Watermark Bible Church, Portsmouth, Virginia

He is risen! The reality of the resurrection impacts every moment of every day. This weekend we get to celebrate that in a special way during our Good Friday gathering at 6:00 and our Resurrection Sunday gatherings. On Easter morning, we will see how Mark relays the good news of the resurrection. Here’s a hint: he doesn’t end his gospel in a way we would expect.

As we approach our celebration of Resurrection Day, we’ve been studying through Mark’s gospel. Particularly, the passion week. This Sunday, we’ll look at the crucifixion. Mark leaves out detailing the horrific pain of the crucifixion, instead he highlights the obedience of Jesus. I hope you’ll join us this week as we join with the church around the globe proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God.

We’ve all suffered to varying degrees. Most of us would just avoid suffering altogether if we could, but in this life it is unavoidable. Jesus, the suffering servant, calls his followers to take up their cross and follow him. His example prepares us for how to suffer Christianly. Amazingly, Christian suffering results in hope. So, as we examine the suffering of Jesus on Sunday I have this confidence that we will walk away hope filled.

We’ve all had moments where we’ve failed. We’re not the only ones. Missionaries have felt the sting of failure. Jesus’ disciples, all twelve, knew failure. However, a relationship with Jesus changes our identity from failure to more than conqueror.

As we continue missions month here at Central. I’m so excited that this week we will have the privilege of John Lennon bringing us God’s word. John and his wife Rhanda are missionaries to Ecuador and they were commissioned through the ministry of Central. He continues to be a faithful encourager and friend to me. I’m sure you will be encouraged as John opens up Mark’s gospel with us this Sunday.

There is something about having a meal with someone that helps people let their guard down and open up. Often times you can learn details about someone during the course of meal that would just never come up otherwise. Sometimes as you learn about others, you also learn about yourself. We’ll see that this week as we continue our study in Mark’s gospel as Jesus as a meal with his disciples.

Sooner or later every one of us faces difficult circumstances that we feel ill equipped to handle. How do get prepared for circumstances like that? Well, Jesus prepared his disciples for difficult times that would be far beyond them. That preparation is so valuable for us today.

Have you ever been around someone who is simply exceptional at their craft? One of the reasons they are is generally because their eyes have been trained to see things that rest of us miss. An exceptional mechanic, doctor, athlete, teacher, all see things in their field that most of the world doesn’t even know what they’re looking at. During our next study in Mark’s gospel, Jesus will train his disciples and us to see what truly matters in life. It will be eye opening.

Have you ever been challenged by someone? Maybe they ask you a question and it is a trap to reveal some gaps in your thinking. Jesus can relate. He was often asked difficult questions, but unlike us he always had just the right answers. His answers reveal our own potential blind spots and challenge us to prioritize life differently. This Sunday’s message will be a fascinating look into how Jesus dealt with skeptics and how we should live based on the wisdom he shared.

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost your mojo, your secret sauce, your groove, and just don’t have “it” like you used to? Maybe it was the grinding stress of discouragement, slowly eroding your faith in God’s power to work through you. Or maybe it was one big storm that took the wind out of your sails. Thankfully, God has empowered us for the mission He’s called us to, and He knows exactly what we’re going through. And Jesus Himself faced down unthinkable challenges during His life on earth. So we don’t have to stay stuck in a rut. This Sunday, we’ll gear up for our mission by looking at one of the biggest challenges Jesus faced.