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This Sunday, we are blessed to observe both the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper at the beginning of the 11:00 A.M. service. We are also beginning our study of the book of 1 John. This short book was written to give believers the God-ordained grounds of assurance. John's first readers were being confused by false teachers who had separated from the church (1 John 2:19) and claimed to have the true knowledge of God and salvation (2:20-21). This led gospel believers to question their standing with God through Jesus. Throughout the book, John will provide tests by which the reader can "know they have eternal life" (5:13), which is the purpose of the book. Assurance is a wonderful blessing and a necessity for following Christ joyfully and faithfully, but assurance not based on God's own word is presumption rather than real assurance. Only God's word gives us the grounds of assurance to examine and know that we have eternal life. But before John launches into any tests of assurance, he immediately proclaims the identity of Jesus. Only the true Jesus, whom the apostles proclaimed, is able to save. If we are wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter what we are right about. If we are wrong about Jesus, it doesn't matter how morally we live or what spiritual knowledge we have. Everything rests on this foundation: The Christ whom the apostles proclaim is fully God and fully man, and He is the only Word of Life and the only fellowship with God. I. Only the True Jesus Is The Word of Life (v. 1-2) II. Only the True Jesus Gives Fellowship with God (v. 3-4)

Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 When Wisdom & Work Are Vanity Jason Velotta Download

This Sunday's message will be very different than what we are used to. Our steady diet of preaching has been (and will continue to be) exposition through books of Scripture, verse by verse. However, along our journey through Mark's gospel, we occasionally noticed missing verse numbers (7:16; 9:44), and when we finished Mark 16:1-8, the next thing we saw was brackets around Mark 16:9-20 and a study note that says something to the effect of "the earliest manuscripts do not contain these verses." The easiest thing to do would be to simply make that statement, move on, and start preaching through another book. But this section offers a unique opportunity. Sunday, we will examine how God has reliably preserved His word down through time to us and look at the actual evidence for and against Mark's longer ending. Rather than just giving you my opinion about Mark's ending, I will walk you through the process of examining the evidence, which is not hidden or out of reach for Christians. With all the objections to textual corruption, books added to or taken out of the Bible, and the idea that we Christians depend on unknown scholars to tell us what is in our scriptures, I have three goals for Sunday. I hope to show you how the New Testament documents have been reliably passed down to us, let you see and examine the evidence concerning Mark's ending, and use this opportunity to address how we know the 66 books of our Bibles are the only God-inspired books. Accomplishing those three goals in under 40 minutes will be as miraculous as parting the Red Sea, so we certainly can't say everything that needs to be said, but in the end, we will see that God has preserved His Word in the Bible that you carry. The Bible you hold in your hand is God's Word, sufficient and God-breathed, so that you would know Him through the gospel of Jesus. I. Has God Reliably Preserved His Word In the NT? II. Examining Mark's Ending: Are we depending on "scholars" we don't know? III. How do we know the books in our Bibles are the only inspired books?

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Chasing Pleasure Jason Velotta Download

2 Timothy 3:10-17 Hold Fast Cameron Tucker Download

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 Chasing Wisdom Jason Velotta Download

This Sunday, we providentially come to Mark 16:1-8 on Mother's Day. This passage highlights the women devoted to Jesus who witnessed His death and burial and now discover the empty tomb—the greatest event in human history. After watching their Lord crucified and buried, these devoted women go to the tomb, undoubtedly in grief and hopelessness. Yet, their love for Jesus spurs them to honor Him in His burial. Their purpose is to anoint His body, so we know they did not expect a resurrection. The women even find themselves unable to do this smallest of acts. They have no one to move the stone and let them in the tomb. When they arrive at the tomb, however, they receive the good news that Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, has risen. Then the young man (who Matthew says is an angel) tells the women to declare this news to the “disciples and Peter.” Peter is singled out because the last time we saw him, he was weeping and broken, having denied Jesus three times. Now, it is clear that Jesus has not written Peter off despite his betrayal. This Mother's Day, Mark 16:1-8 shows us how the resurrection speaks directly into our lives, especially when hope feels lost, fear overwhelms, or failure looms large. Because Christ is risen, we can go to Jesus, trust His word fully, and follow Him even in our weakness and failure. I. When all hope is lost—go to Jesus anyway (v. 1-3). II. When the gospel is proclaimed—trust Jesus' word (v. 4-6). III. When fear and failure overwhelm—follow Jesus anyway (v. 7-8).

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 All Is Vanity Jason Velotta Download

For the past several weeks we have stood at the foot of the cross, witnessing the unimaginable suffering, shame, and wrath our Savior endured for our sins. We have heard His cry, seen the veil torn, and watched even a hardened Roman centurion declare, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” And we know what comes next, the glorious resurrection! But before we see the women finding the empty tomb and hearing the good news, we need to pause at the tomb and hear Mark's account of Jesus' burial. The burial of Christ is an often-overlooked part of the good news. But the Jesus and the Apostles proclaimed it. The Burial is recorded in all four Gospels, proclaimed as part of the gospel by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, and foretold by both Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. The burial of Jesus is not an afterthought but an essential part of God's story. This Sunday, we will look at Mark 15:42-47, and we will do things a little differently than usual. In the first point of the sermon, we will walk through the straightforward account of Jesus' burial and then, look at four powerful reasons why the burial matters deeply to our faith. When we rightly understand how the Scriptures speak of Jesus' burial, it is no wonder why Paul proclaims that believers are "buried with Him in baptism" and "raised to walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). I. The Burial of Jesus (Mark 15:42-47) II. Why Jesus' Burial Matters Proves The Son of God Really Died (Matt. 27:62-65) Proves God Really Is Able & Faithful To Fulfill His Word (Matt. 12:40; Isa 53:9) Proves The Son Of God Rose Really From The Dead (John 20:6-9; Acts 2:29-31) Proves That Our Debt Really Is Paid In Full (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12)

2 Samuel 24 - Who Can Turn Away God's Wrath Jason Velotta Download

This Sunday, we will finish the sermon we began last week. Mark 15:21-41 is the climax of the book and what all of redemptive history has pointed toward. Jesus, the Son of Man, will give His life as a ransom for many, as He said earlier in Mark. Last week, we went into great detail describing the suffering and shame of the cross as Jesus. We discussed the vicious scourging that left Jesus too weak to carry the cross and the horrors of a Roman crucifixion. We also bore witness to the unrelenting mockery heaped upon His head from the various people around the cross, including the theives crucified with Him. As Jesus is crucified as a substitute for sin, He bears the suffering and shame that sin brought into the creation. However, the worst is yet to come. Mark 15:21-32 (last week's text), surveyed Jesus' first three hours on the cross (9am-12pm). This Sunday, in verses 33-39, darkness will descend upon the land as the Father pours out His wrath on the sins of a multitude no one can number, all heaped upon the head of the sinless Son. The torment of such judgment is so great that Jesus cries out “Why have you forsaken me?” quoting Psalm 22:1. Though it seems easier for us to understand the awful physical suffering of the cross, nothing can compare to the torment Jesus experiences as His Father pours the cup of His wrath upon His Son. We will examine this in depth on Sunday. Yet, in the midst of this day of great darkness, we also see the power of the cross. That power is displayed when Jesus dies, atoning for sin, and God tears the thick curtain in the temple, forever opening access to His presence through Jesus' sacrifice. Moreover, the power of the cross also changes hearts. A Roman centurion who had no doubt witnessed many crucifixions sees the way Jesus dies and says, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” I am looking forward to diving into this text with you that we may see the cross in all its terrible beauty. III. The Judgment of the Cross (33-36) IV. The Power of the Cross (37-41)

This Sunday and next, we will stand at the very center of history and of God's redemptive story: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Everything in creation, from the garden of Eden through the flood, the Tabernacle, the sacrifices, the priesthood, and the anointed kings of Israel, has anticipated this moment. In the fullness of time, God sent His Son to die as a substitute in the place of sinners. The cross stands as the climax of all that Mark's Gospel has been leading us toward—Jesus' willing suffering, shame, and sacrificial death that opens the way through the veil into God's presence. Though these events are familiar, my prayer is that the Lord would help us see the cross afresh, feel the weight of our sin laid upon Jesus, and never grow numb to what our salvation cost. To see the weight of Mark's description, we will examine Mark 15:21-39 in two parts. The sermon will be four points and we will look at the first two this Sunday. I. The Suffering Of The Cross (v. 20b-25) II. The Shame Of The Cross (v. 26-32) Next Sunday, we will examine: III. The Judgment Of The Cross (v. 33-36) IV. The Power Of The Cross (v. 37-39) This Sunday, we will examine the suffering and shame Jesus endured on the cross, so that we might be moved by the love that held Him there. We see Jesus, beaten after a brutal Roman scourging, led out to be crucified. Too weak to carry His own crossbeam, a man named Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service—an unexpected picture of what it means to take up one's cross. At Golgotha, Jesus refuses the offer of wine mixed with myrrh, choosing instead to drink the full cup of suffering in perfect obedience to the Father. The soldiers crucify Him at the third hour, casting lots for His garments in fulfillment of Psalm 22, as He hangs exposed in agony for six hours, slowly bleeding and suffocating under the weight of the cross. Yet even in this physical torment, Mark writes much more of the shame poured upon Him: the mocking inscription “King of the Jews,” the derision of passersby who wag their heads and blaspheme, the scorn of the chief priests and scribes who mock His power to save others while refusing to believe, and even the reviling of the two robbers crucified beside Him. The King who refuses to save Himself stays on the cross so that guilty sinners like us can be saved and brought into His kingdom.

2 Samuel 23:8-39 God's Mighty Men Jason Velotta Download

This Sunday we return to our study of the Gospel of Mark, picking up in chapter 15. Chapter 15 begins after the events of the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' arrest, and the nighttime trial before the religious leaders, who pronounce Jesus guilty of blasphemy and worthy of death. Having just celebrated Easter, we now turn our eyes to the dark yet glorious events of Good Friday, when the true King of the Jews willingly gives His life as a ransom for many. Though Mark has not referred to Jesus as "King" in his gospel before, in chapter 15 Jesus is mockingly called “King” six times. To the political and religious world, He looks nothing like a powerful ruler. He is beaten, silent, condemned, and humiliated, yet Jesus stands in perfect obedience to the Father's will—not as a helpless victim, but as the sovereign King who chooses to endure suffering and condemnation in His people's place. As Jesus said in Mark 10:45, He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom. Jesus' mission is perfectly pictured in Sunday's passage. Jesus could have defended Himself before Pilate and been released, but He chose not to. Though innocent, Jesus was condemned, and Barabbas, a rightly convicted criminal, was allowed to go free. Jesus willingly stood silent, condemned, and humiliated in our place so that guilty rebels like us could be set free. On Sunday, we will see God's love for sinners in the person and work of Jesus. I. The King Who Stood Silent For You (v. 1-5) II. The King Who Stood Condemned For You (v. 6-15) III. The King Who Stood Humiliated For You (v. 16-20)

Happy Resurrection Sunday! Remember, services will be at 9am & 11am, with no Sunday School. I look forward to rejoicing and praising God with you this Sunday as we celebrate the risen Savior. The resurrection is a vital part of the gospel message and how believers walk in the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:14 says if Christ has not been raised from the dead, you are still in your sins. To see how the death and resurrection of Jesus impact our daily lives as we walk in the gospel, this Easter Sunday, we will examine Romans 6:1-14, where Paul identifies believers as being dead with Christ and raised with Him to walk in the newness of life. We will see how the resurrection frees us from sin's power and dominion, releases us to live fully to God, and equips us to live out our true identity in Christ—dead to sin and alive to God. The Question: Do Believers Continue In Sin? (1-2) I. We Are United To Christ In New Life (3-5) II. We Are Freed From Sin's Dominion (6-7) III. We Are Freed To Live To God (8-10) IV. We Are Able To Live Out Our New Identity (11-14)

2 Samuel 23:1-7 The Sure Hope Of The Coming Kingdom Jason Velotta Download

While preparing the texts for the upcoming sections in Mark, I realized this week that we will be discussing the suffering and humiliation of Jesus on Easter Sunday. Since Resurrection Sunday is the day set aside for rejoicing in the risen Savior and celebrating the completion of our eternal salvation, we will pause our study in Mark until after Easter. Last week, Glenn did a wonderful job encouraging us to respond to trials with endurance and joy because God uses them to strengthen our faith. In his introduction, Glenn mentioned how many claim there is a contradiction between James and Paul. In Romans 4-5, Paul states that we, like Abraham, are justified by faith alone, while James seems to say that Abraham (and us) are justified by faith along with works. Glenn correctly pointed out that there is no contradiction whatsoever, but I thought it would be helpful to examine what James says about faith and works to see why there is no contradiction from the text itself. When we study James 2 closely, we find not only that it aligns with the Bible's teaching of salvation by faith alone, but also that it helps us understand the power of God through faith to change hearts and lives, allowing us to base our eternal assurance on what God says. So, this Sunday, we will preach on James 2:14-26 and celebrate Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday. Afterward, we will return to finish the gospel of Mark. I. A Faith Without Works Is Useless (James 2:14-17) II. Faith Is Shown By Its Works (James 2:18-25) III. A Faith Without Works Is Dead (James 2:26)

This Sunday, we will try to cover all of Mark 14:53-72 and finish the chapter. Mark presents two scenes side by side to once again highlight the contrast between Jesus' faithfulness and His disciples' fearfulness. In the middle of the night, Jesus stands trial before the Sanhedrin, while Peter faces his own moment of testing in the courtyard. Jesus remains faithful to the Father's will even as He is falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and condemned, while Peter, who had boldly promised never to deny His Lord, falters under pressure and denies Jesus three times. Jesus was right in what He told Peter, and now Peter recognizes it. The common thread throughout the passage is the theme of testimony. The word testimony (also testify, witness) appear seven times in verses 53-65, as the religious leaders seek testimony against Jesus, and false witnesses lie about Him. However, Jesus boldly testifies to who He is, while Peter fails to testify at all in verses 66-72. The passage concludes with Peter weeping after hearing the rooster crow and realizing Jesus had been right about His prediction of Peter's denial. Because Jesus remained faithful even when Peter faltered and was fearful, even struggling disciples like us can be redeemed and restored. Peter's story does not end with tears of conviction; it begins there. After His resurrection, Jesus restores Peter and commissions him to feed His sheep. Then, at Pentecost, this weeping weak-willed disciple is transformed into one of the boldest voices for Christ the world has ever known. In the same way, Jesus still redeems and empowers sinners for the glory of His name. I. Beware Of Those Who Seek Testimony Against Jesus (v. 55-59) II. Beware of Rejecting Jesus' Testimony About Himself (v. 60-65) III. Beware Of Failing To Testify About Jesus (v. 66-72)

As we continue studying the Gospel of Mark, this Sunday we will pick up where we left off in chapter 14—the chaotic night of Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Jesus transformed the Passover meal and told the disciples that one would betray Him, Jesus foretold that all the disciples would abandon Him. The disciples adamantly objected, saying they would rather die than fall away (v. 31). Knowing their weakness, Jesus commanded them to watch and pray—depend on the Lord—so they do not enter into temptation (v. 38). Jesus Himself prayed earnestly to His Father as He faced the wrath of God for sin. In Mark 14:43-52, we will witness the moment everyone runs away while Jesus stands alone to face the cross. In this passage, nothing is what it seems: betrayal comes disguised as a kiss of love, faithlessness looks like bold courage, true strength appears as weakness, and abandonment feels like the only option for survival. Through all the chaos, Jesus remains perfectly obedient to the Father, drinking the cup of wrath for our sin so that weak, failing people like us would be saved. In this passage, there is only one who is strong and faithful, and He did this for us. I. When Betrayal Looks Like Love (v. 43-46) II. When Faithlessness Looks Like Courage (v. 47) III. When Strength Looks Like Weakness (v. 48-49) IV. When Abandonment Looks Like The Only Hope (50-52)

This Sunday, as we continue in Mark 14:27–42, we explore Jesus and His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. After the Last Supper, where Jesus established the New Covenant meal and predicted His betrayal, they travel to the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus openly states that all His disciples will fall away when He, the Good Shepherd, is struck—fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy—but He quickly promises that after His resurrection, He will go ahead of them to Galilee. Their weakness and failure cannot prevent the coming Kingdom. Still, Peter and the other disciples deny Jesus' words. First Peter, then all the disciples, insist they will never abandon Him, though Jesus knows their weakness better than they do. In the garden, Jesus is deeply distressed, facing the cup of divine wrath for sin that no one else could bear. Meanwhile, the disciples repeatedly fall asleep, unable to watch and pray for even an hour. Jesus returns to them three times, gently revealing their weakness and urging them to watch and pray to avoid temptation. Jesus teaches a vital gospel truth often forgotten: our complete dependence on Christ for salvation is also essential for living the Christian life. We are not strong enough to obey, resist temptation, or grow in holiness on our own. Jesus alone obeyed perfectly through dependent submission to the Father, drinking the cup we deserved, so we can daily rely on Him with cries of “Not my will, but Yours be done.” The growing Christian life is not the one with the greatest resolve or determination; it is the one that is most dependent. His command to watch and pray acknowledges that, although our spirit may be willing, our flesh is weak. I. Jesus Knows Our Weakness Better Than We (27-31) II. Jesus Suffered In Dependent Obedience in Our Place (32-36) III. Jesus Commands Dependence In Our Weakness (37-41)

This Sunday, we continue our study of the final days before Jesus' crucifixion. In Mark 14:12-26, Jesus and the disciples prepare to share the last Passover meal in Jerusalem. This is truly the final Passover meal because, during the feast, Jesus transforms its meaning to symbolize His sacrificial death and establish the New Covenant. As opposition grows from all sides, Judas seeks an opportunity to betray Him, and although Jesus knows the disciples will abandon Him before sunrise, He proceeds with calm authority as He reveals the New Covenant to these men. In this passage, Jesus sovereignly orchestrates every detail of the meal. No detail is too small, including the room where they will observe the Passover. Jesus then announces a traitor at the table, prompting all the disciples to examine themselves and ask, "Is it I?" Their self-examination seems to be the main point, since Jesus does not reveal the betrayer to them. He leaves them uncertain about which one of them it will be. Jesus knows the betrayer's sin, but He also understands the weakness of all the disciples. (He will foretell that all of them will abandon Him in v. 27-31.) Yet, knowing their sin and frailty, Jesus still breaks the New Covenant bread with them and promises to eat again with them in the Kingdom of God. He permanently transforms the Passover into the Lord's Supper, declaring the bread as His body and the cup as the blood of the new covenant, poured out for many. Jesus is fully aware of the depth of our sin and faithlessness, yet He still sits at the table with us, offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, and invites unworthy sinners to the meal of redemption as our Savior. I. Jesus Is Sovereign Over Every Detail (v. 12-16) II. Jesus Knows The Depths Of Our Sin (v. 17-21) III. Jesus Is The New Covenant Sacrifice For Sinners (v. 22-25)

Mark 14:1-11 begins the final part of Mark's Gospel. Building on Jesus' condemnation of the Temple system and its leaders, as well as His prophecy about Jerusalem's destruction, Mark shifts focus to the events leading directly to Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. The last thing Jesus saw in the Temple before predicting its destruction was a widow woman giving all she had. Now, as the story continues, the next scene shows another woman coming to Jesus and giving all in worship and devotion. Throughout Mark's Gospel, he has compared and contrasted how different people understood and responded to Jesus. Here, that theme is revisited. Using his familiar "sandwich" storytelling technique—where one story is inserted between parts of another—Mark 14:1-11 emphasizes a woman's extravagant worship and devotion in contrast to the treachery of the Jewish leaders and the betrayal by one of Jesus' own disciples. These contrasting views of Jesus challenge us to examine our own hearts and priorities and to set our hearts rightly upon Christ, who is worthy of all glory and honor. How do you see Jesus? I. A Threat To Be Silenced (v. 1-2) II. A Savior Worthy Of Extravagant Love (3-9) III. A Means To A Self-Centered End (v. 10-11)

This Sunday, we will conclude Mark 13 by examining verses 28-37. This chapter is a single prophecy from Jesus about Jerusalem's destruction and His Second Coming. Jesus starts by predicting the city's destruction, and the disciples ask two questions: When will these things happen, and what will be the sign that they are about to occur? From verses 5-23, Jesus answers the "what sign" question regarding Jerusalem's destruction. Wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, and Christian persecution are not signs of the end; they are the beginning of birth pains (verses 5-13). Then Jesus explains the real sign that Jerusalem is about to fall—the abomination of desolation (verses 14-23). Luke clarifies this reference from Daniel for us Gentiles, saying it occurs when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20-21). Next, Jesus addresses the second question about His second coming in verses 24-27. The sign will be the shaking of heaven and the lights in the sky going out. On Sunday, in verses 28-37, Jesus answers the first question, "When will this happen?" He first describes the destruction of Jerusalem, stating that "this generation will not pass away until all these things happen" (verses 28-31). Then, He speaks about when the Son of Man will return in verses 32-37, emphasizing that "no one knows, so stay awake!" This outline seems straightforward, but, as you know, there is much debate about this chapter and which events Jesus refers to in each verse. We will also address several difficult questions about this passage: Who is "he" that the ESV says is near in verse 29? What does Jesus mean by saying this generation will not pass away until "ALL THESE THINGS" have happened? How can Jesus be God and not know the time of His return? And what does staying awake really mean? I pray that God gives us clarity and understanding as we study this text. You can prepare by reading it a few times before Sunday. I. Trust Jesus' Word That Will Never Pass Away (V. 28-31) II. Stay Awake, Faithful To The End (v. 32-37)

By now, you should understand why there is so much internal disagreement about Mark 13. Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and His disciples ask, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” (v. 4). From Matthew's account, we also know they also interpreted these events as signs of the end of the age and Jesus' return. In verses 5-13, Jesus describes things that are not signs, such as wars, natural disasters, and persecution. In verses 14-23, Jesus provides the sign indicating Jerusalem's impending destruction—the abomination of desolation. We examined the meaning of that term as Luke explains it in his parallel account. This Sunday, in verses 24-27, Jesus gives the signs of the Son's coming at the end of the age. The signs Jesus mentions are unmistakable. He talks about cosmic signs, as the universe's light dims and the heavens shake. While you may be familiar with these passages, it might surprise you to learn that in every clause, Jesus refers to Old Testament promises and prophetic passages. This Sunday, we will explore those references and see how Jesus foretells His second coming as the fulfillment of God's grand story of redemption. What a day that will be! I. The Unmistakable Signs Of His Coming (v. 24-25) II. The Visible Glory Of His Coming (v. 26) III. The Sure Promise Of His Coming (v. 27)

Whether you brave the cold and come or watch from home, we will continue studying Mark 13. After foretelling the temple's destruction, the disciples ask Jesus when this will happen and what the sign will be that these things are about to occur. In verses 5-13, Jesus gives them no specific sign to watch for but tells them about the ongoing events that will occur before the destruction—things that will happen throughout every generation: wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecution. These are not signs that Jerusalem's destruction or the final judgment is near. Now, in verses 14-23, Jesus provides the disciples with a sign to watch for and explains what they must do (flee to the mountains) when they see it. The sign is the abomination of desolation. Since this chapter is quite controversial with many different viewpoints, I will take some time this Sunday to show why I believe verses 14-23 mainly discuss the destruction of Jerusalem, and verses 24-27 are Jesus foretelling His second coming. It's not enough to just say "this means that." In these difficult passages, I think it's necessary to show how we reach our conclusions. However, if we only focus on the history of Jerusalem's destruction, the meaning of the abomination of desolation, and end-times theology, we might miss what God is speaking to us today through this text. So, while we will discuss all those details for clarity, our main focus in preaching and application will be on what Christ is calling us to do now and how we can follow Him more faithfully. Whether you join us in person or watch online, I hope you will join us to worship God and listen to His Word speak to us today. I. What Is The Abomination Of Desolation? (v. 14) II. Determine to Obey Christ's Word In Tribulations (v. 14-17) III. Depend Upon God's Grace & Goodness In Tribulations (v. 18-20) IV. Do Not Be Deceived & Turn Back In Tribulations (v. 21-23)

Mark 13 serves as the culmination of everything Jesus said and did in the Temple during chapters 11-12. After exposing the corruption within the Temple's system and leadership in the previous two chapters, Jesus concluded His public ministry by warning the people about the hypocritical scribes who devour widows' houses. As chapter 13 begins, Jesus leaves Jerusalem and predicts the Temple's complete destruction—an event that would happen within forty years during the Roman-Jewish War (66 to 70 AD). This passage, known as the Olivet Discourse and paralleled in Matthew and Luke, forecasts Jerusalem's fall and offers a glimpse of Christ's second coming in glory. However, where Jesus is speaking specifically about the Temple's destruction and the end of history has been a subject of interpretive debate among scholars. We will address a small part of this, but it is important to remember that biblical prophecy—while fascinating and evidence of the Bible's divine inspiration—is not primarily intended to create timelines or uncover secret insights. Like all Scripture, prophecy is given to instruct, reprove, correct, and train us in righteousness for today. The disciples ask for a sign, and Jesus does not give them one until verse 14. The main point Jesus first emphasizes is not satisfying their curiosity with a detailed map of the future but teaching them (and us) how to live faithfully no matter what—being watchful against deception, not panicking amid the world's turmoil, relying on the Spirit during persecution, and enduring to the end, whether the end comes today or a thousand years from now. I. Judgment & The Disciples' Question (1-2) II. Don't Be Deceived By False Christs (5-6) III. Don't Be Alarmed By False Signs (7-8) IV. Be Ready To Endure Persecution (9-13)

After a month away from our study in Mark, we're returning to the middle of chapter 12, where Jesus faces a series of challenges from religious leaders in Jerusalem during his final week. After Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of Hosanna and cleansed the temple, a delegation from the Sanhedrin questioned his authority. Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap him with a question about taxes to Caesar, and Sadducees pose a hypothetical about marriage, hoping to prove there is no resurrection. This Sunday, we'll examine the final question from a scribe—a legal expert on God's law—regarding the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28-37). This leads to a discussion that highlights how someone can be remarkably close to God's kingdom without actually entering it. The main point is that true entry into the kingdom requires more than intellectual agreement with God's truths or admiration for Jesus; it demands recognizing, trusting, and submitting to Jesus as Lord, the divine Son of God, who alone has kept God's commandments in our place and, in the new birth, enables us to love God and others. I. The Foundational Truth of God's Law (v. 28-31) II. The Full Agreement Of A Lost Sinner (v. 32-34) III. The Faith That Enters The Kingdom (v. 35-37)

As we come to the end of 2025, we can look back and see God's wonderful goodness to us at FBC. We are a blessed fellowship, and God has moved in so many ways among us. As we look forward to 2026, I thought about what our prayer should be. What would we ask God to do among us and within us, as disciples and as a body? When I think on this question, I am often brought back to Paul's prayer for the Ephesians. In Ephesians 1-3, Paul lays out the doctrinal foundation of gospel truths. He teaches the Ephesians who they are "in Him" and who they are as a body of both Jews and Gentiles, united as the people of God. Then, in chapters 4-6, He teaches them how to live these truths out within the body and out in the world. Sandwiched right between these two sections, at the end of chapter 3, Paul prays that God would empower and strengthen them by the Spirit that they would be able to live out all that he teaches in chapters 4-6. This Sunday, we will study this prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21, and make it our prayer as disciples of Jesus and the body at FBC. Paul prays they would be strengthened in their inner being, to know Christ's unknowable love, and be filled with the fullness of God. Sounds wonderful, but that is much easier said than done. Many of us have set our hearts to live for Christ and been repeatedly disappointed, knowing we cannot be what we desire. Yet, Paul shows us that God is able to fulfill this impossible prayer. It is not striving harder that brings our strengthening about...it is becoming more dependent. I. Paul's Prayer To The Father (14-15) II. Strengthened By The Spirit As Christ's Dwelling (16-17a) III. Strengthened To Know Christ's Love (17b-19) IV. Pray Because God Is Able (20-21)

During this Advent season, we've paused our study of the Gospel of Mark to reflect on the profound truths of Christ's coming. Two weeks ago, we explored the hope of resurrection from Mark 12, and last week, we looked at the peace we find in Christ. These are not basic, mundane truths; we benefit when we remember who our God is and rekindle our passion for Christ's gospel. In Christ, we have perfect reconciliation with God and complete righteousness before the Father. As Christmas approaches, let's focus on these magnificent realities, resting and rejoicing in our hearts. Joy is our theme this third Sunday of Advent. The angels announced good news of great joy for all people at Jesus' birth, and we will explore how to cultivate joy as the Spirit's fruit, mainly from John 15:1-11. We will explain the Christian's joy, distinguishing it from mere happiness, and see how joy is commanded by God, endures through sorrow, flows from God Himself, and grows as we abide in Christ—trusting in Him. Abiding in Christ nurtures the fruit of joy, because our joy comes from Jesus' own joy, transforming even our hardships into reasons for rejoicing. I. Joy & Happiness Overlap But Are Not the Same - (Jeremiah 33:11, Proverbs 23:24-25, Proverbs 27:9) II. Joy & Rejoicing Are Commanded By God - (Rom. 12:15; Phil 3:1; 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16) III. Joy Can Still Be Present In Sorrow - (Habakkuk 3:17-18, 2 Corinthians 6:9-10) IV. True Joy Is In God & From God - (John 15:11, Isaiah 42:1) V. Joy Is A Fruit That Grows As We Cultivate it - (John 15:1-11)

As we enter the Christmas season, we will pause our verse-by-verse study in Mark to focus on the profound wonder of Christ's birth. In keeping with the Advent season, this Sunday, we'll explore the peace that Jesus brings, drawing from different passages across Scripture to highlight its various aspects. While we usually follow a consecutive exposition through books of the Bible, this topical approach allows us to step back and appreciate a theme woven throughout God's Word. (While being careful to take each passage in its context). The concept of peace is mentioned hundreds of times in Scripture and is what all creation has longed for since sin entered the world. Yet, despite everything we pursue, true peace only comes through Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Christmas isn't just about a baby in a manger—it's about the incarnation of the One who brings peace, as foretold in prophecies like Isaiah 9:6. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's reflect on how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, secures our eternal hope through His life, death, and resurrection, and let peace reign in our hearts (Col. 3:15). I. Jesus Brings Peace With God (Rom. 5:1-2) II. Jesus Gives Peace Within Us (John 14:27; 16:32-33) III. Jesus Brings Peace With One Another (Eph. 2:14-16) IV. Jesus Will Bring Peace To All Creation (Luke 2:13-14; Isa. 11:6-9)

On Sunday, we will continue our study in Mark, focusing on chapter 12:18-27. We've already seen Jesus in the Temple courts, rebuking the chief priests and scribes by comparing them to wicked tenants in God's vineyard. We've observed Him skillfully outmaneuver the Pharisees and Herodians' trap regarding paying taxes to Caesar. Now, the scene shifts to another challenge from the religious elite—the Sadducees—who try to discredit Jesus and the idea of resurrection with a crafted riddle about marriage in the afterlife. Although there are several related questions we will attempt to work through, the Sadducees ultimately seek to demonstrate how foolish the idea of a resurrection is. (They did not believe in an afterlife and accepted only Genesis through Deuteronomy as God's Word.) As Jesus skillfully outmaneuvers these Sadducees, just as He did with other leaders trying to trap Him with His words, He teaches us about the glorious hope of our resurrection with Him. This hope isn't mere wishful thinking; it is based on Jesus' clever response to the Sadducees, which exposes their mistake in denying God's power and His Word. God's power to transform His people assures us that He defeats death, sin, and loss, giving us confident hope for eternity. Jesus then directs the Sadducees to Exodus (a part of Scripture they accepted) and shows (based on the tense of a verb!) that resurrection is real. He points to Exodus 3:6, where God says, "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" in the present tense, even though they had died long ago. This demonstrates ongoing life and a covenant with God, because He is the God of the living, not the dead. Resurrection is built into God's Word, even in verb tenses, and reaches its pinnacle in Jesus' own resurrection as the ultimate proof, giving us comfort in grief and confidence that death does not end our story. The Theological Trap: Denying Resurrection (vv. 18-22) Jesus' Response: Ignorant of God's Power (vv. 24-25) Jesus' Response: Ignorant of God's Word (vv. 26-27)

Sunday, we will return to Mark and the final week of Jesus' earthly life. Mark 12:13-17 continues the confrontations between Jesus and religious leaders. He entered Jerusalem amid cries of Hosanna and cleansed the temple of money changers. He also rebuked the scribes and elders with the parable of the wicked tenants. At this point, the leaders of Judaism want Him out of the way, but three times, Mark tells us they feared the crowds. In the next sections, groups of high-ranking religious leaders will try to trap Jesus with questions so the crowd will turn against Him, or perhaps He will say something that could offend Rome. Mark 12:13-17 presents a political question about taxes with no good answer. Yet, Jesus recognizes and reveals the hypocrisy of those asking questions and offers one of His most famous sayings, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (v. 17). In this simple statement, Jesus shows us how authority should be properly ordered. He does not mean that some things belong to Caesar and others belong to God, and that each should be kept separate. Jesus exposes their trap and hypocrisy by illustrating the hierarchy of authority. Caesar does have legitimate, God-ordained authority (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pt. 2:13-17), but Caesar's authority is also limited. There is only one Lord of all, not two, and just as Caesar's image appears on the coin that belongs to him, you are made in God's image, and therefore, all you are belongs to Him. Christians are to submit to earthly authorities God has ordained, but no authority except God commands our highest allegiance and total obedience. Sunday, we will explore this passage in detail and ask, "Since we bear God's image, what are we to render to Him?" I. Jesus Faces A Political Trap (v. 13-14) II. Jesus Exposes The Questioner's Hypocrisy (v. 15-16a) III. Jesus Explains Proper Authority (v. 16-17)

On Sunday, we will examine Mark 12:1-12. As chapter 11 concluded, Jewish leaders confronted Jesus, demanding to know by what authority He disrupted the temple operations by overturning the money changers' tables. Jesus exposed their self-centered authority and refused to answer their question. Mark 12:1-12 continues that conversation. Jesus responds to the religious leaders with a parable. Often called the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, Jesus uses a story to reveal the wickedness of these leaders' sin and God's plan of salvation. A vineyard owner carefully plants, protects, and tends to his vineyard (echoing Isaiah 5:1-2, where Israel is the Lord's beloved vineyard), then leases it to tenant farmers. At harvest, he rightly sends servants to collect his share of the fruit, but the tenants beat one, shame another, and kill a third—rejecting every messenger. These "servants" represent the Old Testament prophets whom Israel repeatedly persecuted (Jeremiah 7:25-26; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16). Yet the owner shows great patience and longsuffering as he continues to send servants to call for the fruit owed to him. He even sends his beloved son, thinking, “Surely they will respect him.” Instead, the tenants murder the heir, plotting to seize the inheritance for themselves. In this parable, the vineyard symbolizes God's people, God is the vineyard's owner, the prophets are the servants sent by the owner, Jesus is the Son who is killed, and Israel's leaders are the tenants who want ownership of the vineyard. Jesus' parable ends with God bringing justice by destroying the tenants—not the vineyard itself—and entrusting it to “others” (v. 9). These "others" are the Apostles, through whose preaching many will come to faith in Jesus and receive the Spirit, who produces the fruit God commands. This interpretation is confirmed as Jesus concludes the conversation with the religious leaders by quoting Psalm 118:22-23 (the same Psalm the crowd quoted as He entered the city). Jesus says that the stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. Jesus is the cornerstone of the Temple in which we are built (See Eph. 2:19-22). God owns the vineyard of His people and our lives; He deserves the fruit of worship, repentance, and obedience, and His long-suffering kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. We are called to entrust our lives to Jesus so we might bear fruit in His name. I. God is Owed The Vineyard's Fruit (v. 1-2) II. God Is Gracefully Patient In Calling For Fruit (3-6) III. God Will Judge & Restore His Vineyard (v. 7-9) IV. God Will Build His Temple Upon His Son (10-11)