Mark continues to show that suffering and rejection are to be expected both for Christ and His followers.

• The Rejection of Christ (v1-6a)
• The Mission given by Christ (v6b-13)
• The Cost of Following Christ (v14-30)

Isaac Becker preaches from Ps 27. We can cultivate confidence in the LORD through the protection he provides, the beauty he bears, and the help he hands. Confidence from God is most evidently required while facing hardships and battling our sin.

• The Protection He Provides (v1-3)
• The Beauty He Bears (v4-6)
• The Help He Hands (v7-12)

Mark shows that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, who possesses supreme authority and power over all. In each of the 4 miracles in this passage, we see that the people involved are in absolute desperate need; they are in a hopeless situation. But Jesus shows that under His supreme authority, there is hope, and there is deliverance.

• Jesus has supreme authority over the forces of nature (4:35-41)
• Jesus has supreme authority over the forces of evil (5:1-20)
• Jesus has supreme authority over the forces of disease and death (5:21-34)

Jesus continues to show who is on the "inside" and who is on the "outside" by teaching in parables. In His teachings, He shows a) what the Kingdom of God is like, and b) how citizens of His Kingdom are to prepare themselves for Kingdom work. Overall, Jesus shows that God is in complete sovereign control over His Kingdom. And His people, the citizens of His Kingdom, are to be faithful participants in Kingdom work.

• The Parable of the Sower (v1-20)
  • The Kingdom of God is to be proclaimed to all
  • Those in the Kingdom are to be faithful to the mission
• The Parable of the Lamp (v21-25)
  • The Kingdom of God is not to be hidden
  • Those in the Kingdom are to be faithful stewards
• The Parable of the Seed (v26-29)
  • The Kingdom of God grows mysteriously
  • Those in the Kingdom are to trust in God's sovereignty
• The Parable of the Mustard Seed (v30-34)
  • The Kingdom of God will grow greatly
  • Those in the Kingdom are to rest in His promises

Jason Lefler teaches from John 15 - Jesus is the True Vine.

• Union with Christ produces fruit (v1-8)
• Union with Christ results in love and mission (v9-16)

In this passage, we begin to see a division between two groups of people, those who are for Jesus, and those who are against Him; those who are in the inside, and those who are on the outside.

• Those on the outside may confess truths about Jesus (v7-12)
• Those on the inside are desired by Jesus and carry out His mission (v13-19)
• Those on the outside may appear to be the most qualified to be on the inside (v20-30)
• Those on the inside are those who do the will of the Father (v31-35)

Mark shows that Christ's ministry of service will eventually lead to a ministry of suffering. The religious leaders begin to have controversies with Jesus, simply because of who He is and what He does.

• Controversy 1: Jesus Has the Power to Forgive Sin (2:1-12)
• Controversy 2: Jesus Has Compassion on the Worst of Sinners (2:13-17)
• Controversy 3: Jesus' Presence is Better (2:18-22)
• Controversy 4: Jesus' Priority is to Care for Others (2:23-3:6)

As Jesus begins His earthly ministry, and as we see His acts of service, we will see that they are done so in a way that gives us a foretaste of His Kingdom.

• The Message of Jesus (v14-20)
  • Jesus calls us to repent and believe (v14-15)
  • Jesus' call demands a response (v16-20)
• The Power of Jesus (v21-34)
  • Jesus demonstrates His power of authority (v21-22)
  • Jesus demonstrates His power to heal (v23-34)
• The Mission of Jesus (v35-45)
  • Jesus shows the priority of His mission (v35-39)
  • Jesus shows compassion in His mission (v40-45)

As we begin our series through the Gospel according to Mark, we will look at five different testimonies that point to the truth of who Jesus is, that He is the Messiah, the Son of God.

• The Old Testament testifies that Jesus is the deliverer (v1-3)
• John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is better (v4-8)
• The Holy Spirit testifies that Jesus is empowered (v9-10)
• God the Father testifies that Jesus is the Son of God (v11)
• The temptation from Satan testifies that Jesus is victorious (v12-13)

Guest speaker Jacob Withrow will be preaching from the book of Ephesians. Through God uniting the church through a single calling and confession, we ought to grow into the unity that He has created in the church through loving one another and serving according to our gifts.

• Walk Worthily in Unity and Love
• Walk Worthily by the Confession that Unites Us
• Walk Worthily by Exercising Your Gifts