In these passages, Jesus redefines what it looks like to be family. While his own family suggests that he is out of his mind, he calls and commissions apostles and invites anyone to come and be part of his family! This generous invitation still stands for anyone who is lonely, lost, or broken, looking for the bonds of family that are often distorted and elusive in this world.
One of the most difficult questions for the Christian is what are we to do with the Sabbath? In these two instances from the gospel of Mark, Jesus demonstrates how we ought to think about the Sabbath and our relationship to it, and more importantly, our relationship to Him! Jesus shows us that he is indeed the fulfillment of and Lord of the Sabbath!
In this sermon, pastor Tim explains how Jesus completely subverted expectations by calling Levi, a tax collector, to be his disciple. Then, demonstrates how religious disciplines such as fasting are to be interpreted in light of his revelation of himself! This is truly a mind-blowing passage!
In this stunning passage, Jesus demonstrates his unique authority to not only heal, but also to forgive sins! In doing so, Jesus claims an authority that belongs to God alone. Join us as we consider one of the most remarkable accounts in all of scripture, as Jesus does what cannot be done in healing a paralyzed man and forgiving his sins!
In this sermon, pastor Tim shows from Mark's gospel how we each have important choices that we must make when it comes to Jesus, but in choosing Jesus over all other options, we receive an incredible promise of hope and restoration from even the most difficult challenges!
In this introduction to the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Tim explains the context for the book, as well as the reason for the urgency of Mark's writing style before looking at the early days of Jesus' ministry, in which we see that the groundwork is laid, the requirements are met, and the time is fulfilled.
In this special Easter sermon, we consider the path of humiliation for Jesus that led to his exaltation. We too must follow this path if we hope to be exalted with Christ!
This chapter brings to a conclusion the life of Abraham. And while it contains some unexpected twists, it does reveal Abraham's commitment to the Lord, even at his death. There is also much practical wisdom to be gained from how Abraham orders his affairs at the end of his life.
In this conclusion to the epic love story of Isaac and Rebecca, we see what faithfulness and willingness to obey the Lord looks like in action. We also see principles for a long and fruitful marriage, not based on what the world says is good, but what God's word shows us is good!
In this second sermon from Genesis 24, we see important principles that can be applied whether we're looking for a spouse, or seeking God's direction in a more mundane area of life. Abraham's servant trusts in the Lord to direct his steps, do we have such faith?
In this sermon we consider Abraham's charge to his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham's specific instructions reveal the depth of the patriarch's faithfulness and dependence upon God, and his unwavering certainty that God would accomplish his purposes. We too must have the same degree of faith in the Lord, whether in finding a spouse or getting out of bed!
In this sermon, Worship Pastor Phillip Smith looks at the most widely known verse in the entire bible and asks us to examine it anew. In doing so, Phillip brings to the fore beautiful, timeless truths about the love of God and the salvation he offers.
This passage describes the death of Sarah and a real estate transaction by Abraham, at least that's how it appears on the surface. But deep down there is so much more happening in this crucial passage that points to the promises of God and the hope of fulfillment.
Some people may come to believe that God's blessings are based on our behavior, and not his grace. This passage, while it raises the question, sufficiently answers the question to make it clear that God's blessings always have been and always will be unconditional.
In one of the most dramatic moments in all of scripture, God provides a substitutionary sacrifice so that Abraham can spare his son, Isaac. In the same way, God provides his own son, Jesus, as our substitutionary sacrifice. He is indeed the Lord who provides! In this sermon, we rejoice in the hope we have through God's provision!
In Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, we see a young man carrying the very wood that he would be sacrificed on as an offering to God, up a hill. It was a lonely walk, and it reminds us of the walk Jesus would later make, carrying his own wood, the wood upon which he would be sacrificed as an offering to God. The question is, what does this mean for us? The surprising answer is that just as Isaac carried the wood, just as Jesus carried the wood, Jesus instructs us to take up our own crosses and follow...
In this cornerstone passage of scripture, God delivers his memorable test to Abraham. As we consider this somber and weighty test, we need to understand what God is trying to accomplish in Abraham's life, and what Abraham's response reveals about his faith.
In this passage, God continues to bless Abraham and demonstrate his faithfulness. God's promises are a wellspring of blessing that never runs dry!
Genesis 21 is a hinge point in the biblical narrative. It is where God keeps his promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son. this passage is full of joy and transformation because of God's promise keeping.
So often we return to our own past sins like a dog returns to its vomit. That is what we see in this episode from the life of Abraham. Once again he irrationally fears for his life. Once again he foolishly lies about Sarah being his wife. Yet in the midst of it, God's grace shines through in a remarkable way!
This passage of scripture describes what is surely one of the most heinous acts ever recorded. It involves drunken debauchery and incest. What should we do with a passage like this? Many have suggested skipping over it when preaching, but I am convinced God has important lessons for us to learn even in this terrible story.
As Lot and his family flee Sodom, we see a reluctance to leave that reflects a deeply ingrained love for that city and way of life, despite it's wickedness. In this sermon we consider the implications of a little love for the world, and how to strive for a better love!
In this sermon we conclude our Christmas series by considering Jesus as our promised and coming king.
This Christmas season, we're looking at the offices of Jesus, prophet, priest, and king! Today, we're considering how Jesus fulfills the role of priest!
We love celebrating Jesus' arrival at Christmas, but what exactly is it we're celebrating? Over the course of three sermons, we'll look at how Jesus came to fulfill the role of prophet, priest, and king. As we do, we'll see how those offices were supposed to function, how they failed to function that way under the Old Covenant, and how Jesus ultimately perfected those roles upon his arrival. In this first sermon, we consider how Jesus is our prophesied prophet.
What does the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah have to do with the Christmas story? You might be surprised to find that there is actually quite a few touchpoints between these two events. Both describe heavenly visitors declaring a warning and an invitation, one to flee destruction, the other to find salvation. Join us as we consider this and other points of connection between Sodom and Bethlehem.
God's judgment is sure, but mercy is possible. In between those two lies intercession. Abraham attempts...unsuccessfully to intercede on behalf of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, despite his failure, we can still learn a great deal about the nature of intercession and what it can accomplish.
Sometimes it may seem to us that God's plan is ridiculous, even laughable. That's how it seemed to Sarah when God announced that she would be having a son in about a year's time. However, what was thought to be ridiculous was actually a miraculous way in which God kept his word and brought blessing to the whole world. Similarly, the gospel may seem ridiculous to us. The idea that God incarnate would die for our sins, then rise again on the third day to give us his righteousness sounds laughable....
In this text we see why Abraham is later called a friend of God. He demonstrates exceptional hospitality and qualities that make him worthy of that esteemed moniker. In Abraham's actions then, we see the kind of behaviors that are desirable in both our relationships with God and our relationships with other people.
Ishmael presents an interesting character study. He was promised remarkable blessings from God, but was simultaneously excluded from the covenant with God. Which is better? How can we learn not to pursue material blessings, but instead to pursue a relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that far surpasses any material blessings we could fathom?
