The Night Before He Bled (Week 7)

April 14: Jesus Sends Us To Go & Tell

Why doesn’t God just take his kids out of this broken world? Answer: Because God wants more people to believe and be saved. This is how Jesus closed his epic prayer, a fact that reminds every Christian of the incredible calling we have to share our Savior with the world.

The Night Before He Bled (Week 6)

April 7: Glory To God!

Jesus’ longest recorded prayer is about the purpose of life—to glorify God and find joy in the process. In a world that is searching for joy, Jesus words are a surprising and powerful path.

The Night Before He Bled (Week 5)

March 31: How To Prepare For Pushback

Jesus never promised a warm and fuzzy Christian life. Rather, he was honest about hatred, persecution, and even death. Yet Christian persecution is proof of our connection to Christ. So, don’t go astray! Let the Holy Spirit remind you of Jesus, whose eternal blessings are worth a lifetime of suffering.

The Night Before He Bled (Week 4)

March 24: Jesus Roots Produce The Spirit's Fruits

God wants us all to be “fruitful,” to do good things according to His will. How? By staying connected to Jesus, trusting in God’s “pruning” work, and remembering the love we have received from the Father & the Son.

The Night Before He Bled (Week 3)

March 17: The Holy Spirit Helps Us Love

The Holy Spirit often sparks questions and confusion among Christians today. But Jesus’ words, though deep, are clear. The Spirit is our counselor, our teacher, our “reminder”, and our source of peace. This message teaches us to rely on one of Jesus’ greatest gifts, the Holy Spirit.

The Night Before He Bled (Week 2)

March 10: Faith Makes Us Fearless

Fear filled the hearts of Jesus’ friends that night, especially after Jesus’ chilling words of denial. But that made Jesus’ promise all the sweeter. He was going to prepare a place for us. He would be the way to get to the Father. We could trust in him when our hearts our troubled. That’s the peace we need when we realize the sinfulness of our hearts.

The Night Before He Bled (Week 1)

March 3: Love

Jesus knew the time of his betrayal and death was drawing near. So, what did he do? He showed his friends the full extent of his love. He humbled himself, washed the very feet that would later abandon him, and encouraged his followers to love one another. In an age when many Christians are panicking, hiding, reacting, and living in fear, Jesus’ words are urgent for his 21st century friends.

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 7c)

April 1: Easter Sunday

Jesus rose from the dead? Say what? And that means we don’t have to fear sin or death? Say what? That sounds like great news! (Mark 16)

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 7b)

March 30: Good Friday (St. Peter 2pm service)

March 30: Good Friday (CORE 6:30pm service)

My God! Why have you forsaken me? How is it possible that two people who share the same essence could be ripped apart on the cross? But Jesus was forsaken, treated as a sinner instead of the beloved Son of the Father. He died. Why? So that the curtain could tear in two and sinners could become sons, enjoying life in God’s presence. (Mark 15:33-39)

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 7a)

March 29: Maundy Thursday

Jesus, in his humanity, begged the Father for another way besides the cup of his wrath. Yet he submitted everything, even his own will, to honor his father and save his sleeping “friends.” Jesus’ love is perhaps never better seen than his willingness to stay awake and endure for those who did not. (Mark 14:32-42)

Death To Selfie
 (Week 7)

March 25: Death to Approval

You would think that an extravagant offering for Jesus would receive the approval of the church. Not so. Judas and others criticized the the woman who anointed Jesus. The same thing happens today. Follow Jesus and the world might not approve. You’re wasting time. Wasting money. Wasting energy. Wasting your life. But Jesus defends those who love him. His approval is what matters the most, since it lasts forever.

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 6)

March 21: 
Jesus Will Never Abandon You 

Who would have expected an apostle to betray the Son of God? No one would. Who would have thought the most devoted disciple of Jesus would disown his Lord three times? No one would. But the events of Thursday night remind us that we are not as strong as we think. Thankfully, Jesus knows and is willing to forgive those who are too confident of their own holiness. (Mark 14:17-31)

Death To Selfie
 (Week 6)

March 18: Death to Comfort

Jesus’ “pep talk” about the end of the age was less than comforting. Wars. Earthquakes. Flogging. Arrest. Hatred. Are we willing to walk with Jesus during the end times? Be hated? Die for him? If you know his promise of salvation and election, the answer is easy—Yes!

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 5)

March 14: 
Stay Woke & Worship

Keep watch! Jesus repeated the command to a snooze-loving culture. We assume there’s plenty of time until the Master returns, but he will arrive at an hour we do not expect. So, put to death your delayed repentance, your serious pursuit of God, and keep watch! (Mark 13:32-37)

Death To Selfie
 (Week 5)

March 11: Death to Fame

The rich gave massive offerings that day in the Temple. But Jesus didn’t say a word or hand out an award. Instead, he noticed and praised the poorest widow who quietly gave the “smallest offering.” In our day of public recognition, what would Jesus say? He would ignore those who praise themselves and praise those who serve God in secret.

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 4)

March 7: 
The Most Important Commandment = LOVE

What is the most important of the 600+ laws? Love! Love God and love one another. That is the most important commandment. In our hate-filled world, that kind of sacrificial love, given freely at Jesus’ cross, is what we so desperately need. (Mark 12:28-34)

Death To Selfie
 (Week 4)

March 4: Death to Defensiveness

The teachers of the law knew Jesus spoke his scathing Parable of the Tenants against them. Yet instead of repenting of their shocking sins, they looked for a way to kill Jesus. They cared more about their embarrassment than their relationship with God. How about us? Jesus is willing to embarrass himself to become the capstone of our faith. Will will you cling to your image? Or will he become marvelous in your eyes?

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 3)

February 28: 
Give To God What Is God's

Jesus’ enemies tried to pull him into a political trap, relying on the sharp divisions of their day. He escaped, by reminding them of a third option. In our world, Jesus would refuse to engage in the political divisions, instead affirming and critiquing those on both sides of the aisle. He pushes us beyond simplistic solutions to complex cultural problems. In the process, he reminds us that only God can solve our greatest dilemmas. (Mark 12:13-17)

Death To Selfie
 (Week 3)

February 25: Death to Authority

Authority. Jesus’ enemies adored it. They refused to submit to Jesus’ teaching, even when caught in their own duplicity. They missed finding true life because they refused to die to having the last word. Modern Americans face the same dilemma. Will Jesus be the Lord who gets the last word? Or will we cling to our plastic gavels and tell Jesus what to do?

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 2)

February 21: 
True Greatness Comes By Servitude

Even the apostles wanted to be great. But Jesus forced them to die to the world’s definition of greatness and turned them to true greatness—service and sacrifice. Just like Jesus himself was about to demonstrate to make them great in the eyes of God. (Mark 11:35-45)

Death To Selfie
 (Week 2)

February 18: Death to Our Wealth Affair

Jesus’ command shocks us as much now as it shocked his first followers back then. Sell everything you have. Give to the poor. It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. But Jesus knew exactly what the rich young man needed—to die to his idols. Jesus confronts our idolatrous loves too, but promises not only to save us from our sins, but to reward all those who die to the riches of this world.

Jesus Say What?!?
 (Week 1)

February 14: Ash Wednesday
Jesus Gives The Unexpected

Who would have thought that the Messiah would be tortured, spit on, and killed? But that’s exactly what Jesus predicted before his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. What expectations do you have as you go through life? What the culture has taught you about the Christian life? Or what God has promised? Expectations are everything, so expect a cross. And expect a crown! (Mark 10:32-34)

Death To Selfie
 (Week 1)

February 11: Death Wish

Jesus’ words shock us as much now as they shocked his first followers back then. You must die. You must deny yourself. You must crucify the old you in order to find the real you. Jesus confronts us with the flesh’s biggest foe—self. But he promises us true life in the kingdom of God, something so glorious and beautiful that every human being should wish to die to themselves and follow him.

Act II (Week 1)

March 27:  Easter Sunday - Jesus Is Alive!  Notes / Podcast

If you thought Jesus’ death was the end of the story, you thought wrong. His perfect life, innocent death, and burial in a rich man’s tomb was just the start of his mission to save us from our sins. But Sunday came and Jesus’ intermission ended. His resurrection ripped back the curtains and gave us joy, hope, peace, forgiveness, and life with God. Jesus’ resurrection shows us that there is an Act II!

So, if you are living in a “Good Friday” world, thinking your story is over, your life will never change, and you’ll never be good enough for God, you thought wrong. Easter is your Act II, too!