When our “experience” doesn’t line up with our selectively desired attributes of God, we begin to elevate our experience above the totality of God’s character revealed in Christ and evident in Scripture. Instead, we need to be even more vigilant in remaining confident in God’s character because our hope from Him is unlike any other hope on this side of eternity.
Transforming Ordinary People into Extraordinary Followers of Christ
Sermons on Mark
In this message we consider how Jesus’ parents may have processed the events surrounding the Christmas story. The day of his birth came and went, but what now? What does all of this mean? What are the implications of Jesus’ coming? What should we anticipate to come? These are the questions we explore in this message.
In this message we explore the various secular views on Jesus’ identity and then we focus our attention on the Biblical view–especially as portrayed in the prologue of John’s gospel. As we discover, it is critical that we decide who Jesus really was, for our eternity depends upon it.
TaLKING POINTS / WALKING POINTS View the sermon summary or dig deeper into the message during the sermon, in your personal Bible study, or with your family or Community Group in application-driven discussion. TAKE ONE STEP Each week, write down one doable concrete step of obedience, small or large, that you will put into practice…
In this message we will take a deep dive into Jesus’ final hours on the cross. We learn as much about him in his death as we do in his life. The day of his crucifixion changed forever those who witnessed these events first hand and continue to reverberate through history.
When Pilate asks Jesus directly, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replies simply, “You say so.” Pilate is amazed that Jesus does not defend himself against this charge!
Later, an angry crowd shouts for the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. When asked what to do with Jesus, this guilty mob lobbies for the execution of an innocent man, chanting, “Crucify him!”. Little do they know that Jesus is the key to their own divine pardon! Next Jesus will be mocked, scourged and led away to be crucified.
In this message we explore Jesus’ betrayal, his arrest, his sham trials, as well as Peter’s three denials. In all this Jesus displays a supernatural calm in the midst of intense interrogation and ridicule. He endured all of this because of his great love for humanity.
In Sunday’s passage from the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus’ vulnerability, his humanness, his struggle with the prospect of the cross. He shows tenderness to his disciples and strength as he reconciles himself to his role as the Suffering Servant. We will be challenged in many ways and, more importantly, we will fall in love with Jesus all over again!
In this portion of Mark’s gospel, Jesus’ disciples prepare for the Passover meal, not realizing that they will be eating with the long awaited Passover Lamb of God! Jesus inaugurates a New Covenant, one made by God and ratified by his own blood.
In this portion of Mark’s Gospel we see a stark contrast between an extravagant act of devotion and a heinous act of betrayal. It raises the question, whose actions will we emulate–those of Mary or those of Judas?