Pastor Philip challenges us to walk in our identity as a sent people...which begins, first and foremost, with a deep consecration. We cannot change others if we have not been first changed ourselves. May we go at the pace of Jesus, walking in rhythm with the Spirit so we may be able to see and love others clearly. 

Like much of Jesus does in His upside-down kingdom, He redefines what greatness is. While we have been discipled in the world and what it says is "great" we must leave that behind in our pursuit of the kind of greatness Jesus describes. The kind that serves others and does so without need for recognition. 

Jesus wasn't the Messiah that many expected because their view and sights were too small. We miss out on so much when we try to define Jesus by our own terms and agendas. Like, Jesus, following Him and his ways means picking up our cross. Denying ourselves and our agendas is the foundation of following Jesus. 

Those that were asking for a "sign" were those who really didn't want to believe in Jesus in the first place. May we have ears that actually hear and eyes that actually see all that Jesus was and how He's still working today!

The Pharisees & teachers of the religious law got a bad rap from Jesus because they were imposing man-made rules and customs on the people of God, rather than turning their hearts over to Him. Let's not be like them, but let's give attention to our hearts and remember that what "defiles" us starts in our heart and not external forces. 

Like the God of the Old Testament, Jesus is the One who passes by and walks on water. Jesus does stuff only God can do, encouraging us to ask the question, who really is Jesus? Not only does He pass by, He comes near and he has the power to bring good stuff out of stormy stuff. 

We may not see it at first glance,  but Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 was a revolution... a revolution of compassion. The crowds in the hill country had come to Jesus, hoping he would lead them into a political revolt and willing to make Him king by force. Following Jesus would definitely lead to a revolution. However, instead of distributing weapons, He distributes bread, a symbol of life. In addition, He invites us to join Him in this revolt against sin and death and continue distributing this life-giving bread to those around us. 

We don't want to be seated...we want to be sent, 2 by 2 in community to proclaim the Kingdom!

Are we seeing Jesus clearly or has our vision of who he really is been clouded by our expectations, familiarity, or past experiences? We don't want to be like those in Jesus' hometown who missed who Jesus truly was because they were unwilling to change their perceptions. We also don't want to let our past or other's memory keep us from God's promise in the future. You are a new creation!

Pastor Philip Causey

Note: we experienced many technical issues before service; thus the audio is not of our normal quality. Sorry! Hope you still enjoy God's Word to us!

The miracles recorded in the book of Mark point to the person of Jesus...they aren't a prescriptive "how to" receive miracles in our own circumstances. We miss the point when we pursue what Jesus can do for us, rather than seek Jesus himself.