Sermon Of The Week

In Mark, divine intervention often leaves people even more afraid, not less. And so even in the Resurrection, we see a need still remains. For us to be freed from fear, Christ will ascend to the Father and pour forth the Spirit, who will pour into us the love of God (Romans 5:5), for that is perfect love, which casts out all fear.

The Word indicates, demonstrates, and teaches us of Christ, but it's at the Table where we recognize and experience Him.

The Great Commission is to be done with the foundation of the Resurrected Jesus Christ. That is the reason for it, and the power of it.

It's only after the meal that God tells Peter to feed His Lambs. Likewise, we only can minister out of the overflow of our relationship with God. The question "Do you love Me?" must be answered before you can be told to feed His lambs.

By rising from the dead, Christ has defeated death and opened up for us a way of salvation. While we scattered, Christ has sought us out, gathered us by His Spirit and proclaimed the Gospel to us: that in Christ, God has reconciled us to Himself, declaring peace to those who were far off.

The crowd that greets Jesus in Jerusalem is in darkness, because they cannot believe. And this is John's specific intention: to demonstrate that without Christ's atoning work, no amount of following after Him can ever produce the faith that leads to life.

Seven principles of GCF outreach originally presented at the 2014 ARC conference. The third concept, Decision Making vs. Disciple Making, is begun in this message. (See our Sunday School podcast for Part A.)

Not only is Jesus Christ glorified in His heavenly state, but Christ was also glorified by being lifted up on the cross.

Those who hear the words of Jesus have come alive. Those who do not believe the words of Jesus are dead. But, hallelujah, He's in the business of raising the dead.

Not only did Jesus bring Lazarus back to life, but He healed him and reversed the decay of his flesh. Jesus Christ is making all things new, especially our hearts, which are in need of hearing His voice say "come alive."

Only if we see our need for Christ will he be of any benefit to us. In this season of Lent, when we reflect on the darkness in our own lives, we must cry out all the more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me."

Ash Wednesday 2014 - An exhortation to seek His face, heart and hand that we might be strengthened in our Godly identity and prepared for the work ahead.

This year, as we celebrate Lent, let us do so knowing that the battle in the wilderness has already been won. Jesus overcomes the devil in the wilderness, which we celebrate in Lent, culminating in Jesus' Passion.

Four key passages of Scripture on fasting (the Sermon on the Mount, Psalm 35:13, Isaiah 58 and the Book of Joel) teach us the proper motives for fasting and the promised rewards.

The freedom from your past debts is the justice which rolls down like water. You don't forgive to be forgiven, you forgive because you have been forgiven.

God, who created men in His image and has redeemed men after the pattern of His Son, desires them to have full maturity after their elder Brother.

What you work for, you keep, but even the ground you cover today becomes your children's possession.

Simeon recognizes the Christ child as being that very salvation from the hand of God which would be the restoration of the glory of Israel. Just as God demonstrated His power over Egypt, the salvation brought about through Christ has world-wide impact.

The Light of the world has come, and has shown Himself to all, calling men to turn from their dark deeds and walk in the Light.

The events surrounding Christ's birth remind us of the destructive, temporary reign of unrighteous men and of the eternal reign of God which will one day be recognized by all.