (spiritual truth). Pray for the sermon this coming Sunday, and ask God to give His church ears to hear the Word.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Blasphemy Against the Spirit.” Some people wonder if they have committed the “unpardonable sin.” Jesus says in Mark 3:29 that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin.” The stakes are obviously high. This message goes through this unique passage of Scripture, encourages you to heed the warning, and appreciate the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Sabbath, Savior, and Saints" from Mark 2. This sermon wraps up a series of exchanges that Jesus has with antagonizing religious leaders. The leaders believe Jesus should practice Sabbath rest according to their law. But as is so often the case, Jesus has a different approach. One that challenges the status quo.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Sinners Are Welcome" from Mark 2. The invitation to the kingdom of God goes out, and the Pharisees are shocked at who is on the invite list. Jesus, however, makes it clear His kingdom is for sinners and anyone who would hear this call. It's "out with the old, in with the new."
