Purposely Equipped

When you think about Jesus do you start with the baby? Why would God start off this way? What is the bigger story here? Vince Armfield from Lakeside Christian Church joins Mark to talk about Jesus. Who is this Jesus? Why didn't he come as a conqueror? Why is a relationship with him so important in our lives and how do we get started if we don't have one?

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/46TxTrI

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

Mary was a poor humble teenager. She did not have a high status at all. Jill Young, Chaplain from CRISTA Ministries, joins Mark to talk about Mary. How does Mary handle the news that she is carrying Jesus? What can we learn about how God calls people? What can we apply to our own journey of faith as we grow in our relationship with Jesus?

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3Td5rhi

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

There are so many ways Joseph could have reacted when he found out Mary was pregnant. Pastor Riley Taylor from Mountlake Church joins Mark to talk about Joseph, his character, and why he and his response are so important to the Christmas story. What can we learn from Joseph's response for our own lives?

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/489a4x0

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

The Shepherds were the ones who heard about Jesus first. Megan Monterrosa from The Grove Church joins Mark to share about why they were chosen. In the eyes of the world they were the least likely to be chosen and that is significant. They received this with absolute joy!

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3t6Yio3

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

Callie Walchenbach from King's Schools dives into The Prophets today as we look at this small mention in the Christmas story. First, we'll unpack what a prophet is and the role of a prophet. There is such a story here of God's patience with us. Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies. Callie breaks down the prophecy in Micah as we relate this to the Christmas story and our own story today as we ask the question "Is faithfulness worth it?"

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/41aiC4H

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

Tim White from WA Cathedral opens with an incredible story of God recently showing up to care for him. He joins Mark in this episode to look at the High Priest, who he might have been and the role he played. With the busy times of Christmas we can get wrapped up into things that are "Christian" but don't miss that Christmas is about your relationship with Jesus.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3uVqKtw

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

You can read the Christmas story over and over again but sometimes certain things will stand out. For Evan Westerfield, The Heavenly Host, stood out to him. Evan is from The Grove Church in Marysville and joins Mark to talk more about the Heavenly Host, what their presence means, and where else we see the Glory of the Lord in the Bible. What does this mean to us today? Don't miss the simple way we can all experience Christmas this year.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/46NHIHJ

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

Nick Marnejon from Community Christian Fellowship joins Mark today to talk the obscure character of Quirinius. Why are these obscure characters in the Bible? Nick walks us through the reason history is important in the Bible and how historical facts are added to help bring the Bible into real times.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3uVRSsl

Special thanks to World Concern Global Gift Guide, for bringing us the Cast of the Christmas Story!

Mark Holland and Pastor Jeremy Roh of East Renton Community Church discuss the historical context of the Christmas story, focusing on the role of Caesar Augustus. They highlight how God used Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, to set the stage for the birth of Jesus and the spread of the gospel.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/4a2mbhc

Have you heard of Archelaus? He is not a well known person in the Christmas story. Pastor Barry Crane from North Sound Church discusses the character of Archelaus. Archelaus, who is mentioned only once in the Bible, was a narcissistic and immoral leader who ruled over Judea after the death of his father, Herod the Great. Pastor Crane contrasts Archelaus with King David, who, despite his flaws, was humble and repentant.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3T6UEFs