CCF Sunday Messages

The Pharisees think they can confront Jesus about the lack of traditional washing by His disciples, but instead Jesus turns it into a confronting of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees for only caring about the traditions of men over and above obedience to God's Word. Pastor Steve applies the opening scene of Mark chapter 7 to our own potential to get stuck in traditions and traditionalism, potentially over and above the clear guidance of scripture.

Finishing out Mark chapter 6, we see the narrative immediately following the feeding of the 5000, as Jesus sends the disciples across the sea into a storm, where He will watch them from shore and then walk to them on the water. Pastor Steve took us on a quick detour to Matthew's recording of the same event that fills in the story of Peter and his joining Jesus out on the water.

Finishing out Mark chapter 6, we see the narrative immediately following the feeding of the 5000, as Jesus sends the disciples across the sea into a storm, where He will watch them from shore and then walk to them on the water. Pastor Steve took us on a quick detour to Matthew's recording of the same event that fills in the story of Peter and his joining Jesus out on the water.

Pastor Steve takes us through a communion Sunday message in 1 Peter 4 looking at dedication and commitment to service in the body of Christ.

Pastor Steve takes us through a communion Sunday message in 1 Peter 4 looking at dedication and commitment to service in the body of Christ.

Pastor Steve continues teaching through Mark chapter 6, noting Jesus and his shepherd's heart in having compassion on the crowds--who were "like sheep without a shepherd"; moved to the point of feeding them spiritually (teaching them) and physically (with the miracle of the feeding of 10,000+ people with 5 pita and 2 small fish).

Pastor Steve continues teaching through Mark chapter 6, noting Jesus and his shepherd's heart in having compassion on the crowds--who were "like sheep without a shepherd"; moved to the point of feeding them spiritually (teaching them) and physically (with the miracle of the feeding of 10,000+ people with 5 pita and 2 small fish).

In the middle of Mark chapter 6 we get the complete story of the end of John the Baptist's life, who died a martyr because he dared to stand up and correct Herod (and his stolen wife, Herodias) for a sinful lifestyle. It is a story of revenge and bitterness, but also one of true freedom in that John the Baptist was freed from this life, having run his race with endurance.

In the middle of Mark chapter 6 we get the complete story of the end of John the Baptist's life, who died a martyr because he dared to stand up and correct Herod (and his stolen wife, Herodias) for a sinful lifestyle. It is a story of revenge and bitterness, but also one of true freedom in that John the Baptist was freed from this life, having run his race with endurance.

Opening the next chapter in Mark, we find Jesus returning to Nazareth. The hometown crowd is amazed at his teaching, but somehow can't bring themselves to not just see him as "the carpenter's son", and because of their unbelief his power there is limited. He then sends out the disciples in His name with His power on their first mission without Him, teaching them to rely on Him even when they are doing ministry with nothing of their own.