Keeping Up with Jesus: Series on Gospel of Mark

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS is not only the title of the message, but also the outline of the message. Tune in to find out how Rock, Paper, Scissors dovetails with the Resurrection Message. We have one service for Easter combining contemporary and traditional strands of worship and woven into one powerful experience with God.

PALM SUNDAY! What is it? This Sunday’s celebration marks the time Jesus rides into the City of Jerusalem as the true King of Israel. He rides into the city on a donkey colt while the people cheer Him as their champion. They are hoping He will be the general who will finally rid them of Roman occupation and restore Israel’s independence. Not only does Jesus ride into Jerusalem, but He also rides into the final week of His earthly ministry.…

WITH EYES WIDE OPEN: A blind man heard that Jesus was passing by. He cried out for Jesus’ attention – and he got it. He received his sight. This story ends with a new beginning: “… and he followed Jesus on the way.” (Formerly) blind Bartimaeus now follows Jesus with eyes wide open. We are to do the same. Our scripture: Mark 10.46-52. The message: WITH EYES WIDE OPEN. Join us in person or online with FACEBOOK LIVE at 9…

RIGHT SIDE UP IN AN UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD: Two of Jesus’ disciples want to cut in line and be ‘first’ in the new kingdom Jesus is supposed to bring (“Grant to us to sit – one at your right and one at your left.”). Jesus counters (respectfully, but firmly) that they must share His “baptism” – His immersion in the real cost of redemptive living. Jesus points out to all the disciples that the world is a world of competition and…

Jesus has just been on the mountain, revealing His inner glory to three of His disciples. Now, it is time to go into the valley – to real life. The valley is the place where life has its store of pain, distress, and chaos. Jesus reveals glory here as well. Our scripture: Mark 9.14-29. The message: IN THE VALLEY

Jesus takes three of His disciples to a mountain top. There, they see a side of Jesus they had never seen before. And as we accompany them on this mountain top experience, we too see His unmatched brightness and glory. Long story short, after Moses and Elijah depart, and the cloud of God’s presence lifts, the disciples see JESUS ONLY. Our scripture: Mark 9.2-8. The occasion: The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The date: February 28, 2021.

We are asked many questions – some are more ‘everyday’ type: “Would you like more potato salad?” … to more serious [to me]: “Would you like another cup of coffee?” … to life altering questions [in my case]: “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? I do” [and I still mean that today]. But, more important than all is the question Jesus asks: “Who do you say that I am?” We explore this question in this…

The prophet John has been beheaded by Herod, the corrupt puppet king in place by the Romans. The cause of the kingdom is being threatened. Jesus retaliates, not by anger or by force, but by ramping up His compassion and making a difference for thousands. People have come from all corners of Israel to hear His teaching and to receive healing. People have spent a lot of time there. What about food? This is a real need. Jesus ministers to…

As we step through the Gospel of Mark, Jesus runs into stiff opposition … And we have only started chapter 3! What I mean by stiff opposition is: After Jesus heals a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath, the religious leaders begin to specifically plot His death. In a sense, they are gathering wood – the wood of the cross.The power struggle between control and compassion is on. Our series: KEEPING UP WITH JESUS: THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF MARK.…