The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 1: Suddenly
We kicked off a new series this week exploring the life and ministry of Jesus. In Mark’s gospel Jesus shows up “suddenly” and changes people’s lives. He comes to cleanse and purify us through the power of the cross and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s posture ourselves to respond to His presence and share His life with those around us.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 2: The Good News
In Part 2, we continue diving into Mark Chapter 1 as Jesus begins his public ministry. Jesus’ primary message is sharing the Good News that the Kingdom of God is available to us. Jesus’ primary method is to make disciples so that God’s Kingdom grows in us and is shared with the world through us. The question is, will we respond to the good news of God’s Kingdom by submitting to Jesus’ leadership in our lives? Let’s embrace living as His disciples, according to His definition, not our own.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 3: With Authority
This week, we finished chapter 1 of Mark’s gospel by discussing three miracles Jesus performed. Through these miracles, we can see and understand the authority and care with which Jesus handled different people and situations. While they are three very different situations, Jesus remains consistent. He deeply cares for the people in each scenario, but he also has unmistakable authority over the powers of darkness and disease. His authority is in each of us as believers, but it also serves as a refining fire for the dark places in our own hearts and lives. As we walk in His authority, consider if you are willing and able to accept the freedom He offers even when it feels difficult.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 4: Rise and walk
In week 4 of our study of Mark’s gospel, we discussed the story of the paralyzed man who was carried by his friends to see Jesus. The story of perseverance and courage displayed by his friends, as well as the clarity with which Jesus see’s the hearts of the people involved serves as a reminder that we follow a savior who recognizes the real eternal issues in our lives as well as having compassion for the temporary suffering that we endure. His forgiveness and grace gives each of us the opportunity to pick up the burdens we carried in the past and boldly walk with a testimony that only he can give.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 5: Follow Jesus
This week, Pastor Jonathan taught on the story of Jesus calling Levi to be a disciple and the resulting dinner with sinners. The good news is we can all come to Jesus as we are, but when He calls us it’s so we will grow and change, becoming like Him. It’s so important that we take Jesus as He is, not as we want Him to be. Let’s resist the urge to try and make Jesus into the image we want. Instead, may we learn to follow Him, allowing Him to mold us into His image.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 6: Tradition that Transforms
In today’s message, we look at the true purpose of the Law and Religious Tradition. In Mark's Gospel, we see that Jesus breaks from tradition and the “letter of the law” but never the heart of the law. In fact, he is restoring the true heart of the law. In our religious practices and traditions like fasting and practicing the Sabbath, let us consider the message of Jesus found in the scriptures we are exploring today - that the good thing that the Law anticipated and Tradition prepared us for is now here and present. Namely, God himself has come, bringing rest, freedom, healing, and new life!
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 7: The Family of God
As the ministry of Jesus grows, more and more people are becoming aware of him. There are many curious and needy people drawn to him, as well as a growing skepticism and opposition from religious leaders and even his own family. In the midst of this, Jesus focuses on what really matters - fulfilling his purpose and having others join him in life and ministry. He prayerfully identifies those who will be with him, serve alongside him, and be sent out on his behalf to minister. Living with Kingdom purpose and embracing our place in the Family of God was the role of Jesus’ disciples then, and remains our call today.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 8: Stories by the Sea
Jesus often taught large groups with short and simple parables. This week, we read the parable of the sower, but our discussion was about more than just this parable. We dug into the reason why Jesus spoke in parables that may have felt confusing to the large crowds, and how as believers now we are invited (as the disciples were) to ask questions and learn the meanings behind why Jesus taught the way he did or to just take these stories at face value and pat ourselves on the back for reading them.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 9: The Raging Storm
This week we discussed two stories in the life of Jesus that, at first glance, may seem unrelated, but as we learned, they were actually more alike than they appeared. We opened with the story of the disciples in the boat with Jesus in the midst of a raging storm. While they were panicked and feared for their lives, Jesus calmly spoke to the wind and waves, and they subsided. Then we read about Jesus meeting the demon-possessed man on the shore and freeing him from his torment. Though these stories seem different, upon closer inspection, we see that Jesus was calming storms in both, and the responses from those who witnessed them were similar. Now, all of these years later, we serve the same God who can calm the storms in our lives, but will we trust in his almighty power or will we fall victim to the storm of fear within our own hearts?
The Gospel of Mark - Pt. 10
This week, we hear from Pastor Jonathan Allen, who continued in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 13: Undefiled
Jesus wants to free us from false and external forms of justification that keep us from a genuine repentance and true purity and healing. In this passage, Jesus makes it clear that we should not substitute traditions and outward behaviors to keep us moral and pure. Instead, let’s allow the Lord to expose broken ways of living and thinking that keep our hearts defiled and in bondage, that we might come to Him for true purity of heart.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 14: He does all things well
In today’s sermon, we see Jesus healing two people, in very unlikely and even controversial ways. In these 2 stories, we see Jesus' loving, personal touch to heal. We are also taught about the power of faith, not only in our own lives, but the way our personal stories of faith, can grow and produce faith in others. May we all see Jesus’ touch in and through our lives as He does all things well.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 15: Jesus feeds the hungry
Jesus understands his purpose and has compassion on those in need. He has no patience for the pessimism, distraction, and attacks of His skeptics. As his disciples, will we learn to bring what we have in our hands and invite him to permeate our hearts? Or will we keep our eyes only on what we can see - like our limitations and our overwhelming challenges - and find our hearts hardened in the process?
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 16: Fix your Gaze
In today’s sermon, we take a look at Jesus healing a man’s physical blindness, and we see Peter’s eyes opened to the reality of Jesus as the coming Messiah. The good news of Jesus' power and presence is essential for us, as we also learn the cost of following Him. The question for all of us is, who do we say that Jesus is? May we fix our gaze upon Jesus as he brings true sight to our eyes!
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 17: Transformed
In Mark 9:1–13, we see Jesus transfigured before Peter, James, and John, giving them a breathtaking glimpse of His glory and confirming Him as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets through the appearance of Moses and Elijah. This passage reminds us that intimacy with Christ invites us into moments of revelation where His true majesty shines through, not to keep us on the mountaintop, but to strengthen us for the challenges of everyday life. Just as Jesus was transformed before His disciples, we too are called to be transformed—no longer conformed to the world, but renewed in mind and spirit, with unveiled faces reflecting His glory. In Christ, we dare to hope, believe, and live in the freedom of His Spirit, trusting that the light of His presence is far greater than anything this world offers.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 18: Prayer of Faith
In Mark 9:14–29, we encounter a desperate father, a suffering son, and a group of disciples unable to help. Jesus steps into the chaos and reminds us that the answer is always to bring our brokenness to Him. The father’s honest cry, “I believe; help my unbelief!”, is the kind of prayer Jesus honors; one that admits weakness yet trusts His power. Christ not only heals the son but restores the father’s shattered faith, showing us that prayer is not about our strength but about our reliance on His presence, compassion, and authority. True faith grows as we bring our doubts, struggles, and even our unbelief to Jesus in prayer, trusting Him to do what only He can do.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 19: Who's The Greatest
In Mark 9:30–50, Jesus redefines true greatness for His disciples. While they argued about power and position, Jesus pointed them instead toward humility, servanthood, and purity. He embraced a child as an example of receiving the least and warned His followers to take sin seriously, guarding both their own hearts and the influence they have on others. Greatness in God’s kingdom is not about prestige or control, but about sacrifice, holiness, and living at peace with one another. True greatness looks less like power and more like purity, as we live as salt in the world for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 20: One thing
This sermon from Mark 10:17–31 shows us that while the rich young ruler came eagerly to Jesus, he was unwilling to surrender the “one thing” that held his heart: his wealth. Jesus reveals that every person has something they may cling to that threatens to take His place, whether it’s possessions, pride, control, or comfort. Out of love, Jesus calls us to let go of whatever holds us back and follow Him completely. Though surrender feels impossible in our own strength, God makes the impossible possible through His Spirit. True life and lasting riches are found not in holding tightly to temporary treasures, but in releasing them to embrace a real and eternal relationship with Jesus.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 21: True Glory
As Jesus is making his final approach to Jerusalem, He engages in some important conversation with his disciples. He prepares them with full transparency of his coming arrest, suffering, his death on the cross, and ultimately his resurrection. This sparks several conversations with the disciples regarding their own coming persecution, for some their martyrdom, and the need for patient endurance among his followers. Jesus reminds them that in His Kingdom, there is no grasping for power and control. Just as Jesus lays down his life for many as the servant of all, His followers are also called to lay down the pursuit of power and control and live as his bond-servants here on earth.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 22: Take Heart
This passage tells the story of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who recognized Jesus as the Messiah even before he received healing. Despite being silenced by the crowd, Bartimaeus cried out all the more, and Jesus stopped, called him near, and restored his sight. Jake highlighted that Jesus not only heals but brings complete wholeness (sozo): body, mind, and soul. Bartimaeus moved from sitting by the roadside to following Jesus on the way, a reminder that true faith both saves and transforms. As believers, we are called to encourage others to “take heart” and not become obstacles for those who are desperately trying to reach Jesus.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 23: The King is Here
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, He was showing the world what kind of King He is. He came in humility and peace, fulfilling a prophecy spoken centuries earlier, while the crowds welcomed Him with shouts of “Hosanna!” from Psalm 118. What they didn’t realize was that this moment also lined up with the choosing of the Passover lamb—a picture of Jesus offering Himself as the sacrifice for our salvation. The triumphal entry reminds us that Jesus is both our King and our Lamb, and like the donkey that carried Him, we’re called to bring His presence into the lives of those around us and turn over control of our lives to him.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 24
In this week’s message (Mark 11:11-33), Jesus addresses the empty show of religion—like a fig tree with no fruit or a temple turned marketplace—and calls people back to prayer and real faith. His actions showed God’s authority and care, exposing what was false and opening the way to true life with Him. The question is simple: will we just nod in agreement, or truly give Him our allegiance and bear fruit?
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 25: Put to the test
In Mark chapter 12, the religious leaders are feeling threatened by Jesus' power and influence. So they conspired together to put him to the test, hoping to discredit him in the eyes of the people. However, it’s actually Jesus who flips this around and reveals truth by exposing their own broken thinking and flawed assumptions. If we surrender to him, Jesus will help us see our own places of brokenness and flawed thinking, living in the freedom of His truth and love.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 26: Stay AWake
In today’s passage, we see Jesus spending time on the Mount of Olives with his inner circle of disciples. It’s an intimate conversation about the future and coming difficulties, yet Jesus encourages them to see beyond the coming struggle to His return and ultimate victory. Jesus gives a series of warnings so that no one leads us astray, and we don’t become alarmed when trouble comes. Instead, He calls us to stay awake, be on guard, and continue to learn and understand His Word, so that we may endure to the end.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 27: At the Table
In this week’s passage, Jesus and his closest friends gather around the table for two significant meals within just a few days of his trial and crucifixion. As we observe the various motives and conversations among Jesus’ friends and enemies during these two meals, let’s invite Jesus to reveal himself in a fresh way to us. May we be open to the Holy Spirit to convict and refine any broken motives in our own hearts, so that we too may worship Him with a heart like the woman from Bethany.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 28: The PRessing Place
In Mark 14:26–72 we follow Jesus from the Passover table to Gethsemane, the pressing place, where He faces the full weight of sorrow, betrayal, and denial. Despite the disciples’ confident words, their roots are shallow and they fall away under pressure. In the garden Jesus models both deep anguish and perfect surrender: “Abba, Father… not what I will, but what You will.” His obedience in the face of unanswered prayer becomes the foundation of our relationship with the Father. As Judas betrays Him, the disciples scatter, and Peter denies Him, the darkness deepens, but within it shines the steadfast love of God, who sent His Son to die for us while we were still sinners. In our own “pressing places,” we are invited to watch and pray, to strengthen our spirits through surrender, and to trust that God’s will, though costly, always leads to redemption.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 29: Hail, King of the Jews
In Mark 15, Jesus stands trial before Pilate, silently enduring false accusations and injustice as the true “King of the Jews.” While Pilate recognizes His innocence, he yields to the pressure of the crowd, releasing Barabbas, a guilty man, in place of the sinless Savior. Jesus is mocked, beaten, and crucified, fulfilling Psalm 22 with remarkable precision as He suffers rejection, scorn, and physical torment. His death is accompanied by divine signs, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the confession of a Roman centurion who declares Jesus to be the Son of God. Amid widespread fear and betrayal, a few faithful followers, including Joseph of Arimathea and the women who had ministered to Jesus, demonstrate courage and devotion by caring for His body. This passage exposes the contrasting human responses to Jesus, fear, unbelief, and faith, and invites reflection on how we respond to the crucified King.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 30: He Has Risen
In today’s message, we are exploring the resurrection of Jesus and the reaction of his closest followers. Jesus’ resurrection, and our response to it, are of vital importance. Even before we explore all the implications of his death and resurrection and what it means for us, we must first just grapple with whether or not we believe this actually happened. May we all have faith to put our trust in Jesus and the boldness to share the gospel willingly with those around us.
The Gospel of Mark - Pt 31: Working with Jesus
As we conclude Mark’s Gospel today, may we respond to Jesus' call to live with Purpose, walk in Power, and share the Gospel by the grace of His Presence with us. The call to bring the Good News wasn’t specific to only the original disciples, but is the purpose of all those who believe. May we learn to rely upon the power of God and be sustained by His presence as we go into all the world.
