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Investigating Jesus

Bible Text: John 1:35–42 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Gospel of John

Because Jesus is the one we are all looking for, we must come to him on his terms.

John 1:35–42
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter.)

Gospel as Sowing and Reaping

Bible Text: Galatians 6:6–10 | Preacher: Reed Jolley | Series: Galatians: The One and Only Gospel

We will reap what we sow as a church in our discipleship, and in our perseverance.
Galatians 6:6-10
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

Joining the Mission

Bible Text: Mark 6:7-31 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: The Gospel of Mark

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Jesus sends out his disciples to extend his mission—what a privilege! But if it is Jesus’ mission we participate in, should we expect responses that are fundamentally different than the ones he received? Come Sunday as we consider what it means to follow Jesus in his mission to the world.

Following Jesus Into the Dark

Bible Text: Mark 16:1-8 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: The Gospel of Mark

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The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future.  The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of a pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise.
—Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust
Sermon Summary: This week we begin a new sermon series in the gospel of Mark. We worship Jesus as our risen Lord, and we are called to follow him as our King. But what does that mean, and how can we follow him when we can’t see where he is leading? Come and hear what the gospel of Mark teaches us about following Jesus.
Passage to Consider: Mark 16:1–8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

Confession of Sin:

Almighty God, in raising Jesus from the grave, you shattered the power of sin and death.

We confess that we live as if we remain captive to doubt

and fear, bound by the ways that lead to death.

We overlook the poor and the hungry,

and pass by those who mourn.

We despise the weak

and abuse the earth you made.

(Silent confession)

Forgive us, God of mercy. Make us new, through the power of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

Amen.

Fishers of Men

Bible Text: Luke 5:1–11 | Preacher: Dan Myers | Series: Guest Preacher

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