Marked By Grace: Day 11
Faith in the Midst of the Storm
Scripture: Mark 4:35-41
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus and His disciples encounter a fierce storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee. The terrified disciples wake Jesus, who calms the storm with His command. This event powerfully illustrates Jesus’ authority over nature and challenges us to reflect on our faith and trust in Him during life's storms. The disciples’ fear and Jesus' question, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” prompts us to consider how we respond to crises and difficulties. Are we overwhelmed by fear, or do we trust Jesus' power and presence?
Marked By Grace: Day 10
The Kingdom of God Revealed in Parables
Scripture: Mark 4:21-34
Reflection:
This section of Mark contains several parables, each revealing aspects of the Kingdom of God. The parable of the lamp under a basket teaches that the truth of the Gospel is meant to be revealed and shared, not hidden. The parable of the growing seed illustrates the mysterious, inherent power of God’s word to grow and bear fruit. The parable of the mustard seed emphasizes the Kingdom of God's humble beginnings and expansive, transformative growth. These teachings invite us to consider our role in sharing and nurturing the Gospel and trust in God's Kingdom's surprising and powerful growth.
Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 4: Creation
As a congregation recently aligned with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, we will continue working through the Westminster Confession of Faith on this blog. I hope this will deepen your understanding of our faith's theological foundations. The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms are cornerstone documents embodying the rich theological heritage of the Reformed faith. Today, we focus on Chapter 4 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, which discusses God’s creative work.
Marked By Grace: Day 9
The Parable of the Sower
Scripture: Mark 4:1-20
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus tells the parable of the sower, a powerful illustration of how different people receive the word of God in different ways. The varied responses to the Gospel are likened to seeds falling on different soil types. This parable challenges us to examine the condition of our hearts: Are we like the path, rocky ground, thorns, or good soil? It's a call to self-examination regarding our receptivity to God's word and a reminder of the importance of cultivating a heart that is open and responsive to the Gospel.
Marked By Grace: Day 8
True Kinship and the Unforgivable Sin
Scripture:Mark 3:22-35
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus addresses the accusation from the scribes that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul. His response illustrates the illogical nature of their claim and warns of the grave danger of attributing God's work to Satan, known as the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. The passage concludes with Jesus redefining kinship, not by blood ties, but by obedience to God's will. This teaching invites us to reflect on our understanding of spiritual family and our commitment to doing God's will as the true mark of belonging to Christ's family.
Teaching “Christ-Centered Preaching” with MKA Ministries in Ethiopia
In the middle of January, I embarked on the biggest adventure of my 49 trips around the sun. Never before had I left the United States for a substantial period. The only time my head had not been on a pillow within the confines of the continental United States was one night in Agua Prieta and one night in Nogales, Mexico, for a seminary "Intercultural Immersion" class.
This adventure had me traveling nine time zones east to Ethiopia and spending two weeks away from my family. For several years, my friend, Samuel Getachew, encouraged me to head to his native land and teach a course to the MKA Ministries seminarians on "Christ-Centered Preaching."
Marked By Grace: Day 7
The Calling of the Twelve and the Challenge of Misunderstanding
Scripture Reading:Mark 3:13-21
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus calls the twelve apostles, selecting them from among His followers for a special role in His ministry. This calling highlights the importance of being chosen by Jesus for specific tasks and the intimacy of learning directly from Him. The apostles are appointed to preach and have authority to cast out demons, indicating the spiritual nature of their mission. The latter part of the passage shows the misunderstanding Jesus faced, even from His own family, emphasizing the often challenging path of following Christ, which can involve being misunderstood or opposed by those close to us.
Marked By Grace: Day 6
Authority and Compassion Amidst Controversy
Scripture Reading:Mark 3:1-12
Reflection:
In Mark 3:1-12, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, directly challenging the Pharisees’ rigid interpretation of the law. This healing demonstrates Jesus' authority over religious conventions and His prioritization of compassion over legalistic adherence. The Pharisees’ reaction, plotting against Jesus, highlights the conflict between Jesus’ message and the established religious order. Additionally, the passage shows Jesus’ power over unclean spirits, affirming His divine authority, while He instructs them to remain silent about His identity, reflecting His desire to reveal His messiahship on His terms.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Revelation 1:1-3 | 5 Devotions on the Hope and Victory of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is not meant to confuse, but to unveil. These five devotional readings accompany our sermon, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1–3), and are designed to help you reflect more deeply on its central themes: the unveiling of Christ, the call to faithfulness, and the enduring hope of God’s promises. Each day’s reading includes a short reflection, Scripture passage, and questions to stir your heart and strengthen your walk with Christ.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ | Revelation 1:1-3 | A Message for Every Generation
What if the end of the Bible wasn’t about confusion, but clarity?
In this opening message from our series through Revelation, Pastor Mark Groen invites us to rethink how we approach the final book of Scripture—not as a cryptic code to decipher, but as a clear unveiling of Jesus Christ. Revelation begins with a blessing for those who hear and keep its words, reminding us that this book is meant to strengthen the church, not mystify it.
Marked By Grace: Day 5
New Wine in New Wineskins
Scripture: Mark 2:18-28
Reflection:
This passage highlights two significant teachings of Jesus. First, His response to the question about fasting reveals the incompatibility of His new message with old religious customs. Jesus compares His coming to the arrival of a bridegroom, a time for joy, not mourning or fasting. The new wine of His Kingdom requires new wineskins, indicating a radical shift from traditional religious practices. Second, Jesus’ teaching about the Sabbath emphasizes the priority of human need and mercy over legalistic observance. He asserts His authority over the Sabbath, emphasizing its purpose to serve humanity, not to enslave it.
Marked By Grace: Day 4
Forgiveness and Fellowship
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1-17
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus heals a paralytic, first addressing the man’s sins, then his physical ailment, emphasizing the primacy of spiritual healing. The scribes question Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, but He demonstrates His divine authority through physical healing. This incident reveals the depth of Jesus’ compassion and His power to forgive and heal holistically. The calling of Levi, a tax collector, further illustrates Jesus’ mission to reach the marginalized and sinners, challenging social norms and religious prejudices.
Mark By Grace: Day 3
Solitude, Service, and Spreading the Good News
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:35-45
Reflection:
This passage begins with Jesus seeking solitude in a desolate place for prayer, showing the importance of personal communion with the Father. Yet, when people seek Him, He responds to their needs, emphasizing His mission to preach and heal. The healing of the leper not only displays Jesus' compassion and His power to cleanse and restore. Unable to keep silent about his healing, this man spreads the news, illustrating how personal encounters with Christ compel us to share the good news with others.
Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 3: God’s Eternal Decree
As an Evangelical Presbyterian Church, we stand proudly in the Reformed tradition. We subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith, a cornerstone document articulating the Reformed faith's core tenets. Among its chapters, Chapter 3 stands out for delving into the profound and sometimes challenging doctrine of God's eternal decree. It ventures into the territory of God's sovereignty and human freedom, a topic that has intrigued, challenged, and even confused believers for centuries. Let’s look at a few key points of this chapter of the confession. Let's quickly unpack this chapter to make its teachings accessible and meaningful for our daily walk.
Marked By Grace: Day 2
Authority and Compassion in Action
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-34
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus' teaching is marked by authority, distinguishing Him from the scribes. His authority is further demonstrated by casting out an unclean spirit and the healing of many, including Peter's mother-in-law. These acts of power are not just displays of authority but also compassion and care for those suffering. This section of Scripture invites us to reflect on the authority of Jesus' teachings in our lives and His compassionate response to our needs and sufferings.
Marked By Grace: Day 1
The Beginning of the Gospel
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:1-20
Reflection:
Mark 1:1-20 sets the stage for the public ministry of Jesus Christ. It starts with John the Baptist's preparatory work, emphasizing repentance and baptism. Then, Jesus' baptism and temptation in the wilderness signify His readiness for ministry. Jesus' proclamation, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel," is a powerful call to action. The calling of the first disciples shows the immediate and total response that Jesus' call demands. This passage invites us to reflect on our own response to the Gospel and Jesus' lordship in our lives.
Devotions: Much Given, Much Required
Day 1: Anticipating the Master's Return
Bible Reading: Luke 12:35-40
Devotional: Today, reflect on the urgency of being prepared for Christ's return. Just as the servants in the parable were to keep their lamps burning and be dressed for action, we, too, must live in a state of readiness. Consider the areas of your life where you may have become complacent. Ask yourself how to rekindle your spiritual fervor and maintain a posture of anticipation for the Lord's coming.
February 11 Sermon: Much Given, Much Required
Everyone has at some point been involved in a game of hide and seek? This is kind of a universal experience for humans. It's a game that doesn't require much in the way of supplies. I guess you couldn't play it in the middle of nowhere with nothing to hide behind, but otherwise you don't need much to play hide and seek, right. It is a game that everybody knows and the rules are pretty simple. Really, the only controversial part of the game is the amount of time allowed for people to hide right. How much does the person who's going to be seeking have to count?
Devotions: Added to You
Day 1: Trusting in God's Provision
Reading: Luke 12:22-24
Devotional: Jesus teaches us not to be anxious about our lives, what we will eat, or our bodies, what we will wear. He reminds us that life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Reflect on the areas of your life where anxiety takes hold. How can you shift your focus from worry to trust in God's provision?
February 4 Sermon: Added to You
Anxiety is a topic that is talked about in abundance in our time. In a hyper busy, information soaked age, it seems as though we actually have an anxiety epidemic, and this really shouldn't surprise us. It's always been a concern and anytime people have been anxious I mean, obviously Jesus is talking about it here and of course, things are different in different times. What we worry about what we face in life is going to be different depending on where we are, what we're experiencing, but in a fallen world, there are always going to be times where we are put in positions where our heart rate increases and we get that way too familiar feeling that we don't like in the pit of our stomach. That is going to happen in a fallen, sinful world and, like I said, this shouldn't surprise us that this is on the rise.