The Name Above Every Name - Romans 1:5-7
Jesus has dealt graciously with Paul and his fellow apostles and blessed them with the role of being his official emissaries to call the people all the nations to obedience and submission to King Jesus as part of rightfully lifting up the superiority of Christ over everything.
Why We Should Listen to Romans (or any Book of the Bible) - Romans 1:1-3
The authority of God is fully behind the scriptures He has provided for us as He gave them through prophets and apostles, despite these people’s imperfections and sin. If we want to know truth and God’s heart…. Then we cannot find it apart from reading the Scriptures.
Our Need, His Grace, Our Joy - Luke 24:13-53
In this passage, we find an account of transformation, as the resurrection of Jesus moves His disciples from sorrow to joy. By understanding their need, growing in biblical knowledge, and walking in faith – these men are changed in ways that reveal Christ as the source of their faith, wisdom, & satisfaction.
The Fervency of Hope - I Peter 1:13-21
We are called by Christ to fully embrace the long-game work of redemptive history and place all our value and hope and investment in how he promises to richly bless us when he returns.
Muchness - Matt 22:34-40
The essence and fullness of the Old Testament and New Testament call on all of humanity is simple. It is to love God with all our heart, soul and muchness. Anything else is falling short of the glory of God, which we have all done but, thanks to Christ, not longer must continue in it.
Tethered To Our Returning Christ - James 5:7-8
Christ calls us and equips us to wait expectantly for his return and the Spirit will lead us forward into his mission and worship until he comes.
Refocus 2022 #4: Prayer - Romans 8:26-27
Prayer is our direct access to the Father. If we rely on our own power, our prayers will be sporadic, self-centered, and distracted. With the help of the Spirit, our times of prayer can become consistent, God-centered, and focused on His will.
Refocus 2022 #3: Mission - 1 Peter 2:9-12
Christians are made a new creation by God when we put our faith in Jesus. We love and worship him, and are propelled on his mission to love his family and proclaim his excellencies to the world.
Refocus 2022 #2: Family - 1 John 3:1-2
God has called us to be his people and to live as his family. We, now, seek to live in light of this family identity that he has given us.
Refocus 2022 #1: Gospel Titus 3:3-7
In Titus 3 we see how God establishes us as his people through his gracious work in us, and now, how we live as his people is shaped by who he says we are.
Sustained & Rescued - 2 Tim 4:16-22
Paul closes out his second letter to Timothy by exalting in God’s faithfulness to him in his time of most need.
Persevering In Ministry - 2 Tim 4:9-15
In order for us to persevere in ministry we need the help of other believers and even more so, our affections must be deeply rooted in Jesus.
Let Earth Receive Her King: Joy To the World
Joy To The World, Let Earth Receive Her King – Jesus was born to be king, and we find that the kingdom of the beloved son is better than the domain of darkness. He is worthy of all our worship!
He Knows Our Needs and To Our Weakness Is No Stranger - Heb 4:14-16
Jesus is our perfect high priest and is able to sympathize with our every need.
God’s Reconciliation Rescue: Praiseworthy and Shareworthy - Rom 5:6-11
Expounding on Romans 5:6-11, Mark peaches the good news of reconciliation, as sung about in the classic Christmas carol, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, for the purpose of deepening worship of the Lord.
The Incarnation Imitation - Phil 2:1-8
Jesus’ followers are called to imitate Him. So we lovingly incarnate into the lives of others through relevant relationships. It’s the work He gave us, making disciples.
The Superior Life of Abiding - John 15:1-11
The life offered us in the Gospel is radically different. It is a new, moment by moment relationship with Christ where we actively live and interact with Him by the power of His Spirit through the Word and prayer. There alone is glory is given, joy found, love experienced and any true fruit is produced.
Carried by Grace: Present, Past, & Future 2 - Tim 4:6-8
As Paul closes out his second letter to Timothy, he celebrates his life and ministry and points to God’s grace in his present, past, and future.
God’s Word Over Other Passions - 2 Tim 4:1-5
In the end, each soul will be ruled by God’s passions found in His Word or they will be committed and ruled by their own earthly passions.