Calvary Church with Skip Heitzig Audio Podcast

Jesus loves outcasts. That's why the first three gospel accounts record the call of Matthew. Jesus wants us to know that no one is beyond His saving grace. By inviting Matthew into His circle of friends, Jesus showed that He can take and transform anyone. Today we will discover four features in the interaction of Jesus and this tax collector.I. His Profession (vv. 13-14a)II. His Invitation (v. 14)III. His Decision (v. 14b)IV. His Celebration (vv. 15-17)Learn Your Bible: Reflect on Romans 6:14 and Ephesians 2:8-9 as you walk in the Lord's grace.Love Your Neighbor: Find one practical way to love someone in your circle this week—or sign up to serve our community through Love Month at lovenm.org/serve.Live in Freedom: Spend time in worship and thank the Lord for His calling and purpose in your life.

I. Adapt to the SituationII. Apprehend the ScriptureIII. Apply Your StoryLearn Your Bible: Spend time studying the big picture of Scripture—how the Bible points to Jesus from beginning to end—so you can be ready to share it with others.Love Your Neighbor: Is there someone God's placed in your life who may be spiritually curious or searching for truth?Live in Freedom: This week, what step can you take to be available, obedient, and ready to share Jesus when God opens the door?

Eric Metaxas is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including the million-selling biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his latest, Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World. He is the host of Socrates in the City and The Eric Metaxas Show. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages and has appeared in leading national publications.

One of the singular notable qualities of Jesus Christ was His ability to know what was most important at any given moment. He always seemed to move His life carefully around a fixed set of spiritual priorities. Today we compare what others wanted with what Jesus knew they needed.I. They Pursued Wonder; Jesus Preached the Word (vv. 1-2)II. They Felt Suffering; Jesus Forgave Sin (vv. 3-5)III. They Displayed Pessimism; Jesus Demonstrated Power (vv. 6-12)Learn Your Bible: Meditate on Matthew 6:25-34 and ask the Lord for wisdom in reordering the priorities of your daily life.Love Your Neighbor: Take time to be the friend who brings those you care about to Jesus this week—through prayer, presence, or by pointing them back to His calling for their lives.Live in Freedom: Where have you been prioritizing what feels urgent over what Jesus showed us is most important, and what would it look like to surrender that concern to Him?

The need for human touch is one of our most basic, fundamental needs. We often find Jesus doing exactly that in the gospel of Mark. And just as you have five fingers with which you can touch the world around you, there are five stages to the healing touch of Jesus in this story. Let's explore them.I. The Condition (v. 40a)II. The Cry (v. 40b)III. The Compassion (v. 41)IV. The Cure (v. 42)V. The Command (vv. 43-45)Learn Your Bible: Meditate on Jeremiah 17:14 and remind yourself that we serve Jehovah Rapha—the Lord who heals.Love Your Neighbor: How can you reflect the healing love of Jesus in a friend or loved one's life this week?Live in Freedom: Surrender the broken and hurting places of your heart to the Lord and invite Him to bring healing and restore your joy and hope.

Our identity and salvation do not need to be achieved or discovered—it's a gift we can receive through faith. But without Jesus Christ, life ultimately has no lasting meaning or purpose. In this teaching, Dr. Frank Turek presents evidence for the reliability of the New Testament, reminding us that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our salvation, faith, and identity.

If we want the life of Jesus, we must adopt the lifestyle of Jesus. If we desire His public power, we must first embrace His private practices. That means stepping away while others rush in, listening when others are speaking, and moving forward when others settle for comfort. In Mark 1:35–39, Jesus revealed the rhythms that lead to a life of faithfulness and fruitfulness: solitude, resistance, and purpose.I. The Rhythm of SolitudeII. The Rhythm of ResistanceIII. The Rhythm of PurposeLearn Your Bible: Using your favorite Bible dictionary or concordance, study the idea of solitude. If you're able, access our new Guided Meditations at cabq.us/gm to start practicing the rhythm of solitude in your life.Love Your Neighbor: Create the opportunity to sit and listen to a friend or family member you haven't connected with recently.Live in Freedom: Which of these rhythms do you need to practice this week?

Mark introduced Jesus as the Son of God and Israel's Messiah (see v. 1), who proclaimed His purpose to establish the kingdom of God (see v. 15). But such claims must be substantiated by divine authority. So, the author provides three credentials of this Messianic King to prove His office.I. Authority Over Dispassion (vv. 21-22)II. Authority Over Demons (vv. 23-28)III. Authority Over Disease (vv. 29-34)Learn Your Bible: Use your favorite study resources to find cross-reference passages that point to Jesus' authority in each of the areas we studied today.Love Your Neighbor: Ask God to show you someone in your life who needs to be reminded of His grace, then take one practical step to love them well.Live in Freedom: Is there something in your life—a doubt, struggle, or secret shame—that you haven't surrendered to the authority of Christ? Take the first step this week to fully place that in His hands.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Those words were spoken by Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing before her second birthday. Jesus promises abundant life (an adventure) to those who follow Him. Today we notice three aspects of Jesus' call to His first followers.I. Their Character (vv. 16, 19)II. Their Calling (vv. 17, 20)III. Their Commitment (vv. 18, 20b)Learn Your Bible: Meditate on John 10:10 and spend time intentionally and specifically thanking the Lord for the riches He's poured into your life.Love Your Neighbor: How can you be the hands and feet of Jesus to a brother or sister in Christ this week?Live in Freedom: Ask the Lord to reveal how He wants you to live more abundantly in your daily walk.Talk with Kids: What does it mean that God is faithful?

I. Hope Now (v. 3)II. Heaven Later (v. 4)III. Help In Between (v. 5)Learn Your Bible: Thank the Lord that He keeps you “through faith for salvation” and meditate on Psalm 37:23-24 as you recognize His keeping power in your own life.Love Your Neighbor: Invite a new believer to visit your Connect Group this week.Live in Freedom: Ask the Lord to reveal areas of your life—hurt, bitterness, or hidden sin—that you haven't yet surrendered to Him.Talk with kids: What do you think the torn veil in the temple demonstrated?

I. What's Happening in the SkyII. What's Happening in the TempleIII. What's Happening on the Cross

Mark shows us “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (v. 1). After introducing John the Baptist, he includes three (really four) foundational scenes that mark the beginning movement of the gospel—from the lips of Jesus to those who followed Him and then took it around the world.I. Identification (v. 9)II. Confirmation (vv. 10-11)III. Confrontation (vv. 12-13)IV. Proclamation (vv. 14-15)Learn Your Bible: What does this passage teach you about how God works before great things begin?Love Your Neighbor: Share the gospel with a friend or family member this week—or simply invite them to our Good Friday and Easter services.Live in Freedom: What step of obedience is God calling you to take so you can walk in freedom and purpose as you follow Jesus?Talk with kids: Why do we have to turn from our sin to trust Jesus as Savior?

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To be great is to be misunderstood.” John the Baptist was certainly that! This unusual figure dominates the first part of Mark's gospel account. Let's discover what made him so great and why his role was so important to the ministry of Jesus.I. John Was Anticipated by Scripture (vv. 2-3)II. John Was an Unusual Character (v. 6)III. John Was Preparing the Future (vv. 4-5, 7)IV. John Was Introducing the Savior (vv. 7-8)Talk with God: As you prepare for Easter, ask the Lord to soften your heart, deepen your faith, and draw you closer to Jesus.Talk with others: Invite an unbelieving friend or family member to join you for one of our Good Friday services.Talk with kids: How did Elisha display God's power?

Today we begin an extended series on the gospel of Mark, a document that reveals the story of Jesus Christ and His first followers. Jesus stands at the very center of history's stage. He has no equals; He has no peers. Let's examine four aspects of this unique book.I. The Presentation of Jesus (“The beginning”)II. The Proclamation of Jesus (“The gospel”)III. The Person of Jesus (“Jesus Christ the Son of God”)IV. The Prediction of Jesus (“As it is written in the Prophets”)Talk with God: Meditate on Ephesians 1:7 and spend time in worship thanking the Lord for His faithfulness to redeem.Talk with others: Invite your friends and family to join you for Easter Sunrise service.Talk with kids: How was Ahab disobedient, stubborn, and greedy?

I. Jesus People GrowII. Jesus People GatherIII. Jesus People GiveIV. Jesus People GoTalk with God: Ask the Lord to show you the areas of your life in which you can be a better reflection of Jesus.Talk with others: Intentionally lift up the Jesus People around you and look for one practical way to come alongside someone walking through a difficult season this week.Talk with kids: How do we know God hears us when we pray?

For our final study together in this Overlooked series, we examine five courageous women who faced a crisis with grace. As we unpack their bold response, we will see how it correlates to believers today as we relate to God, to others, and to our future.I. The Crisis (v. 1)II. The Courage (vv. 2-4)III. The Confirmation (vv. 5-11)IV. The CorrelationTalk with God: Ask the Lord to fill you with the courage to boldly face crises and dilemmas with faith and grace.Talk with others: If you're walking through a difficult season, reach out to your Connect Group and invite them to stand with you in prayer, encouragement, and support.Talk with kids: Why were the kings of Israel considered evil?

Most of us have a hard time saying this man's name, but Paul knew it well. He was a loyal friend to the apostle, especially in his darkest hour. In just three verses we find six characteristics of this wonderful man who's been overlooked for far too long. If you have a friend like this, you're blessed.I. RefreshingII. RepetitiousIII. Risk-TakingIV. ResoluteV. RenownedVI. RewardedTalk with God: This week, take time to thank the Lord for the true friends He's blessed you with, as you pray over their lives.Talk with others: Ask your friends how you can come alongside them as “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17) in their walk through this season of life.Talk with kids: What is the wise way to live?

I. He Was a Genuine DiscipleII. He Was a Gentle DiscipleIII. He Was a Generous DiscipleTalk with God: Ask the Lord how He's inviting you to greater generosity with your time, resources, attention, and compassion.Talk with others: In your Connect Group, discuss practical ways you can be known for your love for others (see John 13:35).Talk with kids: Why was the queen amazed by Solomon's kingdom?

Anna is one of the Bible's most unusual women. She, along with a man named Simeon, had spent a lifetime in loyal service to God and was finally able to meet her Messiah. Though only three verses give us all the information we have about her, it's sufficient to get a profile of her.I. SpiritualII. VenerableIII. SingleIV. FaithfulV. VocalTalk with God: Meditate on Lamentations 3:25–26 this week, and surrender the things you've been holding too tightly, trusting the Lord and His perfect timing.Talk with others: Encourage your Connect Group to remain deeply rooted in God's Word as they walk through their present season.Talk with kids: Why is knowing God and following Him most important?

Many a transformative event can be traced to the influence of one person. Mordecai was one such person in the lives of the Jews living in Persia. By inspiring Queen Esther, Mordecai turned a blasting into a blessing; he changed a national catastrophe into national continuity for the Jews.I. A National Tragedy (3:13-15)II. An Expected Anxiety (4:1-3)III. A Strategic Opportunity (4:10-14)IV. An Inspired Bravery (4:15-16)Talk with God: Reflect on God's work in your life (recently or across several years) and thank Him for His providence in guiding your steps (see Proverbs 16:9).Talk with others: Encourage a fellow believer or your Connect Group by reminding them the Lord has a plan in every difficult situation they face this week.Talk with kids: What was special about the temple?

I. Jesus People Belong TogetherII. Jesus People Carry One AnotherIII. Jesus People Live Life TogetherTalk with God: Meditate on Ecclesiastes 4:12 and thank the Lord for the people He's placed in your life.Talk with others: Ask your friends and family how you can pray for them this week.Talk with kids: Why did Solomon ask for wisdom?

Jethro was the father-in-law of Moses. But he was also the one responsible for Moses's success as a leader over the people of God. Jethro provides five ways for leaders to thrive. Whether you lead a family, a small group, a large organization, or a fast-paced business, these five practices are imperative.I. Change Your Approach (vv. 13-18)II. Instruct the People (vv. 19-20)III. Build a Team (v. 21)IV. Trust the Team (vv. 22-23)V. Take Good Advice (v. 24)Talk with God: Meditate on Matthew 19:30 as you ask the Lord to strengthen you in each of these five areas.Talk with others: As a Connect Group, discuss how you can apply these practices to your daily life.Talk with kids: How did David respond to God's forgiveness?

Although Solomon composed 1,005 songs (see 1 Kings 4:32), this one is in a class by itself. It was his magnum opus. Solomon called it his song of songs (see Song of Solomon 1:1)! This poetic song was directed to his young bride. Though she often gets overlooked by many who read the Bible, she caught Solomon's eye. Let's notice some of her qualities. I've put them in the form of four juxtapositions.I. She's Unnamed but Not Unnoticed (1:8-10, 15)II. Passionate but Not Promiscuous (2:4-7)III. Desirous but Not Dominating (3:6-11)IV. Irritated but Not Inflexible (5:2-3, 6-10)Talk with God: Read Genesis 16:13 and Matthew 6:25-34 and spend time in prayer to thank the Lord for His faithfulness in seeing you and providing for you.Talk with others: Ask your friends and family if they're feeling overlooked and how you can help support them in this season.Talk with kids: What special promise did God make to David?

I. FaithII. FaithfulIII. FaintheartedIV. FretfulV. Fruitful

I. This Place Had a History (vv. 1-5)II. This Place Was in Prophecy III. This Place Was at Capacity (v. 7)IV. This Place Showcased Humility (v. 7)

We've heard this story so many times that it doesn't surprise us like it ought to. And what boy hasn't dressed like a shepherd for a Christmas play? But what was an ordinary workplace for these blue-collar sheep farmers became holy ground on this particular night. They were in for five surprises that would stay with them forever. Let's try to put ourselves in their sandals.I. The Audience (v. 8)II. The Angels (v. 9)III. The Announcement (vv. 10-12)IV. The Anthem (vv. 13-14)V. The Accuracy (vv. 15-20)Talk with God: Ask the Lord for opportunities to turn your workplace into holy ground this week.Talk with others: Invite a friend or family member to join you for a Christmas Eve service.Talk with kids: What does it mean to worship Jesus as King?

In this second message of our Holy Ground series, we come to an unnamed city in the hill country of Judah, where Mary's cousin lived. But I hope you realize that the real emphasis shouldn't be on holy places where God once moved, but holy people in whom God now dwells. Mary was one of them. She is our sister in Christ and a great example to us. Let's notice five attributes.I. She Was Hopeful (vv. 39-45)II. She Was Worshipful (vv. 46-55)III. She Was Scriptural (vv. 46-49)IV. She Was Needful (v. 47)V. She Was Helpful (v. 56)Talk with God: Ask the Lord to give you His heart for those around you this Christmas and throughout the coming year.Talk with others: Encourage your friends or Connect Group to stay grounded in the Word through the holiday season.Talk with kids: Why is it important to understand that Jesus is not just a baby born two thousand years ago?

During this Advent season, we want to look at the familiar Christmas story through a different lens: the actual places these events happened. They were common—even unremarkable—places. Yet, because of what happened there, they became Holy Ground. Through our short journey together, perhaps we'll become more appreciative of the places and circumstances God has placed us in.I. An Ordinary Place (v. 26)II. An Unordinary Person (vv. 26-29)III. An Extraordinary Prediction (vv. 30-34)Talk with God: Reflect on your walk with the Lord over the past year and thank Him for the mundane places in your life that He chose to make holy ground.Talk with others: Reach out to friends or family who may be struggling with loss or grief this holiday season and pray with them.Talk with kids: Why do you think God chose ordinary people to be Jesus' parents?