Lessons for Living (Audio)

Even though we are told to “make disciples of all nations”, oftentimes we are not aware of what being a disciple of Christ actually is and what it requires of us. Pastor Mark will be using the story of the miraculous catch of fish to illustrate the process that Peter went through in embracing his position as a disciple of Jesus. He will also be showing how the actions of being a disciple require a mindset that is radically different than the one that we are raised with and encouraged to embrace. May God grant you the grace to humbly follow His instruction and become the disciple of Christ that God wants you to be.

Critics of Christianity sometimes say that one of their problems with following Jesus is that it seems to be what they call a “blind faith”. We know that that’s not true at all, but sometimes we are asked to do something that seems to make no sense from the human perspective. Pastor Mark will be sharing such a story, the story of Peter and Andrew’s miraculous haul of fish. Pastor Mark will be reminding us of our greater need to trust than to know, that Jesus knows infinitely more than we do, and that we need to just obey Him. We hope that this teaching will encourage you to, as the old spiritual says, “trust and obey”.

Critics of Christianity sometimes say that one of their problems with following Jesus is that it seems to be what they call a “blind faith”. We know that that’s not true at all, but sometimes we are asked to do something that seems to make no sense from the human perspective. Pastor Mark will be sharing such a story, the story of Peter and Andrew’s miraculous haul of fish. Pastor Mark will be reminding us of our greater need to trust than to know, that Jesus knows infinitely more than we do, and that we need to just obey Him. We hope that this teaching will encourage you to, as the old spiritual says, “trust and obey”.

These days when someone finds a way to produce something successfully, they are usually encouraged to mimic the steps they took in their quest for success. Jesus took a different path. Often, after He had a successful healing ministry in a town, He would find a place to be alone, and then leave the site of success to go to another town, instead of capitalizing upon the notoriety He had just created. Pastor Mark will be teaching on the importance of listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit rather than the advice of human marketers so that we can be sure that we are doing the will of God.

These days when someone finds a way to produce something successfully, they are usually encouraged to mimic the steps they took in their quest for success. Jesus took a different path. Often, after He had a successful healing ministry in a town, He would find a place to be alone, and then leave the site of success to go to another town, instead of capitalizing upon the notoriety He had just created. Pastor Mark will be teaching on the importance of listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit rather than the advice of human marketers so that we can be sure that we are doing the will of God.

It’s so easy to focus on the miracles and other amazing things that Jesus did while He was on the earth, and we think that we’d like to be able to replicate those actions. As Pastor Mark has been teaching, the power and authority that Jesus had has been passed on to us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and our obedience to His leading. What often gets missed and even ignored in the recounting of Jesus’ miraculous actions is the prep work He did; hours and hours away from the busyness of the activities, in prayer to the Father. It’s vital that we remember to include this aspect of Jesus’ life if we hope to succeed in the same way.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus came on the scene and began teaching, the people were amazed because He taught as one having authority, unlike their usual teachers. Jesus will at a later time declare that ALL authority has been given to Himself. Pastor Mark will be sharing stories of Jesus from the book of Luke, which recounts instances where Jesus demonstrates His power and authority. In the sermon where He declares Himself to be the Messiah, He indicates He has come to meet all of our needs. He declares that He will meet our needs in the church, the home, and the marketplace.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus came on the scene and began teaching, the people were amazed because He taught as one having authority, unlike their usual teachers. Jesus will at a later time declare that ALL authority has been given to Himself. Pastor Mark will be sharing stories of Jesus from the book of Luke, which recounts instances where Jesus demonstrates His power and authority. In the sermon where He declares Himself to be the Messiah, He indicates He has come to meet all of our needs. He declares that He will meet our needs in the church, the home, and the marketplace.

In the book of Luke, there are many times where the scripture mentions that Jesus was “in the power of the Spirit” or “returned in the power of the Spirit”. Being in close communion to the Holy Spirit was essential to Jesus’ success in His ministry. Pastor Mark will be teaching on the necessity of our having the Holy Spirit flowing through us to reach the lost. He will be reminding us that we can’t minister to others until we’ve been ministered to, and that God provides for us and then through us. The Holy Spirit wants to use us to spread the love of Christ, which happens when we allow the Spirit to overflow from us to others.

In the book of Luke, there are many times where the scripture mentions that Jesus was “in the power of the Spirit” or “returned in the power of the Spirit”. Being in close communion to the Holy Spirit was essential to Jesus’ success in His ministry. Pastor Mark will be teaching on the necessity of our having the Holy Spirit flowing through us to reach the lost. He will be reminding us that we can’t minister to others until we’ve been ministered to, and that God provides for us and then through us. The Holy Spirit wants to use us to spread the love of Christ, which happens when we allow the Spirit to overflow from us to others.