This week, Pastor Matt guides us through our first "Markan Sandwich" of the book of Mark as we see Jesus teach and identify the family of believers that we get to identify with.

Like the disciples we are made people, sent to preach and go to war with the dominon of darkness. Listen as we continue our sermon series in the book of Mark. We will be focusing on Mark 3:7-19.

We so often create a religion for ourselves, but in doing that we are just like the pharisees. Leaning into the Gospel means coming under the protection of our Good Shepherd and throwing off the bonds of our self-made, sinful religion of rules to live throughh the all sufficient merit of Jesus.

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. This means that we rest in His healing of our sinfulness and our bodies, and we rest in Him as the one that our souls long for. This declaration of Jesus, that echoes David, ties together all of Mark chapter 2 to say: this is who He is, rest in Him.

This week, Joe Zinkgraf, our minister of family discipleship, speaks on this next passage in the book of Mark- a question about fasting. We wait for Jesus and the uniting of Himself with His people.

Pastor Joe Mike Etter leads us through Jesus' calling of Levi the tax collector in Mark chapter 2. Jesus was a friend to sinners but we don't live comfortably with sin, we repent and cling to the Gospel.

In Mark chapter 2, we see Jesus heal the paralytic and say, "Your sins are forgiven." Redemption in Christ will purge all sin, redeeming our bodies and forgiving us our sins.

Jesus' indignation at the effects of the Fall reminds us that He hates sickness, sin, and death. Jesus is willing to take our place to bring us back in. We respond, singing "thank you Jesus for the blood applied!"

This Sunday, Pastor Matt continues in our study of the book of Mark- we see that Jesus goes to a solitary place to be one with the Father and we see that he does this so that He can continue His teaching. Our response is to follow His example.

Jesus shows us through his healing, that where he walks, he's showing glimpses of heaven because in Him is light. His healing reminds us that we must be people who live for the kingdom that is coming where healing won't be temporary, but eternal.