Christmas, at its core, is good news given in a bad news world. Why? Because is Christmas good news as a result of the miraculous conception and the multifaceted calling it provides.

In the final installment of our “He Shall Be Called” series and on the last Sunday of Advent, Pastor Brent discusses what it means that Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.” What is this peace that Jesus alone can bring? Why do we so often not experience it? And finally, how can we have it?

During our special “Noel at ResOak Celebration Service,” Pastor Brent teaches us that the essence of being human is being a creature of longing, and the name Everlasting Father embodies this. It points us to our two deepest longings: the longing for eternity, and the longing to be loved—both needs met in Jesus.

On the second Sunday of Advent, Pastor Brent teaches us what it means that we serve a Mighty God—ultimately, there is hope for the world and there is hope for you and me. In Christmas, we see that Jesus brings hope to a hopeless world.

One of Jesus’ many names declared in Isaiah 9 is “Wonderful Counselor.” Pastor Dave teaches us what it means that Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor. But what does that title mean for us? We learn that what makes Jesus wonderful is our need for Him, His role as our counselor, and our wonder as we look upon Him.

Life is full of storms that overcome us. We can’t predict them, and we can’t weather them on our own. In the passage from Mark 6, we learn that there are storms we can’t escape, but that in the midst of that, there is a love we can never lose.

Hurting and healing are inevitable life experiences in our world. In this sermon covering the healing of the bleeding woman and of Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5, Pastor Dave teaches us how Jesus Heals through desperation, He heals in relationship, and He heals for eternity.

As we consider Jesus’ parables, we learn that God has wired our brains for stories, which engage our imagination, penetrating not just our heads, but our hearts as well. As we examine these particular parables about the Kingdom of God, we learn that the Kingdom looks small and feels slow, but it is better than anything you can imagine.

In this meaningful chapter of our series about the book of Mark, Pastor Brent teaches us why we need the Church and the the world needs the Church. Ultimately, we learn that only Jesus Himself can create the community of the Church.