So, Jesus speaks in parables…a lot. These sayings are simple yet profound illustrations of what life looks like when we follow Jesus. This Sunday, we explore how Jesus uses seeds to teach us about life in his Kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we get frustrated at the time it takes for growth to occur, whether within a church or within our own spiritual life. Yet, Jesus’ teachings show us that the slow work is some of the best. We will look at what it means to have the patience and intentionality of a good farmer in this journey of discipleship. View or download slides here (PDF).
Our apologies. Due to technical issues, there is no recording this week. Here is the description of the message:
This Sunday, we will be in Mark 4:21-25. Yes! Only four verses! But do not let the brevity fool you, as it is packed with meaning and instruction for us as followers of Jesus. I want you to think about one question as we prepare for Sunday: How do I know if I take Jesus seriously? Now…taking Jesus seriously does not mean we live with stoic posture or without joy and adventure (quite the opposite!). Still, how do we know if Jesus has an authoritative voice in our lives? We will explore this together on Sunday!
Last Sunday, we looked at the nature of discipleship. This Sunday, we'll explore the Kingdom and the word. Hopefully, we'll get lost in a parable about parables together. Then, look to Jesus to help us make sense of it all. Specifically, we'll explore Mark 4:1-20. Questions to consider throughout the week is:
• How do you respond to God when you don't understand something?
• What gets in the way of welcoming Jesus into your everyday life?
This Sunday, we will look at the nature of discipleship. Our text is a bit longer but filled with insight into what it means to follow Jesus well. One question to consider as we move towards Sunday: How might you respond if someone asked you to define the church in one sentence? To get a grip on what we will read, look at Mark 3:13-35.
In the Gospel of Mark, we find Jesus in conflict with the religious elites quite often. Last Sunday, we looked at Jesus’ teachings on feasting and fasting, which challenged the old traditions. This Sunday, we find one of the most controversial teachings of Jesus for his time: the nature of the Sabbath. It is equally controversial in our time but for different reasons. I look forward to discussing with you all the beauty of the Sabbath in the light of Jesus.
This Sunday, we will look at Mark 2:18-22. Here, we have Jesus challenging customs around fasting by giving three strange images:
1. A wedding
2. A patch of clothing
3. Wine
This section raises essential questions that go beyond fasting. Jesus shows up with ‘something new,’ and those who had been organized around tradition were upset. What does this look like today? How do we properly discern what God is up to in our culture and time? For example, CS Lewis is now celebrated as an essential voice for the contemporary church. Yet, he was not as popular then, and many resisted his work (he wasn’t perfect, to be sure, but he remains a trusted voice). How do we navigate the work of the Spirit through his people in our world?
View or download slides here (PDF).
This week, I am excited to lead us through Mark 2:1-12 as we look at one of the most memorable moments in Jesus’ ministry: a group of people carrying their paralyzed friend to Jesus in a dramatic fashion, and it causes Jesus to stop his sermon and acknowledge the deep faith before him. As usual with Mark, there is more to the story than meets the eye. We will talk about the role of being intercessors, here and now, and in visible ways. Intercessory ministry is not less than prayer but much more.
View or download slides here (PDF).
In Mark 1:40-2:1, we continue our journey through the gospel of Mark. It is always interesting to think about what Jesus could have done with his power but what he chose to do with it, and in Mark's gospel we see Jesus continually going to those who had been excluded from community, sick and isolated, or those just simply in need of his healing touch.
This Sunday, we look at Mark 1:14-39. In this passage, we hear Jesus’s first words in Mark’s gospel and how he chooses to launch his public ministry. It is filled with action but focuses on the power of Jesus’s words and deeds. We will explore what this text teaches us about who Jesus is and what it means to follow him.
The Gospel of Mark - The Voice in the Wilderness
"JESUS COMES CLOSE"
Two weeks ago we started our journey through the gospel of Mark. Something to keep in mind as we move along is what Mark reveals to us about Jesus: Jesus is the sovereign, suffering, and victorious king. If we keep that in mind, much of Mark will come alive in a fresh way. This Sunday, we will pick up on the very next passage and look at Jesus's baptism and his time in the wilderness. Some questions we will explore together are 1) Why should I care about the baptism of Jesus? 2) What is the significance of Mark's version of the wilderness in comparison to Matthew and Luke's?
View or download slides here (PDF).
Please accept our apologies for the poor audio quality. We are looking into the cause.
In Person Service Canceled 1/14 and moved to Zoom.
Look for recording link soon.
The Gospel of Mark
The Voice in the Wilderness
The Gospel of Mark is often overlooked because Matthew, Luke, and John have more content and details. However, this is unfortunate, as Matthew and Luke likely patterned their gospels after Mark’s (Mark is the first gospel written and passed along). In Mark, we have the essentials of following Jesus in a wild world. It explores what discipleship looks like in the face of disruption and suffering and how Jesus leads the way. Mark teaches about who Jesus is while showing how he is with us every step of the way in the wilderness of a world in chaos. The basics of discipleship are found in Mark.
View or download slides here (PDF).
God's Grace
What does it look like to experience God’s grace? We sing about God’s grace and talk about “grace through faith in Christ,” but what kind of visibility does grace have in our daily lives? What do we see when grace appears, and how does it shape us? Christian ideas and beliefs about God’s grace are not stuffy doctrines but living words that guide us. This Sunday, we explore God’s grace as we begin a new year that will undoubtedly present obstacles to knowing, experiencing, and sharing God’s grace.
View or download slides here (PDF).
On Christmas Eve we look at Luke 2:21-28- the story of Jesus, Simeon the Priest, and Anna the Prophetess. It’s a story of Jesus coming to two elderly and weary but faithful individuals. All of us, in some way, long to meet Jesus. This is true whether you have been following Jesus for some time or are stepping into questions about him - our desire for God doesn’t go away when we are saved; it intensifies. One question to sit with: If you zoomed out and looked at your daily routines, is there a desire for and seeking after Jesus anywhere in your calendar?
Advent - A Joyful Hope This week, we contemplate Jesus's birth and the incarnation, with Christmas Eve approaching. We'll center our time on Luke 2:1-21 and examine the richness of the God who became flesh.
Advent - A Joyful Hope: Waiting
Last Sunday, we talked about discipleship according to Mary. This week, we continue in Luke by sitting with Mary’s response to God at work. She celebrates that God defies human conventions of honor and importance. One question to think about: “How do you look for God working in the world?”
View or download slides here (PDF).
Advent - A Joyful Hope: Discipleship According to Mary
Last Sunday, we started our Advent series. This week, we continue in Luke by examining the announcement of Jesus’s birth to Mary. Her response differs from Zechariah’s; in Mary, we discover the God for whom ‘nothing is impossible.’ One question to ponder: “How do you know when God interrupts you?” View or download slides here (PDF).
Advent - A Joyful Hope
This Sunday we begin our journey through the Christmas story with Luke. This week, we talk a little about how Joy will come, even though it may feel or seem like it's delayed. As we enter into Advent season, theologian Fleming Rutledge reminds us that Advent always begins in the dark. So if you find yourself in a difficult place, this Christmas series will be an encouragement. View or download slides here (PDF).
Life Around the Table: Thankfulness
This Sunday we are in our new location. We celebrate by reflecting upon Psalm 107 and discuss the beauty of God's acts on our behalf! Perhaps read through the Psalm and reflect upon how it stirs your heart towards thankfulness!
View slides here.
Life Around the Table: Sharpen Your Spurs
The Bible tells us we have a responsibility to champion, to encourage, to embolden, to empower, and to loving prod one another on to love and good deeds. We are to call one another up to a high level of godliness and expression of who we are in Christ. Alone we will only go so far, but together, with others cheering us on, we can have the courage and strength to go much further. This Sunday we explore our responsibility to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and our fellow members of the human race.