FBC Benicia

Week 4 of Rhythms. Prayer is a global phenomenon. It’s especially important as Christians, but do we know how to do it? What is prayer and what should it look like in our lives? Text: Luke 11:1-5

Week 3 of Rhythms. Here we look at the importance of Sabbath. What does Sabbath look like in 2018. Why does God command it and how does it benefit us? Text:Exodus 20:8-1

Week 2 of Rhythms: Here we look at the importance of regularly being in God’s word. Sometimes we view this as a burden or chore, but is it? What should we believe about the Bible? And how should we use it? Text: Psalm 119:1-16

Here we wrapped up the book of Jonah and revisited some of the key themes along the way. Text: The Book of Jonah

Week 1 of Rhythms. We kick off the series by looking at John 15, the call from Jesus to remain connected to him. We won’t grow or bear fruit on our own, and these spiritual disciplines won’t be of value to us if we don’t see them as ways we can remain connected to Christ. Text: John 15:1-5

Week 5 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. The book of Jonah comes to a close with God’s heart on full display. Jonah is angry with God for showing grace to the people of Nineveh. God’s response reveals the whole point of the book: God’s compassion for a lost and broken world. Text: Jonah 4:1-11

Week 4 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. Jonah finally reaches Nineveh with his message from God. This wicked city responds in a pretty surprising, miraculous way. What can we learn from Nineveh about judgment, repentance and the gospel? Text: Jonah 3:1-10

Week 3 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. After Jonah is tossed overboard he is swallowed up and rescued by a big fish. From the belly of the fish he finally prays to God, but his words leave us scratching our heads. How does God respond to us when we get some things right but get plenty wrong? Text: Jonah 1:17-2:10

Week 2 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. Jonah is on the run, speeding away from God. On a dangerous ship in a powerful storm, Jonah’s words seem in conflict with his actions. It seems that what we SAY doesn’t always line up with what we DO. Text: Jonah 1:4-16

Week 1 of Jonah: Big Fish. Bigger God. We start the book of Jonah by seeing God’s assignment come to Jonah. Rather than obeying, he runs the opposite direction. It appears that Jonah is fine with God’s love for him, but he doesn’t want God’s love to extend to his enemies. Sound familiar? Text: Jonah 1:1-3

2018.4.22 Steve Fretwell Hebrews 10.19 - 25 by FBC Benicia

This passage is first and foremost about being a true disciple of Jesus. Our answer to the question, “what do you want me to do for you?” will reveal whether we want to be healed form our spiritual blindness or selfishly want to use God to do our bidding and fulfill our own desires.

We have a tendency to seek greatness by our position and accomplishments. Jesus corrects his disciples, and us, by showing them what greatness actually looks like in the kingdom of God. Text: Mark 10:35-45

Here we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! We see in the Gospel of Mark that he told his disciples (several times) that this would take place. It seems that they needed to hear this

Good Friday Matt Skrabec 3.30.18 by FBC Benicia

Week 24 of the Gospel of Mark series. On Palm Sunday we remember that Jesus is the king of the universe and that he is bringing his kingdom to bear in our world. This text asks and answers the question: Who can enter this kingdom? How do we make sure we are part of what Jesus is doing? The answer may surprise us. Text: Mark 10:13-31

When it comes to obtaining salvation there are only two choices: the pharisee or the prostitute. Which one are you? Text: Luke 7:36-50

Week 23 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus again makes us quite uncomfortable with his strong teaching. Here he pushes us to consider the design and intent of marriage along with God’s view of divorce. Rather than looking for a way out of our marriages, Jesus tells us to find a way forward. Text: Mark 10:1-12

Week 22 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus challenges us with harsh words about our sin, calling us to go to extreme measures to avoid it. This isn’t “cuddly” Jesus. The text also forces us to consider eternal consequences: the joy of eternal life and the reality of hell. Text: Mark 9:42-50

Week 21 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus doesn't tell us we shouldn't strive for greatness but he does completely redefine what the word means. But what if we're so far removed from thinking of greatness that we can barely survive the day? Jesus has something to say about that too. Text: Mark 9:30-41

Week 20 of the Gospel of Mark series. An odd and powerful mountain-top experience reveals the glory, identity and mission of Jesus. As Jesus and the disciples head back down the hill they’re immediately faced with challenges and failure, revealing what is required to follow Jesus after the mountain-top experience is done and normal life resumes. Text: Mark 9:1-29

Week 19 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus doesn’t give us the bait-and-switch. Instead, he tells his disciples clearly, full-disclosure, what following him is going to look like. Not only will he suffer and die, but they will be called to lose their lives as well. Are we willing to count the cost and follow Jesus? Text: Mark 8:31-38

Week 18 of the Gospel of Mark series. Sometimes we miss things that are right under our nose. The Pharisees and the disciples are both examples here of being blind, but in quite different ways. They don’t really grasp who Jesus is. It all leads up to Jesus’ pointed question: Who do YOU say I am? Text: Mark 8:11-30

Week 17 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus seems to insult and reject a desperate mother. What in the world?! The answer unlocks the meaning of these verses, showing the extend of God’s love and grace. Text: Mark 7:24-8:10

Week 16 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus harshly corrects the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They elevate their human traditions over God’s commands. They misunderstand what makes a person unclean. Jesus corrects their misunderstanding, and ours. Text: Mark 7:1-23