This story doesn't teach us that we'll never face the scary and unknown. It instead teaches us that we don't have to fear the scary and unknown because God is in control. The stormy sea rages, but never beyond the boundaries of God's supervision. He's greater than all things we fear. | Outline: [I] Jesus Calms Another Stormy Sea, vs. 45-52 (a) Jesus shows up in a symbolic way: He's imagining how God showed up in the Old Testament (b) Jesus speaks in a significant way: He's identifying himself with the name God used in the Old Testament [II] Jesus Heals More Needy People, vs. 53-56

In the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 Jesus intends for the disciples to trust what he says and to trust him for the outcome. They’ve been learning that in the time that they’ve spent together and this miracle event enforces the lesson once again...

In the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 Jesus intends for the disciples to trust what he says and to trust him for the outcome. They've been learning that in the time that they've spent together and this miracle event enforces the lesson once again. | Outline: [I] The Compassion of Jesus, vs. 30-36 [II] The Calculated Response of Jesus, vs. 37-44

The empty tomb and the angel’s words point to the fact that death is not king, Jesus is King. Jesus has mastered death, which means that you can know with certainty that: the stone is rolled away for you! the tomb is empty for you! Jesus died for you...

The empty tomb and the angel's words point to the fact that death is not king, Jesus is King. Jesus has mastered death, which means that you can know with certainty that: the stone is rolled away for you! the tomb is empty for you! Jesus died for you and he rose for you! For the Christian, death is now the door through which we pass, to enter into the presence of God. We no longer have to fear death, because Jesus mastered death. Do you know this in your heart? | Outline: [I] Surprises at the Tomb, vs. 1-10 [II] Bribery in the City, vs. 11-15 [III] Worship on the Mountain, vs. 16-20

How do we know what God is like? What happens if we make up the rules ourselves and ignore what He said in the Bible? In this message on Judges 17 and 18, from the Old Testament, we meet a man who decided to re-invent "god" in a way that...

How do we know what God is like? What happens if we make up the rules ourselves and ignore what He said in the Bible? In this message on Judges 17 and 18, from the Old Testament, we meet a man who decided to re-invent "god" in a way that served his own interests. As we follow his story from arrogance to tragedy, we learn that man-made religion leads to empty idolatry, while true faith pursues the God Who has revealed Himself. | Outline: [I] The path of man-made religion, [II] The Arrogance of man-made religion, [III] The tragedy of man-made religion, [IV] The antidote to man-made religion.

The story in Mark 6 is a difficult one. In part, because of the awful things that happen: an adulterous relationship, sensual activity, foolish hubris and a grizzly beheading. There’s no doubt about it, this is a PG-13 story in the Bible. It’s...

The story in Mark 6 is a difficult one. In part, because of the awful things that happen: an adulterous relationship, sensual activity, foolish hubris and a grizzly beheading. There's no doubt about it, this is a PG-13 story in the Bible. It's shocking because Mark is straightforwardly telling us what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus. It means that you may lose your life for Jesus, dying for one who gave his life for you. Disciples of Jesus are to live for him…even unto death, and sometimes God's servants die unjustly. | Outline: [I] Speculation About Jesus, vs. 14-16 [II] Herod's Troubled Conscience, vs. 17-20 [III] Herodias's Malicious Plan, vs. 21-29

Up to this point in the story the disciples have been companions of Jesus but really they’ve been spectators. But as we come to this section in Mark’s rapid telling of Jesus’s life we have a pause and slight shift of focus. Mark turns the camera...