Rev. Paul Leonard

We take a look at the transfiguration in the gospel of Mark

In today's passage, Peter finally gets what 8 chapters of Mark have been building towards the recognition of Jesus as the Christ. However, the same issue that we have been looking at this entire series remains. Peter's definition of Messiah is still very different than Jesus'. This passage represents a pivot point in the gospel, so we this is the first of two messages looking at this section.

Mark ch 8, parallels much of the material from the 1st half of Mark Ch 6 & 7. Using the story so far we look at the specific point Jesus was making with feeding the 4000, as well as how aggressive the debates with the Pharisees and scribes were becoming.  

An exploration of the "Law of God" and the concept of sin.

This episode looks at two miracles of Jesus. The healing of a gentile woman's daughter and the healing of a deaf/ mute.  

As we launch our new "Wednesday Praise Nights" we are exploring the basics of the faith. Today we begin looking at the Heidelberg Catachism

Many of us live lives that are characterized by only accepting half of the Gospel, only the outline. Rev. Paul in a special message for Back to Church Sunday extorts his listeners to accept the full gospel of Christ.

We take a look at an incident of very purposeful rejection of the oral traditions of the scribes by Jesus

We look at the story of Jesus feeding the 5000.In Mark's Gospel Jesus uses this miracle to establish a very poignant connection between him and Moses and Isaiah's/ Ezekiel's prophecies. *Note: this is a re-upload after an error the first time

John was the prophet who prepared the way of the Lord, and that in today's story means he quite literally faced his own death. This sermon explores what it means that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Prophets and how we all in some ways play the same roll as John the Baptist did.

We look at the story of how Jesus sent out the disciples, and how that required an attitude of complete innovation, and a strong dependence on Grace 

Jesus could find any respect in his hometown. This sermon follows the text a bit more loosely than our series has so far, focusing on the 10th commandment (9th in some traditions) "Thou shall not covet"

Today's sermon explores two different miracles of Jesus that the Gospel of Mark wraps together. We explore why Jesus' healing of the woman with the 12 year hemorrhage and the raising of the synagogue leader's daughter are wrapped together in Mark. 

We look at what is a very long story of a demon being cast out in the Gospel of Mark. Mark takes a long time to develop the details, and we look at what some of those details mean; also focus on Jesus' transformative deliverance.

We look at the Story of Jesus quieting the storm.  This will be a limited availability sermon.

Mark uses 4 agricultural parables to describe the kingdom of God back to back. But in the Gospel of Mark the key phrase the "kingdom of God" makes the meaning a bit nuanced from normal.

We look at how the parable of the sower fits specifically in Mark

In today's episode Jesus selects the Twelve Disciples. We take a look at the 13 men Jesus selected to start his church and carry out his mission

Jesus is accused by the Pharisees and scribes of healing with black magic, at the same time his Mother and family fail to understand him. Jesus uses the moment to teach who his true family are.

Jesus makes a bold claim in todays text, then he goes even further by making the bold action of healing on the Sabbath. In the 5 conflicts of Mark Ch 2 this action becomes the last straw for Jesus' opponents

In Mark Ch2, Jesus gets in 5 conflicts with the Pharisees as he is ministering in Galilee.  In calling Levi and eating with sinners Jesus also should be challenging us! The action is more radical than we assume if we really dig into the text.

Today we look at the popular story where Jesus heals the man lowered through the roof. Jesus when challenged asked his opponents if it is easier to say God forgives sins, or to tell someone to be healed. In today's times, we often say the first a lot! And hardly anyone claims the later. And that is what Jesus is getting at.

Jesus has now built a reputation; people are coming to him only because of his reputation and not his message. Eager to preach the kingdom, Jesus makes a choice to heal a man even though it would hindering his preaching

Jesus now shifts his ministry to building up the kingdom by calling the first disciples. This brings conflict with evil as a Demon confronts him. But Jesus shows his authority by casting it out and amazing the crowd.

Many people focus on the sayings of Jesus, but according to Mark Jesus had a very distinct message that he preached. Jesus preached that the kingdom had come.That set him apart from John the Baptist who said it was coming, and others who said it was a place.Jesus preached the Kingdom had come because HE was the kingdom.

We often hear the words "Jesus, Son of God" and just assume we know what they mean. In fact, a great many people think they are sure themselves but wouldn't agree with others. So as we begin to read the Gospel of Mark we get to first things first... letting Mark define his gospel.

The apostle Paul's take on marriage part 2

Paul gives a unique view on Christian marriage that challenges our cultural assumptions

Paul takes on the Sexual immorality in the Corinthian Church.

Lawsuits among Christians

Paul finally drops the bomb on his big and main problem with the church in Corinth. What's going on there isn't pretty; the attitude of the people doing it shows up in places that may look just fine.

Paul pleads with the church as a Father; also says he will not submit to human judgement.This is an important build up to the conflict of ch 5.

The fourth sermon in the 1st Corinthians series.Focus: Most of the church is childish and Paul must make clear that someone needs to grow up!

3rd sermon in the 1st Corinthians series

2nd sermon in the Corinthian seriesPaul makes an appeal to the "foolishness of the cross" to end the debates over who is wise and powerful in the struggling Corinthian church

This is the first sermon in our new series on 1st Corinthians.Paul's introduction calls the church to focus on unity in Christ to overcome its divisions based on human leadership

There's an aspect of faith that has to be public. And we are often quite concerned about our own public reputation. And while sometimes people think religion is all about God being ashamed of us... quite often it's actually the other way around.Have you ever been ashamed of your faith? In today's message we get at the fact that people didn't like Jesus! And to be his disciple, we are going to have to accept that challenge.

In this scriptural exposition of 2 Corinthians, Rev. Paul approaches the wide theme of church conflict found throughout both letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians. With 80% of US churches in some stage of plateau or decline, its sadly very likely many Christians are all to familiar with such things. But the issue isn't impossible, and the solution isn't even to be found in some new program or technique. It's not about music, politics, style, or superficial things, but about being faithful to the reason why the church exist in the first place! [As explained in the first 4 sermons in the series (only 1 and 4 were recorded)] The congregation in Corinth was struggling with multiple issues, so this sermon treats the main faucets of the conflict.But the key problem was, it was stuck. Does your Church or Christian walk seem stuck? Moving forward is actually quite easy as Rev. Leonard explains. It just takes being dissatisfied enough to actually leave Egypt! Rev. Leonard's primary thesis is the solution the Apostle Paul advocated was not dwelling on the existing conflict, but on moving forward with the church's true calling. The wisdom being to fold, as old conflict grow smaller in the rear view mirror, and a more broadly mature church of tomorrow can address issues that elude its maturity today.In the first part, Rev. Paul looks at the Apostle's solution, sending Titus, and delves into the key instructions he gives Titus in Titus 3:7-10. Titus is instructed to remind the people to grow in good works, and to avoid being divisive. Often, churches are divided, but how exactly do we diagnose it? Second, the Church's commision is "as you go Make Disciples" (Matt), but sometimes the "going" part gets tough. This is a timely message for anyone who is eager to see their church move forward, is wondering why old problems linger, and wonders what attitudes we can take to do something about it. With examples from life, this message shows why this is vital.It's been a long time since Rev. Leonard has clocked in a message over 20 minutes; this message is so relevant to today, to the majority of churches, that it is worth going into the issue at length.

I apologize, but due to repainting the sanctuary, my mind was off and I failed to record parts 2 and 3. Today's message is, "What?" is the church? and the answer is its the body of Christ. That should not just unite us, but we can't be the body of Christ if we are not

Jesus tells Peter that he is going to build his church on the Rock. That is, the confession Jesus is Lord. As we explore what it means to be a church, the key of what sets us apart is the corner stone.

Jonah faces a tough reality, God often saves people we don't want him to!

Jonah is a small town bumpkin in a big city; his preaching has a big effect!