​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Peter writes that our baptism saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. What connection does Peter see between Jesus' resurrection and our baptism in the process of our salvation? To find out, we examine the story of the resurrection as Peter experienced it, from the first news of the empty tomb to Jesus' ascension into heaven. Texts: 1 Peter 3:18-22 and selected passages

​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — On the Sunday morning after Jesus died, some of the women who followed him went to his tomb to anoint his body with spices. But a great surprise awaited them—one to which we in the church sometimes grow too accustomed: Jesus was alive again! As that great surprise came to be known and understood, it reshaped life as we know it. For if Jesus was raised from the dead, he truly is the Son of God, and all that he promised is true. Texts: Mark 16:1-8

​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — At the cross, Jesus was defeated: made to suffer, humiliated, beaten, insulted, killed. We who follow him are no strangers to such defeat: we suffer regularly, and God does not always rescue us. But in Jesus' defeat, God brought about victory! Signs, including prophecies fulfilled, marked God's presence and work at the cross. And if we are faithful as followers of Jesus, we too will see God bring victory out of our defeats. Texts: Mark 15:16-47, Psalm 22

​​Sunday Sermon by Walt Ranta

How should we think about sin after we are baptized? Scripture reminds us not to say we have no sin, but rather to confess our sin, and God will forgive us. Yet we must also not give ourselves over to sinful living, thinking that we can always simply confess our sins and be forgiven. Those who continue to sin willingly have no sacrifice for sins remaining. When we are baptized, we die to sin and become slaves not of sin, but of God, and we must thereafter live for God—continually forgiven, and with hearts truly seeking to do what is right.

Texts: Romans 5:18 to 6:23 and other selected passages

​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — As Jesus stood trial before the Jewish leaders and Pilate, it was more than just Jesus who was being tried: the others around him, enemies and disciples alike, were on trial too, their hearts being revealed. Their actions would prove their devotion to God or their corruption. At the final judgment, we too will be judged based on our actions—with grace and forgiveness, for those who are in Christ, but not for those who do not live for him. These trials that happened as Jesus himself stood trial warn us to live for God now, so that at the judgment our actions may testify to our devotion to him.  Text: Mark 14:53 to 15:15

​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — When Jesus was arrested and all his followers fled, it looked like he was completely abandoned—by both God and human beings. But he was not abandoned: even when all others fled, even when God said no to Jesus' prayer, even when Jesus was arrested, God was still with him, fulfilling Scripture and giving him strength. And in the difficulties of our lives, even when other people let us down, God will not abandon us as we look to him in faith. Text: Mark 14:27-52

​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus was anointed by a woman who poured out an extravagant gift on his head; but Judas criticized her harshly for it and made plans to betray Jesus. Jesus, in the Last Supper, treated Judas better than Judas deserved, sharing with him the sacred bread and cup. The examples of this woman, Judas, and Jesus, particularly so closely connected with Jesus' sharing of the first Lord's Supper and the approaching of his sacrificial death, call us to consider our conduct in our relationships with God and with one another, especially when we share the Lord's Supper together. Text: Mark 14:1-26

​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus prophesied that the great temple of God in Jerusalem would be torn down. His disciples wanted to know when—just as we want to know when Jesus will come again. In his answer to both questions, Jesus warned us not to be deceived by events that are not signs of the end, but to keep our focus on what is most important: watching and being ready when he does come, standing firm in our faith in the meantime.  Text: Mark 13

​​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem engaged in a great contest for credibility in the eyes of the Jewish people and for authority over the temple of God and the Jewish faith—but it was a poor widow who won a mighty conquest! She did it without even trying, for she was focused not on exalting herself but, like Jesus, loving and honoring God.  Text: Mark 12:13-44

​Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — When confronted concerning the question of his authority to change the status quo at the temple, Jesus responded with the parable of the tenants. This parable speaks of stewardship: primarily the stewardship of the Jewish leaders as the caretakers of God's temple and God's people, but also our stewardship of the church today and our stewardship of our lives and all God has given us. Text: Mark 11:27 to 12:12