FBC Benicia: Recent Episodes
FBC Benicia
SUMMER SCHOOL - Back to Basics - Week 6 - 2 Timothy 3:14-17 - Matt Skrabec by FBC Benicia
SUMMER SCHOOL - Back to Basics - Week 4 - Genesis 1:26-31 - Matt Skrabec by FBC Benicia
A Slow Journey Back - Hebrews 10:24-25, 2 Cor. 1:3-7, 1 Peter 5:5-11 - Bryan Maxwell, Guest Speaker by FBC Benicia
Acts 5:1-11A selfish heart leads to destruction. To prepare us for a messy church, warn us of a selfish heart, and leads to right living before God.
Acts 4:32-37 Unity on DisplayThe church's unity is displayed in their love for one another and shared mission. The purpose is to encourage our church to live in unity, loving one another and living on mission.
Acts 4:23-30Under pressure, Christians should pray, ponder and petition. To help us respond to pressure faithfully like the apostles did.
Acts 4: 13-22The Council tells the disciples not to speak about Jesus, but they reply that they cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard! They are bold and keep going no matter the consequences.
Expecting opposition/perseverance in trials. God's word is moving forward, God's power! There is salvation found in no one else
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 9 – Acts 2:42-47 Pt 2March 12, 2023Title: New Lord, New Life Pt 2
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 8 – Acts 2:42-47 Pt 1March 5, 2023Title: New Lord, New Life Pt 1
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 7 – Acts 2:37-41February 26, 2023Title: What Shall We Do?
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 6 – Acts 2:14-36February 19, 2023Title: The Hinge of History
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 5 – Acts 2:1-13February 4, 2023Title: The Coming of the Spirit
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 3 – Acts 1:9-14 January 22, 2022Title: Watching & Waiting
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 2 – Acts 1:4-8January 15, 2022 Title: To The Ends Of The Earth
Acts: Church on Mission - Week 1 – Acts 1:1-3Title: All That Jesus Began & Continues To Do
The 5th Gospel : Advent 2022 – Isaiah 9:6Christmas EveDecember 24, 2022Big Idea: Jesus is the Prince of Peace Title: Christmas Eve 2022Purpose: To help people experience the peace that Jesus came to bring them & the world.
The 5th Gospel : Advent 2022 – Isaiah 53:1-12December 18, 2022Big Idea: Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who died for our sins. Title: Christmas to CrossPurpose: To help people worship Jesus as their savior who died for them.
Sermon-Advent Series- the 5th Gospel Wk 2Preaching Text: Isaiah 7:10-14Scripture Reading before sermon: Isaiah 7:10-14
The 5th Gospel : Advent 2022 – Isaiah 1 November 27, 2022
Big Idea: We needed a savior, not just a religion, to rescue us from our sins. Title: Religion Won’t Save The World Purpose: To help us understand the reality of sin and our need for Jesus this Advent.
Title: Jesus Commands Us To Do The Impossible Main Point/Theme: Being thankful in all circumstances because of what God has done for us. Bible Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Love Your Church- Week 8 – Membership Pt. 2
October 30, 2022
Big Idea: - Title: Membership Pt. 2- Who We Are Purpose: To help our people understand the history, mission, and how to get involved @ FBC.
Love Your Church- Week 7 – Membership Pt. 1 October 23, 2022
Big Idea: The practice of local church membership is a helpful tool for Christians & churches. Title: Membership Pt. 1- Why Membership? Purpose: To help our church understand and embrace the practice of membership @ FBC.
Love Your Church- Week 6 – 1 Peter 3:13-17 October 16, 2022
Big Idea: We are called to GO do good deeds and share good news. Title: Good Deeds & Good News Purpose: To motivate the church to do good deeds and share good news.
Love Your Church- Week 5 – Romans 12:1-8 October 9, 2022
Big Idea: The church is at its best when the people of the church do the ministry of the church. Title: Serving: Gifts for the Common Good Purpose: To help us devote our whole lives to serving God and use our gifts in the church.
Love Your Church- Week 4 – Galatians 6:1-6,10 October 2, 2022
Big Idea: Our love for one another should include gentle restoration, burden bearing, and doing good to one another. Title: A Caring Church Purpose: To teach the church what love and care for one another should look like biblically.
Love Your Church- Week 3 – Acts 20:7-12 September 25, 2022 80th Celebration Service
Big Idea: The church is both ordinary and supernatural. Title: 80th Celebration Service Purpose: To encourage believers to embrace both the ordinary and supernatural realities of life as a church.
Love Your Church- Week 2 – James 2:1-13 September 18, 2022
Big Idea: The church should be a welcoming people where worldly favoritism is forsaken. Title: A Welcoming People Purpose: To help us welcome others into our church family without favoritism.
Love Your Church- Week 1 – Ephesians 2:18-22 September 11, 2021
Big Idea: We have the privilege of belonging to the family of God through the work of Jesus. Title: Belonging & Barriers Purpose: To elevate our understanding of what the church is and help us overcome barriers to belonging.
Gospel of John: Now what? - Week 3 – John 21:15-25 September 4, 2022
Big Idea: Jesus calls us to love him and embrace the unique assignment he gives each of us. Title: Do You Love Me? Purpose: To help us see the centrality of love for Jesus and embrace the unique assignment he has given to each of us.
Gospel of John: Now what? - Week 2 – John 21:1-14 August 28, 2022
Big Idea: Jesus’ third resurrection appearance to his disciples, in the context of their mission ahead, reminds them that he is a powerful provider and gracious host. Title: The Last Breakfast Purpose: To help us see Jesus as a powerful provider and gracious host as we live sent.
Gospel of John: Now what? - Week 1 – John 20:19-31 August 21, 2022
Big Idea: The risen Jesus invites us to peace, mission, and belief. Title: Peace. Mission. Belief. Purpose: To help us experience peace, go on mission, and believe in the risen Jesus.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 27 – John 20:1-18 August 14, 2022
Big Idea: The resurrection confronts us both as a historical fact and a personal encounter with Jesus. Title: The Empty Tomb Purpose: To help us believe the historical fact of the resurrection and personally encounter the risen Jesus.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 26 – John 19:38-42 August 7, 2022
Big Idea: Even timid disciples can rise to courageous discipleship to Jesus. Title: The Ballad of Timid Disciples Purpose: To call us to identify with Jesus while leaving room for those still in process.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 24 – John 19:17-27 July 24, 2022
Big Idea: The cross of Christ, foretold by the OT, tells us who God is and what he’s like. Title: King’s Cross Purpose: To help people see what the cross reveals about God and how the OT pointed to it.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 23 – John 19:1-16 July 17, 2022
Big Idea: You become what you behold- so behold Jesus the king! Title: Behold Your King! Purpose: To help people see Jesus clearly as our king and learn to look to him in all of life.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 22 – John 18:28-40 July 10, 2022
Big Idea: Jesus is a different kind of king. Title: The King’s Trial Purpose: To help us see Jesus as a different kind of king, marked by truth and substitution.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 19 – John 18:1-12 June 19, 2022 Father’s Day
Big Idea: Jesus is God: fully in control and willingly laying down his life for us. Title: Arresting God Purpose: To help us see Jesus as God: in control and willingly laying down his life for us.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 19 – John 17:20-26 June 12, 2022
Big Idea: Our unity in the gospel is a desire of God’s heart & powerful witness to the world. Title: A Call To Unity Purpose: To help us see the call to, result of, steps toward, & basis for UNITY in the gospel.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 18 – John 17:9-19 June 5, 2022
Big Idea: Jesus prays for his disciples to be kept from danger, kept in the world, and kept for mission. Title: Kept From, Kept In, Kept For Purpose: To help us understand Jesu’s heart for his disciples through his prayer to the Father.
Follow Me: The Gospel of John / Glory of God / John 17:1–8 When we listen to this prayer, we are seeing the glorification of God through Jesus Christ and His teachings and suffering on the cross.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 16 – John 16:25-33 May 22, 2022
Big Idea: The finished work of Christ gives us access to the Father and confidence in trouble. Title: Take Heart! Purpose: To encourage us with the truth and results of Christ’s finished work for us.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 14 – John 16:1-15 May 8, 2022
Big Idea: For our good, Jesus leaves and sends the Advocate who will convict and guide. Title: The Advocate Purpose: To help us understand the Holy Spirit’s role and thus be comforted.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 13 – John 15:18-27 May 1, 2022
Big Idea: Expect opposition because of who you are and who you follow. Title: Expect Opposition Purpose: To prepare us to understand and face opposition with loving witness.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 12 – John 15:9-17 April 24, 2022
Big Idea: Life in the vine is marked by love, obedience, joy, friendship, and fruit! Title: A Basic Guide to Life in the Vine Purpose: To help people understand some of the basics of life with Jesus.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 11 – John 15:1-8 Pt 2 April 17, 2022 EASTER SUNDAY
Big Idea: Remaining in Jesus, the living one, is the key to bearing fruit. Title: The Vine and the Branches Pt 2 Purpose: To help us see Jesus as the source of life and remain in him to bear fruit.
Good Friday – John 19:30 April 15, 2022
Big Idea: Jesus’ cry of “it is finished” shows that he has accomplished what we could not. Title: Good Friday 2022 Purpose: To help us see the purpose and meaning of the Cross.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 10 – John 15:1-8 Pt 1 April 10, 2022
Big Idea: If we have life in the Son we will be pruned by the Father. Title: The Vine and the Branches Pt 1 Purpose: To help us see Jesus as the source of life and the Father’s good pruning work.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 8 – John 14:1-14 March 27, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus is the way to the Father and shows us the Father. Title: The Way, Truth, and Life Purpose: To teach clearly what God is like and how to get into right relationship with him.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 7 – John 13:31-38 March 20, 2021
Big Idea: We must love as Jesus has loved us. Title: Glory, Love, & Denial Purpose: To help us know how to respond to the glory and love of Jesus shown on the cross.
Sermon: What Drives You? Speake: Ian Ahlstrom Follow Me: The Gospel of John / John 13:18–30 Idea: What is the drive in your life and does that drive pull you away from God or closer to Him?
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 5 – John 13:1-17 March 6, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus, the servant king, must wash us and we must likewise serve others. Title: On Washing Feet Purpose: To help us receive the work of Christ in humility and live to serve others.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week 3 – John 12:20-36 February 20, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus’ death & resurrection is the most momentous event in history. Title: The Hour Has Come Purpose: To help us understand the teaching of Jesus on his coming death.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week15 – John 12:12-19 February 13, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus is the king, but not the king we expected. Title: A Different Kind of King Purpose: To help people worship Jesus as King and receive him on his terms.
Gospel of John: Follow Me- Week15 – John 12:1-11 February 6, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus is worthy of our extravagant devotion. Title: Devotion, Death, and Denial Purpose: To help people take next steps in greater devotion to Jesus.
Gospel-Shaped Relationships: Week 5 – John 17:20-23 January 30, 2021
Title: Church Relationships Purpose: To help our church move towards unity and mission together.
Gospel-Shaped Relationships: Week 4 – Ephesians 5:21-33 January 23, 2021
Big Idea: Family is both MORE important and LESS important than you think. Title: Family Relationships Purpose: Help us see how the gospel both upholds and challenges the importance of family.
Gospel-Shaped Relationships: Week 3 – Philippians 2:1-8 January 16, 2021
Big Idea: Love others how Christ loved you. Title: Relationships with Others Purpose: To help people see and love others how Christ loved us.
Gospel-Shaped Relationships : Week 2 – Mark 2:13-17 January 9, 2021
Big Idea: We are sinful yet loved and welcomed by the God who made us. Title: Relationship with Self Purpose: To help people know how to think about themselves from a biblical perspective.
Epiphany Intro : Stand Alone – Matthew 2:1-12 December 26, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus the King came for all people. Title: Jesus The King
Prepare Him Room : Advent 2021 – Luke 2:1-20 December 12, 2021
Big Idea: Prepare with Curiosity Title: Prepare with Curiosity Purpose: To help people remain curious and open to what God is doing in their lives
Prepare Him Room : Advent 2021 – Luke 3:1-6 December 5, 2021
Big Idea: Title: Prepare with Repentance Purpose: To help us prepare our hearts this season with the necessary step of repentance.
Prepare Him Room : Advent 2021 – Luke 1:26-38 November 28, 2021
Big Idea: We need to have our faith in God’s power renewed. Title: Prepare with Faith Purpose: To help us prepare our hearts this season with a renewed faith in God’s power.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 1:1, 36, 6:33 Bonus Episode 2 November 21, 2021
Big Idea: The major themes of the OT prepare us to understand who Jesus is. Title: Jesus and the Old Testament Purpose: To help people see how the major themes of the OT point to who Jesus is.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 8:42-45 Bonus Episode 1 November 4, 2021
Big Idea: Our enemy is a liar and we need to fight him with the truth. Title: Our Enemy The Liar Purpose: To help people understand our spiritual enemy, his tactics, and how to fight back.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 11:45-57 November 7, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus’ kingdom is coming whether you fight it as a threat or embrace it as good news. Title: Plotting to Kill Jesus Purpose: To help us embrace Jesus and the plan of God rather than see these as a threat.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 11:17-44 October 31, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus invites Martha to believe in him, weeps with Mary, and raises Lazarus. Title: Lazarus, Come out! Purpose: To show people the compassion of Jesus and hope we have in the resurrection.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 11:1-16 October 24, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus is not worried by our trials but invites us to trust him through them. Title: Jesus Is Not Worried Purpose: To encourage people by helping them see the sovereignty and power of Jesus.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 10:1-21 October 10, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus is the good shepherd who knows, leads, and protects his sheep. Title: The Good Shepherd Purpose: To encourage people by reminding them that God knows, leads, and protects them.
Reading: John 9:1-41 Topic: Are You Spiritually Blind? Jesus gives sight, the world blinds us.
Big Idea: Jesus is the unique son of his Father, foreseen by Abraham, and God himself. Title: Hey Jesus! Who Do You Think You Are? Purpose: To help us see from John 8 who Jesus claimed to be.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 8:31-47 September 19, 2021
Big Idea: We need to be set free from sin and the lies of the enemy through Jesus. Title: Jesus, the Devil and Freedom Purpose: To help people find freedom in Christ from slavery to sin and the lies of the enemy.
Come & See : The Gospel of John – John 8:12-30 September 12, 2021
Big Idea: Jesus is the light of the world and only way to true life. Title: Light & Life Purpose: To help people see Jesus as the light of the world and only way to true life.
The 3rd Quarter: Book of Haggai – Haggai 2:1-9, 20-23
Big Idea: God promises his presence and glory to his people despite their unimpressive works Title: Greater Glory To Come Purpose: To call people to devotion to God’s work, trusting in his presence and glory to come
Big Idea: God calls us to carefully consider how we live, preparing our hearts and minds. Title: Give Careful Thought To Your Ways Purpose: To call people to live an intentional, thoughtful life as they follow Jesus.
Big Idea: Whose house are you building? Remember the fundamentals! Title: The 3rd Quarter Kickoff, Haggai 1 Purpose: To introduce our fall emphasis and call people to remember the fundamental practices of their faith
Sermon: John 7:1-36 Scripture to be read: John 7:1-7
A lot of conflict in this passage. Jesus' brothers not believing him. Jews seeking to kill him. Jesus then privately goes up to the Feast of Booths. Public opinion is divided. Jesus again affirms that he has come from the Father.
Big idea: How will we respond to Jesus? Doubt and skepticism and even persecution, or faith and right judgement?
Week 5 Provider & Provision John 6:60-71
Scripture to be read before sermon: John 6:60-66** @ianahlstrom3 , I had to include v.66 here although originally it was just through 65!!
Big Idea: We often grumble and stumble at the hard teachings of Jesus. Many in the crowd turn back and stop following after the can't wrap their head around Jesus' teaching the past few weeks. When given the option to leave, Peter instead says: "Lord, to whom shall we go!?" Where else can we go? Even if some thing are hard or we misunderstand them, Jesus alone can give us eternal life.
Week 3 of Provider and Provision
John 6:22-58 Pt 1 Reading: 6:32-37
Main themes here will be our hunger and the fact that Jesus satisfies our hunger. He is the bread of life! v.35. He not only gives us what we need but he himself is what we most deeply need.
Week 4 of Provider and Provision
John 6:35-58 Pt 2
Scripture to be read: John 6:35-40
This week will be part two of the "Bread of Life Discourse". We'll again be talking about how Jesus is the bread of life, the one we deeply need to fill the hunger in our hearts. He alone can save and give us what we need. The text talks about "eating his flesh/blood" in terms of receiving him. So how we respond is very important! Also mixed in is the sovereignty of God and how he draws us to himself.
Week 5 of King & Cross. Text: Mark 12:13-17. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? What does it mean to give our full allegiance to God and not Caesar? This text helps us explore these important questions as Jesus again is in conflict with the religious leaders of his day.
Week 4 of King & Cross. Text: Mark 11:27-12:12. We have a hard time when people claim to have authority over us. Jesus’ opponents question him and give us an opportunity to consider our own posture to the king. Do we serve him in obedience or rally against his claims on our lives? Are we owners of our own lives and destinies, or merely stewards?
Week 3 of King & Cross. Text:Mark 11:12-25. The world is full of people that have the appearance of bearing fruit for the kingdom but have no real fruit. Jesus does not treat us lightly when we are not doing the things we were designed to do. Why do we continue to bear no fruit? The answer lies in where we put our hope.
Week 2 of King & Cross. Text: Mark 11:1-11. Jesus’ ministry seems to be coming to a dramatic conclusion as he enters Jerusalem at the time of Passover to shouts of “Hosanna!” Surely the arrival of the king will initiate a celebration, a wonderful welcome, a showdown with his opponents! And yet, the city’s response to the return of the king is quite underwhelming. What do we make of this, and how do we welcome the king in our own lives?
Week 1 of King & Cross. Text: Mark 8:27-31. We’re back in the Gospel of Mark for the Fall! Who is Jesus? And what did Jesus come to do? These two questions form the main themes of the book. If Jesus is the king of the universe, what does that mean for us?
Week 10 of Rhythms. Text: Philippians 1:3-11. The practices and habits we implement in our lives will shape us. It’s not a question of whether we are being shaped and formed, but rather what kind of people are we being shaped and formed into? The good news is that this all doesn’t depend on us. God began this good work in you, he will finish it and bring you to maturity.
Week 9 of Rhythms. Text: Matthew 6:16-18. The ancient practice of fasting can be a powerful way to seek God and focus on him. For many of us this concept is strange or unheard of. Here we explore it and seek to implement it in our lives.
Week 8 of Rhythms. Text: Psalm 42. Often our unhappiness in life is because we are listening to ourselves rather than talking to ourselves. Here we explore the practice of reminding yourself of what is true about God and you. When there is a disconnect between your head and your heart, what you know and what you feel, you have to preach…to yourself!
Week 7 of Rhythms. Text: Philippians 2:5-8. We’re called to be givers because God is a giver. Philippians 2 shows us the extent God went to love us, entering our world as a human being and dying on an cross in our place. If this is who our God is, then shouldn’t we also be people of radical generosity?
Week 6 of Rhythms. Sin and confession. These are two loaded words! In this message we explore the reality of sin and how God wants us to deal with it. We may be prone to avoid confession, but confession is the key to freedom and forgiveness before God. Text: 1 John 1:8-10
Week 5 of Rhythms. At FBC we believe that we are better together. Here we explore this concept and unpack why we need one another as we follow Jesus. Text: Hebrews 10:24-26
Week 4 of Rhythms. Prayer is a global phenomenon. It’s especially important as Christians, but do we know how to do it? What is prayer and what should it look like in our lives? Text: Luke 11:1-5
Week 3 of Rhythms. Here we look at the importance of Sabbath. What does Sabbath look like in 2018. Why does God command it and how does it benefit us? Text:Exodus 20:8-1
Week 2 of Rhythms: Here we look at the importance of regularly being in God’s word. Sometimes we view this as a burden or chore, but is it? What should we believe about the Bible? And how should we use it? Text: Psalm 119:1-16
Here we wrapped up the book of Jonah and revisited some of the key themes along the way. Text: The Book of Jonah
Week 1 of Rhythms. We kick off the series by looking at John 15, the call from Jesus to remain connected to him. We won’t grow or bear fruit on our own, and these spiritual disciplines won’t be of value to us if we don’t see them as ways we can remain connected to Christ. Text: John 15:1-5
Week 5 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. The book of Jonah comes to a close with God’s heart on full display. Jonah is angry with God for showing grace to the people of Nineveh. God’s response reveals the whole point of the book: God’s compassion for a lost and broken world. Text: Jonah 4:1-11
Week 4 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. Jonah finally reaches Nineveh with his message from God. This wicked city responds in a pretty surprising, miraculous way. What can we learn from Nineveh about judgment, repentance and the gospel? Text: Jonah 3:1-10
Week 3 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. After Jonah is tossed overboard he is swallowed up and rescued by a big fish. From the belly of the fish he finally prays to God, but his words leave us scratching our heads. How does God respond to us when we get some things right but get plenty wrong? Text: Jonah 1:17-2:10
Week 2 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. Jonah is on the run, speeding away from God. On a dangerous ship in a powerful storm, Jonah’s words seem in conflict with his actions. It seems that what we SAY doesn’t always line up with what we DO. Text: Jonah 1:4-16
Week 1 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. We start the book of Jonah by seeing God’s assignment come to Jonah. Rather than obeying, he runs the opposite direction. It appears that Jonah is fine with God’s love for him, but he doesn’t want God’s love to extend to his enemies. Sound familiar? Text: Jonah 1:1-3
This passage is first and foremost about being a true disciple of Jesus. Our answer to the question, “what do you want me to do for you?” will reveal whether we want to be healed form our spiritual blindness or selfishly want to use God to do our bidding and fulfill our own desires.
We have a tendency to seek greatness by our position and accomplishments. Jesus corrects his disciples, and us, by showing them what greatness actually looks like in the kingdom of God. Text: Mark 10:35-45
Here we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! We see in the Gospel of Mark that he told his disciples (several times) that this would take place. It seems that they needed to hear this
Week 24 of the Gospel of Mark series. On Palm Sunday we remember that Jesus is the king of the universe and that he is bringing his kingdom to bear in our world. This text asks and answers the question: Who can enter this kingdom? How do we make sure we are part of what Jesus is doing? The answer may surprise us. Text: Mark 10:13-31
When it comes to obtaining salvation there are only two choices: the pharisee or the prostitute. Which one are you? Text: Luke 7:36-50
Week 23 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus again makes us quite uncomfortable with his strong teaching. Here he pushes us to consider the design and intent of marriage along with God’s view of divorce. Rather than looking for a way out of our marriages, Jesus tells us to find a way forward. Text: Mark 10:1-12
Week 22 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus challenges us with harsh words about our sin, calling us to go to extreme measures to avoid it. This isn’t “cuddly” Jesus. The text also forces us to consider eternal consequences: the joy of eternal life and the reality of hell. Text: Mark 9:42-50
Week 21 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus doesn't tell us we shouldn't strive for greatness but he does completely redefine what the word means. But what if we're so far removed from thinking of greatness that we can barely survive the day? Jesus has something to say about that too. Text: Mark 9:30-41
Week 20 of the Gospel of Mark series. An odd and powerful mountain-top experience reveals the glory, identity and mission of Jesus. As Jesus and the disciples head back down the hill they’re immediately faced with challenges and failure, revealing what is required to follow Jesus after the mountain-top experience is done and normal life resumes. Text: Mark 9:1-29
Week 19 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus doesn’t give us the bait-and-switch. Instead, he tells his disciples clearly, full-disclosure, what following him is going to look like. Not only will he suffer and die, but they will be called to lose their lives as well. Are we willing to count the cost and follow Jesus? Text: Mark 8:31-38
Week 18 of the Gospel of Mark series. Sometimes we miss things that are right under our nose.The Pharisees and the disciples are both examples here of being blind, but in quite different ways. They don’t really grasp who Jesus is. It all leads up to Jesus’ pointed question: Who do YOU say I am? Text: Mark 8:11-30
Week 17 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus seems to insult and reject a desperate mother. What in the world?! The answer unlocks the meaning of these verses, showing the extend of God’s love and grace. Text: Mark 7:24-8:10
Week 16 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus harshly corrects the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They elevate their human traditions over God’s commands. They misunderstand what makes a person unclean. Jesus corrects their misunderstanding, and ours. Text: Mark 7:1-23
Week 15 of the Gospel of Mark series. Were the miracles of Jesus simply fascinating tricks, or is there a more significant reason? Text: Mark 6:45-56
Week 14 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus demonstrates his compassion for those in need and involves the disciples in an unlikely miracle. Feeling like Jesus doesn’t have time for you? Feeling like the needs in front of you are overwhelming? Enter: Jesus. Text: Mark 6:30-44
Week 13 of the Gospel of Mark series. We should trust Jesus even when he is all-too-familiar. Check. We are sent out on mission in Jesus’ name. Check. We may die a brutal, ugly death at the hands of those in power. What? Text: Mark 6:1-29
Week 4 of the Promise:Kept series. We celebrate on Christmas Eve the miracle of God coming to us, the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet as we take a closer look, some of the details seem so…odd. Upside down. Not the way we would expect. Text: Luke 2:1-14
Week 3 of the Promise:Kept series. In Isaiah 7 God promises to give his people a sign of his presence and protection, a virgin birth and a son named Immanuel. But we never saw this fulfilled in the OT! If Jesus is Immanuel, what does this mean? And what did he come to do?
Bible Passage: Matthew 1:18-23, Isaiah 7:14
Week 1 of the Promise:Kept series. Looking back to Genesis 3:15 we see that from the very beginning God promised to deal with evil and death. He sent his Son, Jesus, to defeat the work of the enemy.
Bible Passage: Genesis 3:15