From love and with faith let's speak some very positive "Dangerous Words."
It's one thing to know that God can do anything. It's another thing to live it. No matter where we've been in our faith, we have a God who has done and continues to do the seemingly im possible.
Jesus doesn't just teach us about help, about hope, about peace, about new life, Jesus delivers it. Guest Preacher, Prof. Joel Russow, shares a message from Mark 9:14-27.
Life is hard. But are we making it harder than it needs to be? Jesus has made it so we don't need to live "Miserably Saved."
Does God's Word have impact? Jesus says, "Yes!" Don't go by appearances, like the scattered seeds or the tiny mustard seed. It is His word, His message, His voice. He is teaching us to trust it. Guest Preacher, Prof. Joel Russow shares a message from Mark 4:26-34.
The more we give it away, the more we have....
...dig into Mark 14:3-9 and discover what is at the heart of "Piety With A Purpose."
Are you really hearing what it is that changes EVERYTHING? Dig into Mark 14:3-9 and get to "The Heart of it All."
Guest Preacher, Prof. Joel Russow, shares an Advent message from Mark 1:1-8. John the Baptist points to Jesus, the only solution to a world corrupted by sin, Who offers complete forgiveness.
The only sure thing we can count on is God's word. We don't need to stress out looking for signs. Jesus has already given us everything we need!
You may not find what you've been looking for...
but you can find what you need. Look to Jesus in "The Search."
Jesus, who has the power to do what we need, also has the heart to do it for us. He gives to us His miracle of mercy.
You need help. What's holding you back from asking? Jesus is right here asking you, "What do you need?"
God designed us - recreated us through the gift of faith - to be in a helpful relationship with others, to make a difference in their lives. Not for fame or glory, but to show the love of Christ.
When the tension is rising....
...you may be exactly where God wants you to be! Spend some time in Mark 11:4-6 and see how we get to embrace a life of "Them's Fightin' Words."
The next time God puts an opportunity in front of you, don't be afraid. Know you can do it! You can gain some confidence as you are "Wrangling Donkeys."
Messy Family? Join the Club! Your family is probably messy, just like every other family. When once again family is complicated or even painful, you can find comfort in knowing that Jesus has redeemed family because He has made us God's family!
40. Testing. Jesus & You.
This Ash Wednesday we dig into Mark 1:12-13 where we see that we can pass the test because our Savior passed it for us!
What do you think of tests?
We don't usually like tests. But sometimes a test sets us up for a beautiful new beginning. On Ash Wednesday we not only began a new sermon series, but began to see the beauty of how we have a Savior and a faith that is "Tested."
What could taxes possibly teach us about God's relationship with us? Plenty!
What if, when it seems like there's no way to win, there's a new opportunity to see God's glory? Dig into Mark 12:13-17 and see Jesus "Level Up."
Whoa! Flipping over tables and benches... stopping people in their tracks... apparently Jesus was awfully passionate about something happening in the temple! He's just as passionate about what is happening in our world and our lives today. Mark 11:15-18 clues us into how we can see God's glory by asking, "What Would Jesus Undo?"
NOTE: No sermon video from Fort Atkinson this week due to technical difficulties with the recording.
Life's storms - we all have them.
There is no better solution than to place our problems in God's hands and allow Him, in His wisdom and love, to send the kind of rescue we need.
When the Storm Hits...
Sometimes there's a force against you making it nearly impossible to move forward. Sometimes the wind is so strong it feels like you're going to break. But in these moments you can ask, "What does God, in this storm, want me to see?"
Jesus can be offensive... in the best way!
With His words and actions, Jesus can be offensive to us. Through faith, however, we see the beauty of who He is and what He does for us!
"Life is one big awkward situation. The more you embrace it, the better it will be."
Okay, that may just be a goofy life motto that Pastor A lives by. Yet, Mark 6:1-3 can help us see the beauty of embracing the "Warning: Awkward Moment."
So Merciful!
As amazing as it would be to see Jesus drive out a demon, what is even more amazing is the mercy that He showed and continues to show us today!
Impossible.... Almost
We might feel like we're beyond repair or like we'll never break free, but Jesus came to show us what happens "When Pigs Fly."
As we wrestle every day with being sinners in a sinful world, Jesus comes and says "I have the cure and I want to heal you". But it doesn't start with our legs, it starts with our hearts. He came to forgive all of our sins.
As good as that was... what if there's more?
All those special ways that God comes through for us now are little glimpses of the healing that is to come!
Amazing!
When Jesus teaches, it's absolutely amazing! Pastor Krause takes us to an event recorded in Mark 1:21-28 where everyone is blown away by Jesus as He teaches. This lesson kick-starts our new Epiphany series "Hidden Glory." It may not always be easy to see, but when we're tuned in, we can see the glory of Jesus again and again.