Together #forSalem

Many parts of the story of Jesus seem as impossible as stories of aliens and Bigfoot. For many people, however, the most impossible part to believe is that his story can make any difference in our story. But when we grasp the identity of Jesus the impossible becomes part of our story.

You want to help the world. You want to ease the pain and hurt around you. But is our good really making any difference? The Story of Jesus shows us how to go beyond good intentions and make a real difference in the world.

Jesus never told anyone to “become a Christian.” But he does invite everyone to follow him. What’s the difference and why does it even matter?

Most of us want to experience God in our lives. But when we start asking, “How?” we are usually only handed a set of beliefs, routines, and rules. There is a much better way to experience God and it’s something we can all discover each and every day.

Faith can mean many different things to different people. But what is it? What’s the point of it? And how can we experience a faith that makes a real difference in our lives?

We want to find fulfillment but don't know where to start or even what “fulfillment” actually looks like. When our deepest human needs are satisfied we discover what we’ve been looking for all along. We find it in the Story of Jesus.

Worry can be the most debilitating feeling in the world. To overcome it we need to get to the root of our worry and not just treat the symptoms. We discover how when we discover the Story of Jesus.

Most people want to experience and even know God. But too often God seems elusive, mystical, unattainable. But maybe we’re trying too hard. Maybe it’s so much better, more attainable, and more real than we ever thought.

Why did Jesus use parables? What do they even mean? In this short section of Jesus’ parables in Mark, Jesus is doing a little show and tell for his audience. He invites us into a new way of seeing and experiencing life in the Kingdom of God. This week (in the parable of the Sower) we’ll do some soil analysis and find that our “soil" determines our experience in the Kingdom of God.

The idea of an “unforgivable sin” has caused a lot of anxiety and worry for centuries. But what is it? And what does it have to do with the Story of Jesus?