Pastor Nate brings the message, "Pleasing God with Purity” from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. It's no secret that sexual freedom has been a focal point of our society. Why not? We are pleasure-seekers after all. As we open up chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians, God's Word directs us in a better path forward, one that keeps the pleasure of sexual activity within the safe boundaries of obedience to God.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Comfort of the Coming King” - Part 2 from Isaiah 42:1-9. As we continue our Advent series this Sunday, we see that the coming Savior would be gentle with His people. "A bruised reed he will not break; and a faintly burning wick he will not quench." No one is a cast-away. No one will be written off. Jesus is for His people.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Comfort of the Coming King” - Part 1 from Isaiah 40. Do you find comfort in your circumstances or in the character and promises of God? As the Jews were agonizing in exile, God gave them a promise of comfort. It's a promise anchored in His unchanging character that extends to our lives today. A Savior would come and those who wait on Him shall renew their strength.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "My Shepherd: He is Enough" from Psalm 23. Pastor Nate reminds us, from a familiar text, of God's care for and provision in our lives.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Increasing and Abounding in Love” from 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13. What role does your love for others play in your standing before God? That's a question that Paul answers at the end of 1 Thessalonians 3. When we see love flowing through our lives God is establishing us in holiness.
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.
Pastor Tom Siefert brings the message, "God Only Wise." We live in a world that often appears chaotic, so even the experiences of our personal lives can seem pointless and random. The reality is that everything in the world and our lives is being guided by the wisdom of God. This gives us hope when things are confusing. Despite how it looks, God is working everything toward the design He has ordained.
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 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.
