Come To The Table

We want to put everything into nice categories, but when we walk by faith, some things refuse to be categorized! Scripture is filled with mysteries and some of them can make us scratch our heads. In today's message, Pastor Mark is going to explore one of those mysteries—is God in control, or do we have a responsibility, too? The answer, of course, is both! God is absolutely in control, but we also...

Do you spend much time thinking of Christ's return? As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn that we are a people of hope – and part of that hope is knowing Jesus is coming back soon. He told us and it's true! Many older saints from previous generations spoke of keeping your eye on the Eastern Sky, watching for Him! Knowing that God doesn't operate without purpose – and that He is working all th...

When we get home to heaven, I have some questions I'd like Jesus to answer. One of which is why good things happen to His chosen people. As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn hard times are ahead for us, it's predicted and promised. So much for a “chamber of commerce” sales pitch for Christianity! As we think of the end-times approaching ...and the world groaning in labor pains getting ready...

Our world is full of confusion. I suppose it's been that way long before you and I were around. But boy, doesn't it seem extra confusing these days? As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn the Lord warned us of this. In fact, our life as believers will be full of sorrow while we walk this earth. Remembering that we're in a fallen world and our home is not here – and also remembering that God wo...

When you came to Christ, did you expect life to be all sunshine and roses? Hopefully, you had a realistic approach based on what Jesus told us to expect. As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn there was a warning of sorrows – even Jesus said He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. So how is this good news? Life begins again with forgiveness and redemption in Christ, yet be aware tha...

When asked the deep theological question: "does man have free will or does God completely control every decision?" -- someone once answered that with "Yes, Yes, Next Question!" :) As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn that there is truth to that -- and we probably won't figure it out or understand it until we get home. Of course, Jesus desires that everyone be saved, and that was explained to...

Guilty by association. Were you ever lumped into trouble when maybe you technically did nothing wrong? It's a real thing! As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn that the Lord said we'd be guilty of all the wrong that is being done in our generation unless we repent and stand against it. Finding the courage the be counter-cultural is getting harder, but it's so vitally important! God's chosen p...

Good things sometimes become a distraction, and therefore a hindrance to something better. To say it another way: there are kind and noble acts, disciplines for your faith, mind, and body -- but when those things take the place of a free relationship with God, Your Father, something's wrong. That's the problem with hypocrisy - as Pastor Mark is teaching today. The rule-keepers of Jesus' day were g...

Look around you. Do you think common sense has gone out the window? Do you think the world has it backward most of the time? Have you noticed that reality isn't acknowledged for what it is -- and it seems like the laws of the universe are being negotiated on a daily basis? Yeah... me too! It's enough to make one think that all hope seems lost. But...As Pastor Mark teaches today, this has been goin...

Do you know what every one of us is probably guilty of? Not feeling qualified. And then what do we do? We figure out a way to learn, practice, get training, and become more qualified. And that, in itself, is an honorable and commendable thing. But sometimes, we might continue down the path of learning and reading and study while never actually transferring the book knowledge into action. As Pastor...

Do dogs go to heaven? Will the streets there really be paved with Gold? Will I have a mansion and will I have to clean it all by myself? There are many questions we have about heaven. As Pastor Mark teaches today, One question that comes around often is "will we have marriage and family relationships in heaven the same as we have here? What if I remarried? How will that work? There is a more intim...

Have you ever felt left out? Maybe it was not being chosen to play on a sports team. Or when others seem to overlook you for a party or gathering. There is a place you belong and Jesus extends an “always invitation” to you! As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn how wide the Lord's arms are to “whosoever will.” Some might argue that it's impossible for all to be saved. But Jesus' shed blood is...

Arrogance. It's something we think of as synonymous with bragging and pride. Did you know that arrogance can also be present in quiet ways too? As Pastor Mark teaches today, you'll learn that even our striving to serve God can be a form of arrogance. It's true! Anything that we do that we think is more sufficient than the blood of God's own Son is arrogance! The sacrifice of Jesus was enough. It I...

We humans are pretty good at coming up with excuses. It doesn't matter if we are talking to our mom or the God of the universe, we somehow always find a way to explain why we can't do something. But Jesus dismantles our excuses, one by one. Jesus calls his followers to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. You may think that if you have no formal Bible training that commission doesn't apply...

A piece of clay that's already been shaped, fired, and glazed can't be reworked into a new vessel. You can turn that pot on the wheel until your fingers fall off and it will never be reformed. Today Pastor Mark shows us that our hearts can be hard in the same way. We can refuse to be reformed by God's truth. The Pharisees and the scribes saw Jesus face to face. They saw the miracles he did. They s...

Power changes people. The mild-mannered co-worker can become unbearable when they are made manager. Someone who was always honest suddenly finds themselves taking advantage of others with their authority. It isn't anything new to see those in authority use every last measure of power they are given. In fact, that's commonplace. But what if it was different? What if those who made the rules had com...

Have you ever seen a king polishing his servant's shoes? Has a president ever bent over to tie the shoelace of one of his bodyguards? Is the honored guest ever the one dishing up food at his own banquet? These examples of servant leadership are hard if ever, seen today. But there was one king who came not to be served, but to serve. His name is Jesus. Today Pastor Mark reminds us that we aren't su...

Aren't you glad that you can admit your imperfections to God? You can tell him your struggles and doubts, and he will answer with compassion. Your shortcomings don't scare God. They don't make him question the plan he has for you. He knows you are human! He knows you won't be perfect! Today Pastor Mark shows you two examples from scripture. In one instance, the man admits his lack of faith and ask...

There's nothing quite like the sinking feeling you get when you realize you are on the wrong road, going in the completely wrong direction to get to your destination. You thought that the road you were on would lead you where you wanted to go. But it's only taking you further and further away. Spiritually, there are many people who are on the wrong road but have no idea. They think they are on the...

A butter knife is intended to spread butter. It's not supposed to be used as a screwdriver, a pry bar, or for any other purpose you might find for it. Sure, it might work OK at the moment. But the knife will come back to the kitchen bent, beaten, and battered. It will probably never be used to spread butter again. God created each of us for a purpose. He created marriage for a purpose. As the worl...

Jesus is counter-cultural. He shifts the status quo and rocks the boat wherever he goes. Today, Pastor Mark looks at Jesus' teaching about marriage and divorce. Jesus' words sparked controversy when they were spoken, and they are especially controversial now. The world wants you to be who you were born to be. That sounds like a nice message, to just be your natural self. The problem is that your n...

It's easy to expect more from others than you do from yourself. Whether it's your kids, employees, or even just your friends, it's easy to demand perfection while allowing plenty of grace for yourself and all your mistakes. But thankfully, as Pastor Mark shows us today, God isn't like that. God tells his followers that they have to lay their life down for others. Following Jesus requires a great s...

Everyone is struggling with something in their life. We all have our different issues that hold us back and often it seems beyond redemption. Today, Pastor Mark wants you to know that no matter where you’re at in life, Jesus wants to pull you out of the darkness and save you from yourself. Whether you’re choosing to ignore your issues or fix them yourself, Jesus has a plan for you and wants to sav...

Have you ever planned something to perfection only to watch it crumble right in front of you? Have there ever been plans in your life that just don’t quite pan out? In today’s message, Pastor Mark explains that you need to follow God’s vision for your life and not your own. It’s easy to think that you have it all figured out, but plans don’t always work out. Putting your trust in God is the only w...

Most of us have an experience of being in a dark time in our life. We try our hardest to pull ourselves out of its clutches, but often we can’t find a way out. In today’s message, Pastor Mark explains that the only way to break free from darkness is to follow Jesus. If you rely on yourself to get out, you’ll never find the serenity that you’re looking for. It doesn’t matter how dire or impossible...