Podcasts about in mark

Send us Fan MailWhat if doubt isn't the opposite of faith?What if it's where faith actually begins?In Mark 9, a desperate father looks at Jesus and says one of the most honest things ever recorded in Scripture: “I believe; help my unbelief.”He isn't certain. He doesn't have his theology figured out. He's scared, exhausted, and standing in the middle of chaos.And Jesus doesn't reject him.In this message, Pastor Dan Minor challenges the version of Christianity that confuses certainty with faith. The mountaintop may give us beautiful experiences, but Jesus keeps leading us back down the mountain, into the mess, the questions, the suffering, and the lives of people who need healing more than they need another theological argument.Because faith isn't about having every answer.It's about what we do when the answers stop working.And when religion becomes more interested in winning arguments than helping hurting people, we've missed Jesus entirely.Maybe the question was never, “Who's right?”Maybe Jesus keeps asking us, “Who's hurting?”#HarvestSarasota #DanMinor #FaithAndDoubt #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithDeconstruction #ProgressiveTheology #Mark9 #IBelieveHelpMyUnbelief #FaithReimagined #ChurchHurt #InclusiveChurch #Jesus #ChristianPodcast #Deconstruction #SpiritualJourney Support the showHarvest is a fully affirming, inclusive (including the LGBTQ+ community) progressive Christian church located in Sarasota, Florida.Follow us on Social Media:Instagram - Instagram.com/harvestsarasotaFacebook - Facebook.com/harvestsarasotaTikTok CLICK HEREDONATE to support our podcast HERERecorded live at Harvest Church in Sarasota by Michael Thomas Regina and Stephen Lehman of Boardtown Creative

Jesus taught with an authority no one had ever heard before, and even unclean spirits obeyed Him. In Mark 1:21-28, we look at three marks of true authority in Christ and what His lordship should change in our lives this week.

This week community member and theologian Kat Armas concluded our "Disturbing Red Letters" series by looking at some truly head-scratching words from Jesus. In Mark 9:43-48, Jesus says: If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. What do we make of these jarring words? Join us as Kat explores these disturbing red letters!⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us

How should Christians watch for Christ's return? What does Jesus actually mean when He commands us to "keep watch"? In Mark 13:32–37, Jesus gives His disciples a final and repeated command concerning His Second Coming: "Keep Watch!" But this passage raises an important question: If no one knows the day or hour—not the angels, and not even the Son—what does it actually mean to be ready for Jesus' return? In this sermon, we work carefully through Mark 13:32–37, with connections to Matthew 24:32–35, 43–44, Luke 21:29–36, Romans 13:11–14, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–8, Acts 1:7, and Revelation 3:10. Rather than trying to calculate the date of Christ's return, Jesus teaches us to live in a state of constant spiritual readiness. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

What does it really mean to follow Jesus and call Him King? In Mark 8:27–35, Peter makes the right confession—“You are the Messiah”—and then almost immediately tries to tell Jesus what kind of Messiah He should be. And if we're honest, we do the same thing. We want Jesus as Savior, but we still reach […]

How should Christians watch for Christ's return? What does Jesus actually mean when He commands us to "keep watch"? In Mark 13:32–37, Jesus gives His disciples a final and repeated command concerning His Second Coming: "Keep Watch!" But this passage raises an important question: If no one knows the day or hour—not the angels, and not even the Son—what does it actually mean to be ready for Jesus' return? In this sermon, we work carefully through Mark 13:32–37, with connections to Matthew 24:32–35, 43–44, Luke 21:29–36, Romans 13:11–14, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–8, Acts 1:7, and Revelation 3:10. Rather than trying to calculate the date of Christ's return, Jesus teaches us to live in a state of constant spiritual readiness. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

Salvation is a gift freely given, but following Christ costs everything. In Mark 10, Jesus confronts His followers with a jarring paradox: while grace cannot be bought, the path of discipleship carries a cost that many simply refuse to pay. Most believers are comfortable with the promise of heaven, yet hesitant when confronted with the reality of the cross. Re-examining Mark 10 reveals a stark choice between seeking personal status and embracing sacrificial service. In Mark 10:35-45, James and John approach Jesus with a bold request: they want the premier seats on His right and left in glory. They bypass the mission and jump straight to the reward. Jesus halts their ambition immediately: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptised with?” (Mark 10:38) James and John assumed glory was a matter of proximity and privilege. Jesus made it clear that glory is forged through suffering, endurance, and persecution. When they casually answered, “We can,” Jesus confirmed they would indeed share in His cup, reminding them that spiritual authority is not an executive title handed out by favoritism, but a calling measured by how much you are willing to lay down. Outside Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus cries out through the crowds: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus calls Bartimaeus forward, He asks the exact same question He previously posed to James and John: “What do you want Me to do for you?” James and John's request: Prominence, power, and prestige (“Grant us to sit on your right and left”). Bartimaeus's request: Spiritual desperation, honesty, and humility (“Lord, that I might receive my sight”). The disciples wanted thrones; the blind man simply wanted to see. Bartimaeus received his sight immediately because he came without pretense, desperate for the mercy of God. Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/vnPudUh0MZk  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk 

In Mark 8:1–10, a great multitude has been following Jesus for three days with nothing left to eat. Rather than sending them away hungry, Jesus looks upon them with compassion and performs another remarkable miracle—feeding approximately 4,000 people with only seven loaves and a few small fish. But this passage is about more than multiplying bread. It reveals the compassion of Jesus, the power of Jesus, and the continuing struggle of His disciples to understand who is standing right in front of them. In this verse-by-verse study, Jim Murrell examines the feeding of the 4,000, its similarities and differences with the feeding of the 5,000 in Mark 6, and what this miracle teaches us about trusting Christ when our resources seem insufficient. The same Jesus who saw the hungry multitude, understood their need, and provided more than enough still reminds us that what seems impossible to us is never beyond His power. Scripture: Mark 8:1–10 Speaker: Jim Murrell Series: The Gospel of Mark Ironaton Church of Christ

How should Christians watch for Christ's return? What does Jesus actually mean when He commands us to "keep watch"? In Mark 13:32–37, Jesus gives His disciples a final and repeated command concerning His Second Coming: "Keep Watch!" But this passage raises an important question: If no one knows the day or hour—not the angels, and not even the Son—what does it actually mean to be ready for Jesus' return? In this sermon, we work carefully through Mark 13:32–37, with connections to Matthew 24:32–35, 43–44, Luke 21:29–36, Romans 13:11–14, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–8, Acts 1:7, and Revelation 3:10. Rather than trying to calculate the date of Christ's return, Jesus teaches us to live in a state of constant spiritual readiness. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

How should Christians watch for Christ's return? What does Jesus actually mean when He commands us to "keep watch"? In Mark 13:32–37, Jesus gives His disciples a final and repeated command concerning His Second Coming: "Keep Watch!" But this passage raises an important question: If no one knows the day or hour—not the angels, and not even the Son—what does it actually mean to be ready for Jesus' return? In this sermon, we work carefully through Mark 13:32–37, with connections to Matthew 24:32–35, 43–44, Luke 21:29–36, Romans 13:11–14, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–8, Acts 1:7, and Revelation 3:10. Rather than trying to calculate the date of Christ's return, Jesus teaches us to live in a state of constant spiritual readiness. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

In Mark 10.33, Jesus takes the Twelve aside – speaking specifically to them rather than the wider crowd – to reveal what lies ahead: His suffering and death. He tells them, “The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.” Immediately after Jesus reveals His impending death and resurrection, an extraordinary interaction occurs. In verse 35, the brothers James and John approach Jesus with a bold request: “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” It is a striking demand – unlike almost anything else seen from the disciples in Scripture. It reflects a mindset people sometimes bring to prayer today: approaching God demanding our own terms. Jesus responds by asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Though He already knew their hearts, He allowed them to speak for themselves. In verse 37, they make their request: “Grant us to sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left, in Your glory.” In verse 38, Jesus rebukes them gently but firmly: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” Jesus redirects their focus from status to calling. Before the crown comes the cup; before reigning comes the willingness to endure suffering and persecution for the sake of the Gospel. The message remains a vital challenge for believers today: if we desire a place in His Kingdom, we cannot merely seek honour – we must be willing to pay the price of true discipleship and service. Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/EorXRVlqAgs  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk 

Tuesday, 22 September 2026   ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”'? Matthew 22:44   “He said, Lord, to the ‘Lord, Mine', ‘You sit from ‘rights, Me', Until if I should put the ‘enemies, Yours' – footstool, the ‘feet, Yours'.'” (CG)   In the previous verse, Jesus questioned how David, under the influence of the Spirit, called the Christ “Lord.” In other words, if the Christ is his descendant, how could he subordinate himself in such a manner? Understanding this, Jesus cites the Scripture where this is proven so. He goes to Psalm 110:1, beginning with, “He said, Lord, to the ‘Lord, Mine'.”   In the Greek, the same word, kurios, is used in both instances. The meaning of the word must be determined from the context. However, regardless of the context, Jesus calls this person “Lord.” He thus subordinates himself to this coming Person.   As for the context, it is found in the Hebrew –   “‘Oracle, Yehovah' to my Lord. You must sit to my right Until I will make your hatings – footstool to your feet.” Psalm 110:1 (CG)    David identifies that Yehovah, the covenant God of Israel, spoke an oracle to his Lord. The word is adoni, my Lord. It thus indicates a person to whom he has subordinated himself. The question Jesus asks is how David could designate a person descending from him in this manner. And more, the psalm continues, saying, “‘You sit from ‘rights, Me'.'”   The right, meaning the position of the right hand, is the position of all power and authority. Yehovah has spoken through David that this Person, the Christ, would sit at the position of all power and authority of Yehovah. If this were a mere person, it would be unthinkable that he would be given all of God's power. And yet, that is what is being stated. The words citing the psalm continue, saying, “Until if I should put the ‘enemies, Yours' – footstool, the ‘feet, Yours'.”   The meaning is that the enemies of the Christ will be placed as a footstool for His feet. But if this Person is at the right hand of Yehovah, it means that He is the agent by which this is accomplished.   To understand this, one can go to the account of Joseph in Egypt, who was given the full authority of Pharaoh in order to effect the purposes of Pharaoh. This is true of Mordecai's authority in Esther as well.   The Lord God, Yehovah Elohim, has stated that all authority in heaven and on earth would be granted to a descendant of David, of whom David acknowledges him as his Lord. This is what Jesus has presented to the Pharisees as a question that must be bconsidered in the light of the logical process discussed in the previous verse's life application section.   Life application: Using the same logic as discussed in the previous verse, whether we believe in Jesus or not, and whether we accept the premise of Jesus' full authority, we would have to conclude that the Bible clearly presents Jesus as having the full power and authority of Yehovah Elohim, the Lord God.   Scripture is given by God through man. If the New Testament is Scripture, which it is claimed to be so even within itself, then this is the obvious conclusion. Scripture says the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary. Thus, Jesus would be the Son of the Most High, meaning the Son of God.   Despite being a Man, He is also God. Jesus fulfilled the law, as clearly portrayed in the gospels and as explained in the epistles. Jesus died in fulfillment of the law, not for His own sin, but for the sin of others. Jesus came out of the grave, prevailing over sin for us. But it says in Romans that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The meaning is “all men,” because all have sinned (Romans 5:12).   If this is true, and if the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), then Jesus cannot merely be a human. If He were, He would have been born with Adam's sin. The logical conclusion is that because His Father is God, and because God overshadowed Mary, the offspring – though being a human – is also God. Thus, He is exempted from the “all have sinned” as stated in Romans.   After Jesus' resurrection, He said that all authority had been given to Him, just as promised by the words of David to the Christ. In Mark 16, it says that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, just as promised in the words of David to Christ. This is confirmed in Acts and Hebrews. Paul speaks of it in his epistles.   In other words, even if you don't believe that the Bible is the word of God, nor do you believe in Jesus or that He is God, if you fairly and properly evaluate the Bible, it is clear that this is what the Bible presents. This is where faith comes in. One must not only mentally acknowledge that this is what Scripture teaches, but he must have faith that it is so.   Lord God, we believe the Bible is Your word. We believe that Jesus is proclaimed to be the Messiah and God incarnate. We believe that faith in Him is sufficient to restore us to You. Thank You for the hope we possess. We will live in Your presence forever and ever because of what You have done in sending Jesus. Hallelujah and Amen.  

A grudge may start with hurt, but when it is fed, it can grow into bitterness, anger and destruction. In Mark 6, Herodias allowed resentment against John the Baptist to grow until it produced a desire for revenge. Download our new Apps below: EC App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-church/id6775955900 Empower Church EC App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerapp EBI App - iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/empower-bible-institute/id6775867966 Empower Bible Institute EBI App - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.empowerschool.ebi 1. THE DANGER OF HOLDING A GRUDGE Herodias “nursed a grudge.” Bitterness that is continually fed eventually affects our peace, our decisions and the people around us. A bitter root never stays small. 2. GOD CALLS US TO LET IT GO God commands us not to seek revenge or carry grudges. We cannot control what people do to us, but we can choose what we allow to remain in our hearts. 3. WE ALL NEED GRACE Before looking at what someone else has done, we must remember our own need for mercy. Sin brings death, but through Christ we are offered forgiveness, restoration and life. 4. JESUS CAN CLEAN WHAT HAS BECOME UNCLEAN The man with leprosy came to Jesus needing cleansing. Jesus touched him and said: “I am willing. Be clean.” In the same way, Jesus can cleanse a heart that has become contaminated by bitterness, anger and resentment. 5. FORGIVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN The unmerciful servant received forgiveness for a massive debt but refused to forgive someone else. Grace received must become grace given. Forgiveness does not mean the hurt was acceptable. It means we refuse to remain imprisoned by it. Do not allow yesterday's hurt to become today's bitterness. Do not allow someone else's actions to determine the condition of your heart. Release the grudge. Receive His grace. Forgive as Christ forgave you. #forgiveness #empowerchurch #resentment #hurt #grace #desire #grudges #cleansing #anger #revenge #restoration #offense

Podcast Movement 2026 Reflections + Lessons from Two People Who Run Podcast EventsI just got back from Podcast Movement, and a lot of you have been asking whether it was still worth going now that it's under new ownership, in a new location, with a whole new format. Short answer: I'm definitely going back.In this episode I walk through what changed, what I loved, what I'd tweak, and what Tom Webster's data says about where podcasting really stands. Then I sit down with two guys who have actually done it, Marc Ronick of Empowered Podcasting and Dr. Brad Miller of Pod Indy, to get the behind-the-scenes story of running a podcast event. If you've ever had that little voice in your head saying "maybe I should start my own meetup or conference," this one is for you.Podcast Movement 2026: Was It Worth It?I went down the list, old Podcast Movement versus new.The hotel and the cost. It used to be at Gaylord hotels, which run $1,000 a night, where the burgers are $30 apiece and you never leave the building. This year was BYOH: bring your own hotel. I stayed two nights at a Holiday Inn Express for $400 a night. Still pricey, but nowhere near the Gaylord. Tickets were also much cheaper because they weren't paying for that hotel arrangement. Point to the new Podcast Movement.The venue. Picture a small theater (think House of Blues) that had a baby with a cruise ship: three floors, and you can look down at the main stage from the top. The rooms were narrower, so the back row was farther from the stage than I was used to. I also learned I need new glasses, because the giant screen was split in two and I couldn't read the slides. Sessions ran with silent-disco-style headphones: turn the dial to yellow or green and you hear that stage. The strange part is that people talk while someone is presenting a few feet away. It went against everything in my body, but it works, and I could network the whole time. My one suggestion: turn on the house lights during networking breaks. When you have 40 minutes to meet people and can't see who's in the room, it's a problem (unless it's Rob Greenley, who is six foot six inches).Networking and the parties. PodPage hosted a small meetup, and I walked over to the Buzzsprout meetup too. Both were places where you could actually talk, with no blaring music. I've talked to Dan Franks, who helps plan Podcast Movement, and he says they tell every sponsor that people want to talk, not have their ears bleed. Nice to see it work.New York City. I'll miss Dallas and Chicago, but it's supposedly staying in New York to make it easier for international attendees. The food was a win, and I never felt unsafe walking around Hell's Kitchen. I ate at Cubbies and at McGee's, which I didn't realize until halfway through is tied to How I Met Your Mother.A smarter schedule. Monday and Tuesday were geared toward the business and advertising side, and Thursday and Friday were for indie podcasters. That means indie folks can save on the hotel bill.The talks are going online. They're putting the presentations on the Podcast Movement YouTube channel for free. I'm looking forward to catching the ones I missed, including Lou Mangiello and Rob Walch's talk about video.What I Learned from Tom WebsterIf you only see one talk at a conference, make it Tom Webster's. Here's what stuck with me:Podcasting has gone flat. It used to grow at least 3 to 5% a year, occasionally 7%. This past year it barely moved. It's still growing, but by a very small amount.Where people listen. In a survey of roughly 5,000 podcast consumers, the top three places were YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix. Not Apple, Pocket Casts, or Overcast.Where I disagree. YouTube and Spotify are open to anyone, so I get why people call them podcasts. Netflix isn't open. They have to choose you, and there's no RSS feed. For me, a podcast is an RSS feed with audio or video in it.Tom's Walmart analogy. Look at the CD section: a tiny collection of only the biggest hits (Back in Black, Rumors), nothing like a dedicated record store. His suggestion was that we should promote podcast-specific apps. My favorite is Pocket Casts: it plays audio and video, it has bookmarks (that's how I grab the clips I play on the show), and it has a web version.Podcast Standards Project: PodRoll Is ComingI sat in on my first Podcast Standards Project meeting. PodRoll, from the Podcasting 2.0 spec, is the modern version of a blogroll: a list of shows you personally recommend, living in your feed. Because feeds are public, anyone can see who's recommended most. That's human recommendations, not an algorithm you try to trick. Ask your media host if they support it (if not move ton one that does). The group is also looking at adding location, so you could find podcasts in your area.Video: Do You Have To?Some people insist you have to do video. Others said not only do you not have to, but the shows that added it didn't see much benefit beyond more work, cost, and time. In Apple's video spotlight, the shows featured were already big. I'm looking forward to Rob Walch's full presentation, because that's exactly the kind of "what's working and what's not" you go to a conference to learn.Small Events vs. Big OnesPodcast Movement had probably over 1,000 people. Empowered Podcasting had a little over 100 (about 150 this year), and Pod Indy will land somewhere between 50 and 100. Podfest usually draws a couple thousand. My favorite kind of event is single-track: everyone hears the same content, so when you step into the hallway you all have something to talk about.Interview: Running a Podcast Event with Marc Ronick and Dr. Brad MillerWhy they started. Brad spent 43 years as a pastor and was a Christian concert promoter, so he'd seen the power of live events. After connecting with his local podcasting group in Indianapolis, he launched Pod Indy in 2023 (I keynoted the first one), and the fourth is coming up. Mark had been podcasting as long as I have, and didn't step into a conference until about five years ago. He felt a little out of place at the big ones, so he built a place where he'd feel comfortable.Small is a feature. Mark went in wanting Empowered Podcasting to become the next Podcast Movement. After the first one (2024, under 100 people) he noticed magic in a smaller, more intimate room, where people were learning from each other outside the sessions. He'd cap it around 200. Brad goes deep on one track, one day.The biggest surprises:You can't do it alone. Mark thought he could run it almost by himself. He carried the financial and emotional load, burned out after year two, and nearly canceled three times. Jason and Rich stepped in to save it, and he made them business partners.Ticket sales come late. In Mark's second year, only about 20 tickets sold before the final month. Brad says two-thirds of tickets arrive in the last month. This year's sales were smoother for both, and both say credibility builds over time.Bring enough lead time. Brad's first event had only three months, and he bit off more than he could chew. He also lost money using a business center, so he moved it to his church, where he has a studio, and kept it to one day with no hotel block.Hotel blocks. If you don't fill the rooms, you pay anyway. Mark's went fine this year because speakers and a good share of attendees needed rooms.Money, honestly. Brad started by deciding what he could afford to lose (he did lose some the first year, and calls it an investment). Mark admits he wasn't careful with money in the first two years and took on some debt. Both credit their wives, Debbie and Amy, for keeping them grounded and for believing in the vision.Advice if you're thinking about it:Mark: Be okay with however many people show up. Start with a few who believe in your message. If they have a good experience, they come back and become your advocates.Brad: Build transformative relationships one on one, then a few together. Have coffee or lunch with someone, or start online, before deciding whether to do a formal event.Both: Virtual is great, but nothing replaces being around like-minded people in person.Choosing speakers. Mark's pet peeve is speaker submissions that are obviously written entirely by AI: "I love using AI, but that's a lazy move, and I don't know that I want a lazy speaker on one of my stages." (My favorite line on this: if you can't take the time to write it, produce it, or record it, why should I take the time to consume it?) Brad recruits speakers through personal relationships instead of an application process. Themes so far: podcasting as a business, AI, and this year taking your podcast (and your life) to the next level with keynote speaker Cliff Ravenscraft.Pod Indy: November 7, 2026When and where: November 7, 2026, in Whiteland, Indiana (suburban Indianapolis), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Tickets: $37 in person, $27 live stream.Discount: use code SOP for $5 off.On the lineup: Cliff Ravenscraft (keynote), John Lee Dumas (video), Craig on AI, and me.My TakeawayIf you try to start with 1,000 people, you'll burn...

In Mark 1:9–13, the Father speaks, the Spirit descends, and Jesus enters the wilderness to face temptation. In this episode of Under the Surface, we look more closely at Jesus’ relationship with the Holy Spirit and how it differs from ours, the beautiful picture of the Trinity as an eternal “dance” of love, and Mark’s intriguing detail that Jesus was “with the wild animals”—a phrase that may have carried particular weight for Christians facing persecution in Rome. New City Catechism Questions 3,19-23, 36-37.

In this three-part series, David is reflecting on Mark 10. In verse 23, Jesus looked at his disciples and made a comment: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” The disciples were so astonished, so surprised, that Jesus repeats the statement. They then ask, “How can anybody get saved?” Jesus gives a straight answer: “For men it's impossible, but not with God. For with God, all things are possible.” Salvation is free, but Jesus is teaching that the way into the kingdom is not broad and easy; there's a price to pay. The Impossibility of Self-Salvation (Mark 10:23–27) In Mark 10, Jesus challenges worldly assumptions about security and status by declaring how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of God. When the disciples express shock, He clarifies that the issue lies in trusting in riches rather than God. To illustrate this, Jesus references the "eye of the needle" – alluding to the narrow wicket gate in ancient city walls. A pack camel could not navigate this gate until its heavy cargo was entirely removed, and even then, passage required great effort. In the same way, entering the Kingdom requires shedding self-reliance, material pride, and personal status. When the disciples ask who then can be saved, Jesus offers an uncompromising reality: human salvation is fundamentally impossible through human effort. It can only be accomplished by God. The Cost and the Promise (Mark 10:28–31) When Peter points out that the disciples abandoned their livelihoods and families to follow Him, Jesus does not dismiss their sacrifice. Instead, He promises a hundredfold return in this present life – restored community, provision, and spiritual family – culminating in eternal life. Crucially, Christ notes that these blessings will be accompanied by persecutions. Divine reward does not exempt the believer from suffering; rather, sacrifice and reward remain deeply intertwined. The Mystery of Judas (Mark 10:32–34) En route to Jerusalem, Jesus pulled the Twelve aside to detail His impending betrayal, condemnation, and execution. Remarkably, Judas Iscariot was among this intimate circle. Christ knew Judas's heart from the beginning, yet He washed his feet, commissioned him for ministry, and allowed him to witness and perform miracles. The inclusion of Judas serves as a sobering reminder that proximity to divine power and active involvement in ministry are not substitutes for true heart fidelity. Watch the YouTube version https://youtu.be/ov5gJoK5K6M  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk 

Pastor Jim explores what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus. In Mark 1, Jesus' call to His first followers shows that discipleship is more than believing the right things or making a one-time decision. It is a lifelong journey of knowing God, lovingly walking in His way, and allowing Jesus to shape how we live, work, relate, and serve in the ordinary moments of life.

The people of Nazareth knew Jesus well. They knew His family, His occupation, and His background. Yet their familiarity with Him became an obstacle to faith. In Mark 6:1–6, Jesus returns to His hometown and encounters astonishment without belief, knowledge without submission, and familiarity without faith. This sermon warns against becoming so accustomed to Christ, Scripture, worship, and the means of grace that we cease to wonder, repent, believe, and obey. The rejected Prophet of Nazareth is the eternal Son of God, the crucified Savior, and the risen Lord who calls sinners not merely to admire Him, but to trust and follow Him.

What if you're not fully healed yet? What if you can see… but everything still looks like trees? In Mark 8:22–26, Jesus heals a blind man in stages—and shows us something powerful about restoration. Sometimes Jesus changes our environment before He changes our circumstances. Sometimes restoration comes in phases. And sometimes the most faith-filled thing […]

In Mark 1:9–13, Jesus begins His ministry by being baptized and then led into the wilderness to face temptation. But why would the sinless Son of God submit to a baptism of repentance and endure temptation? Jesus came to identify with sinners, to succeed where Adam and Israel failed, and to live the life we could never live so that He could save us. As the second Adam, He stands in our place, perfectly trusting and obeying the Father. His example also teaches us how to face temptation: refusing its false promises and trusting what God has already declared. In a world constantly demanding that we prove our worth, Jesus reminds us that our hope is not found in our performance but in His perfect righteousness. We are not saved by our perfect record, but by His.

My friend, Scott, told me about a man he knows who has been a professional bus driver for years. The driver is actually from Australia, but he has driven bus tours in places across the world. And he says there is this one classic movie that his passengers seem to watch on just about every bus tour. In fact, it's been shown on his bus so many times he literally knows the script of the movie by heart! But the funny thing is this: because he's always driving, he's never seen the movie that he knows all the words for! I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about “Only Knowing the Words.” It's not enough to just know the words; especially when it comes to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible describes people who are a little like that bus driver who knows all about the movie but has never really experienced it. These people know all the words about Jesus, but somehow they have never really seen Jesus, never really experienced Him as their personal Savior, their personal Lord. In fact, there's probably someone like that listening right now. And Jesus is reaching out to you right now to become more than words to you. In Mark 7:6, our word for today from the Word of God, the Lord may be describing you or someone you know. “…These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” In other words, they talk a good game, they talk a God-game, they sound like they know Him but they're far away. And only God knows it because they sound so good. This business of belonging to Jesus, of having eternal life, is so much more than something in your vocabulary or in your head or the meetings you go to. Romans 10:10 makes it clear that “…it is with your heart that you believe and are justified…” That means made right with God. It's whether Jesus is in your heart that determines your destiny, not whether He's in your words, or your head, or your beliefs, or your schedule. It's possible to have Jesus all around you but not inside you. And if you're missing Jesus, you're going to miss heaven. Could it be that for all your time and experience in the world of Jesus followers you've somehow never really committed yourself to the Man who died for you? In Matthew 7, Jesus describes people who will come to Him on Judgment Day saying all the right words, having all the right background, having done all the right things, and then some of the most chilling words in the Bible. He will say to them, “I never knew you.” They had Christianity, but they missed Christ. Those who are in the deadliest danger zone may not be those who haven't heard about Jesus, but those who have heard over and over again, and they've never responded. Could that be you? You're risking a hardened heart that passes a spiritual point of no return. This is the day for you to say words to Jesus, not just all those words about Jesus. Words from your heart to His heart that say, “Jesus, beginning today I want to really belong to You. I am totally trusting You as my Savior from my sin, which You paid for when You died on that cross.” He has been waiting a long time for that invitation to come in and to take over your life. Don't risk hardening your heart. Don't risk missing what could be your final opportunity. If you want to be sure you belong to Him today; if you want to "cross over" as the Bible says from death to life and know Him in your heart, not just in your head, I think our website would be a great place for you to go next. It's ANewStory.com. And it will help you nail down your personal relationship with Jesus once and for all. You've had the right words, you've had the right beliefs, but it's never satisfied your soul, has it? Now, this is the day you can finally know the Savior that you've known about for so long.

This world may lie under the influence of Satan, but Satan is not king.In Mark 4:35-5:20, Jesus crosses a raging sea, confronts a legion of demons, and demonstrates that no force in the kingdom of darkness can stand against Him. The wind and waves obey His voice. Demons fall before Him. And a man once enslaved by darkness is restored and sent out to proclaim what the Lord has done for him.In this sermon, Omi walks through three truths about Christ's kingdom:Jesus has authority over Satan's kingdom.Jesus defeats the armies of Satan's kingdom.Jesus sends His followers as ambassadors of His kingdom.The kingdom of darkness is real, but Jesus is stronger. The King has come, the strong man is being bound, and Christ is gathering a people who will proclaim His mercy to the world.#GospelOfMark #KingdomOfGod #JesusChrist #Sermon #HoriconBaptistChurch

What can a desperate mother teach us about faith, humility, and the mercy of Jesus? In Mark 7:24–30, a Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus pleading for Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. What follows is one of the most fascinating conversations in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus' response may initially sound surprising, but the woman's humble and persistent reply reveals a remarkable confidence in the power and mercy of Christ. In this study, Jim Murrell walks through Mark 7:24–30 verse by verse, examining the setting, Jesus' words concerning the children and the little dogs, and the extraordinary faith demonstrated by this Gentile mother. Her faith did not demand. Her humility did not retreat. She simply trusted that even the smallest portion of what Christ could provide was more than enough. Open your Bible to Mark 7 and join us as we continue our study through the Gospel of Mark. A desperate mother. A humble faith. A merciful Savior.

What happens when human tradition begins to carry more authority than the Word of God? In Mark 7:9–23, Jesus confronts the religious leaders for allowing their traditions to override the commandments of God. But He doesn't stop there. Jesus takes the discussion deeper, showing that mankind's greatest problem is not something on the outside—it is the condition of the heart. In this study, Jim Murrell walks through Mark 7:9–23 verse by verse, examining Jesus' warning against replacing divine truth with human tradition and His teaching concerning what truly defiles a person. Traditions are not necessarily wrong. But whenever tradition contradicts, replaces, or becomes more authoritative than Scripture, Jesus makes the choice clear: God's Word must come first. Open your Bible to Mark 7 and join us as we continue our study through the Gospel of Mark. Truth over tradition. Scripture over opinion. God's Word above all.

Send me a Text Message!In Mark 11, we hear Jesus say, (or maybe Jesus yell) "My house shall be called a House of Prayer." He could have also said, "My people will be called a people of prayer." Is worship important? Yes, but he didn't say my house will be a house of music. Is preaching and teaching important?  Yes, but he didn't say my house will be called a house of teaching. My house will be called a house of prayer.In Hebrews 4:16, the Bible says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Not, let us come to the sermon, so that we can find teaching in our time of need. We have made the sermon the centerpiece of our gatherings, it is not.God is looking for a house of prayer, filled with people and prayer and when He finds it...amazing stuff will happen!

Get a Corner | Apostle Kyle MeyerWho in your life needs someone willing to help carry them to Jesus?In Mark 2, a paralyzed man could not reach Jesus on his own. But four friends refused to leave him where he was. Each one grabbed a corner of his mat, carried him through the crowd, climbed onto the roof, removed every obstacle, and lowered him to the feet of Jesus.In this powerful message, Apostle Kyle Meyer challenges every believer to get a corner through:• Prayer• Compassion• Faith• PersistenceThere are people all around us who have been paralyzed by pain, trauma, addiction, rejection, church hurt, disappointment, and the circumstances of life. They may not be able to get to Jesus by themselves—but God can use us to help carry them.You do not have to preach the sermon. You do not have to have all the answers. You are not responsible for saving, healing, delivering, or restoring anyone. Jesus does that work.Your responsibility is to grab a corner.This message is not about filling empty seats or creating a church-growth strategy. It is about seeing people with compassion, praying for them by name, refusing to give up on them, and doing everything possible to bring them into the presence of Jesus.As we prepare for National Back to Church Sunday, ask God:Who is my person?Who is hurting?Who is searching?Who needs someone to call, text, encourage, pray, and say one more time, “Will you come to church with me?”Jesus is in the house. He is still saving, healing, delivering, restoring, and rebuilding lives.So why would we come alone?Watch this message, share it with someone, and prayerfully invite someone to church with you.Key Scriptures: Mark 2:1–12, 1 Timothy 2:1, Matthew 9:36, and James 2:17.#GetACorner #BackToChurchSunday #DominionChurch #InviteSomeone #Evangelism #Faith #Prayer #JesusIsInTheHouse

In the two-hundred-and-first episode, we take another look at the Tu Quoque fallacy, starting with Trump calling Biden a threat to democracy, James Comer equating Biden finding a few documents in his garage and calling the FBI to Trump stealing dozens of boxes and lying about them, then Marjorie Taylor Greene claiming Democrats worship George Floyd, and Mike Johnson not denying that Trump is unhinged.In Mark's British Politics Corner, we look at Nadine Dorries, Nigel Farage, and '30p Lee' Anderson trying to defend Reform's illegal foreign donations by claiming everyone does it.In the Fallacy in the Wild section, we check out examples from Futurama, I Love Lucy, and The Simpsons.Jim and Mark go head-to-head in Fake News, the game in which Mark has to guess which of three Trump quotes was made up by Jim.Then we talk about Trump's attempt to fix mail-in ballots by telling the Post Office not to deliver them.And finally, we round up some of the other crazy Trump stories from the past week.The full show notes for this episode can be found at https://fallacioustrump.com/ft201You can contact the guys at pod@fallacioustrump.com, on BlueSky @FallaciousTrump, Discord at fallacioustrump.com/discord or facebook at facebook.com/groups/fallacioustrumpAnd you can buy our T-shirts here: https://fallacioustrump.com/teeSubscribe to Fallacious Trump to make sure you never miss a logical fallacy. Rather than just mindless anti-Trump rhetoric, we apply skepticism and critical thinking to our Donald Trump analysis by exploring his liberal use of logical fallacies and cognitive biases, along with a bit of humor and news about US politics. (But there is also some of that much needed anti-Trump rhetoric.)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jesus flips the ladder to greatness upside down, and it starts with kicking up dust to help someone else win. Everyone wants to be great at something, but most of us have no idea what the Bible actually says about it. In Mark 9, Jesus watches his own followers argue about who deserves the top spot, then flips their whole framework upside down. Instead of chasing status, he points them toward servanthood, holding up a child as the picture of what true greatness actually costs. This message unpacks two Greek words that redefine what it means to serve, and asks a simple, uncomfortable question: are you rushing to help someone else win? KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. Jesus never rebukes the desire to be great, he redirects it toward serving others. 2. The Greek words for servant and slave point to someone who rushes toward the need, not someone who waits to be asked. 3. The most dependent people are often the most difficult to love, and that is exactly where greatness gets proven. For more great resources like this, head to http://trpfamily.org #TRPTampa #TRPFamily

So many people ask the question 'why'. Why the problems? Why the tragedy? There have been times when I have questioned why. Why did I have cancer? Why was I in prison for Bible smuggling? We all ask: why hasn't God delivered me? In Mark 5 we have this Jewish ruler. He had pleaded with Jesus to come to his house. But it was too late. In the delay between asking Jesus and Him arriving, the girl had died. The house was now full of mourners. - Have you ever mourned over lost opportunities? Has Jesus ever turned up too late? 'The storm around me rages. My peace has been denied. There's One that I can turn to, His arms are open wide. Oh I'm sheltered in the rock of ages. You hold me in Your arms and You tell me that You love me. I'm sheltered in the arms of my Lord.' 'The Living Word' and 'Sheltered in the Rock' used by kind permission of Vinesong For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk 

If Jesus stood in front of you today and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?”—how would you answer?In Mark 10, Jesus asks that question twice.First, James and John come asking for positions of honor beside Jesus in His glory. They want something great—but Jesus reveals that they don't fully understand either what they're asking for or the kind of Kingdom He came to establish.Then Jesus encounters blind Bartimaeus.Bartimaeus doesn't ask for position. He cries for mercy. And when Jesus asks him the same question—“What do you want Me to do for you?”—he knows exactly what he wants: “That I may receive my sight.”In this episode of Your Life, Dr. Tony Haire and Dan DeBruler explore what these two encounters teach us about prayer, ambition, motives, faith, service and surrender. Because perhaps the issue isn't simply whether Jesus can answer our prayers.Do we understand what we're asking—and are we ready for what happens when He answers?Your Life airs Tuesdays at 2pm Eastern on Christian 105.7 - WCLN-FMConnect and learn more at Christian1057.com

In Mark chapter eleven Jesus curses a fig tree, and the tree would wither away. In doing so He communicated a powerful lesson to us. As you examine your life is there fruit to be found? And are you trusting in God or relying on yourself? Keep those questions in the back of your mind as you join us for today's study from Pastor James Kaddis. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1459/29?v=20251111

The cross is the crux of the Gospel. In Mark 14–15, Jesus is betrayed, abandoned, falsely accused, condemned, and crucified, yet He willingly surrenders to the Father's will and becomes the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This message explores the meaning of Jesus' sacrifice, the new covenant, the justice and mercy of God, and the incredible grace that makes forgiveness and new life possible through Christ.

2026-09-13 Kids Matter! by Pastor Chris BergScripture Reference: Mark 10:13-1613 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.Parallel Passages: Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 18:15-17       Notes from Pocket AI:  Sermon Structure OutlineI. The Warning Against Hindering ChildrenThe sermon opens with a stark warning based on Jesus' words regarding those who cause "little ones" to stumble. The speaker highlights the societal reckoning facing those who encourage children to disregard God's leading, specifically citing the entertainment industry as a historical example of pride and selfish ambition damaging children.II. The Disciples' MisunderstandingIn Mark 10, the disciples rebuked parents for bringing children to Jesus. The speaker contextualizes this by noting that Jesus had just finished a long, exhausting session of teaching the crowds and had retired to a house for private instruction. The disciples likely sought to protect Jesus' time and energy, failing to realize that children were not an interruption to His mission, but central to it.III. Why Children Matter to the ChurchPresent Reality, Not Future Promise: Children are not "junior members" or the "future" of the church; they are the present. They possess spiritual gifts that should be utilized now.The Example of Faith: Jesus uses children as the standard for entering the Kingdom. Their willingness to receive gifts they haven't earned and their total dependence on others serves as the perfect model for how adults must receive the Gospel.Long-Term Kingdom Impact: Investing in children offers the highest "return on investment" for the Kingdom, as a child may have 70 years of fruitful ministry ahead compared to an older adult's remaining years.IV. The Simplicity of the GospelThe speaker contrasts "childlike faith" with adult cynicism and "scoffing." While adults complicate the Gospel with self-reliance and intellectual hang-ups, the message remains simple: sin separates us from God, and Jesus' substitutionary death is the only way to be forgiven. Faith is defined not just as knowing or believing, but as total dependence.Key Scripture References: Mark 10:13-16, Mark 6:34,  Proverbs 9:7-8, Mark 8:15Audience Reflection SectionThe "Uncomfortable Math": The speaker challenges the congregation to calculate how many years of fruitful ministry they have left. This is intended to shift the focus from personal preferences to the needs of the next generation.Preference vs. Doctrine: A call to distinguish between unchangeable biblical truth and personal preferences (such as music, noise levels, or church traditions) that might inadvertently hinder young families from feeling welcome.Welcoming the "Sweet Sound": The speaker encourages the congregation to view the sound of a fussy baby not as a nuisance, but as a sign of a healthy, living church.Actionable TakeawaysInvest in the Next Generation: Prioritize volunteering in the nursery, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School (VBS). View these roles as "doing the work of Jesus."Simplify Your Faith: Identify areas where cynicism or self-reliance has complicated your relationship with God. Return to a state of "total dependence" on Christ's finished work.Support Young Families: Actively look for ways to encourage parents within the church, whether through financial support for youth missions (as seen with the Switzerland trip) or by offering reassurance during "child moments" in service.Preach Through Example: Recognize that children are watching and learning from the faith of the adults around them; the health of the church depends on this intergenerational investment.Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!All are welcome. 217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448Church Office: (985) 626-3114Sunday Service: 9:30AMAdult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AMNursery and Children's church available.

In Mark 10, a wealthy young ruler comes to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life, but his question misses the point before he even finishes asking it. In this message, Lead Pastor Aaron Brockett teaches how we can overlook the one thing that quietly holds the greatest power over our hearts, and it costs us more than we ever expected to lose. Aaron Brockett • The Urgent Kingdom • Mark 10:13-31 CONNECT WITH US! Engage with this message: https://tpcc.org/messages Visit our website: https://tpcc.org We believe in the power of prayer: https://tpcc.org/prayer Instagram: https://instagram.com/traderspointcc/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/TradersPointCC/

In Mark 10, a wealthy young ruler comes to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life, but his question misses the point before he even finishes asking it. In this message, Lead Pastor Aaron Brockett teaches how we can overlook the one thing that quietly holds the greatest power over our hearts, and it costs us more than we ever expected to lose. Aaron Brockett • The Urgent Kingdom • Mark 10:13-31 CONNECT WITH US! Engage with this message: https://tpcc.org/messages Visit our website: https://tpcc.org We believe in the power of prayer: https://tpcc.org/prayer Instagram: https://instagram.com/traderspointcc/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/TradersPointCC/

How do you watch Jesus provide again and again…and still panic when you're down to one loaf? In Mark 8:1–21, Jesus feeds thousands, the Pharisees demand another sign, and the disciples somehow forget what they've already seen Him do. And if we're being real, we do the exact same thing. We ask God to prove […]

What if your doubts don't disqualify you from faith?In Mark 9, a father brings Jesus an honest prayer: “I believe; help my unbelief.” His story invites us to let go of perfection, make room for uncertainty, and take the next step toward the future we hope for.From the mountaintop transfiguration to Jesus' compassion in the valley, this message explores how hope becomes tangible in ordinary life—and why imperfect faith is enough to begin.You don't have to believe perfectly to belong. Bring your questions, your hope, and whatever faith you have today.Scripture: Mark 9:2–7, 14–18, 20–24 ★ Support this podcast ★

What does it mean to be the Church?In Mark 3, Jesus calls the Twelve—not simply to believe in Him, but to be with Him and ultimately to be sent by Him. As His apprentices, they would learn to live like their Rabbi by watching, following, and becoming more like Him.And that's still the calling of the Church today.As we kick off a new ministry year at Gibbon Baptist Church, Pastor Taylor invites us to move beyond simply attending church and consider what it means to fully participate in the life and mission of Christ's Church.Called. Gathered. Sent.

It is easy to spot flaws in others, but far harder to turn that honest gaze inward. In Mark 7, Jesus confronts religious leaders who had mastered the appearance of holiness while their hearts told a very different story. He makes clear that sin does not work its way into us from the outside. It starts within, flowing out of a heart that every person is born with. The good news is that God does not leave us there. Through faith in Jesus Christ, He offers forgiveness, transformation, and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us increasingly say no to sin. Daily time in God's Word is how that transformation continues, as Scripture searches our hearts and shapes us from the inside out. The question worth sitting with is simple: What is really in your heart?

What Kind of church is Jesus calling us to be? In Mark 3, Jesus calls the twelve to be with Him and then sends them out. This Sunday, we will introduce First Free Rockford's direction for the upcoming year: Stay Close. Live Sent. Join us as we consider how God's grace calls us, dependence on Christ sustains us, and the gospel sends us into our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and world.

How far are you willing to go to get your friends to Jesus? In Mark 2, four friends faced an impossible crowd, tore off the roof of a house, and lowered a paralyzed man straight to the feet of Christ. In this message from The Heights Conference, Pastor Joby Martin challenges us to examine our faith and ask the hard question: Are we willing to break through comfort, pride, and inconvenience to see our friends saved and healed?

Mark Taylor is one of my husband Luke's best friends and one of those people I can never have a surface-level conversation with. Every time I talk to him, I leave thinking about something differently, so I finally decided to sit him down and ask him about all the parts of his life I somehow didn't know after knowing him for years.We start with how Mark was raised and why he credits his parents with giving him the freedom to screw up, make his own decisions, and fail while he was still at home. That turns into a conversation about how he and his wife, Lynn, have approached raising their own four kids, why he cares more about who his kids are becoming than perfectly controlling what they do, and why he thinks there comes a point—especially with teenage boys—where a dad's role needs to change.Then we get into Mark's career and the influence his own dad had on the way he thinks about work and risk. We talk about starting a real estate business with two very young kids at home, taking risks without knowing exactly how they were going to work out, and the part of entrepreneurship people don't talk about enough: sometimes it takes a really long time before any of it starts paying off. In Mark's case, he says it was probably close to ten years before they saw real financial traction.From there, we get into real estate, housing, hospitality, homeownership, why the American Dream looks different to younger generations, and how the cost of housing may be affecting everything from wealth building to whether people feel like they can even start families.And because this is Being Different, we obviously end up talking about family, stay-at-home motherhood, feminism, social media, materialism, faith, and whether our culture is starting to realize that some of what we've been chasing isn't actually making us happier.This conversation goes a lot of different places, but I think the thread running through all of it is pretty simple: build a life around what actually matters, be willing to take some risks, and don't be so afraid of failure that you never try anything in the first place.- - - - - - - - - - -Liz Durham Instagram | WebsiteSubscribe Apple Podcast | SpotifyBeing Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

JB Kidd | SWO26 Girls SessionWhen everything else fails, where do you turn? In Mark 5, Jairus is desperate to save his dying daughter, while a woman who has suffered for twelve years reaches for Jesus in faith. Two very different people, but both discover that Jesus is exactly who they need.In this session, JB looks at what genuine faith in Jesus really means, why religious activity isn't enough, and how salvation comes from grace through faith. We also unpack imputation, how Jesus takes our sin and gives us His righteousness, and see how He restores the woman's identity by calling her “daughter.”This powerful story reminds us that Jesus has authority over suffering, sin, and even death.Mark 5:21-42Ephesians 2:8-9Isaiah 53:3-6SWO26Please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

Someone has said, “There is always time to do God's will.” Certainly, that has to be true. What God has given us to do we will have time to do, provided we know how to manage our time well and are disciplined in our work habits. Here's the next question we need to ask ourselves: Do I set appropriate boundaries on my busyness? Did you ever realize Jesus knew how to say, “That's not my job”? In Luke 12 we read where a man asked Jesus to be a judge, and Jesus said, in effect, “That’s not my job.” I'm sure this man figured Jesus was the right person to settle this argument between him and his brother. But Jesus told him he was not called, nor did he intend, to become an earthly judge in human affairs. He was not unkind about it, but he certainly was direct. In Mark 1:35-38 we see another occasion where Jesus disappointed some people. The whole town had gathered to hear Jesus, and his disciples were most anxious for him to come and please this crowd. But Jesus said no to his disciples because he said he must go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. No doubt he disappointed his disciples and the crowd, but Jesus stayed focused on his mission. He knew how to set boundaries and refused to try to please everyone. I used to think if I was everything I should be, everybody would be happy with me and I’d be able to please everyone. But when I realized Jesus set boundaries and said, “That's not my job” when necessary, it freed me to know I too could set boundaries. Just because someone asks you to do something doesn't necessarily mean you should do it. For many of us saying no is very difficult. That’s because our worth as a person is too much based on what others think of us. When we are dependent on the opinions and affirmation of other people to feel good about ourselves and what we’re doing, then we are at their mercy. We’re going to jump through their hoops, trying to be super people, to gain their approval and therefore feel we’re okay. If you haven't learned how to set biblical boundaries in your life, I urge you to take this matter under consideration. There are some good Christian books on the topic, and it will be well worth your time to find out when and how you should be setting boundaries on the busyness of your life.

Life doesn't always go according to plan, and sometimes the moments we didn't expect are the ones God wants us to notice. In Mark 5, Jesus shows us what it looks like to welcome interruption and make room for what God is doing along the way. Join Celebration Church Orlando as we discover what it means to live with margin and make space for the people and moments God places in our path.Connect with Us:Next Steps: https://celebrationorl.org/Subscribe: Don't miss an episode or message—follow along!Follow Us: Instagram: https://bit.ly/2MConG0 / Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Yxe6h7Feedback: Have questions? Need prayer? DM @celebrationorl or email celebra...

Jesus Followers Are Told to: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus expects you, as a Jesus Follower, to go and to make Disciples while sharing God's Word through your personal relationships! Therefore, you should share the Word of the Lord with people that you know. However, when you discuss the Gospel with those you know well, you are often inhibited and constrained. Paul tells you, in Romans 1:16, that you should never be ashamed to communicate the Gospel: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.". When you communicate stories of your life situations and experiences with the people you know and with whom you have relationships, they will ask you questions. From these conversational questions will come a natural discourse about your faith and relationship with Jesus in your life because you are a Jesus Follower. In Mark 5:19-20, Jesus was very explicit that we are to go to our “friends” and tell them of Jesus' good news: “'Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.' And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.". Jesus, in Luke 9:26, also, cautioned us about being ashamed or constrained in communicating His Word: “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, fill me with the simple trust that even out of the most awful evil around me, you are able to bring great good — for me, for others, and for your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 91). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Despair. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Joy. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 11:5-8; Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 16:13-20; Psalms 71a:1-12. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Is What You “SAY” About Your Priorities In Alignment with What You “DO”??”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Offense will happen. People will hurt you. Truth will confront you. And sometimes Jesus will move in a way you didn't expect—or even like. The question isn't whether you'll ever get offended. The question is whether you'll let offense derail your faith. In Mark 7:24–37, two Gentiles encounter Jesus in two very different ways. One […]

In Mark 10, when the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a loaded question about divorce, He refuses to pick a side and instead points back to God's original design for marriage. In this message, Lead Pastor Aaron Brockett teaches on how despite any brokenness a person carries into or out of a marriage, God specializes in bringing beauty from ashes. Aaron Brockett • The Urgent Kingdom • Mark 10 CONNECT WITH US! Engage with this message: https://tpcc.org/messages Visit our website: https://tpcc.org We believe in the power of prayer: https://tpcc.org/prayer Instagram: https://instagram.com/traderspointcc/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/TradersPointCC/

In Mark 2:1-12, as Jesus speaks God's Word, grants God's forgiveness, and demonstrates His authority to rule God's kingdom as He ushers in the New Creation, we will see three proofs that Jesus is the Savior worthy of all our trust. Because of this, then, our faith can find a resting place in Him.

Following Jesus means more than simply believing. It means learning to say yes when He invites us to love, serve, give, and go. In Mark 6, a young boy offers Jesus what little he has, and Jesus uses it to feed thousands. His simple yes becomes part of someone else's miracle.In this message from our Home series, we look at what it means to live with radical love and radical generosity. Going can be as simple as showing Jesus through the way we live, serving the people around us, and inviting others into places where they can experience Him. Giving begins with an open heart that asks, “Jesus, what do You want me to give, and where?”We never know what, or who, might be on the other side of our yes.