A DESPERATE PLEA FOR MERCY

In this scene, Jesus practices exactly what he preached in 10:35-45. Here we see the road to the cross and the true nature of the cross come to be further impressed upon those who follow after Jesus. On the last leg of the journey to Jerusalem, Jesus brings the royal caravan that had formed to a screeching halt as he stops to heal a blind beggar. The Son of Man who would be welcomed with honor in Jerusalem delays his grand reception in order to meet the needs of a man the group had concluded was not worth their time. Jesus has come precisely to serve people like this. Those who behold their need is great but believe that Jesus is greater. Bartimaeus didn't ask for glory. He just wanted to see SO THAT he might follow after Jesus. Following Jesus is what he wants. Following Jesus - yes even to the cross - is his reward. In this healing, we're challenged to consider how we'd answer the question, "What do you want me to do for you?"

LISTEN TO SUNDAY’S SERMON HERE

HE CAME TO DIE FOR US

In Mark 10:32-45, we come to the single most important verse in the Gospel of Mark. Prior to this point, it's been made abundantly clear that Jesus will die. But the crucial question that remains to be clearly answered is "Why?" Why must the Messiah suffer and die at the hands of men? What does his death mean? Our all-important verse answers these questions. But, in order for us to reach the top of Calvary's hill and take in the astounding accomplishment of the cross, we must first journey along with the disciples to the cross. The meaning of Christ's death is explained in the context of James & John's endeavor to become men of greatness and reign in glory. But what does it mean to be truly great? According to Christ, the great ones sacrifice. The foundation and fuel for living this kind of sacrificial life is the sacrificial death of Christ. The Son of Man "who was given dominion and glory, that ALL peoples, nations, and languages should serve him," (Dan 7:14) "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (10:45). And here we come to the heart of the gospel and meaning of the cross. Jesus says it himself: "I won't just die, I'll die for you."

Listen to the sermon HERE

BY COMING TO GOD WITH THE EMPTY HANDS OF A CHILD

The march toward the cross continues on and along the way, through the living illustrations of children and a rich young ruler, Jesus makes it clear how we can enter the kingdom of God. The answer, in short? It’s impossible. That is, it’s impossible with man. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more about what the Bible teaches about how anyone can be saved.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

MARRIAGE TELLS THE STORY OF THE GOSPEL

On the heels of teaching humility, we journey with Jesus into an arena in which humility is much required: marriage. Jesus arrives in Judea and is thrown a controversial question by the Pharisees: "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" (10:2). Jesus answers the question about whether it is permissible to break a marriage covenant by expanding the conversation to hold out God's good and wise design in the marriage covenant. A design that goes all the way back to the beginning (Gen 1-2). A design that points to the great end for which God created the world: that his Son would have a bride. In the Old Covenant, God made an exception for man’s hardness of heart. Under the New Covenant, God’s highest intention for marriage is fulfilled in Christ’s unbreakable union with the Church (Eph 5:22-32). A union made possible by the cross - so that we could rightly say the true meaning of marriage is shaped by the cross. In the cross-shaped marriage, Jesus' marriage becomes the model and motivation for our own. His sacrificial love softens the hardness of our hearts toward our spouses. His undying faithfulness spurs on those tempted toward unfaithfulness. 

If after listening to last Sunday’s sermon, you’d like to spend more time studying the topic of marriage, divorce and remarriage in the Bible, here are some suggested resources for you:

• Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage by Jay Adams

• Before you Leave Your Wife by Marshal Segal

• Why “Falling Out of Love” Never Justifies Divorce by John Piper

• Child of Divorce, Do Not Fear Marriage by T. Kim

• Love That Lasts by Gary and Betsy Ricucci

• When Sinners Say “I Do”: The Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

DO YOU WANT TO BE GREAT?

We all want to be great. But all too often, we pursue greatness according to the world’s way. In Mk 9:30-50, Jesus doesn’t call us to quit this pursuit, but challenges our perception of true greatness. It’s a greatness which can’t come apart from humility shaped by the cross. A humility that thinks less of ourselves, more of others, and most of the Christ who became least, lowest, and last of all for us. Listen to the sermon to learn more about the cross-shaped humility that frees us to serve and celebrate those around us.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

FIGHT AGAINST ANXIETY WITH PRAYER

This past Sunday we had the privilege of hearing the preached word from Trey Richardson, from our sister church, Center Church in Gilbert, AZ. We were reminded that in one way or another, we're all affected by the enemy of anxiety. Life often feels like too much. We're prone to be overwhelmed, paralyzed, or fearful as we look at what's before us today, tomorrow, or in this new year. In Philippians 4:4-7, Paul addresses our problem of anxiety by holding out the promise of prayer. Prayer is the weapon God provides to fight against anxiety. Because through it, we entrust ourselves to a sovereign God who's greater than any anxiety. 

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MEDITATE UPON GOD’S WORD?

On Sunday we were joined by guest preacher Greg Dirnberger from our sister church, Emmaus Road in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We heard from God’s word in Joshua 1:8 and were reminded of the importance and impact of biblical meditation in our lives. What is meditation? “Meditation is a holy exercise of the mind whereby we bring the truths of God to remembrance, and do seriously ponder upon them and apply them to ourselves” (Thomas Watson). This practice grounds us in God’s word, steeps our souls in the riches of God’s truth, and empowers us to persevere in the Christian life.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

BELIEVE IN THE GLORIOUS, CRUCIFIED CHRIST

With the narrative's turn in chapter 8, Mark turned on the lights. In chapter 9, he raises the dimmer switch as far up as it'll go. Who Jesus is literally shines forth to the disciples as Peter, James, and John behold him in radiant glory. Talk about a mountaintop experience! The two scenes in the beginning of the chapter are reminiscent of the events of Exodus 19-34. Through two discipleship failures, Jesus further reveals the contours of the cross He’s now actively moving toward. For us, these scenes help us to better understand precisely what living a cross-shaped - or in other words, a “Gospel-centered” - life really looks like. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

SURROUNDING THE IDENTITY OF JESUS AND THE NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THE SHAPE OF THE CROSS

In Mark 8, Jesus directly asks His disciples, “who do you say that I am?”. God opens Peter’s eyes to see, albeit still dimly, that Jesus is the Christ. In response to the first accurate confession of Jesus’ identity by another human being, Jesus makes a prediction about “the Christ” that leaves His followers baffled and dismayed. Further, He explains just what it means to be a follower of the Christ. Everybody is stunned. Why? Because both of Jesus statements - about the identity of the Christ and the nature of discipleship - are characterized by suffering and self-denial. In short, the cross shapes everything. This is as true for Christians today as it was for Peter and his compatriots. Listen to last Sunday’s sermon to learn more from this stunning passage of God’s Word.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE

RESOLVE TO SEE HIM EVEN JUST A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY

For the Christian, the new year is a series of opportunities, month by month, day by day, moment by moment to behold Christ. 365 days filled with every providential detail the Lord has designed to set our sights on his Son. Returning to Mark’s Gospel this past Sunday, we came to the section right before the main hinge of the story - Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ (Mk 8:27-9:1) - and encountered 3 stories about spiritual sight. Through them, we’re warned about the blinding effects of unbelief and encouraged by Christ’s eagerness to open our eyes to all he is. We see now "in a mirror dimly" (1 Cor 13:12) yet await that great day when we'll see Jesus "face to face," just "as he is" (1 Jn 3:2). Until then, in every year in between, especially this new year of 2023, our prayer is that the Lord would help us to see Jesus more clearly.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON HERE