Promises Kept: Peace - Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2:13-14
God promised to give peace through the coming of his Son. Without Jesus, true peace - peace that lasts and is present despite of trouble - is impossible. What're you waiting for? Find peace with Jesus, the promised and risen Son.
Promises Kept: Hope - Psalm 130:1-8 & 1 Peter 1:3
Centering on the promise of hope, Psalm 130 provides a framework of waiting for the promise, whereas 1 Peter 1:3 gives insight into the fulfillment of that promise - both then and today.
Suffering The Fools No Longer - Mark 11:27-33
At a pivotal point, the most central leadership of Israel meets up with Jesus to attempt to trap him. This time, he turns the tables and calls their bluff, placing them in a spot where they cannot escape their manipulative ways.
The Priority and Power of Prayer - Mark 11:12-25
Prayer is a core priority for the believer and his corporate people. In it God communes with his people, granting them prayers, confidence and answers as they strive to align with him, with particular attention to maintaining a heart of forgiveness to all.
The Triumphal Entry - Mark 11:1-11
In a stunning fulfillment of prophecy, Christ came to “Save us” (Hosanna), but do we understand and value exactly what he came to save us from or do we still love it.
Eyes To Truly See - Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus encounters the blind beggar he highlights Bartimaeus’ response as the correct response for a disciple of Jesus, rightly seeing Jesus for who he really is and responding by abandoning all else to follow him.
A Servant of Idols or People - Mark 10:32-45
The new life in Christ is marked by radical Christ-worshiping servanthood of others which only flourishes where idols are repented-of and guarded-against.
The Beautiful Treasure Of Christ - Mark 10:17-31
To every soul on the planet, Christ holds out the offer of new life. It is a life unending, full of abundance now on earth with present suffering, and full of joy, glory and his love after death. But this offer of life is contingent upon yielding the whole of this natural life at the Cross of Jesus.
The Value & Example Of Children - Mark 10:13-16
Jesus scolds his disciples for their failure to properly value children. As he teaches, he reminds us of the value of all human life and points to the helplessness and trusting hearts of children as examples for all of us to follow in order to receive the Kingdom.
The Divine Design Of Marriage - Mark 10:1-12
God made marriage to be the single occasion in creation where two people permanently become one as a man marries a woman. This oneness pictures and gives foretaste to the union all believers will have with Christ in eternity. God loves the gift of marriage and calls us to invest in it.
The Mortal Danger of Any Sin - Mark 9:42-50
In Christlikeness, absolute rejection of sin is essential for us. If we loose that rejection/ repentance…. Soften up and find sin in us to be acceptable, then we have lost our essence… we have lost our way… we are living and worshipping worthlessly because we are pro-sin. So, rather than hold pride in your hearts which causes you to fight over who will be the greatest, hold fast to your sin-hating and be at peace with each other.
Proudly Bound to His Own - Mark 9:38-41
Christ has joyfully and intensely bound himself to his trusting followers. How we treat them is a direct treatment of Him.
The Upside Down Kingdom - Mark 9:30-37
Jesus continues to labor with his disciples, teaching them his heart and his ways, and though they are slow to understand, he is patient to remind that the heart of his message and mission is the cross and resurrection.
Christ Calls You to Faith - Mark 9:14-29
In a unique account we are able to see the displeasure of Christ in not being believed upon by his followers and the surrounding world and his relentless call to be listened to and fully believed.
The Revealing and Final Revelation - Mark 9:1-13
On the Mount of Transfiguration we encounter numerous things:
The centrality of prayer in every aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry
The true physical glories of Christ underlying his human
Christ’s prominence in having Moses and Elijah to come meet up with him and affirm his coming work in dying and rising
The Father’s overwhelming affirmation of the identity Christ and message of Christ as being the greater and final revelation of God
The Love & Power Of God - Ephesians 3:16-19
The Children of God thrive when aware of the earnest and strong love of Christ and experience the ongoing, powerful and transforming work of the Spirit.
Reconciled To Draw Others In - 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2
The Father has done an amazing work by reconciling us to Himself. Through Christ, believers are made new creations, no longer defined by our old selves. Paul emphasizes that God has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation and given us vital work to do: act as Christ’s ambassadors to call others to be reconciled to God.
Honoring Marriage - Matthew 19:4-6
How should we as God’s people think about marriage? Is marriage still good? Is it important? How should our thoughts about marriage be shaped? God’s word tells us that the institution of marriage is to be held in honor by all people. Let’s consider what God tells us about marriage.
Rooted in Love, Walking in Light - Ephesians 4:23-5:2
Being united with Christ and with one another by the Holy Spirit, Paul invites and compels us, as the family of God, to walk in love toward each other through our words, thoughts, and actions.