Tree Of Life

The Gospel of Mark presented in a series of narrative sermons.

The Gospel of Mark is Peter's telling of the Jesus story, copied down by Mark his disciple. It is believed to have been a storytelling guide for performers to share the Jesus story at dinner parties. Unlike Matthew and Luke, which begin with memorial nativity stories, or John's famous "In the beginning," Mark begins in the wilderness. Jesus came to transform deserts into gardens.

Jesus' first miracle reveals His glory to His disciples. He will also reveal His glory to us if we do whatever He tells us to.

Christ entered the waters so that we can enter into Him in baptism. This concept has powerful implications for how we overcome sin today.

The Nicene Creed may be the most important Christian writing outside the Bible. It is time that we get to know it.

The Nicene Creed may be the most important Christian writing outside the Bible. It is time that we get to know it.

The Nicene Creed may be the most important Christian writing outside the Bible. It is time that we get to know it.

We often stray from the path of Christian wholeness in order to avoid suffering. At the end of his sermon, James urges the church to keep their eyes on the coming of Christ and to plan our lives backward from there. His sermon closes with an admonition to powerful prayer.

At the climax of James' sermon, he accuses many in the church for being double minded and refusing to walk in Christian wholeness. The reason? We are divided by desires.

Can a Christian really be justified by works? Does not Paul say this is impossible and that we are justified by faith alone? In this challenging section of Scripture, we must keep in mind James' goal: to disciple Christian wholeness—a salvation stronger than straw.

Christian wholeness includes how we talk. Our tongue often divides us down two separate ways of life.

James desires whole Christians who are completely committed to Christ. To this end, he urges the church to action, calling Christians to more than a series of doctrines, but to a way of life.

When Christ is raised from the tomb, He claims the nations as King—seizing them from the rule of Caesar and the oppression of demons—and calls His church to establish His reign over them.

Did God really sacrifice Himself to save us from Himself? The common and somewhat superficial formula cannot support a serious faith. A more serious look at the Gospels reveals that Jesus' sacrifice does not rescue us from God's wrath, but from sin's death.

An examination of how each character responds to the trial of Jesus. WARING: this message discusses suicide; ensure young ears are not around when listening.

If Jesus told you that you would fail Him, what would you do? This section of Matthew follows Peter in his quest for will-power in contrast to Jesus' prayer for God-power.

Matthew frames devotion to Christ with scenes of betrayal, casting a dire warning to disciples to be devoted to Christ.

Jesus tells three parables, urging our readiness for His return. This invitations conclude with a climatic scene of judgement where Christ separates the sheep from the goats.

In this difficult section, Jesus clarifies two separate ends: the end of the Jewish temple (to be replaced by the church) and the end of time (to be replaced by the Kingdom).

This midweek gathering seeks to alleviate fears and clarify confusion about liturgy. The presentation moves in three parts: 1) The Need for Liturgy, 2) A Definition of Liturgy, and 3) A Tour of CCTP's Liturgy. NOTE: Presentation slides are available at https://snbs.sermon.net/main/snbs/22311388, but please note they will not make sense without the audio teaching. NOTE: The question-and-answer segments are not included.