We find the temptation of Jesus immediately on the heels of His baptism. This is an important reminder to us that spiritual highs do not insulate us from future spiritual struggles. Yet, as Pastor Mark points out, the beauty of this passage is that Christ sets a pattern that we can follow to help us deal with the temptation we all face. The victory is not found in us, but in the Word. Listen and be blessed!

Send us a text

Grab your Bible and join Pastor Mark as he takes a look at the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This is one of the few places in Scripture where all three persons of the Godhead are concurrently expressed and manifest. Jesus was baptized, not because He had been forgiven of sins, but because He was identifying with sinful man so that He could become the sin sacrifice for all. There are significant theological ramifications in these few verses that leave us walking away with the assurance that this was God's magnificent plan all working according to His wisdom.

Send us a text

Pastor Mark examines John's confrontation of the religious leaders in Jesus' day and his call to them to repent for salvation apart from their familial ties to Abraham. Ultimately, the passage ends with a reminder that the wheat and chaff will be separated, and judgment awaits those who reject the Messiah.

Send us a text

Join Pastor Mark as we meet John the Baptist. He's eccentric, different, and the exact person that God knew was needed to make preparations for Jesus as the Messiah. Come along for this quick introduction to John's ministry and learn how God used Him to call the nation of Israel to repentance.

Send us a text

Pastor Mark wraps up Matthew chapter 2 by looking at the return of Joseph, Mary, and the Christ child to Israel from Egypt and considers the implications of settling down in the insignificant town of Nazareth.

Send us a text

Pastor Mark pauses to consider Joseph's immediate obedience to flee with his family to Egypt and how God in His sovereignty provided a way of escape to thwart Herod's plans. Ultimately, yet again, more prophecies are fulfilled as Jesus and his parents eventually return to Israel and "out of Egypt" comes God's Son.

Send us a text

Join Pastor Mark as he continues to work through Matthew's gospel. In this episode, he takes time to consider Herod's attempt to convince the magi to return to inform him of the Christ child and how the Lord directed them to keep moving in order to ensure the safety of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.  Additionally, Pastor Mark considers some applications that come about as one considers the magi, their visit, their worship, and their obedience.

Send us a text

Pastor Mark takes time to discuss the characters found in Matthew 2: Herod, the Chief Priests, scribes, and the wise men. The nuance and subtleties found in this story are remarkable, especially when one considers how the magi from the east play into the narrative. Yet again, we see the hand of the sovereign, almighty God!

Send us a text

Pastor Mark wraps up the last few verses of Matthew 1 and recaps what has been uncovered already. In addition, we are reminded as this first chapter comes to a close, that Jesus' arrival was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy and pointed directly to the promise of a coming Messiah. This Jesus, who had come to save His people from their sins!

Send us a text

Pastor Mark walks through Matthew's record concerning Joseph's turmoil and decision as to how to handle the situation of his betrothed wife, Mary, being pregnant in first century Jewish culture. We wrap up our conversation at verse 21, where the promise is given that this baby JESUS had come to save His people from their sins.  What a great hope, pictured for all mankind that in the midst of a personal trial in the lives of Mary and Joseph, Jesus came to where we are to ultimately bring us salvation.

Send us a text