The Tabernacle

When we recognize Jesus for who He really is, and realize our need of Him, it follows that we must respond to the God that comes into the midst of our circumstances. This passage is a picture of the incarnation with the Gospel on display.

In this message we cover the feeding of the 5,000, which along with the Resurrection, are the only miracles recorded in all four Gospels. The miracle is an awesome display of Jesus' creative and awesome power, and there's profound applications for us today.

Rejection is at the heart of human experience, and the three stories in this week's passage all deal with some form of it.

This passage of Mark urges us to bring everything to Jesus in humble faith, believing real life awaits and that He knows and cares. He doesn't miss a thing.

Without God we are all tormented, dangerous, and alienated. Some of us prefer Jesus stay away because of our fear of being exposed to His power. When our lives are changed by Jesus, however, we are called to go and tell others all He has done for us.

Jesus didn't come to calm storms and show off power. Jesus' mission was to save souls, and the storm was an opportunity for the disciples to meet God. The storms of life are also an opportunity for us to meet God.

When we hear the phrase "Kingdom of God" often times what we think of is Heaven. The Kingdom of God is so much larger than this, and God wants us to be a part of His Kingdom building process.

Our heart condition determines our fruit production. In this popular parable, Jesus explains the sower can be anyone who sows, the seed is the word, and the fruit is the goal. So the question becomes, are you good dirt?

In this passage, Jesus clearly defines who’s in as those who do the Father’s will - which is to follow Jesus. Those who are out are those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit by defying, resisting, and refusing to follow. We see four groups of people faced with that choice, to follow or not.

We cannot become religious destroyers. Instead, we are called to be people who God wants us to be - People like Jesus. What does that look like in our lives?

Christians are called to be on mission with Jesus to reach the long-shots. What does that mean for us? For you?

Tucked away in the middle of this passage of scripture is the key to Jesus amazing power - He carved out time to connect with God the Father. If Jesus needed that kind of power connection, so do we.

The word "immediately" appears 3 times in this passage and 40+ times in Mark's Gospel. There was no tardiness, procrastination, or reluctance in God's leading, Jesus' service, God's calling, or the disciples response in this passage. There is an overwhelming urgency in the action. The opposite of urgency is complacency; when we lose a sense of what's most important, urgent or immediate.

In our kickoff to "The Gospel of Mark", Pastor John encourages us to Point to Jesus just as John the Baptist did, and God did.

In our final "Twisted" message, Pastor John untwists the idea that we are all God's children, a common misconception that is dangerous to believe.

In week 11 of "Twisted" Pastor John takes on the topic of Prayer. It's rampant in todays society to believe in a "name it claim it" or "prosperity gospel". Pastor John puts down the notion of those and instead helps make sense when God says, yes, no, or I have a better idea.

Pastor Brian encourages us in part 10 of Twisted to strive for holiness and to stay separated from sin.

In week 9 of Twisted, Pastor John expands on the scripture that states God is love.

Pastor John clarifies what it means to "speak truth in love" in this continuation of our series, "Twisted". Speaking truth in love produces maturity and unity in the Church when done correctly.

Week 6 of Twisted has us looking at the scripture, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." found in Philippians 4:8. This has been twisted to mean accomplishment, and not it's intended purpose of endurance.