Come To The Table

Today, Pastor Mark will be reminding you that the enemy is very active in this world, and unfortunately, very active in the church. Sadly, many have been burned by others in the church, and they chose to forsake the fellowship of the brethren. This is very dangerous because your robbing yourself of accountability and fellowship. The devil wants to kill, steal, and destroy; this is why it’s extremely important to go to church. The enemy roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The easiest targets for lions are those who are the weak of the herd that are straggling behind. Stay in Church, and remain in prayer and in His Word.  

As Pastor Mark continues his teaching series through the book of 1 Thessalonians, he’ll be explaining the difference between loving the idea of Jesus and having an intimate relationship with Him. It’s not enough to recognize who Jesus is and like His character, but you must choose to make Him your Lord and Savior. Many people love the teaching of Jesus, and many love the positive impact Jesus has on people's lives, but they have not entered into that intimate relationship with Him. Jesus said many will come to Him on that Day and say “Lord, Lord”- and He will turn to them and say “depart from Me, I never knew you”. 

Today, Pastor Mark will be challenging you to be bold for the Lord, because what you're proclaiming to the world is the truth, and it’s the only truth that can set humanity free. After all, the Bible says the righteous are as bold as lions! Don’t allow the enemy to cause you to fear preaching the Gospel to the lost. Always remember that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within you. It’s not you who should live in fear for preaching the truth; it’s the enemies of God who should fear dying without having their sins forgiven. When your heart becomes broken for the lost, it becomes easier to evangelize.  

Do you ever find yourself waiting? Perhaps you’ve had to sit around for an oil change. What about at the doctor’s office? Maybe you sent an important email that left you anticipating a response. Waiting is a natural part of life, and you will find yourself waiting for something daily. What does biblical waiting look like? In today’s message, Pastor Mark explains what it means to be waiting on the Lord and waiting for Jesus’s second coming. You will learn what it means to have patience and that you should seek the Lord in those times of waiting.

John 3:16 is one of the most quoted and loved verses in the bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him…” …Whoever. That means your neighbor, prisoners, the opposing political party, and even you. Whoever believes in Him will be saved. Jesus set the foundation for today’s message when He died on the cross. Today, Pastor Mark teaches that God will accept anyone who accepts His Son, regardless of their past mistakes. When you follow Jesus, you become a new creation. If you haven’t made that decision today, what are you waiting for?

Do you have any favorite clothing or food brands? If so, the company likely used some celebrity to showcase why their product is great. For example, “Our sports drink gives you the energy to shoot consistent 3-pointers. Just ask Michael Jordan.” Having a good example helps drive sales for companies. Today, Pastor Mark will teach that you ought to be a good example for Christ. Preaching the Gospel is one thing, but living it out makes it that much more appealing to others. The world is watching your actions to see if they line up with your beliefs. Will they find a true believer? Or will they just find empty words?

The world is enamored with this idea of rebuilding from the rubble. Think about it. You’ve likely heard a song with the lyric, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” You’ve likely seen a movie where the main character loses everything but comes back stronger than before. The world is fascinated by endurance. In today’s message, Pastor Mark encourages you to stay diligent, stay strong, and stay faithful to Christ amid hardships and persecution. Your ability to rebuild from the rubble is a powerful testimony to unbelievers in the world, because they are watching to see if your faith is as strong as you claim it is. 

The study of cultures is integral to a successful mission trip. Missionaries must be aware of the stumbling blocks within a culture. For instance, a missionary to an Asian culture should expect to take their shoes off when visiting someone’s home, even if they are used to tracking mud through their own house. In today’s message, Pastor Mark will teach you the importance of worshipping God without causing others to stumble. Taking your shoes off in someone’s home isn’t a salvation issue, but doing so shows that you care about the person you are ministering to. How else can you minister to others by embracing their culture?

Have you ever ridden on a train? If so, you know how powerful they are. Around 1 billion people each day use a train. They are crucial to global economies and have a major impact on our history. Without the invention of the coal-powered engines used in trains throughout history, cars and planes would not exist.

What is election? An easy example happens every four years. Election is when someone is chosen, right? In the Christian faith, God has elected His believers – that is, they’ve been chosen to spend eternity with Him. This concept can cause a lot of tension and confusion, but today, Pastor Mark will walk you through it. As you listen, Pastor Mark will teach that election is evidenced by the fruits of the spirit – that is, the actions of those who have been elected will look like Jesus. How can you become elected? Simple! Just enter the race. If you let Him, God will vote for you. He wants to be with you and wants your soul to flourish.

People often say that they will get into heaven based on their good deeds. “I’m a nice person.” “I give to the poor.” “I volunteer at a food bank.” Works are great, but there’s more to getting to heaven than just simply being a good person and volunteering some of your time and energy. It takes faith. Faith and works go hand in hand, and today, Pastor Mark will teach you that it is a balancing act. You need both. Without faith, works are just empty humanitarian acts without any relationship with the Father. Without works, you’re not following all of Jesus’s teachings. When you follow Jesus, your faith will generate good works.

If you’re a parent, you know that when your kids are young, they hate getting clean. All they want to do is play and have fun, but what you’re concerned with is how they look, how they act, and how they continue to grow. And sometimes, that’s how people act in Christ, like little kids not wanting to clean or grow up. Today, Pastor Mark encourages you to grow in Christ by not resisting His guidance. Listen to what the Word of God says, trust in Him, place your whole heart in His hands, and follow His guidance. As you continue to walk with God, He will transform your heart and mind, and soon, you’ll begin to reflect His image.

Many people believe that they can say the right words at the right time and truly think they are saved in Christ. But the reality is that while God does save those who sincerely come to Him, He designed us to be in a relationship with Him. He wishes to walk with us throughout our lives and love us deeply. In today’s message, Pastor Mark emphasizes that when we come to Jesus with all our hearts and accept Him as Lord, it’s not simply a free pass to keep sinning or to live in the world as if nothing has changed. God desires to be with us, and He wants us to keep choosing Him - not just sometimes, but every day.

Oftentimes, when we go through trials and hardships, we think, “Why me, God? Is there a point to this pain?” But what you might forget is that as a follower of Christ, you will be hated, not just by the world, but also by the enemy who seeks to delay God’s plans. That’s why God needs His family sharpened and ready for anything. Today, Pastor Mark urges you to understand that there will be seasons of pain in your life, but they aren’t pointless. God tests all of His children to keep them alert, to encourage them to move forward, and to prepare them. Just as iron is shaped by fire, trials guide you toward what God has planned for your life  

Many times, we can be tempted to go along with what the world says, even when we know God’s Word teaches otherwise. It may seem easier in the moment to stay quiet or avoid difficult conversations, but compromise never leads people closer to Christ. That’s why now more than ever, people need the light in a world of darkness. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds us to stand firm in the truth of God's Word, even when it goes against the culture around us. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a light in a dark world, pointing others to Christ through both our words and the way we live. And when we show them the way, Jesus does the rest.

When we look at what life was like a hundred years ago, and what life is like now, you can see just how backwards this world really is. And oftentimes, it can feel easier to just conform and accept than it is to share the Word of God, even at the cost of sounding judgmental. If push came to shove, would you stand up for Christ? In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants you to know that there’s nothing new under the sun, but what changes in this world is the heart. That’s why now more than ever, people need the Word of God. Not just to know right from wrong, but to save those who are walking blind. Stand with Jesus, and stand by what His Word says.

In our lives, when we see a loved one heading down the wrong path, it can be tempting to stay silent and hope they figure things out on their own. But real love doesn't ignore the truth. Real love is willing to speak with grace, pointing others back to God's Word even when the conversation is difficult. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds us that if we want to understand what biblical love and discernment look like, we need to examine the fruit. Are our words motivated by the love of Christ or by pride? True biblical love is rooted in Christ, guided by His Word, and always seeks the good of others.

Many times, when we see someone making poor choices or walking down the wrong path, we hesitate to say anything. We worry that we'll come across as harsh or judgmental. But before we speak, we should examine our hearts and ask ourselves: Am I speaking from pride, or from genuine love and concern for them? Today, Pastor Mark reminds you that lovingly speaking the truth is not the same as condemning someone. Real love doesn't enable destructive behavior; it points people toward Jesus and the truth of God's Word. When correction comes from the heart, it isn't self-righteous judgment… It’s biblical discernment spoken in love.

When you have kids, you know that as they grow, it’s not just physically, but mentally too. When they’re just toddlers, they don’t have a lot of responsibilities, but as they grow, they need to learn how to function and become responsible. That’s how it is when people become Christians, too. They need to learn to grow up. In today’s message, Pastor Mark encourages you to develop good spiritual habits by reading and following the Word of God. When you come to Christ, you don’t come as an adult but as a baby in a new world. That’s why you need the Word of God, not just for guidance, but for the spiritual growth of all who desire to follow Jesus.

When we fall into sin, we think we’re the only ones who can get us out. But the reality is that God doesn’t want us to only rely on ourselves, but to seek Him through all of our lives. The Bible tells us to lean not on our own understanding but to trust in the Lord with all of our heart. This is the first step to being free from the world. In today’s message, Pastor Mark encourages us to seek Jesus not only in our trials but through every season of life. With Jesus, we can be free from all things. He gives us the strength to move forward, to keep our eyes on Him, and to change the desires of our hearts. Seeking Jesus is the first step to the rest of your life.

We live in a world where we can’t always control what happens to us. Some days are filled with joy, while others bring pain, disappointment, and hardship. And when we allow those experiences to shape our outlook on life, they can also affect our walk with God and the way we treat others within the body of Christ. In today’s message, Pastor Mark encourages us to forgive those who have wronged us and place our pain in God's hands. Forgiveness isn't always easy, especially when the wounds run deep, but that's why we need Jesus more than ever. Through prayer and growing closer to Him, God can heal our hearts and help us move forward. 

In this life, many people focus on certain parts of the Bible while ignoring the passages that challenge them. Unfortunately, this has led many believers to adopt worldly views rather than allowing God's Word to shape them. But that’s not the message John gave to the early church, nor is it the message God has for us today. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds us that when we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we are called to submit ourselves to the whole counsel of God's Word. We don’t get to pick and choose which truths are convenient. Instead, we are called to trust God completely and allow His Word to shape our way of thinking.

Many times in life, we ask ourselves questions like, "What is the meaning of life? What is our purpose? Why are we here?” But what do any of those answers mean if we spend our lives apart from God? What good is chasing purpose while remaining separated from the One who created us for a relationship with Him? In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants you to know that if you are breathing right now, God is giving you an opportunity to come to Him. The Bible tells us that God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. Choose Jesus Christ today.

Isn’t it amazing to know that we serve a God who truly cares for us? A God who wants what is best for our lives and desires a deep, personal relationship with us? God did not create us to be mindless beings simply going through the motions. He created us with the ability to know Him, love Him, and choose Him, as He first chose us. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds us that when the enemy attacks, we don’t have to listen to his lies. Our identity is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, we are redeemed, forgiven, and being sanctified day by day. Not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus already accomplished for us. 

There comes a time in our lives when we must realize that there’s something wrong within us. It’s not that we can’t be kind, compassionate, or even show love, but there’s a sinful nature that makes us lie, lust, and even hate at times. That’s why God came to this world… to save us from ourselves and from our sinful nature. In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants us to know that we can be free from our sinful nature and from every shackle sin places on our lives, but we can’t do it alone. It’s only through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to this world, took our place on the cross, and conquered the grave… all because He loves us.

Have you ever tried to draw in the dark? It sounds impossible, yet many people unknowingly live their lives in spiritual darkness. They walk, breathe, make decisions, and sometimes even depart from this world without ever realizing that the Truth and the Light were there all along… just waiting for them. In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants you to know that God’s light is not meant to harm you, but to reveal truth, expose what is wrong, and guide you toward life. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, and He offers that light to all who seek Him. So don’t spend your life stumbling in darkness when you can see the way forward with Jesus.

Oftentimes, when we share the gospel with others, the Word of God can be convicting. For those who recognize their own sin, it can feel personal.  But when we share God's truth, we must remember that we are not the authors of the message - we are simply the messengers. The message comes from God Himself. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds us that God gave us free will because He loves us. And because He loves us, He has revealed what is right and wrong through His Word. The choice is ours: to pursue a life apart from God, or to receive the eternal life that Jesus Christ offers through His grace, love, and sacrifice.

Have you ever met someone who seemed to know everything? Someone who was more concerned with being right than with helping others grow? In many ways, that describes the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. Their knowledge became a source of pride rather than a pathway to a deeper relationship with Him. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds you that pride can be one of the biggest obstacles in your walk with God - especially when you’ve been walking with Him for many years. When you approach the Lord with humility and a teachable heart, He can transform you in ways that knowledge alone never could.

We live in a world where tomorrow is not guaranteed. In fact, there are a lot of unknowns in life that can bring fear and uncertainty. But there is something greater than all of that—Someone who loves us, who died for us, took our place on the cross, and conquered the grave three days later. His name is Jesus Christ. In today’s message, Pastor Mark invites you to read the Word of God for yourself: the Bible. Not only does God reveal history through His Word, but He also speaks into your life, giving promises He is faithful to keep. God loves you deeply and desires for you to grow in Him. So take the time - and read the Word for yourself.

When we look around the world and see the pain and destruction… isn’t it amazing to know that the God of the universe is going to restore all things? With Him, we don’t have to worry about the planet; we just need to share the gospel with its people. We need to share the good news with all who have ears to hear. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds us that we can’t take everything with us into heaven. But what we can do is share the Word… to let the world know that there is a Savior who loves us, who cares about us, and wants to be with us. All we have to do is choose Jesus Christ and accept His gift of grace.

In this world, we think we have our entire lives to do things; to travel the world, build a legacy… but the reality is that nothing in this world is guaranteed… What if today was your last day on this planet… what would you do? Would you spend time with your loved ones and do your favorite things? Or would you get right with Jesus? In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds you that the most important thing in this world is your relationship with Jesus Christ. You can’t take your wealth to heaven, but you can take your soul. And with Jesus, He promises you everlasting life by His side. Make the right choice, and choose Jesus Christ.

When we read the Word of God, we sometimes have a hard time believing in what God is trying to tell us… a little boy taking on a giant? A man surviving a lion's den? Surely it’s metaphorical, right? NO! We believe in a supernatural God, who does miracles every single day. So when our God tells us something, He surely means it. In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants you to know that God always fulfills His Word. Everything going on in the world today, every prophecy ever fulfilled, it’s because God said so. His Word has power, and when you place your faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, you can rest knowing that with Him, you can have everlasting life.

As we look around the world and see tragedy, brokenness, and shifting cultures, we are reminded that history is moving toward something big: the return of Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that Christ will return and that all people will one day stand before Him. That’s why the message of the gospel is so urgent… In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds you to make Christ your priority because there will come a day when He returns. And for all who are left behind, they will have to endure in a world where the Anti-Christ is in power. The invitation remains: choose Jesus Christ, become part of His family, and accept His gift of Christ

In this life, we can sometimes put God on the back burner, assuming we have plenty of time ahead to live how we want now and turn to Him later. But the truth is, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. What if our time to leave this world was today? Would the things we chase still feel as important in that moment? In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants us to understand the urgency of our relationship with God. While money, status, and the pleasures of this life can feel important now, they are temporary and cannot go with us when we leave this world. What remains is what truly matters: our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Many times, we think of God as being too busy for the small things in our lives. We bring Him the big problems, but hesitate to bring Him our everyday needs. But today, Pastor Mark reminds us of the importance of prayer. Prayer is not only how we communicate with God, but also how we humble ourselves before Him. In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants you to know that nothing is too big or too small for God. When you pray to God, He is always listening. He can see and hear our desires and needs. He just wants us to come to Him. Trust in Jesus Christ and His promises, and He will always provide according to His Will.

Sometimes, in life, it feels like we go from one storm to another, from hardship to pain. And if that’s you today, Pastor Mark doesn’t want you to lose hope because of who you are: a prisoner of Hope! Someone who is bound to the fact that God will deliver you from your pain and bring you exactly where you need to be. In today’s message, Pastor Mark wants you to know that this life isn’t an accident. Everything you’ve been through, and everything you’re going to go through, is for God’s glory and His Will. Trust in the hope that God brings, and see that He doesn’t give false hope or promises; God always comes through.

When we look at the Bible alongside current events, it's amazing how accurate it is. Just Google the words “Prophecy Update” and see God’s Word happening in real time. Even when we look at the past, we can trust that God's Word is the truth and that each day, the world aligns more closely with what God has already revealed. In today’s message, Pastor Mark reminds us that nothing happening in the world today has taken God by surprise. Even in the midst of uncertainty, hardship, and confusion, God is still at work, using every circumstance to accomplish His perfect will. All we need to do is place our faith and trust in Jesus, and He will do the rest.

When you're young, your knack for picking things up and your reasoning skills really boost your understanding of the world around you. But everything shifts as you get older. Adults often draw from the experiences they've gathered throughout their lives. The same logic applies when you decide to put your trust in Jesus. Young hearts often easily embrace Christ, allowing Him to make a difference in their lives. However, the same isn't usually true for adults, as they tend to close themselves off emotionally. Today, Pastor Mark is here to share some exciting insights on why the youth hold incredible potential for receiving Salvation!

Each church has its unique style and approach to how they operate. Some churches have rituals they stick to that seem to miss the mark when it comes to truly connecting with God. When you begin attending these churches, do you ever find yourself pondering the purpose of those rituals? Do they really enhance your connection with Jesus in any meaningful way? Today, Pastor Mark encourages you to avoid certain church rituals that don’t really connect to your faith in Jesus. It’s all about keeping it genuine! If you're feeling uncertain, just reach out to the Holy Spirit for a little guidance to help you uncover the truth!

The Israelites truly illustrate how a simple misunderstanding can unravel everything you've built. The Bible says that the Messiah will build the fourth temple in Israel. But because they don’t see Jesus as the Messiah, they’re on the lookout for someone who will step up and declare themselves as the Messiah, ready to assist in constructing the temple. Do you realise who might capitalise on this mindset of the Israelites? Absolutely, it's going to be Satan! In today’s message, Pastor Mark dives into the intriguing topic of how the Antichrist will present himself as the messiah, leading the people of Israel and the world astray. 

Have you noticed the different actions world leaders are taking to tackle the growing concerns of pollution and global warming? It's quite a topic these days! People are getting together for a seed-planting drive, diving into recycling, and exploring other fun ways to help our planet go green once more, just like it used to be! Today, Pastor Mark shares an intriguing thought: God is the one who has permitted the world to become polluted, and He’s the only one capable of healing it and restoring it to its former glory! Once the judgment period wraps up, He’ll create a brand-new earth, completely free of any trace of pollution!

Who doesn't enjoy a fantastic promotion, right? It boosts our worth in the company and surely gives a nice lift to the paycheck, too! There are moments on your spiritual journey when you might find yourself feeling a bit anxious about when that next promotion in your life will come along. You may be feeling a bit worn out from the daily grind. Today, Pastor Mark shares how God gets you ready, both spiritually and mentally, in your current job before that exciting promotion comes your way. He will guide you into the next step just as soon as He senses you’re ready to take that leap! Just stay faithful where you are!

Every now and then, as you’re gliding down the highway, you might suddenly find yourself staring at a “road closed ahead” sign, right there in front of you. It’s like a surprise party you didn’t ask for! So, do you just make a U-turn and head back home? I really don’t think that’s the case! You look out for contingencies, right? Just like that, walking in the path that God wants for you can be a bit bumpy at times. You might encounter a few blockages in the road, too. Today, Pastor Mark inspires you to keep faith in God’s plan for your life. Instead of throwing in the towel, he urges you to seek out solutions or alternatives. 

This is our time. Before any of us were born, God sovereignly planned our entire story. We've never been closer to the end, when Jesus comes back and takes us home to live with Him for eternity. But there are still billions who need to hear the gospel and repent. Our moment is now, and it's up to us to use it well! Today, Pastor Mark will remind us that our lives are so brief and that we must not waste them. We could just put our feet up, knowing that our salvation is secure in Jesus. But God has called us to do His work in this particular moment in history. So share the truth boldly, because the clock is running out!

Our enemy, the devil, loves to accuse us of being unworthy of belonging to God. And he's right! We were 100% helpless to save ourselves, and our value is rooted solely in the righteousness of Christ! If Jesus hadn't sacrificed Himself to pluck us out of the fire, we would still be separated from a perfectly holy God. Today, Pastor Mark will remind us how blessed we are to have been chosen by God! But the story doesn't end there! Now we have the equally great blessing of being able to spread the gospel around the world! Don't listen to the devil's lies that you are still unworthy. Rest in the finished work of Christ and share that miraculous gift!

It's hard to grasp how glorious eternity will be, especially when we're facing devastating situations. But the Lord tells us to lift our eyes to Him and rejoice, knowing that He is coming back soon to make all things right. Our suffering is real, and God sees it all and cares infinitely about us! So don't lose hope, child of the King! Today, Pastor Mark will encourage us to remember that Jesus promises us eternal life with Him, and that glory is right around the corner! Our God never breaks His promises – in fact, He can't! So look to eternity, side-by-side with Jesus, ruling over the New Creation and forever free from sin, pain, and death!

It's a dangerous and challenging time in history right now, especially for God's people. We don't know when exactly Jesus will return. But we do know that God is not done with the nation of Israel. Today, Pastor Mark will show us that passages like Zechariah 2 point to a future redemptive plan for the Jewish people. As persecution increases in the Middle East, we should be praying consistently for God's chosen people. In the United States, we're blessed to be able to freely and openly practice our faith. That's tragically not the case for billions all over the world! But God has a plan to work in the hearts of many before the final curtain falls!

In today's message, Pastor Mark talks about the moment when Elisha’s servant finally sees what is actually happening in the spiritual realm. He describes these glowing horses and chariots of fire. It was an army of heaven standing right there to show him that any earthly forces were nothing to be afraid of. When you feel like you are backed into a corner by people giving you a hard time or your enemies closing in, you have to realize your perspective is missing the bigger picture. The people coming against you are the ones in danger, because God has a heavenly host surrounding you that they can't even see. 

In today’s message, Pastor Mark emphasizes that when the Lord calls you to turn back to Him, He has already paved the way for that transition to happen. You’re never left to struggle through the process of change solely on your own strength or ability. When you repent, look for the opportunities that are around you. God’s ultimate desire is for your restoration, not your destruction, so He effectively builds the bridge before He ever asks you to cross it. Your part is to respond to the call, while He provides the path to make it possible. You don’t have to clear or create the path for yourself; you just have to follow where it leads!

The depth of your relationship with the Lord is ultimately determined by your own willingness to seek Him. In today’s message, Pastor Mark explores the promise of how if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. The invitation to closeness with the Lord is always open, but the next move belongs to you. The ball is in your court, and God’s waiting to see how much of your heart you are willing to invest in Him. Your closeness to the Savior is directly tied to the time you spend in the Word, in prayer, and in pursuit of His Spirit. Every step you take toward Him is met with a corresponding movement from the Lord.