FBC Benicia

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

Week 15 of the Gospel of Mark series. Were the miracles of Jesus simply fascinating tricks, or is there a more significant reason? Text: Mark 6:45-56

Week 14 of the Gospel of Mark series. Jesus demonstrates his compassion for those in need and involves the disciples in an unlikely miracle. Feeling like Jesus doesn’t have time for you? Feeling like the needs in front of you are overwhelming? Enter: Jesus. Text: Mark 6:30-44

Week 13 of the Gospel of Mark series. We should trust Jesus even when he is all-too-familiar. Check. We are sent out on mission in Jesus’ name. Check. We may die a brutal, ugly death at the hands of those in power. What? Text: Mark 6:1-29

Week 4 of the Promise:Kept series. We celebrate on Christmas Eve the miracle of God coming to us, the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet as we take a closer look, some of the details seem so…odd. Upside down. Not the way we would expect. Text: Luke 2:1-14

Week 3 of the Promise:Kept series. In Isaiah 7 God promises to give his people a sign of his presence and protection, a virgin birth and a son named Immanuel. But we never saw this fulfilled in the OT! If Jesus is Immanuel, what does this mean? And what did he come to do? Bible Passage: Matthew 1:18-23, Isaiah 7:14

12.10.17 // The Return of the King // Matt Skrabec by FBC Benicia

Week 1 of the Promise:Kept series. Looking back to Genesis 3:15 we see that from the very beginning God promised to deal with evil and death. He sent his Son, Jesus, to defeat the work of the enemy. Bible Passage: Genesis 3:15