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In Week 2 of our Get Well Soon series Pastor Aaron McRae teaches from Mark 3:1–6, showing how Jesus heals a man with a withered hand and reveals that true transformation begins in the heart. Discover how to surrender control, receive healing, and live with the compassion of Christ.Jesus responds to conflict—not by retreating or lashing out, but with compassion and courage. In Mark 3, we see Jesus heal a man with a withered hand in front of critics who were ready to trap Him. While the Pharisees' hearts grew harder, Jesus revealed that God's heart is always tender toward those who are hurting.This message reminds us that our greatest brokenness is not just in our circumstances but in our hearts, and Jesus is the only one who can restore us. Whether you identify with the man in need, the critical Pharisees, or the onlooking disciples, this teaching invites you to stretch out your hands to Jesus—surrendering control, receiving His healing, and lifting them in praise.Key ScripturesMark 3:1–6 – Jesus heals on the SabbathJohn 9 – Jesus redefines suffering and God's gloryExodus 31:12–14 – Sabbath law and life1 John 2:1–2 – Jesus as our AdvocatePsalm 103:13 – God's compassion as a FatherJames 4:8–10 – Purify your hearts, humble yourselvesPsalm 63:3–4 – Lift up your hands in praiseKey Resources & QuotesJohn Ortberg, Steps — “The Fellowship of the Withered Hand...”Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly — on Jesus' righteous anger and tender compassionReflections on spiritual formation and the danger of hardening heartsFor the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com
Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Fearless Faith: Trusting Jesus in Life's Most Hopeless Moments, Part 2Series: Unveiled Scripture: Mark 5:21–43, Mark 6:1–6 Episode: 1427 Scripture Summary: In Mark 5:21–43, Jesus performs two powerful miracles that highlight His compassion and authority over life and death. First, Jairus, a synagogue leader, begs Jesus to heal his dying daughter. On the way, a woman with a 12-year bleeding condition touches Jesus' cloak in faith and is immediately healed. Jesus acknowledges her faith publicly, calling her "daughter." Meanwhile, Jairus's daughter dies, but Jesus tells him, “Don't be afraid; just believe.” Jesus goes to the house, takes the girl by the hand, and raises her from the dead, stunning everyone present. In Mark 6:1–6, Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth, where He is met with skepticism and unbelief. Though they are astonished at His wisdom and miracles, the locals reject Him because of His familiar background. As a result, Jesus performs only a few healings and is amazed at their lack of faith.
In Mark 14, we're reminded that the Kingdom of God calls for wholehearted devotion, not lukewarm faith. This message challenges us to wake up, live fully for Jesus, and choose to be all in with Him. Salt Church in Wilmington, NC, led by Pastors Parker & Jessi Green, exists to know Jesus, worship Him, and do the works He did.Plan Your Visit to SALT Church:https://www.saltchurches.com/Ways to Support the Ministry:https://www.saltchurches.com/givingSubscribe:https://www.instagram.com/saltchurches/Subscribe @saltchurchNC Connect with Parker + Jessi Green:Instagram Parker / https://www.instagram.com/parkerrichardgreen/Instagram Jessi /https://www.instagram.com/jessi.green/Websites https://www.saltchurches.com/https://www.jessi-green.com/https://www.saturateglobal.com/#prayer #bible #biblestudy #saltchurch #revival #parkergreen #jessigreen
In Mark 9, a desperate father cries out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” His words capture the tension many of us live with—faith and doubt side by side. In this episode, we explore how Jesus meets us in our weakness, strengthens our faith, and calls us to trust Him even when we don't have all the answers. From John the Baptist's questions to Thomas' doubts to Jairus' delayed miracle, we'll see that faith isn't about perfection, but about leaning on the One who holds it all together.
In Mark 8, Jesus sets forth the path of discipleship—what it means to follow Him. It is not an easy, casual path, but an exceedingly important one that we explore this week.WAYS TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
I remember visiting Mother Teresa's Home for the Dying in Calcutta and remember the story of an American tourist who once witnessed her tenderly dressing a leper's wounds. After a moment, he said, “Sister Teresa, I wouldn't do what you're doing for $10 million!” She replied, “My friend, neither would I. Neither would I!” Mother Teresa wasn't motivated by money but by compassion. She modeled the heart of one of the greatest pictures of compassion in the Bible, where Jesus encounters a man with leprosy. Just as Mother Teresa reached out to touch the untouchable, Jesus shows you that a heart of compassion will lead you to touch the untouchable and love the unlovable. In Mark 1:40–45, we discover that compassion truly has the magic touch, and we also find the three touches you can give people around you today.
Jesus rides into Jerusalem not with military might, but with humility and purpose. In Mark 11:1–10, prophecy is fulfilled, crowds cry Hosanna, and the true Kingdom is revealed—not political power, but spiritual redemption. This week, Pastor Korey invites us to lay down what we cling to and follow the King who saves through sacrifice.
In Mark 4, Jesus tells a series of parables back-to-back, and they all have to do with seeds. In one, the Kingdom is compared to a seed that's planted and prepares the ground for a harvest. In the second, the Kingdom is compared to a tiny mustard seed that grows into an enormous tree. Both of these reveal important aspects of the Kingdom: the Kingdom will prepare the world for both justice and flourishing. Jesus tells these parables as reminders to his disciples and to us that the Kingdom is coming, and it will fulfill the longings for justice and renewal we all carry, but it won't come the way we're expecting it to. It will start small, look unimpressive to the world, and will be ignored by those around us. And yet, participating in this subversive Kingdom is how we join God in bringing justice and flourishing to the lost world around us.
Gospel Daily with Josh Weidmann Fearless Faith: Trusting Jesus in Life's Most Hopeless Moments, Part 1 Series: Unveiled Scripture: Mark 5:21–43, Mark 6:1–6 Episode: 1426 Scripture Summary: In Mark 5:21–43, Jesus performs two powerful miracles that highlight His compassion and authority over life and death. First, Jairus, a synagogue leader, begs Jesus to heal his dying daughter. On the way, a woman with a 12-year bleeding condition touches Jesus' cloak in faith and is immediately healed. Jesus acknowledges her faith publicly, calling her "daughter." Meanwhile, Jairus's daughter dies, but Jesus tells him, “Don't be afraid; just believe.” Jesus goes to the house, takes the girl by the hand, and raises her from the dead, stunning everyone present. In Mark 6:1–6, Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth, where He is met with skepticism and unbelief. Though they are astonished at His wisdom and miracles, the locals reject Him because of His familiar background. As a result, Jesus performs only a few healings and is amazed at their lack of faith.
Mark C. Crowley is a bestselling author and leadership expert. With twenty-five years in the competitive financial services industry, he rose to national roles, earning Leader of the Year for his heart-centered approach. His book Lead from the Heart, challenges conventional management practices that undermine employee success. In Mark's latest book, The Power of Employee Well-Being, he emphasizes that thriving teams drive organizational success. Mark's Lead From the Heart Podcast is ranked in the top 2 percent globally, reaching 175+ countries. Mark is also a sought-after speaker, Fast Company contributor, and organizational culture consultant shaping modern workplaces. In this episode we discuss the following: I love Mark's message, that the best leaders lead from the heart. They care about people, they support people, they trust people, and they have their best interest at heart. I thought Mark made a really interesting point that we admire coaches who show that they love their players. But the conventional business leaders shy away from this type of heart-led leadership. When we think about the best leaders we know, the ones who we'll run through a brick wall for, they're the ones who truly love us. The best leaders lead from the heart.
You're Called to Fish | What It Really Means To Follow Jesus | Pastor Ryan Visconti | Generation ChurchYou're not just familiar with Jesus… you're called by Him. In Mark 1:16–20, Jesus calls ordinary fishermen to drop their nets and follow Him. That same invitation is on your life today. This message will challenge you to respond immediately, put Jesus first, and live out your calling as a fisher of people.In this message you will learn:• Why being familiar with Jesus isn't the same as following Him• How your calling includes both salvation and vocation• Four practical ways to discern God's call on your life• Why delayed obedience is disobedience• What it means to put Jesus first in family and finances• How to live out your purpose by fishing for people
What do you do when you feel like you've been groomed for a stage that seems smaller than what you imagined? What do you do when you feel like you aren't getting the recognition, the grace, the favor, the kindness that you've showed to others? What do you do when your calling feels more weighty than the praise? In Mark 1, we see John the Baptist living out his calling — not as the Savior, but as the one sent to prepare the way. His life reminds us that a true calling isn't about the spotlight or the numbers; it's about service and obedience. John baptized, preached, endured imprisonment, and still considered himself unworthy to untie Jesus' sandals. Yet his assignment was vital — he always pointed people to Christ, not himself.Here's the question, are we willing to serve when the crowd is fifty instead of five thousand? Are we still committed when the call requires sacrifice, humility, or hidden seasons? May we learn from John's example and embrace our calling as a pathway to point others to Jesus — faithfully, humbly, and without distraction.Reference Scriptures:Mark 1:1-15
If God has infinite knowledge and all power, why doesn't he provide such compelling proof of his existence and of the truth of the Bible that no one could deny it? Surely he could convince everyone, couldn't he? In Mark 8:11-15, some people asked Jesus for what they regarded as better evidence than what he had already provided. And his answer provides insight that is just as relevant to your life today as it was to the people Jesus spoke to that day. 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 13, Jesus calls us to stay awake and alert, reminding us of His return and the urgency of the hour. This message presses us to lay aside distractions and live in light of His ascension and coming Kingdom. Salt Church in Wilmington, NC, led by Pastors Parker & Jessi Green, exists to know Jesus, worship Him, and do the works He did.Plan Your Visit to SALT Church:https://www.saltchurches.com/Ways to Support the Ministry:https://www.saltchurches.com/givingSubscribe:https://www.instagram.com/saltchurches/Subscribe @saltchurchNC Connect with Parker + Jessi Green:Instagram Parker / https://www.instagram.com/parkerrichardgreen/Instagram Jessi /https://www.instagram.com/jessi.green/Websites https://www.saltchurches.com/https://www.jessi-green.com/https://www.saturateglobal.com/#prayer #bible #biblestudy #saltchurch #revival #parkergreen #jessigreen
What does true greatness look like? In Mark 10, Jesus flips the world's definition upside down—teaching that real greatness is found in serving others. In this message, we see that all of us have a part to play in serving the body of Christ, starting with our own households and extending to our church family. When we embrace a servant-hearted life, we not only grow closer to Jesus but also create space for revival and the next generation to encounter Him. Discover the joy, purpose, and power of serving God's house!
In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus displays righteous anger when confronting religious leaders who valued rigid Sabbath rules over human compassion. When Jesus heals a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath, he challenges the Pharisees' legalistic interpretation that had transformed God's gift of rest into a burden. His anger wasn't a brief outburst but a deep, controlled passion against the hardened hearts of those using God's law to trap others and maintain social hierarchies. Unlike selfish anger that dominates our world today, Jesus demonstrates holy anger that leads to healing and liberation, though it often provokes opposition from those who value control over compassion.
Who is this Jesus who stops for the cry of one overlooked man and turns it into a testimony of faith? In Mark 10:46–52, Blind Bartimaeus sees what others miss—Jesus as the merciful Son of David—and his desperate plea becomes a life-changing encounter. This week, Pastor Korey shows us that real faith doesn't just ask for mercy; it leaves the old life behind and follows the Savior on the road.
In Mark 11:247-33, the Sanhedrin confronts Jesus about the nature and origin of his Authority. What can we learn from this moment and how does it apply to our lives? Join us as Dallas sits down with Carlos Renfroe to walk through this passage together.
In Mark 9:30–50, Jesus redefines true greatness for His disciples. While they argued about power and position, Jesus pointed them instead toward humility, servanthood, and purity. He embraced a child as an example of receiving the least and warned His followers to take sin seriously, guarding both their own hearts and the influence they have on others. Greatness in God's kingdom is not about prestige or control, but about sacrifice, holiness, and living at peace with one another. True greatness looks less like power and more like purity, as we live as salt in the world for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.
Tuesday, 2 September 2025 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Matthew 12:46 “And He yet speaking to the crowds, you behold, His mother and His brothers had stood without seeking to speak to Him” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus finished His words about the unclean spirit returning to the home it had previously left. Matthew next records, “And He yet speaking to the crowds, you behold, His mother and His brothers.” Though the words seem to lack any really pertinent information other than the surface meaning, they are important both to the surrounding narrative and to Christian theology. As for the surrounding context, that will be seen as the next verses unfold. However, the fact that Jesus' brothers are mentioned flies in the face of the Roman Catholic heresies or false teachings surrounding Mary. Though not heretical, the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary is a complete distraction and a direct attack on the concept of keeping our eyes on Jesus. Instead, those in the Roman Catholic Church spend much of their time fixing their eyes on Mary. The word used here, adelphos, signifies a brother. It can be taken figuratively as a brother in the faith, which is the way it is commonly used in the epistles. In fact, it is used in that manner by Jesus in verse 12:49. The word is derived from the connecting particle a and delphus, the womb. Thus, it is a sharer of the same womb. The word applies to a brother of the same father and mother, or only of the same father or same mother. As such, Roman Catholics insist that Jesus alone was born of Mary and the others were born to Joseph by a wife before Mary. This is found in an apocryphal gospel, not in the Bible. However, the Roman Catholic church is famous for going to such texts when it is convenient to obtain theology that supports their aberrant teachings. In the case of this account, by mentioning Mary along with Jesus' brothers, the implication is that they are her sons. In Mark 6:3, it mentions sisters as well. Of all of these, Jesus was accounted as the Son of Joseph in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 for the purposes of lineage. If Joseph had previous sons, it would remove Jesus from the firstborn status to him. It is true that there are provisions in the law for raising children of deceased relatives. These and other considerations mean anything is possible concerning Mary. But the obvious and clear understanding to be obtained from reading the accounts in the canonized gospels is that these other sons noted here are from Mary. With this as the intended understanding of the passage, it says they “had stood without seeking to speak to Him.” Mary and Jesus' brothers had come and stood outside the area where He was and waited to speak to Him. The pluperfect verb gives the sense that they were there while Jesus was speaking to the Scribes and Pharisees, and when He finished His words to them, He was notified of their having come. Life application: A few points to be considered concerning Mary need to be addressed. Whether Mary was a perpetual virgin or not cannot be determined from the canonized gospels. Nothing is said of it, and therefore, it is not a doctrine that is acceptable to be taught in the church. As noted above, a reading of the surrounding narrative concerning Mary without any bias or presupposition would immediately alert the reader to consider that these brothers of Jesus were sons of Mary. Unless there was a valid reason to assume otherwise, there would never be a hint that further investigation was necessary. The terminology in Matthew 1:25, which says that Joseph did not know Mary (meaning he did not have sexual relations with her) until she brought forth Jesus, implies that he did, in fact, know her afterwards. Likewise, in that same verse, Jesus is called her Firstborn. It is true that a firstborn can mean a first and only, but the Greek monogenēs, only begotten, would have made more sense if she were to have no more children. Such logical deductions tell us that the Roman Catholic Church has a set agenda in distracting people from the prescription found in Hebrews 12:2, where believers are to fix their eyes on Jesus. The willful manipulation of what is clearly implied in the case of Mary having other children tells us this. For whatever reason, the cult of Mary was introduced, and it has blossomed into an entire subsect of Roman Catholicism. It is highlighted numerous times throughout the year by the main church as well. Rather than being distracted by such teachings, the clear intent of Scripture is that we should focus our minds, hearts, and attention on Jesus. To do anything else is to fall short of what is expected by God, who gave us Scripture to guide us in our understanding of theology. Glorious God, give us the desire to focus on the contents of Your word. It is the word that tells us of Your coming in the Person of Jesus to restore us to Yourself. May we not be distracted by that which is false and unprofitable.. Amen.
In Mark 13:28-37, Jesus warns us to “stay awake” as we await his return. Though we don't know the day or the hour, the signs will be unmistakable, and his coming is certain. Neither apathy nor anxiety will prepare us; only faithful watchfulness does. In response, let us make a conscious effort to remain alert, actively love one another, glorify God through our daily actions, and approach Christ's return with joyful anticipation. From our Sunday service at Grace Bible Church of Bend.
When was the last time something or someone amazed you?Show photo of Charles and I on coasterShow photo of Hannah and I on coasterShow close up on hannah“Mark 1:21-22”Big Idea today:Jesus has the authority to bring heaven to earth through you. In Mark 1:1-20 Jesus DECLARES his purposeIn Mark 1:21-41 Jesus DEMONSTRATES his purpose“Mark 1:23-27”“People tend to fall into one of two extremes regarding the devil and demons: either they dismiss them entirely, or they become overly fascinated and obsessed.” - C.S. LewisI will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'Acts 26:17-18Be a liberator in a captive worldFor our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm, therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).Ephesians 6:12-17“Mark 1:29-31”Be a healing presence in a hurting world.Incarnational livingYou should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death —even death on a cross!Philippians 2:5-8“Mark 1:44-45”Be a there you are person in a here I am worldChallenge:Fill others with the hope of heaven
✨ Episode DescriptionToday's passages weave together themes of justice, truth, and the transforming power of God's Word.
In the one-hundred-and-eightieth episode, we take another look at the Slippery Slope Fallacy, starting with Trump warning about Biden's border policy, and the Democrat's approach to the second amendment, followed by Dan Bongino aligning mask mandates with taking your children away.In Mark's British Politics Corner, we look at Kemi Badenoch decrying woke archaeology, Nigel Farage arguing against banning smoking in public places, then Kemi again warning about asylum seekers destroying roads.In the Fallacy in the Wild section, we check out examples from Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, Dawson's Creek, and Man on the Inside.Jim and Mark go head to head in Fake News, the game in which Mark has to guess which one of three Trump quotes Jim made up.Then we talk about Trump's Alaska meeting with Putin.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/ft180 You 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/teeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fallacious-trump/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In Mark 9:14–29, we encounter a desperate father, a suffering son, and a group of disciples unable to help. Jesus steps into the chaos and reminds us that the answer is always to bring our brokenness to Him. The father's honest cry, “I believe; help my unbelief!”, is the kind of prayer Jesus honors; one that admits weakness yet trusts His power. Christ not only heals the son but restores the father's shattered faith, showing us that prayer is not about our strength but about our reliance on His presence, compassion, and authority. True faith grows as we bring our doubts, struggles, and even our unbelief to Jesus in prayer, trusting Him to do what only He can do.
Faith is more than a feeling—it's the power that moves mountains, breaks chains, and brings the supernatural into our lives. In Mark 9, a desperate father cried out, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” and Jesus showed us that all things are possible to those who believe. This message unpacks what faith really does: it fights for your family, keeps your eyes on Jesus, invokes God's protection, and brings walls crashing down. Get ready to STAND, to FIGHT, and to see your FAITH come alive like never before! For more information about Bishop Gallardo or Lifegate Church visit www.briangallardo.com or www.lifegatekc.org.
Sermon: PartnerSermon Series: Disciple Passage: Mark 2:13-17Speaker: Sam CasseseWhat kind of person would Jesus invite into His circle? In Mark 2, we meet Levi, atraitor, a crook and a man despised by his own people. However, no one is too far gonefor Jesus' call, and no one too messy for His table. In this sermon we'll see how Jesus comesnear to those who feel far, and how He invites you and me to join Him in that work.
Who is this Jesus who teaches that greatness doesn't come from thrones, but from serving? In Mark 10:35–45, James and John ask for glory, but Jesus points them to a cup of suffering before the crown of victory. This week, Pastor Korey reminds us that in God's Kingdom, the path to true greatness always runs through humility, sacrifice, and the cross.
In Mark 12, Jesus shows that what truly matters to God is not outward appearance but a surrendered heart. Full surrender is the only way to live a life that pleases Him, and it begins in the hidden places of the heart. Salt Church in Wilmington, NC, led by Pastors Parker & Jessi Green, exists to know Jesus, worship Him, and do the works He did.Plan Your Visit to SALT Church:https://www.saltchurches.com/Ways to Support the Ministry:https://www.saltchurches.com/givingSubscribe:https://www.instagram.com/saltchurches/Subscribe @saltchurchNC Connect with Parker + Jessi Green:Instagram Parker / https://www.instagram.com/parkerrichardgreen/Instagram Jessi /https://www.instagram.com/jessi.green/Websites https://www.saltchurches.com/https://www.jessi-green.com/https://www.saturateglobal.com/#prayer #bible #biblestudy #saltchurch #revival #parkergreen #jessigreen
Monday, 25 August 2025 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” Matthew 12:38 “Then, they answered, some of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, ‘Teacher, we desire to see a sign from You'” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus noted that from one's words he will be justified and from one's words he will be condemned. Now, the direction changes based on the following. Matthew records, “Then, they answered, some of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, ‘Teacher, we desire to see a sign from You.'” The words are similar in content in Matthew 16:4, Mark 8:11, 12, and Luke 11:29-32. Each varies a little, but what seems likely is that this request for a sign is something that was asked of Him more than once. In Mark, it seems contradictory to the other accounts because it says, “Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” In Matthew and Luke, a sign is promised, but none is in Mark. However, in Mark, the request is for a sign “from heaven,” something not requested in Matthew or Luke. Therefore, it is probable that Jesus was addressing that specifically in Mark. Putting the three accounts side by side and analyzing them, no contradiction arises. There is just different information being conveyed with each account. As for the words here in Matthew, it is some of the scribes and Pharisees who petition Him. In MarkMatthew, only the Pharisees are noted. In Luke, there is no one mentioned first. Rather, Jesus directly addresses the crowds. Whether His address was in response to a petition, as in Matthew and Mark, is unknown. Concerning their petition, they desire to see “a sign.” It is a new word, sémeion, a sign which is normally miraculous in nature. It is derived from the verb, sémainó, to indicate or signify. Unlike a miracle, wonder, etc., a sign is something that stands for something else. It may be a miracle or a wonder, but a sign points to another thing, such as “this indicates this.” On the other hand, a miracle or wonder is its own thing. The purpose of a miracle is determined by why it was given in the first place, such as exalting the Lord, bringing glory to God, etc. In John, specific signs are noted, each having the intended purpose of establishing Jesus as the Messiah. Some translations, such as the KJV, inconsistently translate the word “sign” as “miracle,” “wonder,” etc. They may be these things, but the intent is that it is a sign pointing to something else. This is the same with the word oth, sign, in the Old Testament. For example – “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs [oth] and seasons, and for days and years.'” Genesis 1:14 From there, the Bible will give signs in the heavens to indicate that other things will happen. Thus, the sign points to the event. For example, the star of Bethlehem, though not called a sign, is exactly that. It was a celestial event that pointed to the coming of the Messiah. Life application: The Bible itself is a sign. It is something that is given to point to other things: there is a Creator, there is a problem that exists between God and man, God will send a Redeemer into the world to fix the relationship, God loves His creation, etc. Each of these things is found in the Bible. It is a witness and a testimony to what He has done, is doing, and promises to do. The Bible may be miraculous in how it was received and in the contents it contains, such as future prophecy, but it is a miraculous sign. When you pick it up and read it, consider it as such. God is pointing you to truths about Himself and what He is doing. Someday, Jesus will come again for His church. The Bible testifies to this, and it will be a sign to the people of the world who are left behind that what He did was anticipated by those who trust in Him. Be sure to read your Bible and consider the marvel and wonder that it contains. It is God's wonderful gift to us, a sign of His love for us. Lord God, help each of us to remember that when we read Your word, we are reading YOUR word. It isn't just something about You, but it is from You. Therefore, it reflects Your very heart and intent for us as we live before You. May we treat it with respect and carefully consider its sacred contents. Amen.
In Mark 4:35–41, the disciples were caught in a storm they couldn't handle, but Jesus was in the boat with them. What overwhelmed them was silenced by the One who has power over the wind and waves. Jesus is more than able to speak peace into the storms of your life. No matter how fierce it gets, Jesus is about to calm every storm because He's not sitting idly by—He's in your boat.
The church was never meant to retreat from the community-it was designed to enrich it. In Mark 1, Matthew 5, and John 17 we see Jesus meeting real needs with compassion, calling his followers to be salt and light in a world that desperately needs hope.In this message, Pastor Marlon Longacre shares how Piedmont Church is called to be the first call for help in our city-showing love through action, not just words.Are you willing to see, listen, and act-or are you content to stay on the sidelines?
In Mark 6:14–29, Mark interjects the story of the events that led to the death of John the Baptist at the order of King Herod. Pastor Isaiah explains how this text should challenge us to consider the cost of faithful discipleship, and to resolve to follow Christ boldly and stand couragously upon the Word of God today!
Some strategies change battles, but Jesus shared a strategy that can change lives. In Mark 6, Pastor Hans walked us through how Jesus prepared His disciples to carry the message of the Kingdom. He sent them out together, taught them to depend fully on God, and showed them how to respond when rejection came. This isn't just history. It's a call for us today to embrace the same priorities, even when following Christ means discomfort, dependence, or being misunderstood.
Ever feel like your life is already so full that even the good things have nowhere to fit?This Sunday we'll talk about the “sacred yes”—the kind of yes that's worth protecting, even if it means saying no to other good things. In Mark 1, we see how Jesus, in his humanity, modeled both a clear yes and a courageous no—and how that clarity shaped his entire rhythm of life.Join us as we learn how to make space for what matters most—before the calendar, the inbox, and everyone else's demands fill it for you.
In Mark 2, four friends refused to let anything stop them from getting their friend to Jesus. They CLEARED THE STAGE, BUSTED THE ROOF, and POSSESSED THE FAITH—and a miracle happened!
Today we completed reading the Gospel of Mark. One needs to compare all 4 Gospels to get a full picture of events after Christ rose from the dead. Such was the awesome sight of Christ's horrible death on the cross, whether seen from nearby or from afar, that his followers could not begin to imagine he could rise from the dead again – as had Lazarus: the one who had the power to raise others was dead himself.Mary Magdalene, according to Mark, was the first one that Jesus appeared to (ch. 16 v.9) which is parallel with the detailed account in John's gospel (ch,20 v.11-18) . In Mark we read “she went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.” [v.10,11]The next 2 verses are a summary of what is recorded in Luke 24 v.13-33 of the 2 disciples to whom, an unrecognised Jesus talked on the road to Emmaus – and made their “hearts burn” as he opened to them the meaning of Scripture – obviously prophecies, now fulfilled in recent events – then followed their astonished recognition of him as they “brake bread” – what a shock when they saw his hands!Mark says, “they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them”. [v.14] Jesus appears and tells them to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel …” [v.15] which is repeated as he is about to ascend to heaven before their astonished gaze. (Acts 1 v.8,9) followed by the challenging words of the angels “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go …”Looking at Mark again, he stresses the final commission of Jesus', “”Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel …” [v.15] and the commission to do that is now at last just about completed. But is enough stress being put upon what the Gospel actually is? Paul, in writing to the Galatians expresses his astonishment that already some were “turning to a different gospel” [1 v.7] and makes the point “that God … preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham …” [ch.3 v.8] of the blessing to come on the nations. Christ warned his hearers, “there will be weeping … when you see Abraham … in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves cast out.” [Luke 13 v.28] Let us believe the original gospel.Returning to Mark – he quotes one of the final points of Jesus that was an essential part of the preaching; “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” [v.16] Everyone must face the question, “Do you believe what Jesus actually taught?' Sadly, very few are saying ‘Yes' today.
In Mark 9:1–13, we see Jesus transfigured before Peter, James, and John, giving them a breathtaking glimpse of His glory and confirming Him as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets through the appearance of Moses and Elijah. This passage reminds us that intimacy with Christ invites us into moments of revelation where His true majesty shines through, not to keep us on the mountaintop, but to strengthen us for the challenges of everyday life. Just as Jesus was transformed before His disciples, we too are called to be transformed—no longer conformed to the world, but renewed in mind and spirit, with unveiled faces reflecting His glory. In Christ, we dare to hope, believe, and live in the freedom of His Spirit, trusting that the light of His presence is far greater than anything this world offers.
In Mark 11:1-11 we see an amazing, triumphant moment of people celebrating Jesus. However, when you flip forward, you see that many of those people reject Jesus. How do we avoid these spiritual highs and lows? Join us as Dallas sits down with guest Branson Boykin about this passage.
Daily Dose of Hope August 19, 2025 Scripture - Luke 9:1-27 Prayer: Almighty God, We are in awe of you. You are all-powerful and all-knowing. You are the one who was, and is, and is to come. We give you all the glory and praise. We rejoice that you, the one who created all things, also cares so deeply for us. We are overwhelmed by your love and grace. Thank you so much, Lord. As we think about our day to come, help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you...Oh Lord, how we need you. We pray this in your powerful name, Amen. Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan. As most of you know, we are currently in the middle of a deep dive in the Gospels and Acts. Today, we begin Luke 9 This is a great chapter! Just as God sent Jesus to proclaim and demonstrate the Kingdom, he sent his disciples to do the same. He sends them into the villages, into the neighborhoods, into the places where the people lived. He didn't wait for the people to come to them–he sent them out. They didn't need a lot for their journey either. I'm assuming this was an act of trust. God would provide what they needed. If they were welcomed, they would stay and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. If they were not welcomed, they weren't to sit around and complain, they kicked the dust off their feet and kept going. Jesus sent them. Jesus sends us. John 20:21 reads, Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” He is sending you. He is sending me. The model is not to sit in a church building and wait for people to come. The model is to go into the neighborhoods, to go into the grocery stores, to go into the schools, the workplaces, the health clubs, the bars, the golf courses. You get the idea. We are to go. And we don't need a lot of stuff–we just need Jesus. Do you live like a sent person? I'll be honest. This concept of living like a sent person has changed how I think of mission. Mission is not going somewhere to provide care or support for an underprivileged group of people. Well, it is that, but it is so much more than that. Mission is a way of life, in which we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and recognize that God is calling us to share who we are in Jesus wherever we go. Not just on special trips. Not just on Sunday mornings. We are SENT people and that touches every single area of our lives, all day long, every day, wherever we happen to be. One other interesting thing to note about this part of today's passage is Herod's reaction to what Jesus' disciples are doing. He is feeling threatened. He wonders if John the Baptist has come back from the dead. He doesn't understand Jesus or his followers. Friends, expect people to not understand you too. Don't be worried about that. Just love them. We go from there to the feeding of the 5,000. This is a familiar passage which we have seen in the other Gospels as well. The gist of the miracle is the same. They are in a remote place and the people have followed them. Not just a few people, but thousands upon thousands. The disciples want Jesus to send them away. Most likely, they are tired and hungry. This wasn't their plan for the evening. But what happens? Jesus tells them to feed the people. Here we get the expected reaction, “Hmmm...no way. We don't have enough food. We don't have enough time. We don't have enough money.” It's fascinating that Jesus is putting the responsibility on the disciples to solve the problem. You do it. In Mark, the disciples complain “but that would take half a year's wages to feed all these people.” So, Jesus talks them through it. What do you have? Well, we have five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus takes what is available and multiplies it. This is such a wonderful miracle of abundance. All the people ate until they were full, something quite unusual at the time. And there were a lot of people. Saying there were 5,000 men means there were actually more like 15,000 people including the women and children. The disciples were tasked with carrying home all the leftovers. I'm guessing this was so they would continually be reminded that God is so much bigger than they ever could imagine, that Jesus will find a way no matter how impossible the situation might seem. Jesus can take five loaves of bread and two fish and feed 15,000 people. He can defy the laws of nature. I mean, he created the laws of nature. I'm not sure how many of you are currently dealing with something that seems impossible, that seems like there is no solution – a health crisis, a broken relationship, a financial mess. If you hear nothing else from this devotional today, I want you to hear that NOTHING, no problem, is too big for our God. God can and will make a way. But, we have to release it to him. We have to allow him to take care of it the way he sees fit. It might not be, it probably won't be, the way we would do it. But there is always a way. We move from this incredible miracle to Jesus very pointedly asking his disciples about his identify. Who do the crowds say I am? And then, more importantly, who do you say I am? Just like he did in the other Gospel accounts, Peter takes on this question with boldness. “You are the Messiah.” Boy, will this boldness be tested in the near future! In Luke's account, Jesus tells them not to share this revelation with others. Maybe he fears that doing do will accelerate the timeline. But there is a timeline. He will die. He will head to the cross. And he walks the disciples through this, although they don't really get it. While Jesus knows he is heading to the cross, his followers don't. And here he is telling them to pick up their cross and follow him. They have no idea the cost of following Jesus. I would say the same is true today. We don't really get it. We don't understand the cost of following Jesus. Do we sacrifice? Do we carry our crosses? Do we experience pain and suffering for the Gospel? Jesus said this was part of the journey. What has your journey entailed? Are you fully submitted to the way of the cross? Take some time today and pray about this. Y'all, it's not easy and I don't have the answers. But I know someone who does. Blessings, Pastor Vicki
In Mark 14:12–26, we see the shadow of betrayal fall across the most intimate moment between Jesus and His disciples. As He gathers with them for the Passover meal, He reveals that one of His own will hand Him over. Join us as Pastor Joe Zingraf speaks to the Lord's Supper, where the bread and cup point to His body broken and His blood poured out for many and how Jesus comes towards us even when we are against him.
Five thousand people. Five loaves. Two fish. One unforgettable lesson. In Mark 6, Jesus doesn't just fill stomachs — He goes after hearts. This week, we talk about the God who interrupts our plans, tests our faith, and invites us into His miracles. Recorded live at Word of Life Church in Le Sueur, Minnesota, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Andrew Rosen preaching.Powered by Restream https://restream.io/(Bensound Royality Free background music)
Last Sunday, we saw Jesus heal a boy possessed by an unclean spirit in Mark 9:14-29 after the disciples failed to cast it out. The boy's father cried out honestly, "I believe; help my unbelief," acknowledging his faith mixed with doubt, and Jesus taught the disciples that their failure stemmed from not depending on Him through prayer — they were trying to serve in their own strength. Jesus had previously spoken of His death and resurrection and told the disciples that they must deny themselves and take up their cross (8:31-38). In Mark 9:1-12, the Father told three disciples to “Listen to Him.” Yet they have struggled with Jesus' teaching about His death. This Sunday, we continue in Mark 9:30-41 as Jesus heads toward Jerusalem. Coming off the disciples' failure, Jesus privately teaches the disciples again about His betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection — referring to Himself as the Son of Man from Daniel 7. Still, they don't understand because they're preoccupied with their own greatness, arguing about who's the greatest. These disciples are chasing status, control, and glory, like we often do today with our idols of control, comfort, and significance. Jesus models true greatness through His sacrifice, being delivered by the Father to die for our sins, as it says in Isaiah 53, but the disciples miss it, letting their preconceptions cloud His words. Misunderstanding Jesus and the gospel distorts how disciples understand what following Him means. When we embrace our worth and identity in Jesus' death and resurrection, we find an unsurpassed greatness, which is then expressed in humble service — being last and the servant of all. Jesus illustrates this by embracing a child, a picture of the insignificant with no status, and says receiving such a one in His name is receiving Him and the Father. It's not about worldly gain but denying oneself from the strength of our gospel identity in Christ. Then, when John complains about an outsider casting out demons in Jesus' name — something they couldn't do in the previous passage — Jesus says don't stop him. Rather than assume their service is greater than others, they should rejoice when Christ is glorified, no matter who does it, because anyone not against us is for us. Even small acts like giving a cup of water in His name will be rewarded. True greatness comes from the gospel and is expressed as His people serve for His glory. I. True Greatness Is Modeled In Jesus' Sacrifice (v. 30-32) II. True Greatness Is Expressed in Humble Service (v. 33-37) III. True Greatness Prioritizes Christ's Glory (v. 38-41)
Almost every Christian acknowledges that we are living in the last days. The Lord is going to return soon for His church. In Mark thirteen, Jesus spoke of some of the signs to look for as we await His glorious return. As we move along in today's study, I think you'll be surprised at just how many of the things Jesus spoke about are taking place!
This Is the Time, in Our Fear-Evoking Events, that Jesus Followers, Like Jesus and King Hezekiah, Need to Get Alone with God and Pray MESSAGE SUMMARY: Immediately, Jesus made His Disciples get in a boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side while Jesus dismissed the crowd. After Jesus dismissed the crowd, He went up on a mountainside, by Himself, to pray. He was alone with His Father. In Mark 1:35, Jesus' prayer life is presented: “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.”. If there is one Christian discipline that is neglected by Christians of today, it is the practice of getting alone with God and having a quiet time to pray -- not you and your computer; not you and a friend; but only you and God alone in your prayer. We can learn a great deal from King Hezekiah, in Isaiah 37:15-17a about his personal relationship with God, through personal prayer, as he is faced with a powerful invasion of Israel: “And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: ‘O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear.'”. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, in order to be with you, I need you to show me how to “create a desert” in the midst of my full, active life. Cleanse me from the pressures, illusions, and pretenses that confront me today so that my life may serve as a gift to those around me. Amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 26). 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): John 17:1-5; Matthew 26:36-40; Isaiah 37:14-17; Psalms 100:1-5. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Sermons on the Amount, Part 4 - The Devastation of Debt”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
In the one-hundred-and-seventy-ninth episode, we explore the Ethnocentric Fallacy, starting with Trump pretending Americans invented everything, and claiming everyone wants to do business with the US.In Mark's British Politics Corner, we look at Nigel Farage boasting about how open-minded and accepting the Brits are, Kemi Badenoch ranking the cultures, and Boris Johnson harking back to an imagined halcyon past.In the Fallacy in the Wild section, we check out examples from Friends, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Parks & Recreation.Jim and Mark go head to head in Fake News, the game in which Mark has to guess which one of three Trump quotes Jim made up.Then we talk about the Epstein files.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/ft179 You 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/teeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fallacious-trump/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Your Focus on Yourself and not on God or Others Will Lead to a Miserable Spiritual Condition – To serve is Christ MESSAGE SUMMARY: When we show up at our church on Sunday, what is our purpose – is it to serve or to be served? Too many of us go to church seeking what the church can do for us. Our church should provide us a place to worship Jesus in Spirit and in the truth of His Word. Also, our church should provide a chance to serve others -- To serve is Christ. We will never be more like Jesus than when we are serving others. We are all serving someone, but who are we serving; are we serving ourselves or others? In Mark 10:43b-45, Jesus explains that His followers must have mind focused on service and being a servant to others: “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”. The longer that we stay focused on ourselves and not God or others, the longer we will remain stuck in a miserable spiritual condition. To serve is Christ. TODAY'S PRAYER Lord, I praise you because your love seeks my good in any and every situation. Forgive me for the seeds that I have squandered. Soften my heart to surrender to your will in and through me. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 120). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Fear. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Faithfulness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 20:1-16; Philippians 2:21-30; Matthew 25:34-46; Psalms 99:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Sermons on the Amount, Part 4 - The Devastation of Debt”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
We know Jesus as gentle and full of grace… so what made Him so furious that He cursed a tree and turned over tables? In Mark 11, we see that His anger isn't about inconvenience—it's about anything that puts a barrier between people and God. This message will help you recognize what tables might need flipping in your own life so nothing keeps you from Him. Connect With Us Need prayer, want to sign up for baptism or surrender your life to Christ? Follow this link : https://bit.ly/m/lifechurchia
Today’s Bible Verse – Mark 4:8 "An other seed fell on good soil and produced grain. Growing up and increasing, yielding some thirty fold, sixty fold , and a hundred fold." - Mark 4:8 This powerful verse from the Parable of the Sower reminds us that when our hearts are open and receptive to God’s Word, spiritual growth and fruitfulness follow. In Mark 4:8, Jesus highlights the potential impact of a life deeply rooted in His truth—one that multiplies blessing, faith, and purpose far beyond what we imagine. The key? Good soil. A heart that’s surrendered, nourished by Scripture, and ready to receive what God wants to grow.