As believers looking forward to Jesus’ second coming, we should feel a sense of urgency and joy. There’s no reason for fear on our part. You may feel a sense of fear for any loved ones who haven’t come to Jesus, but God won’t allow the redeemed to suffer the wrath that’s to come. As Pastor Richard continues our study of the book of Mark in today’s message, we’ll be reminded that God loves us dearly, and He is going to bring His Church home before the horrific events described in Revelation.

Throughout Scripture, you learn about the final days of the earth. You discover the events that will surround the battle between good and evil, and you’ll find the signs you should be looking for. And in today’s passage in the book of Mark, you’ll find that Jesus Himself talked about this monumental time! Pastor Richard will share what Christ had to say about His return, and what you need to know as this day draws near. You may not know when it will happen, but you need to be prepared!

Have you ever been to a ski hill or resort? You know those tow lines that pull you to the top? They make an easy, even enjoyable experience out of what would otherwise be an incredibly exhausting trek up the hill. Our salvation is kind of like that. Jesus is the towline, and all we have to do is grab on and trust Him to pull us to the top. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today’s message, you can stop your struggle to climb the hill, it’s spiritually impossible. Just trust in Jesus and rest in His grace.

The end of the world is going to come. The Bible tells us a lot about it, but there’s still so much we just don’t know. How exactly will it happen? And when? What will it look like? Plenty of people have speculated on these questions, but Pastor Richard wants to remind you today that we might not know until it actually happens! We still have plenty to learn from what Scripture DOES say, so don’t get caught up in the unknown! Let God teach you what you CAN know, and trust Him in the rest!

Think of the strongest, most permanent structures you know of. What if someone came along and told you that it was going to be torn down and rebuilt in three days? Would you believe them? That feeling of disbelief is similar to what the Jews must have felt when Jesus said those exact words regarding the Temple. As Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, Jesus’ words were both literal and symbolic. The Temple would be torn down, but He was referring to Himself and His own death and resurrection.

If you’re being honest, you might have to admit that statement makes you at least a little uncomfortable. For most of us, to live as though everything we have is actually God’s would completely upend the way we spend our money and use our resources. How many of your recent financial decisions have been completely centered around yourself or your family? As Pastor Richard will challenge us in today’s message, could you give all of it back to God or is it holding you too tightly?

It’s not hard to find the showboating we witness in the Pharisees of Jesus’ day in the modern Church. You may put on the persona of humility and modesty, while also putting great pride in how much you’re secretly tithing or how much time you’re investing in the various programs your church puts on. It may look a little different, but as Pastor Richard will challenge us to ask in today’s message, are you more like the rich man giving a little of his wealth, or the poor widow putting in nearly everything?

Just as the Israelites were instructed to erect monuments as reminders of the journeys God led them through and the victories He won for them, it’s an important practice for us as believers. When you’ve followed Him for a long time, you can slip into a routine that loses a lot of the passion you felt when you first came to Him. As Pastor Richard will challenge us in today’s message, it’s important that we remember where we’ve come from and the astounding grace that God extended to us.

It’s so easy to see the faults and weaknesses in others. As we hear the accounts of the Pharisees, we often are very harsh critics. Yes, they were a rotten group, with some serious heart issues. But, as Pastor Richard will exhort us in today’s message, don’t be so prideful to think that you aren’t a lot like them. We’re all susceptible to pride in various forms. We easily find ourselves driven by our own selfishness and looking down on others instead of reflecting the grace that we so desperately need.

Have you ever read a story where the hero shows up but doesn’t conquer the enemy? What kind of hero doesn’t defeat evil? Wouldn’t that make him just another character? Pastor Richard reminds us today that without resurrection…Jesus would just be another character in a story. If you don’t believe in His rebirth, then there’s no way He can be your savior. We all go through different struggles in life, but ALL OF US will one day face death. The reason you can have hope is because Jesus has conquered Death.