Posts with the category “follow-the-king”

Jesus constantly disrupted the worldviews and expectations of those around Him, calling followers to flexibility rather than rigidity in their faith. Using the imagery from Mark 2 of new wine requiring new wineskins, Pastor Erica illustrates how our worldviews—the lens through which we perceive everything—must remain flexible enough to accommodate the active, unpredictable work of God's kingdom. The message challenges believers to recognize that reality in following Jesus often looks drastically different than our expectations. Just as old wineskins can be softened through water and oil (echoing baptism and the Holy Spirit's anointing), God invites us to surrender our rigid expectations and allow the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts to see and participate in His kingdom work, which is far better than we could ask or imagine.  Read More

This sermon explores Mark 2:1-12, where Jesus returns to Capernaum and encounters a paralyzed man brought by four determined friends. Rather than immediately healing the man's physical condition, Jesus first declares his sins forgiven, sparking controversy among the religious leaders who recognize that only God can forgive sins. The message emphasizes that Jesus came primarily to preach the kingdom of God and address humanity's greatest need—reconciliation with God—rather than simply changing circumstances. The sermon challenges believers to become "barrier breakers" who courageously overcome obstacles to reach Jesus and follow Him as King. It contrasts the Old Covenant system of mediated, repeated forgiveness through priests and sacrifices with the New Covenant where forgiveness is received directly through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross. The central theological point is that Jesus possesses divine authority to forgive sins, proving He is either "mad, bad, or God," and His healing of the paralytic validates His claim to deity.  Read More

This sermon explores Mark chapter 1, verses 21-45, revealing Jesus's divine authority over both the spiritual and physical realms. The message emphasizes that Jesus didn't come merely to remove symptoms or provide temporary relief, but to offer complete cleansing and restoration from sin. Through examining Jesus's interactions in the synagogue, at Peter's house, and with a leper, the sermon demonstrates that Jesus chose obedience over popularity and redemption over fame. The central theological point is that Jesus has supernatural authority to drive out darkness and make people truly clean—not just healed, but spiritually restored. The sermon challenges listeners to recognize that everyone is searching for something to satisfy them, but only Jesus can fill that void through His cleansing power and redemptive work on the cross.  Read More

This sermon explores Jesus's inaugural message in Mark 1:14-15, which Mark calls "the gospel in a nutshell." Pastor Mike examines how Jesus announced the arrival of God's kingdom following John the Baptist's arrest, emphasizing that this was a pivotal "kairos" moment in history. The message unpacks what it means that God's kingdom has come near and challenges listeners to examine what prevents them from fully embracing this good news. The sermon emphasizes that God's kingdom is not a physical territory but the domain where God's will is effectively done. Jesus invites people to relinquish their own "crowns" and the burden of being king or queen of their own lives, offering instead to enter His kingdom where He provides protection, provision, purpose, and peace. The call to "repent and believe" is reframed not as shame-based religion but as turning away from whatever obstacles prevent us from clinging to the good news of God's reign.  Read More

This sermon explores Jesus's inaugural message in Mark 1:14-15, which Mark calls "the gospel in a nutshell." Pastor Mike examines how Jesus announced the arrival of God's kingdom following John the Baptist's arrest, emphasizing that this was a pivotal "kairos" moment in history. The message unpacks what it means that God's kingdom has come near and challenges listeners to examine what prevents them from fully embracing this good news. The sermon emphasizes that God's kingdom is not a physical territory but the domain where God's will is effectively done. Jesus invites people to relinquish their own "crowns" and the burden of being king or queen of their own lives, offering instead to enter His kingdom where He provides protection, provision, purpose, and peace. The call to "repent and believe" is reframed not as shame-based religion but as turning away from whatever obstacles prevent us from clinging to the good news of God's reign.  Read More

This sermon introduces a year-long study through the Gospel of Mark, emphasizing the importance of not rushing past Mark's prologue. Pastor Mike establishes that Mark presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Isaiah, showing how God "tore open the heavens" and came down in the person of Jesus Christ. The message explores the hypostatic union—Jesus being fully God and fully human—and how this understanding is essential for reading Mark's Gospel. Rather than immediately conquering Rome, Jesus first confronted Satan in the wilderness, positioning His ministry as a spiritual battle. Mark invites readers on a journey to discover for themselves whether Jesus is truly who He claims to be, not through theological arguments alone, but through encounters and conversations that reveal His character and mission.  Read More