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.
Those confused disciples. James and John had the gall to ask Jesus for positions of greatness in His kingdom. They wanted to be respected and admired by everyone. It sounds similar to Satan’s temptation to Adam and Eve: “You will be like gods.” But, once again, Jesus lifts their eyes and our eyes to God’s perspective of greatness found in the Gospel.
In Mark 10:13-31 we find a contrast between children and a rich young man. The children willingly receive the kingdom of God with simple, no-strings-attached faith. Yet the young man, deeply invested in his riches has a hard time letting go. Throughout the story, Mark keeps our eye on Jesus who leads us through the challenge of receiving the kingdom of God.
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 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.
