For hundreds of years people have conjectured the purpose of Jesus’s ministry. In this passage we learn the purpose of Jesus, from the mouth of Jesus. Join us as we consider the implications of Jesus’s earthly ministry for our own understanding of how we pursue the realization of our own happiness.

Entering the Kingdom of God is difficult because our credentials and commitments conspire to be an insurmountable roadblock. Fortunately, what is impossible for man is possible for God. Join as we discover how we too can enter His Kingdom.

In a culture that takes divorce for granted and holds marriage in increasing disdain, the words of Jesus are a clarion call to see the beauty of marriage and the purposes of God for marriage. Join us as we consider God’s word on the subject of marriage and divorce.

We all desire to be great, to be in the position to influence our surroundings, and to have others show deference to us and our desires. In the world, one becomes great by asserting superiority over one’s competitors. Yet in the Kingdom of God the path to greatness charts a very different course. Join us as we learn from Jesus about what it means to be great in the Kingdom.

From where do we get the power to live the Christian life? The answer lies in our spiritual union with Christ. This passage sheds light on our need to maintain a posture of vital communion with our Lord in order accomplish the purpose he has set for us.

The Christian life is a call to take up one’s cross and follow Jesus. This implies that in this life we will face difficulty, hardship, rejection, and danger. Yet our kind Lord does not want us to despair. In this passage we receive words of assurance that in this life, while we will have trouble, we will nonetheless see glimpses of the glory of the Kingdom of God.

The life and ministry of Christ followed the pattern of receiving glory after obedient suffering. There is a direct correlation between the pattern set forth by Jesus and the pattern we must follow as disciples. How will you respond to the call of Christ?

This text, at the very center of Mark’s Gospel, is the theological heart of the book. We are faced with the question we must all answer: Who do we say Jesus is? In this message we are challenged to reconsider how we conceive of both Jesus and his mission.

In Solomon’s dedicatory prayer for the Temple we see what kind of place it was meant to be. As Grace Covenant Church observes its inaugural worship service in its new facility, we have the perfect opportunity to reflect on this passage and ask ourselves, “What kind of place will this be?”

In this passage we are encouraged to consider what things may be weighing us down and hindering us in our walk with Christ. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the need to discard everything that slows us down and prevents us from being and doing what God wants for us in the present.