Resurrection Life Sunday Sermon

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:1-18. This week, as we continue in the Book of Hebrews, it feels a little like a broken record. Over and over again, the author reminds us that in the old covenant, sacrifices were offered over and over again. In contrast, he compares them to Jesus’ once-for-all and forever sacrifice on the cross. What’s behind this repetitious tension between the many and the one? We'll unpack that question on this podcast.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 9: 1 - 15. This week, we explore one of the most important themes in the book of Hebrews: worshiping with a free and purified conscience. The effects of Jesus’ priestly ministry are all-encompassing, reaching even our inner faculties of thought, reason, and judgment.In Hebrews 9, the author shows how the old covenant required external rituals that could never truly reach the heart of the matter. Yet God has always been pursuing our hearts. The mediator of the new covenant, however, provides what the old could never accomplish: the cleansing of our consciences.The joy of being a Christian is so deep and overwhelming because our darkest and deepest guilt has been forgiven and removed. Jesus has conquered our conscience!

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 8This week, we dive into one of the more theologically rich developments in the Book of Hebrews. The consequences of Jesus being our kingly priest change everything. One of the biggest consequences is how we now understand God’s covenant with us. Through Jesus’ ministry and his current royal position beside the Father’s throne, he mediates a better covenant. That covenant means God’s law is written on our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. For God’s chosen people, transformed by his grace, how we are to live for Jesus is not something written on stone. It is written on our souls. God’s will for us becomes personal, intimate, and real.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 7This week, we return to Hebrews and look to Jesus.Jesus is our fearless, timeless, and courageous leader who promises to be with us at all times. The words from Hebrews 7:25 ring throughout all time and space: “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” As sinners in need of redemption, what infinite hope we have in Christ! Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Regardless of our thoughts, lives, and attitudes, the power of Christ as our Royal Priest will never leave us or forsake us. Thanks be to God that we serve such a majestic and personal Savior! Listen closely to see how Jesus does indeed fulfill the eternal role of our kingly priest/priestly king.

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 6:24-27This week, we take a break from our series on Hebrews. Last week, the Preacher of Hebrews challenged us to stop being so dull of hearing and to grow up in the faith. At times, we need to hear this word. This week, however, Pastor Mark returns to a passage he has preached on before but not on this podcast. Numbers 6:24–27 is one of his favorite passages, partly because it provides so much comfort for us. Hear these words:The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.We hope and pray that as you listen, you will feel the Lord's comfort, peace, and protection.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3The tone of Hebrews 5:11–6:3 is among the most severe and serious within this book. These verses fall within a larger passage that serves as a slight off-topic diatribe. In the midst of preaching heavy-hitting theological points, he takes a moment to challenge his audience: Stop being so lazy! Grow up! You’ve been stuck taking Christianity 101 classes over and over again when you should actually be at the front of the class as the professor by now.These challenging words have convicted me this week, and I hope they challenge you as well. What does it mean for us to grow up in Christ—to truly mature? We are all at different stages of Christian development. However, one thing we all share is that we are on a path of growing in Christ. As believers, let’s grow up and go. Let’s take the feel and tone the author of Hebrews brought to his Roman-Jewish audience as motivation to take that next step of faith.

SCRIPTURE: John 5:1-18This Sunday we had the privilege of hearing from Matt Brouwer, youth pastor from Christ the King Church in Raleigh, NC. Matt brought a message from John 5:1-18, a story where Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:13-35 Though this week we are taking a brief pause from the Book of Hebrews, we are not stepping away from one of its central themes. Throughout Hebrews, the author is encouraging his audience to truly see Jesus—not with physical eyes, but with spiritual clarity. We cannot see Jesus physically; He is in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). And yet, we are commanded to fix our eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2). This is the call of faith: to see Jesus with spiritual eyes. This weekend, we will listen to the testimony of those who did see Him—eyewitnesses of the resurrection. Their accounts confront us with a reality that demands a response. The historical evidence for the resurrection is overwhelming, and yet billions still do not believe. This podcast will be a time of reflecting on what it was like to see the physical Jesus, and how that gives shape to how we experience him today in faith. We’ll be focusing on a famous Bible story called “The Road to Emmaus,” recorded in Luke 24:13–35. After the resurrection, Jesus meets two mourning travelers and, for a time, purposefully and strategically keeps them from recognizing Him. But the good news is that Jesus reveals himself to His family, the Church. We can proclaim together at Easter that Jesus is risen; He is risen indeed! We believe this because we can spiritually see Jesus through faith.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10If you’ve been following our current sermon series, you know by now that the Book of Hebrews is a loving and theologically rich warning that we not turn away from Jesus after once claiming faith in Him. But the Christian life is, at times, more difficult than we ever expected. We are often tempted and greatly discouraged. Where or to whom can we go for help? We need a Great High Priest, one who perfectly represents us to God and represents God to us. God has given us such an advocate in His Son, Jesus. This Sunday Sermon from Hebrews 4:14–5:10 provides us with powerful reasons for trusting Jesus over the Old Testament priests, and also over anyone else — pastors and elders, parents and mentors, friends, podcasters, and YouTube influencers — for this help from heaven.Because Jesus is our Great High Priest, we can “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” — which is all the time, really. May the Lord give us such confidence in Him, and may He give us mercy and grace to help as a result.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 4:1-11Our last podcast was a history lesson. Today, we look to the future. God has in store for us a future rest. The reason that rest remains for those who believe in Jesus is simply because Jesus hasn’t come back yet. Along with Jesus’ return is a promise fulfilled: an eternal Sabbath rest. Hebrews 4:1-11 partly defines for us what this future reality will be like. Dr. Knetsch says these verses are among the most poignant, dense, and difficult passages he has ever preached. That seems to be a recurrent theme in this series, but it’s true. However, the flow, logic, and purpose behind these verses from the writer of Hebrews are so meticulously intentional. Pastor Mark hopes you enjoy diving into this passage as much as he has enjoyed studying it the past couple of weeks.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews: 6-19This Sunday Sermon is dedicated to Pastor Mark's history professor in seminary, Dr. David Rylaarsdam. As he guided us, eager seminarians, through the centuries of church history, he kept pushing us to learn from the heretics. He would challenge us to pay attention to the heretics for two reasons. First, to learn from their mistakes. Second, to know how their theological errors helped the church articulate theological orthodoxy with precision. In Hebrews 3:11-19, we are also challenged to learn from history. The author challenges his audience (which includes us, by the way) that we must learn from the errors of one particular Old Testament event. That one event disabled Israel’s chance to enter into the Promised Land (a.k.a., “rest”). A whole generation of God’s people was banned from entering the promised rest. We must learn from this story! We must learn from their errors. For what’s the point of persevering for only a season? What’s the point of faith if you’ll only give up? In this podcast, God’s living and active Word challenges us to learn from history—to endure to the end with faith in our living God!

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 3:1-6This Sunday Sermon's title, "We Are the House," comes from Hebrews 3:6: "And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope." This verse emerges from a brief but powerful comparison between Moses and Jesus. By now, we expect the author of the book of Hebrews to pack a powerful theological punch into just a few verses, and this passage is no exception.What a privilege it is to revisit the significance of Moses--this important Old Testament leader--and to see how his role within God's redemptive story ultimately points to an infinitely greater liberator in Jesus.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 2:10-18Pastor Mark wraps up the author of Hebrews' discussion of angels and Jesus. This scripture is actually a transitional passage between demonstrating Jesus' superiority over angels and establishing His superiority over the roles Moses and Aaron played in the Old Testament. The author begins to open the door for us to see how Jesus is the grand Liberator--far greater than Moses. He also begins to show us how Jesus is the great High Priest--far greater than Aaron. Our passage concludes by comforting us in our trials and tribulations: Jesus is our ultimate hope and help.

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-9This Sunday's message comes from a profoundly rich passage. These five verses wrestle with this: If Jesus was superior to angels, and if he's that much more powerful, then why did he appear like any ordinary person?To tackle this question, the author of Hebrews reflects upon Psalm 8. He concludes that Jesus only appeared inferior for a time during his incarnation and particularly in his crucifixion. However, even through these apparent weaknesses, his death didn't diminish his superiority. Jesus' incarnation and crucifixion qualified him all the more to be our Savior-King.So yes, this passage is rich. But it's also practical. If Jesus is so superior, if Jesus is the perfect Savior, then why does it appear that everything is out of control? Hebrews 2:8b-9 invites us to keep our eyes on Jesus despite the supposed evidence around us: "At present, we do not see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who, for a little while, was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus.So, as you listen today and look around, what do you see? Do you see an inferior Jesus in a powerful world, or do you see a powerful Jesus in a broken world?" Do you see the powers of culture overtaking the authority of Jesus, or do you see the power of Jesus reigning over and above the chaos? Do you see the one who is truly in control? May you be comforted as you listen by seeing Jesus. We see Jesus, even within the chaos of our times. History will continue to repeat itself, but Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22:36-40This Sunday we welcomed to the pulpit someone new, but not a stranger to us, Matt and Shondra Oliver have worshiped with us for awhile now. Matt is a actually a teaching elder within the PCA serving as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. What a privilege to have such a talent, willingness, and ability within our own flock! Matthew brought us a very timely message for St. Valentine's weekend. That's right Saint Valentine! Let's reclaim this holiday of love for the one who is all about love.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 1:1 - 2:5Over the past couple of weeks, we have looked at big picture themes from the Book of Hebrews. This week, we focus on the first major argument in this book. The author of Hebrews jumps into the deep end of Old Testament proof-texting. The term “proof-texting” can have negative connotations. People can justify all kinds of unbiblical points by misappropriating Scripture. However, in this case, our author teaches us how to use Scripture positively to make a truth claim. In Hebrews 1, the author quotes seven Old Testament passages to prove that Jesus is far superior to the angels. This explanatory chapter gives way to Chapter 2, with an immediate exhortation to resist faith drift. Because Jesus is so much superior to angels, and his message is so much purer as God’s Son, how much more should we heed his message!

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 1-10Looking at the first ten chapters of Hebrews, Mark continues our current series “From Shadow to Substance,” with an “Overview of Hebrews on a Snowy Sunday.”This episode is taken from a the special video Pastor Mark recorded to assist worshipers with their worship at home due to the snowy weather and difficult transportation.

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 1:1-3The Book of Hebrews is where we will be spending our time this winter and spring. What a glorious gift it is to feast upon such a treasure trove of truth! We kick-start this sermon series by focusing on Hebrews 1:1-3. It’s quite the challenge to find more theologically rich verses in all of God’s Word. In fact, Pastor Mark is pretty excited to dive into the details of this passage. The poetic details within these three verses reveal a plethora of distinctions between what was in the Old Testament and who is in the New Testament. It also reveals a glorious tension between Christ’s cosmic transcendence and His personal eminence.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 131This Sunday, Jeff presented us with a moving and timely sermon on Psalm 131, a passage that offers a lifetime’s worth of lessons in just three verses. As we begin a new year, we often set our thoughts on hopes, dreams, and goals for the coming months. We might also reflect on the causes of past disappointments and the fears we face in the present. In this Psalm, King David foreshadows the Lord Jesus Christ by humbly acknowledging the limitations of human understanding and finding our ultimate contentment and delight in God alone. May this brief passage reorient our new year’s aspirations and anxieties toward stronger, more joyful trust in our loving God.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 1How does a new year start? With the first psalm in the Bible, Psalm 1! It has two powerful images: a tree planted by streams of water and chaff blown away by the wind. We'll see how sin can pull us away from God’s best for us. And we’ll also discover the secret of a happy life: not just doing the right things but enjoying God’s Word. We’ll see how the new birth plants us by the stream, and how the Holy Spirit keeps us connected to God. Listen, ready to be rooted in God and walk in the legacy He gave to you in His Son.May this first podcast of the year set us on a course toward greater faithfulness and fruitfulness in Christ! Let’s also keep in mind that this is an ideal time of year to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend or relative.

With this podcast, we complete our sermon series in Ezra–Nehemiah by examining Nehemiah, Chapter 13. What might Nehemiah 13 have to do with the coming of Christ? Well, everything, as we will see.Like the books of Deuteronomy, Judges, and 2 Kings, the Book of Nehemiah ends with a sense of incompleteness and uncertainty. Although in Chapters 9 and 10, God’s people agreed in writing to repent of various sins and, at last, to obey God. Nehemiah points out in this final chapter that the people have fallen into the same sins yet again! The book leaves the reader longing to discover power for real inward change, for transformation that brings consistent growth in obedience to God.Can you relate to our spiritual forefathers’ experience here? Have you ever felt — or do you even now feel — “stuck” in a cycle of sin, repentance, resolve, and repetition of the same sins? God’s good news is that Jesus Christ came not only to bear the penalty of our sin, but also to clothe us with the power to grow in Christlike character now. Subscribe and share this podcast with a friend or relative who shares this same dilemma or is looking for a new church home!

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 9This week, we take a good, hard look at another worship service from Nehemiah 9. Last week’s sermon on Nehemiah 8 described an atypical ideal for corporate worship: Ezra reads from the Law, leaders preach among the people, the people respond, and Nehemiah shepherds the people out with the call to rejoice. Nehemiah 9 records another corporate gathering occurring later that same month. However, this time, the chapter contains the content preached by the Levites. For six hours, the people listen to the Law. For an additional six hours, the people heard it applied. That application is essentially a retelling of redemptive history. It is a long chapter because it is a long story of redemption. First, we’ll read all of Nehemiah 9 to hear how this story of redemption is really a confession of sin coupled with a confession of God’s grace. As one commentator puts it, "it is a chapter of corporate confession pulsating between God’s grace and the people's ingratitude." It is yet another challenging chapter that helps us grow in the awareness of our own depravity, but likewise in our grasp of the grandness of God’s amazing grace. What a God we serve! He puts up with so much, and yet He still provided His Son to atone for all our sin. Praise be to God!

SCRIPTURE: Neh. 8:1-12This week we return to the book of Nehemiah, for our second week of Advent. For Advent, we are looking through the lens of Ezra and Nehemiah to help us prepare our hearts for the King. Last week, we focused on hope. This week, we focus on joy. Our passage in Nehemiah 8:1–12 ends on a joyful note. As a result of listening to God’s Word and adhering to both Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s commands, the people experience not merely joy, but “great” joy. Listening to the Word produces a festive, generous, and cheerful response. Of course, in Christ, with the arrival of the Word-Made-Flesh, we get to experience this kind of festiveness, generosity, and cheerfulness each moment of every day. This doesn’t produce happy-clappy Christianity, but a depth of joy that outpaces our guilt, shame, and brokenness, as well as our feelings of frailty and anxiety. After listening, may you be motivated and inspired to go into this world with this eternal joy.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:25-37This Sunday we welcomed Steve Jessen to our pulpit. Steve is the regional director for Ministry to North America Disaster Response, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. Steve has served as a pastor and currently helps plug people and congregations into acts of service, particularly in times and places of great physical need. MNA Disaster Response is our Ministry of the Month, so it’s fitting to have Steve come to represent this ministry and also encourage us through the words from Luke 10:25-37, and challenge us to understand The Cost of Mercy.

NEHEMIAH 6 and 7:1-4This week we are privileged to focus on Nehemiah 6. What an intriguing chapter! It’s filled with four major attempts to attack Nehemiah’s health, reputation, integrity, and life. For the murder-mystery types, this chapter is for you. Nehemiah truly was an outstanding leader—a hero, in fact. As we focus on his fierce resolve against relentless oppression, we once again read about an Old Testament Christ-figure. Certainly, Christ is the prototype leader who faced oppression no one has ever faced or could ever face. At the same time, just because Nehemiah was a Christ-like figure doesn’t mean we can’t be just as fierce in our resolve in 2025. That Christ gave us the fullest expression of a hero doesn’t let us off the hook. Even today, we are called to live with a fierce resolve to stand on the gospel, willing and able to withstand the devil’s schemes. As we focus on Nehemiah 6, we pray the Holy Spirit will continually strengthen us by grace in Christ (II Timothy 2:1) as Christ’s ambassadors!

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah Chapter 5More problems plague the first generation of new exiles in Jerusalem in Nehemiah 5. Problems exist from the outside—enemies surround Israel who do not want these Jews to succeed. However, in Nehemiah 5, we encounter significant internal problems. The economy is plagued by, well, a plague. Actually, more than that, the upper class uses extortion, exorbitant taxation, and high interest rates to exploit their own people! So much so, some lower-class farmers are forced to sell their own children into slavery (bondservitude).The situation is dire, indeed.Enter Nehemiah! He addresses issues with a stern rebuke, forcing the upper crust to commit to change, including taking religious vows to hold them accountable. It’s hard to imagine how important a figure like Nehemiah was. Without his extreme approach to fixing the economic crisis, one can only wonder how long Israel would self-implode. However, redemptive history involves God’s overpowering and overreaching hand through people to achieve His purposes and promises.It’s a practical and challenging chapter. May the Lord use this Sunday Sermon for His glory and our good.Peace,Pastor Mark

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 4Paul warned his protege Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Nehemiah 4 teaches us especially about responding to self-declared opponents of Christ and His people. While openly aggressive persecution of Christians is relatively rare in modern North America, God wants believers everywhere to ready themselves to face opposition faithfully. Because God is worthy of our all, He calls us to respond to this world’s hostility with a fierce obedience, a response that begins with bold prayer, follows with shrewd action, and flows from a heart transformed by God’s love in Christ.

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 2Nehemiah faces King Artexerxes downcast and depressed. The King asks him why he looks so gloomy, which opens up the opportunity for Nehemiah to share his desire to leave his post as cupbearer in Susa, to wall builder in Jerusalem. The trajectory of Nehemiah 2 is really quite inspiring. It begins with a downcast Nehemiah, but it ends with resolve, hope, and motivation. As we go through this story, we hope you will feel inspired to grow together in faith, motivated by the Holy Spirit as the Master Contractor.

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 1The book of Nehemiah begins as a memoir. Nehemiah reflects on his situation—a cushy government job in Susa, a Persian city in modern-day Iran. The Persian Empire had not been the picture of stability during the fifteen years separating Ezra and Nehemiah. However, in 445 BC, Persia experienced a period of relative stability—another “hand of God” moment. According to Dale Davis, this stability may have made it easier for King Artaxerxes to release his trusted cupbearer to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Before Nehemiah receives this royal green light to leave, he first grieves the dire straits his people are experiencing back in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1 primarily consists of a personal prayer. Like this past Sunday, when we focused on a prayer offered by Ezra, we will now break down Nehemiah’s opening prayer before he sets out to help rebuild Jerusalem.

SCRIPTURE: Ezra 9It's been 80 years since Cyrus the King of Persia decreed that Jerusalem should be rebuilt. But the rebuilders were opposed by the local inhabitants. King Darius I searched the records and found Cyrus' decree and redecreed that Jerusalem be rebuilt. In Chapter 7, Darius' grandson sends Ezra to Jerusalem. Now finally Ezra arrives and Ezra pulls out his beard in shock. He was commissioned by King Artaxerxes of Persia to enforce God’s Law in Judah. What Ezra discovers, however, is an alarming intermingling with surrounding nations through marriages across religious divides—an act that threatens the very existence of this fragile remnant in Jerusalem. Ezra 9 is a difficult chapter to grasp, but its true challenge lies in its timeless call to faithful holiness. While our context today differs from that small, vulnerable community in fifth-century BC Jerusalem, the call to holiness remains unchanged. How, then, can we pursue holiness in a world like ours while still being winsome with the Gospel?

SCRIPTURE: EZRA 7Sixty years separate Ezra 6 from Ezra 7. A fresh group of newly deported Jews arrives in Jerusalem, led by Ezra himself. After spending time this past week exploring the person of Ezra, this week we look at him as an Old Testament, Christ-like figure. Obviously, Ezra was not Jesus, but he does display many characteristics that helped Israel prepare for the coming Messiah. We also see a better Ezra fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

SCRIPTURE: Ezra 4-6Ezra 4–6 forms a single, cohesive unit. Two weeks ago, we looked at Ezra 4 — a complex chapter describing opposition in two different historical settings. That chapter is framed by Israel’s struggle during the reign of King Darius as well as King Artexertes 90 years later. Chapters 5–6 pick up the story with King Darius, describing in more detail what that opposition looked like. These chapters offer rich history, but also spiritual insights woven throughout. In this episode we’ll consider both — the historical events themselves and, even more importantly, how the spiritual lessons influence our reliance on God’s provision today.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 31THIS SUNDAY, we were privileged to welcome Pastor Jonathan (Jono) Darville from Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary. Pastor Darville’s message is from Psalm 31 on the theme, "A Grief Absorbed."

SCRIPTURE: Ezra 4 This Sunday, we tackled a timely question: How should the church respond to opposition? It’s a challenging question in our day and age, especially in light of recent events. Clearly, synchronizing our beliefs to match the ideologies of the age is not an option. And yet, without realizing it, we may already have capitulated in ungodly or unfaithful ways.When we muster the courage to stand our ground, what does that look like? Who (or what?) even is the opposition? What did this look like for the deported Jews in Jerusalem in the 6th century, and how does it differ for us today through the lens of the Cross? Fortunately, Scripture has plenty of answers for us as we dive into Ezra 4 todayThough we are walking through Ezra-Nehemiah, our subtitle is: Rediscovering Our Foundation in Jesus. We have hope, victory, anticipation, and joy here and now because of what Jesus has already done for us—regardless of opposition!

SCRIPTURE: EZRA Chapter 1After a 70-year nationwide time-out, God planned a new path for His people. He began to stir hearts to bring about change, opening the miraculous opportunity for Israel to return home. Just a year after the Persian Empire conquered Babylon, King Cyrus II permitted the Israelites to return to Judah to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.What a moment! What hope! What joy!And yet, as we’ll see through this sermon series, the rebuild was not easy. They faced battles, false accusations, constant external threats, and waning motivation. What’s more, Israel also fell prey to patterns of the past. Sin continued to cling. Threats from the outside and sin from within pointed to the need for something more—something greater—someONE greater.This week, we begin with Ezra 1:1–11. This brief chapter recounts King Cyrus II’s decree to free the Israelites. Ultimately, it’s a chapter about a God who stirs hearts. He is the motivator of change, the grand shaker and mover of history, marking a new beginning back then and for us today.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:44-46Matthew 13:44–46 contains just three verses, yet each one carries weighty insight into the Kingdom. In this Sunday Sermon, we look at parables about a hidden treasure and a pearl—two simple, tangible images from the first century. Together, they give us a glimpse into the nature of the Kingdom. We see that the Kingdom involves discovery, delight, desire, destruction, and deliverance. As we explore these parables, may the Holy Spirit deepen our understanding of the surpassing value of belonging to the Kingdom.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:9-14This Sunday, we faced yet another challenging parable. The message is clear: those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. The message is simple, but living it out is steep! Luke 18:9-14 challenges not merely Pharisees, but all of us who may practice Do-It-Yourself Spirituality. No matter how we focus on God’s grace and our call to be humble, we keep pushing ourselves, our self-righteousness, our self-defined morality, and our self-glorification into the equation.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 4:26-34Last week’s sermon, “Parable of the Hidden Lamp,” taught us that Jesus’ self-revelation was gradual, not immediate. Similarly, the two parables that follow in Mark 4:26-34 tell us that God’s kingdom — the visible expression of Christ’s rule, primarily through His church — is also gradual, but equally certain to come to fruition. Based on appearances, we may think the church is weak, a “lost cause” when it comes to investing our time, treasure, and talent. Jesus urges us to be confident in the power of His word and in the hopeful expectation of what His word will accomplish in believers' lives, individually and together.

Scripture: Mark 4:21-25This week’s Sunday Sermon centers around a unique and short parable about the purpose of a lamp. What’s the purpose of a lamp? To shed light, of course. Simple. What’s the point of a lamp if it’s hidden under a bowl? So, in one aspect, part of this parable is as simple as singing the old children’s song, “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let It Shine.” However, another aspect of this parable is more complicated. Jesus urges us to lean into what it means to truly understand the light that has come. Just as light itself behaves in a complicated way—as both waves and particles—who Jesus is in all his fullness, majesty, and power is beyond our full comprehension. Still, the challenge remains: may Scripture’s manifestation of Jesus so influence your faith that you see Jesus reign and rule in all of life.

Scripture: Luke 11:1 -13This week's Sunday Sermon focuses on one of the more fascinating parables Jesus shares with us—the Parable of the Midnight Knocker. This story challenges us to rethink our approach to prayer, inviting us to come to God with boldness, persistence, and confident expectation. Pastor Mark includes an intimate testimony of his struggles in prayer with his own health condition.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:19-31This Sunday's Sermon focused on a story Jesus told, comparing two men with two starkly different destinations. One man is rich. Filthy rich. The other man, named Lazarus, is destitute and disabled. This parable is the only time Jesus uses a proper name. The tables turn dramatically after these two men die. The rich man no longer basks in his wealth, but finds himself in agony. Lazarus is carried to Abraham on the other side of an unbridgeable chasm. The rich man vainly attempts to get some type of comfort back, but to no avail. This parable is among the most challenging in Scripture. The concept of an unbridgeable chasm separating heaven and hell is among the most difficult to preach. This will be a fire-and-brimstone sermon because it’s right there in the text! The trajectory of this parable’s teaching, however, is understanding the nature of faith, repentance, and resurrection. This intimidating story still declares the mercies of God toward repentant sinners and the importance of loving God above all earthly stuff.

Our Director of Ministries, Jeff Smith, returned to the pulpit with a return to our summer series on Jesus' parables, PORTRAITS OF THE KINGDOM. Because of our sin, we have no standing to insist on favorable treatment from God. Nonetheless, we all tend to require payback from those who have wronged us. But God lavishes free and full forgiveness on all who trust in Jesus’ righteousness and payment for sin on their behalf. God then commands believers to put His forgiveness in Christ on display by our unlimited forgiveness of others, just as He forgives us infinitely (Romans 8:1).

SCRIPTURE: John 21:1-11Are you tired of doing all the right things—working hard, planning wisely, staying faithful—yet still feeling like you have nothing to show for it? In this week’s message, called “Children, Do You Have Any Fish?” from John 21:1-11, we explore what happens when even our best efforts fall short—and how Jesus meets us right there, not with judgment, but with grace and direction. Your empty nets should neither disqualify nor discourage you, because they are there to prepare you for God’s intervention.

This Sunday, in our Portraits of the Kingdom series, we turned our attention to the Parable of the Prodigal Son. As we explore its four distinct scenes, one of the key questions we’ll confront is this: As we grow up, will God’s compassion and grace grow with us? This question contrasts the challenge Jesus gave to the religious elite: to die to their self-righteousness and self-congratulation.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25:1-13.The message of Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:1-13 builds on last Sunday's sermon on the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, reminding us that the Church includes genuine and counterfeit believers. Likewise, in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus describes two types of Christians. Some may appear to have saving faith, but they do not have enduring faith. Jesus challenges us: While we wait for His second coming, we must have a sustained faith through all seasons of life. May the Lord use this passage to challenge us to grow in depth of faith for the joys and trials of life!

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:24-30, and 36-43.In the Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43), Jesus teaches us how to respond to the devil's influence within and upon the church. In the parable, we learn that Satan actively places those who serve his evil purposes among and around those who make up Christ's church throughout the world. Perhaps to our surprise, Jesus commands us here to temper our desire to root out counterfeit Christians and evil influences from the church at all costs. We cannot see people’s spiritual state clearly now; accordingly, we must carry out the work of the church with discernment, patience, and confidence in Christ.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:1-12This Sunday’s Sermon focused on a story Jesus told about Israel’s broken past, corrupt leadership, and future redemption rooted in himself. Jesus demonstrates tremendous courage by confronting the institutional authorities from the heart of the institution’s religious porthole—the Temple. He calls out the leaders for their smugness, ignorance, pride, and self-righteousness. Their blind desire to maintain control would ultimately drive their prophetic decision to kill Christ. In the Parable of the Tenants, Jesus pulls no punches. Yet this parable also points beyond human corruption, highlighting God’s sovereignty and His plan to bring growth through Jesus Christ, the cornerstone.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 14: 1-24. This Sunday, the focus was on the lessons Jesus gave to those dining with Him in the home of a prominent religious leader. He shares a word of wisdom for the host, a word of wisdom for the guests, and a word of warning for everyone. What Jesus says creates some pretty intense social awkwardness. Yet the lessons he shares in Luke 14:1–24 are vital for us to consider as we embrace the values of Kingdom humility, generosity, and kindness.

This Sunday, we welcomed Mr. Richard Gray, the Director of Equipping Pastors Worldwide (EPW). “Equipping Pastors Worldwide supports majority world pastors who long to be faithful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, but who are lacking the training and resources to do so.” They prioritize sending reformed resources to pastors in areas where many Christians exist but without many trained pastors. Richard Gray's sermon is from Acts 13:16–52. This is the apostle Paul’s first recorded sermon, where he proclaims that Jesus is God’s promised savior through whom salvation comes to those who believe. The sermon will challenge us to consider what the command to share the message of salvation throughout the world means for each of us and Resurrection Life as a church.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37. One of Jesus’ most well-known parables. Most people in Western culture understand what a "Good Samaritan" is—someone who extends generosity and hospitality to those in need. However, few know why Jesus originally told this parable. It was in response to a lawyer who asked Him, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus’ shocking story about the Good Samaritan is how He answers this question. Through this parable, Jesus reveals several aspects of the Kingdom