This week we recognize dads and grads. As we do so we recognize that learning never ends and we wouldn't want it any other way. To stop learning is to stop living.
Let's be honest about the normal life of following Jesus. This week we look at the struggle with sin every follower of Jesus contends with. Resigning to defeat or declaring unchallenged victory are false alternatives. Paul's transparency introduces us to a NEW that is filled with hope to overcome the daily challenge of our sin.
Click to download a PDF of this week's slides.
Click here for a link to the LIVE event resource from Sunday
Last week (May 24) was Pentecost... this is the birthday of the new community of Jesus' followers that we call the Church. As a "belated birthday" observance Mark teaches on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. His goal was to teach clearly so as to remove confusion and to inspire expectation for the fullness of God's presence in our lives. Have a listen and see if he was successful!
This week was a family Sunday. For us this means that everyone (the young and the old) join us for the entire service. This week's theme: "No matter what happens, we can sing to God". This was great day! The morning included worship, a rap-battle, and a great reflection from Lorissa.
Be patient... the audible file will be posted on Tuesday! Until then we are keeping last weeks
message posted... but we are posting this week's notes.
This week we return to Romans 6 with an honest look at the struggle every one has with sin. The Apostle Paul has a surprising solution for us. We can either have a spirituality that is based on rules or we can enjoy a spirituality where God's Spirit actually leads us forward in God's grace and towards obedience. Obedience does not arise from solely from our own efforts but from the gracious activity of God's Spirit
This week we take a break from Romans to celebrate the gift of women to the world. This week Mark reflects on the theme: What every man (and woman) can learn from Mary based on Luke 1.26-38. Turns out there is a lot we can learn! Have a listen!
This week we look at God's plan for NEW! in Romans 6. New means we are not just forgiven... we are free. God's "reign of grace" not only delivers us from sin it propels us towards new life! Let's explore this together.
Click here to download this week's notes.
God promises that we can enjoy a NEW life in Jesus.
A NEW life that did not exist before...
A NEW life, that we may have known about, but we now welcome for the first time.
A NEW life that begins anew regardless of how stale and broken our life has become.
NEW is an exploration of Paul's letter to the Romans, chapters 5-8. Here we discover how
God makes us new. Along the way we will discover afresh His unimaginable promises,
His unconditional grace, and His unrelenting love that gifts us with resilience, vitality, and
liberty to live the life that God created us to enjoy.
This week we look at God's plan for NEW! in Romans 5.12-21. While there are some difficult challenges in these verses we quickly learn that this is the story of and for all of us! Let's explore this together!
God promises that we can enjoy a NEW life in Jesus.
A NEW life that did not exist before...
A NEW life, that we may have known about, but we now welcome for the first time.
A NEW life that begins anew regardless of how stale and broken our life has become.
NEW is an exploration of Paul's letter to the Romans, chapters 5-8. Here we discover how
God makes us new. Along the way we will discover afresh His unimaginable promises,
His unconditional grace, and His unrelenting love that gifts us with resilience, vitality, and
liberty to live the life that God created us to enjoy.
This week we begin our exploration celebrating the new life offered to us through Jesus that Paul outlines in Romans 5.1-11.
This week we follow up on last week's Easter message and ask: "So what?!" What's the big deal about the resurrection of Jesus? What does it mean and why does it really matter?! Well it matters a lot because if the tomb of Jesus is full then our faith is empty and we are "dumb as nails" for believing. Join us as Pastor Mark reflects on the meaning and promises of the most important holiday for followers of Jesus!
This year's Easter message is a reflection on Peter's opening words in his letter to churches in Turkey. Peter writes: "because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation" (1Peter 1.3). This begs the question: what can I expect? Join us as we seek to answer this question in light of the resurrection of Jesus.
This week's message:
This week we reflect on the lessons Jesus' last week can teach us about our own faith and relationship with God..Jesus' last 6 days challenges our faith, our worship, our understanding of God, our pride, our secret compromises, our patience, and our submission to the lordship of Jesus. Along the way we learn that authentic faith must ask God the hard questions of life...
This week's sermon:
This we continue our Life Expectancy Series as we begin to tackle topics now that we have laid our foundations. This week we continue our topic, What about work?!
This week we discuss the question: "Does my job really count?" Many of us wonder if our work is truly significant. The truth is most jobs are not going to change the world. But every job can influence, impact, and change lives. How can we be sure of this? Have a listen!
This we continue our Life Expectancy Series as we begin to tackle topics now that we have laid our foundations. This week we continue our topic, What about work?!
This week we discuss the question: Is our work job #1? As we explore the answer we look at 3 Scriptures that frame our understanding for our vocation. We then consider the question that haunts a lot of people who love and want to serve God: "What if I have never felt called to a job or career?" How Mark answers this question might surprise you.
This we continue our Life Expectancy Series as we begin to tackle topics now that we have laid our foundations. This week we continue our topic, What about work?!
This week we look at another story Jesus told about an employer who hires laborers to work for a day. Some he hires first thing in the morning; some mid-day, and some a few hires before "closing". The great surprise is that everyone is paid the same amount regardless of how many hours they worked! matter what time during the day he hired them!. This struck Jesus' audience as unfair and unjust as it strikes us today. This week we discuss our work, our wages, and our value...
This week's sermon:
This we continue our Life Expectancy Series as we begin to tackle topics now that we have laid our foundations. So this week we continue our topic, What about work?!
This week we look at a story Jesus told about the three servants who were entrusted with their master's riches. This might be one of the most misapplied stories Jesus every told because we listen through the ears of 21st century American values and understanding of success. Reflection on this story allows us to answer three questions: "Where do we work?"; "Who do we work for?"; and "What are we working for?"
What about work?! Since the beginning of the year we have been laying a foundation that prepares us to reflect on the "rest of life. This week we turn our attention to "work." The average person will spend between 25-30% of their lives working. Yet in a 2 year old study salary.com says that about 75% of those working are dissatisfied and unfulfilled. So, what about work? What is work? How do we think about work? Most importantly what does the Bible say about work? Is it punishment for sin? This week we start our discussion as we begin at the Beginning in Genesis 1 and 2.
The dictionary defines "lifestyle" as a particular way of living. "Lifestyle" is the way a person lives or a group of people live – the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group. So the question is what lifestyle will I embrace that is consistent with my vision? Disciplines me for this vision? and Advances my aspirations? What will be my life-long lifestyle? These are the questions we are discussing this week.
If I possess a vision for my life (last week) what must I do to live my vision? This week Mark discusses how a singular vision of God's Dominion and Jesus' lordship unifies all of life – our work, our play, our friendships, our families.
Do I possess a singular vision that will ground me, define me, inspire me, and release me? If so… what is it? This is the question Mark discusses this week as we continue the series LIFE Expectancy.