This week we study Luke 4:14-20 under the theme “Rejecting a Familiar Savior.” The Jews wanted a Messiah. They just didn’t want the REAL Messiah. A relationship with the real Messiah requires humility and repentance. It leads to a life spent favoring the hurting of the world. And it empowers you to walk through and away from the rejections you may face. SERIES SUMMARY: The goal of Dr. Luke’s Gospel is to present the universal reach of Jesus’ gift of salvation. As a man of science, Luke was not p...
Jan 20, 2025•37 min
This week, we’ll focus on Jesus’ baptism from Luke 3:15-17 and 21-22, where we see His dependence on the Father and His absolute commitment to God’s will. The Trinity’s presence highlights and affirms Jesus as the one chosen to carry out God’s rescue mission. Despite humanity's natural tendency to rebel against God’s authority, Jesus identified with us. We now receive the benefit of Jesus’ saving work through our own baptisms, including the Father’s approval and the Spirit’s presence, empowering...
Jan 13, 2025•24 min
This week we will be studying Luke 3:1-14 under the theme “A Cultural Contrarian.” We are introduced to John the Baptist who prepared the way for the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. John was unabashed with the truth, countercultural in lifestyle, and compelling to all. He had a mission from God and simply did not care who hated him for it. As we start a new year and new teaching series we can learn from John about the courage to live missionally. SERIES SUMMARY : The goal of Dr. Luke’s Gosp...
Jan 06, 2025•35 min
We explore the profound comfort found in Romans 8, emphasizing that if God is for us, no one can stand against us. Through the lens of the Apostle Paul's teachings, we are reminded of Christ's inseparable love and the impregnable defense He provides against the accusations of sin and the grave. As we face life's challenges, we are encouraged to trust in the unchanging love of Jesus, which remains steadfast regardless of our circumstances. How can we pray for you? tinyurl.com/stmarcusprayers Fill...
Dec 30, 2024•25 min
This Christmas Day message explores the transformative power of knowing Jesus, the eternal Word made flesh. Discover how His incarnation brings light to our darkness and hope to our world. Delve into the true meaning of Christmas and the depth of God's love. Celebrate the season and be inspired to live as redeemed children of God. How can we pray for you? tinyurl.com/stmarcusprayers Fill out our online connection card: tinyurl.com/stmarcusconnectcard If you’d like to leave an offering or monetar...
Dec 27, 2024•17 min
This week we will conclude our study of Revelation with Revelation 22:1-14 under the theme “The Evolution of Paradise.” SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two millennia. As apocalyptic literature, it’s unique in the New Testament for numerous reasons, not the least of which is that it is the book that speaks of things yet to come. Revelation is a message to Christians to remain faithful to Christ and to resist evil. It includes visions and images that point to J...
Dec 23, 2024•26 min
This week we will be studying Revelation 21:1-6 under the theme “A New Heaven and a New Earth.” Whereas Christians often get lost in the many strange and spectacular details of the Book of Revelation, they forget that its primary purpose God intended is Living Hope for his people to face anything in the present. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two millennia. As apocalyptic literature, it’s unique in the New Testament for numerous reasons, not the least of whi...
Dec 16, 2024•29 min
This week we will be studying Revelation 19:1-10 under the theme “The Wedding Supper and the Lamb.” Our praise of God in the present gets derailed when we forget the temporal nature of enticing beauty, overprioritize otherwise good things, or lose track of all the Lord has done and has promised. Our “Hallelujah” today is possible and powerful only to the degree we anticipate the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two millennia. As apo...
Dec 09, 2024•35 min
Leading up to Chapter 14, we hear of the dangers that are to come to us in this world. Even in our troubles, fears, hardships, and pain, we learn that this is not a time to worry. Rather "This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people." "This calls for wisdom." The end of times is no different from the beginning of time — God always delivers! SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two millennia. As apocalyptic literature, it’s unique i...
Dec 02, 2024•27 min
Our next step in Revelation takes us to the heavenly throne room in Chapter 5, where John’s heart breaks over the sealed scroll—until everything changes when the Lamb steps forward. The new song of heaven bursts out, celebrating what Jesus has done. He has made us a kingdom and priests through His sacrifice. Here we see that unrestrained, joy-filled worship is what we were made for and we join in the chorus sung in heaven as we discover the infinite worth of the Lamb. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of...
Nov 25, 2024•24 min
This week we will be studying Revelation 3:14-22 under the theme “A Letter to the Church in Laodicea.” It is in these verses that we learn how Jesus notoriously deemed Laodicea “lukewarm,” saying that if they did not repent, he would spit them out. Prosperity has a way of deceiving God’s people into believing in their own self-sufficiency. Christ calls us to repent and see not only our need for God’s grace but the King’s generous provision of it. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascin...
Nov 18, 2024•36 min
This week we will be studying Revelation 2:1-7 under the theme “A Letter to the Church in Ephesus.” Ephesus had been a pivotal congregation in the Early Church, but they’d lost their original love. It’s entirely possible for a Christian congregation (or individual) to check major boxes of doctrine and religious practice, but lose internal vitality. We’ll see how that fall happens and needs to be done to reignite vibrancy. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two m...
Nov 11, 2024•30 min
This week we will be studying Revelation 1:8-18 under the theme “Introducing the Alpha and the Omega.” This week we read the Apostle John’s introductory image of Jesus in heaven. John is overwhelmed. But the Lord tells him, “Do not be afraid,” because this all-powerful King holds the keys to our future. SERIES SUMMARY: The book of Revelation has fascinated Christians for two millennia. As apocalyptic literature, it’s unique in the New Testament for numerous reasons, not the least of which is tha...
Nov 04, 2024•25 min
This week we will be celebrating the Reformation, as well as concluding our series on David, studying 2 Samuel 12:1-25 under the theme “The Repentant Will Be Reconciled.” The first of Martin Luther’s famous 95 Theses states: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Contrary to what this world thinks about progress or self-image, by God’s design, the path forward for humanity is always in humbling ourselves b...
Oct 28, 2024•28 min
This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 11:1-27 under the theme “The Proud Will Fall.” Here, we encounter perhaps the most notorious series of sins in the Bible. Amongst other things, we learn the power of sin to grow from a cell in our hearts to a monster that can ruin our lives. But we also learn that no murderer or adulterer is beyond God’s saving grace. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed wi...
Oct 21, 2024•29 min
This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 9:1-13 under the theme “Kindness to Friends & Those in Need.” David had experienced the goodness of God, and he’d also made a vow reflecting that goodness to his friend Jonathan. So, when David had opportunity to do good to Jonathan’s family after Jonathan had passed away, he seized the moment. David’s kindness is a picture of what Jesus (the GREATER David) came to do for us, but also an inspiration to proactively seek out opportunities to extend God’s ...
Oct 14, 2024•27 min
This week we will be studying 2 Samuel 6:12-23 under the theme “When Your Family Won’t Support You.” As David matured as a believer, he sometimes found discouragement from those who should have been encouragers – like his wife, Michal. We’ll learn how to find joy and dancing in God even when the world is dragging us down. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and r...
Oct 07, 2024•31 min
This week we will be studying 1 Samuel 24:1-22 under the theme “Doing Life HIS Way.” King Saul wanted to kill David. David’s friends wanted David to kill Saul. It was easy to rationalize. But David said, “I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.” David was committed to the will and grace of God more than justifiable human reason. By God’s grace, we don’t get what we reasonably deserve, but we receive grace through a greater David. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is...
Sep 30, 2024•25 min
This week we will be studying 1 Samuel 17:32-54 under the theme “Slaying Giants.” “David and Goliath” has become a proverbial term for underdog stories. But it’s actually less about our personal empowerment and more about the courage instilled in us when we recognize that a Greater David’s victory has become our own. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of ancient literature of a single human life. Dramatically packed with scandal, betrayal, murder, and redemp...
Sep 23, 2024•40 min
This week we’ll be studying 1 Samuel 16:1-13 under the theme “God’s Decision Process.” When it is time for God to choose a new king in Israel, he doesn’t just make an unusual choice, but a selection that wasn’t even standing amongst the reasonable considerations. This tells us something about how God operates, how we are to revise our decision-making processes, and even more, something about God’s plan of salvation. SERIES SUMMARY: The life of David is the single longest narrative in all of anci...
Sep 16, 2024•35 min
This week we will be studying Galatians 6:1-10 under the theme “Doing Gospel Good”. God works through each of us in a different way, and we are to examine ourselves and take responsibility for what He asks us to do. God also calls each of us to sow good, spiritual seeds in this life, so that the harvest may be reaped in our next, eternal life. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them ...
Sep 09, 2024•33 min
This week we will be studying Galatians 5:13-26 under the theme “Freedom to Fight Against Your Flesh." We are in a daily struggle against temptation and sin, and sometimes we feel like we are losing the struggle more than we are winning. Christ has claimed victory over these daily battles, freeing us from the desires of our flesh, and over the enemy of death. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers we...
Sep 02, 2024•27 min
This week we will be studying Galatians 4:8-20 under the theme “Haunted by Idols.” The Galatians had been influenced by false teachers (Judaizers) who were leading them into a work-righteousness that was actually quite similar to their old paganism. Paul persuades them away from this error of religion through a combination of truth and love – personalized gospel ministry. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influentia...
Aug 26, 2024•32 min
This week we will be studying Galatians 3:1-14 under the theme “The Appeal and Failure of the Law.” We see here how proud humans are always tempted to plagiarize from God, attempting to give ourselves some level of credit for our salvation, righteousness, and blessings. But self-merit in God’s Kingdom will only cause spiritual sickness. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their lives. Influential teachers were causing them to focu...
Aug 19, 2024•30 min
This week we will be studying Galatians 2:11-21 under the theme “The Damage of Believers Forgetting the Gospel.” Paul illustrates this theme to the Galatians by telling a story of even the Apostle Peter acting out of line with the gospel and causing great pain. There is great transformation in not scolding ourselves, or others, but explaining how a behavior might be “out of line with the gospel.” SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted i...
Aug 12, 2024•33 min
This week we will be studying Galatians 1:3-12 under the theme “No Other Gospel.” Reversing the gospel is a primary mechanism by which Satan tries to steal confidence, hope, joy, and even salvation away from Christians. This lesson teaches the right order of the gospel. We’ll learn how to fight against an upside-down, perverted ordering of the gospel in our thinking and relationships. SERIES SUMMARY: Galatians is written to believers who were allowing the gospel to become distorted in their live...
Aug 05, 2024•34 min
This week we will be studying John 15:9-17 under the theme “Dangerous Friendship.” As God has called us “friends,” and treated us as his greatest friend by laying his life down for us, we are also to go and do likewise – not as friends of the world, but as the best friends in the world. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of people walking away from the Christian faith. But what's repelling people isn't Jesus - it's that what is often...
Jul 29, 2024•25 min
This week we will be studying Acts 2:42-47 under the theme “Dangerous Spirit.” After Pentecost, the Spirit of God worked mightily in the Early Church to produce a countercultural lifestyle amongst God’s people as they graciously did life together. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of people walking away from the Christian faith. But what's repelling people isn't Jesus - it's that what is often widely spread as mainstream Christianit...
Jul 22, 2024•23 min
This week we’ll be studying Philippians 3:17-21 under the theme “Dangerous Citizen.” When Christians in this world forget that their citizenship is truly in heaven, they tend to have an unhealthy relationship with political power. Christian Nationalism has become an unhealthy development. This week we’ll learn the confidence that comes from knowing Jesus on his throne, and how he primarily wants us to influence society. "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a ...
Jul 15, 2024•25 min
This week, we will be studying Luke 9:18-20 under the theme, "Dangerous Jesus." Jesus asked the question to his disciples and to us all, "But what about you? Who do you say I am? "Find out why the only thing more risky than getting Jesus right is getting Jesus wrong. SERIES SUMMARY: "Dangerous Jesus" is based on a book by Kevin "KB" Burgess. Today, we see a surge of people walking away from the Christian faith. But what's repelling people isn't Jesus - it's that what is often widely spread as ma...
Jul 08, 2024•27 min
