In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching in Mark 3. This week, we are in verses 20–35 in Part 1 of “Being Right about Being Wrong.”
Pastor Bart opens by magnifying the wonder of God’s forgiveness—salvation and pardon that cannot be earned, but is secured by Christ and offered by God according to the riches of His grace. But in Mark 3, that comfort is paired with a sobering warning: there is a sin that “never has forgiveness,” and eternity hangs on whether we respond rightly to Jesus.
In this first half, Pastor Bart introduces Mark’s “sandwich” structure in this passage and shows two of the three responses to Christ found in the text. Jesus’ own family responds by trying to seize Him and negotiate His ministry, while the scribes from Jerusalem respond with hardened condemnation—attributing the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ to Satan. Jesus answers them with clear logic, exposes their rebellion, and warns of the eternal danger of willful, informed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Passage: Mark 3:20–35Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 3:13–19 in Part 2 of “Help Wanted.”
In this passage, Jesus appoints the twelve apostles with a clear purpose: that they would be with Him, and that He would send them out to preach with His authority. Pastor Bart shows that Christ’s call to discipleship is total—Jesus does not ask for partial allegiance or a convenient religious add-on, but for a whole-life commitment that puts every other obligation in its proper place under obedience to Him.
This message also reminds us that Jesus often chooses those of no reputation—ordinary people with nothing to boast in—so that the power and fruit of ministry would be clearly attributed to Christ. And as Pastor Bart traces the cost paid by the apostles, we’re pressed with the question: is Christ worth our life, our plans, and our loyalties?

Passage: Mark 3:13–19Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton begins teaching Mark 3:13–19, where Jesus calls and appoints the twelve apostles.

As opposition to Jesus intensifies, this passage shows Christ acting with purpose and authority—calling to Himself those whom He desires and setting them apart “so that they might be with Him” and so that He might send them out to preach. Pastor Bart explains that discipleship is not merely learning facts about Jesus, but being with Christ in a way that shapes the whole life, and then speaking of Christ as His message is carried forward.

In "Help Wanted Part 1" Pastor Bart also frames the significance of Jesus choosing ordinary, unimpressive men—nobodies from nowhere—not as trophies of character, but as a canvas for His grace, so that the fruit of their lives would clearly be attributed to Christ.

Passage: Mark 3:13–19
Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 3:7–12 in Part 2 of “Who are you?”
Pastor Bart finishes Mark’s summary of Jesus’ ministry by showing three ways people relate to Christ: committed disciples who belong to Him, curious crowds who stay near Him without surrender, and the condemned who recognize His identity yet remain opposed to His rule. As even unclean spirits confess that Jesus is the Son of God, this passage presses the urgency of responding to Christ with repentance and faith rather than remaining neutral.
Passage: Mark 3:7–12
Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton begins teaching Mark 3:7–12 in Part 1 of “Who are you?”
Mark steps back to summarize Jesus’ ministry after the controversies with the Pharisees, showing Jesus withdrawing with His disciples while a great crowd gathers from all around. As the crowds press in and unclean spirits cry out that Jesus is the Son of God, the passage confronts every listener with a searching question: how do you relate to Christ? Pastor Bart begins to distinguish between those who are truly committed to Jesus as disciples and those who remain near Him for other reasons, calling us to examine whether our faith is real or only a religious imitation.
Passage: Mark 3:7–12
Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 2:23–3:6 in Part 2 of “Jesus the Rule Breaker.”

Pastor Bart moves into Mark chapter 3 where Jesus enters the synagogue on the Sabbath and confronts the Pharisees’ hardened hearts as they watch for a reason to accuse Him. Jesus asks what is lawful on the Sabbath—to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill—and when they remain silent, He heals a man with a withered hand. The passage exposes the deadly nature of legalism: it can look like obedience on the outside while the heart is cold toward God, and it resists Christ’s authority even when mercy and truth are plainly displayed.

Passage: Mark 2:23–3:6
Series: Gospel of Mark

On this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton begins a message from Mark 2:23–3:6, where Jesus confronts the Pharisees over the Sabbath and exposes the heart of legalism. As the disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, the religious leaders accuse—yet Jesus points them back to Scripture, shows that the Sabbath was made for man, and declares that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. This passage presses a sobering question: are we pursuing true obedience flowing from love for God, or outward rule-keeping that masks a hardened heart?Passage: Mark 2:23-3:6

Series: Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 2:18–22 in Part 2 of “Law and Grace.”
Jesus answers questions about fasting by explaining that His gospel cannot be combined with a works-based system of self-righteous religion. Through the illustrations of the unshrunk patch and the wineskins, Jesus shows that trying to add grace to legalism only leads to greater ruin—because the new life He gives requires a new heart, not religious modification.
This passage calls every listener to reject “do and receive” religion, to rest in Christ’s finished work, and to live with the joy and freedom that come from knowing the Bridegroom.

Passage: Mark 2:18–22

Series: Gospel of Mark

In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton begins teaching Mark 2:18–22 in Part 1 of “Law and Grace.”
When John’s disciples and the Pharisees question why Jesus’ disciples do not fast, Jesus answers with vivid pictures that reveal the difference between manmade religion and the gospel of grace. He describes Himself as the Bridegroom, showing that His presence brings joy—not a works-based sorrow—and He warns that His message cannot be stitched onto an old system of self-righteous rule-keeping.
This passage calls every listener to examine whether they are trying to earn God’s approval through religious effort, or resting in the freedom and joy that comes only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Passage: Mark 2:18–22

Series: Gospel of Mark

Growing In Grace with Pastor Bart Horton
In this episode of Growing In Grace from Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas, Pastor Bart Horton continues teaching Mark 2:13–17 in Part 2 of “The Doctor Is In.”
As Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, the scribes of the Pharisees object—revealing a self-righteous heart that cannot understand grace. Jesus answers by describing Himself as the Physician for the sick, declaring that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners. In this message, Pastor Bart shows how the gospel confronts both open sin and religious pride, and why salvation is not earned by human effort, but received through repentance and faith in Christ alone.
This passage calls every listener to stop trusting in morality or religion, to see their true need before God, and to come to Jesus—the only One with authority to forgive and the mercy to save.

Passage: Mark 2:13–17

Series: Gospel of Mark