Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20a | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: The resurrection was central to Paul's faith and teaching. Indeed, it is the center of our Christian faith. In this passage, Paul uses a series of if-then statements to demonstrate the importance of the resurrection, and what is lost without it. In his words, if Christ had not been raised, then "we are of all people most to be pitied." But, in the power of God, Christ has been raised.

Text: 1 Peter 1:13-16 | Speaker: Aaron Raines | Description: This passage teaches that sober-minded Christians hoping completely in God's grace in Christ will then live in Holy Spirit-empowered holiness.

Text: 1 Peter 1:3-12 | Speaker: Chris Taylor | Description: The resurrection of Christ brings believers an imperishable hope which is guarded by God's own power, a joy in trials, and a faith in Christ which saves our souls as we hear the good news of the gospel through its preaching, a thing to which angels long to look.

Text: Nehemiah 8:9-12 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: The catechism teaches us that our chief end in life is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. This calling is true in all of life, but both glorifying and enjoying God are especially present in Sunday worship. All too often, however, instead of joy we can feel sorrow, and giving God worship is difficult. This was how God's people felt in this passage, but Ezra and Nehemiah comforted and encouraged them to lift up their hearts, because it is the joy of the Lord that is their strength.

Text: Mark 6:45-56 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: The disciples find themselves in a similar predicament as they are stuck on the stormy sea again, but Jesus is not with them in the boat this time. He had gone up to the mountain to pray until seeing their struggle and walking out across the water to rescue them. As he approaches, the disciples are terrified, but he comforts them with words that are a comfort to us today: "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

Text: Mark 6:30-44 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: In this well known story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, we see a clear picture of Jesus as shepherd. Mark tells us that when Jesus saw the great crowd "he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd" (6:34). Jesus is the compassionate shepherd who leads us, teaches us, and feeds us.

Pastor Levi continues his series on the Heidelberg Catechism, discussing questions 6-8 which describe our total inability to fulfill God's law, and our need of a Savior who brings new birth. This message was given at the evening prayer meeting at Christ the King on February 25, 2024.

Text: Mark 6:14-29 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: As Jesus and his disciples continue to spread their message, word reaches Herod and his conscience is pricked. He fears that John the Baptist might have risen from the dead and that his sins would be exposed. Mark gives us this flashback to tell us the backstory of what happened to John the Baptist, but also for us to consider Herod's downfall and the dangers of ignoring God's call to repentance and faith.

Text: Mark 6:1-13 | Speaker: Levi Bakerink | Description: In the next section of Mark's gospel, we find that not everyone responds to Jesus' message with faith. In his hometown of Nazareth, he is looked down upon and rejected. They take offense at him and his message. But that doesn't stop the mission as he sends out his disciples to continue the work. When we take these two sections together we find the connection that if we follow Jesus, like his disciples did, then we can expect rejection like Jesus did.

Pastor Levi continues his series on the Heidelberg Catechism, discussing questions 3-5 on our misery and guilt as seen through God's Law. This message was given at the evening prayer meeting at Christ the King on February 11, 2024.