Continuing in our Advent series, "From Heaven He Came and Sought Her" Jesus continues in this movement, chasing after His people. In Genesis 3, death is introduced to the world and right away, God reveals that He will send Someone to do something about it. Jesus was born to die and to kill death from within, to bring up a host of captives from Sheol, and that man no more may die. 

From heaven He came and sought her: His bride who left the garden in sin. Jesus, who was alive from eternity past as God the Son, left from heaven to be in the likeness of the "created" to seek us. We so often worship the created over the Creator- would we fix our eyes on the Creator who chased after us? 

Advent 2024 is entitled, "From Heaven He Came and Sought Her". We'll see the movement of humanity and that Jesus followed this pattern, and Christians follow the pattern of Jesus. So as Jesus was with God in the beginning, we were with God at the beginning of creation. 

Pastor Matt continues our study in Mark as we come to an interesting passage, acting as somewhat of a bookend between the previous two chapters. In light of the parable of the sower, we learn and are encouraged by Jesus' example, even despite his rejection from his hometown.

We see in the "Markan sandwich" found in the story of the raising of Jairus' daughter, that Jesus makes us clean in a faith that keeps us. We remember that Jesus has completely saved us and leaves no work to be done. The work of the cross is finished and complete, so we continue in the faith that has us. 

We're taking a one week break from Mark to talk about the qualifications of Elders, prescribed in the books of 1 Timothy, Titus, and 1 Peter. This is important for us as we look to those who shepherd the people of our church, and that we would live like Elders are called to. 

Continuing in Mark, Jesus shows us that He is not only Lord over demonic powers, but that He is Lord over governments. His kingdom is the only kingdom that will be everlasting, that no king of earth could stand against. We do not tether ourselves to this country, but to the new heavens and new earth

This Sunday, we look at Mark's contrast of Jesus and Jonah. One sleeps on the boat amidst the storm to run away from God's calling- the Better One sleeps in peace under God's sovereignty. Jesus cares that we are perishing and because of this, calms the waves of judgement. 

Understanding the book of Mark means studying a lot of Isaiah. Pastor Matt helps us see Mark's intent of using the form of Isaiah to show that the King that was prophecied and His kingdom are fulfilled in Jesus Christ- so we find rest in that grand picture of Jesus. 

Continuing in Mark 4, Jesus uses the illustration of the lamp, being Himself. God has given light to a people who walked in darkness. That light is His Word revealed to us in Jesus Christ, and it will shine on us forever as our eternal light. We live by that light and we live to reflect the light.