If you don't pay attention, the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida can slip right by you. It's yet another miracle in a long string of miracles in the first part of Mark's gospel. But there is something different about this miracle: Jesus heals the man twice; partially at first, then to completion. What is going on here, and what can we learn from this strange, unique story in Mark's gospel?
This week we look at the deaf and mute man that Jesus miraculously heals. Jesus heals him from a situation that seemed lost by all accounts. When hope seems lost, Jesus reminds us that he IS our hope.
In this week's sermon, we learn of the Syrophoenician woman who begged for Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus replies in what many consider a controversy. However, the conversation concludes with an invitation to the King's table.
...and the enemy is us. We may think that the most violent opponent of our spiritual walk with God is out there somewhere, but the reality is far bleaker. The darkness--the sin--that resides in us is the far more dangerous enemy. As Jesus speaks of defilement and purity, he reveals this truth and points to the only solution for the sickness of sin: his own propitiatory sacrifice on the cross.
Traditions can be very good things when they are used rightly, but sometimes things get out of hand. Good, rich traditions can become rote and mechanical, losing their meaning or taking on a life of their own. In this passage, Jesus engages the Pharisees, who had created a system of traditions that they held up as a standard of righteousness, ignoring God's Word and condemning those who did not follow them. What traditions have you adopted? How do you use them? Do they help you to run the race b...
When Jesus walks on water, He is not just taking a shortcut to meet up with his friends. He is speaking to his disciples and once again revealing Himself as the Son of God. Jesus shows us this week that no matter the storm in our lives, the greatest thing we need saving from is what Jesus provides: salvation from our sin.
In this passage, which includes one of the most (if not the most) well-known miracles of Jesus, we see the divinity and compassion of Jesus meet. He provides for the shepherdless sheep both spiritually and physically, and he does so in the power of his divinity. In this foreshadowing of how Christ would provide for his people in his death and resurrection life, we are met with the question: Do we trust God to provide for all of our needs?
In an age when we are pressured to disregard sin and unconditionally affirm every action (except for those deemed "immoral" by the shifting opinions of the masses), what are we to do? There are two choices: preach sin and repentance thereby upholding the gospel, or capitulate to social pressures and lose everything that makes us Christian. Sin does not make us Christian, but the gospel does, and without the bad news of sin, there is no good news of salvation.
In this passage, Jesus sends the twelve disciples out to preach the gospel on their own. As he does so, he encourages them to take none of the usual supplies. No extra tunics. No money. No bread. But God equips, provides, and reveals himself to those whom he calls.
We love to talk about forgiveness when it's something we receive, but when it comes to giving it, we often have a hard time. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to forgive as God in Christ forgave us. This begs the question: How has God forgiven us? In this sermon, Pastor Greg presents forgiveness as love and kindness toward the offender that leads them to repentance and reconciliation. Perhaps the question is not, "Who do you need to forgive?" but "Who do you need to love ?"
In what are likely Paul's final written words that we have preserved for us in Scripture, he doesn't speak of regrets--though he certainly every right to have some--, he speaks of the gospel and the Savior who stood by his side through every adversity. The life without regret is the life lived to Christ.
In 2 Timothy 3, Paul describes the world we live in to a T, but with the phrase “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power”, he reveals that this is actually how the Church will sometimes look in particularly difficult times. So what are we to do when sin and error creep in? In this sermon, we discuss church discipline, the importance of practicing what you preach, and the source of truth.
In today's society, people do more yelling than communicating, but that's not how Paul described the Christian life. He describes a life of perseverance in suffering, focused holiness, and gentle patience founded upon the faithfulness of God in Christ Jesus.
At the beginning of 2 Timothy, Paul gives us the recipe for life. Christ is our hope, and Paul shows Timothy that the proper perspective is necessary to stay committed to that hope. Whether you have felt suffering for the gospel, or have felt suffering due to life in general, this week, we will see that no suffering outweighs the love of God.
A life lived for material possessions is a life of slavery and hopelessness, but life lived in godliness is filled with freedom, joy and true hope.
Honor is a core principle for the Christian life. The 4th Commandment tells us to honor our mothers and fathers, and the principle of honor only grows from there.
The pursuit of godliness is key to the Christian life--so much so that Paul says it's even better than physical training. While running or lifting weights might make you stronger or faster--and they might even help you live longer--godliness is of far more value.
Who is qualified to lead in the church? Many people--even Christians--would argue those with persuasive personalities, effective presentation skills, or minds for business should lead and serve the church, but those aren't the qualifications Paul gives in 1 Timothy 3. God uses that which the world views as foolish for his highest purposes. Likewise, while the world values external qualifications, God values that which is internal. While the world looks for skill, God looks for character. This ch...
Unity amongst diversity is the driving principle as Paul approaches the subject of public worship in the church in 1 Timothy 2. When we come together, how should we treat one another, and what does proper order look like? Today, we address how one God, one Mediator and therefore one way of salvation leads us to pray for all kinds of people, worship without quarreling or jealousy, and celebrate the God-given roles of men and women in the church.
We are no longer called to make animal sacrifices to God as the Old Testament once commanded. Does this mean the Old Testament no longer brings value? Of course not. This week we see the value the law brings in revealing to us our sin and leading us once again back to Jesus.
The foundation of 1 Timothy is the gospel, and the driving principle is a God-focused attitude. In this overview, we explore how this produces three main themes throughout the book: Teaching, Gathering, and Living before the face of God.
What is one thing that undergirds, motivates, and provides a goal for the Christian life? Why did God choose to save any, if he would have been just in saving none? Why work hard, pursue the gifts God gives, or do good for others? This week, we learn about the foundation, motivation, and point of our salvation: love.
All Christians have a salvation story, and it usually goes like this: They heard the Gospel, they decided it was true, they prayed a prayer, and they're now doing their best to live God-glorifying, obedient lives. But that's only one part of the story. What was God doing? Did he have a plan? Today, we explore Romans 8:28-30 to see that God had a plan from eternity past that extends all the way into eternity future--and if you're in Christ, you're part of it!
The Scriptures are God-breathed, and they are vital to the life of a believer. Being Protestant isn't about being argumentative--it's about God's Word being our final and ultimate authority in all of faith and life.
In today's passage, we consider how Paul rebukes the Galatians and those who had preached a false gospel to them. Gospel drift isn't a new problem, but it is one that takes constant vigilance to combat. Are you gospel-centered?
For those who have been Christians for some time, it becomes easy to treat God as commonplace. In Mark 6:1-6, we see how the people of Nazareth rejected the Son of God because they saw him simply as the carpenter and son of Mary. May God lead us to trust him more and more every day, so that we leave none of his blessings for us untouched.
While Jesus was on earth, He healed many people. But that was 2,000+ years ago. Does He do the same today? This week we will see that He is still the same today as He was in the first century. Not only is Jesus the perfect Savior, but He is also the Great Physician.
The Gerasene Demoniac was a horrible mess. He was controlled by demons, living among the dead, and covered in self-inflicted wounds. He was undesirable and uncontrollable. But when Jesus arrived, he fell at his feet, and the demons had no choice but to leave at the Word of God. This man's story is our story, and in light of our deliverance, Jesus calls us to humble obedience in our everyday lives.
Do you feel that the storm in your life is too great? In today's sermon, we see that even the wind and sea must obey Jesus. His disciples quickly learn that Jesus has the highest authority. No matter how difficult life may be, we can find comfort in the fact that God has and never will lose control over his creation.
Today's sermon calls you to engage with the good news of Jesus Christ, who died for sinners and was raised to make intercession for all those who believe in him. The good news isn't just good news for other people. It's good news for you, if you simply trust in Christ.
