Redeemer Bible Church Santa Barbara

This morning we begin our summer survey through Proverbs. It’s chock-full of wisdom, and who of us doesn’t need more of that?

In today’s pivotal text, Jesus clarifies the unexpected nature of His Messiahship. Practical implications remain regarding how we think about King Jesus today.

Today’s text is a summary and turning-point in Mark’s narrative of Jesus’ ministry. In it, His followers (then and now) are challenged to commit, and keep changing and growing.

We’ve noted independent pride is often part of performative externalism. Today’s three miracles, likely all in primarily-Gentile contexts, highlight Jesus’ interaction with people who were truly dependent. If we’re honest, we can see ourselves in these encounters.

We have seen Jesus address hard hearts and ritualistic hearts. In today’s text He drills down to, literally, the heart of the matter. It’s time to get real and check our hearts.

The controversies Jesus encountered in His Kingdom Agenda included real issues we still face today. Is there danger in tradition and rituals? How should we think about that?

Jesus’ Kingdom agenda encountered plenty of hard-heartedness; some of it soul-damning. Yet even His disciples showed symptoms of this spiritual disorder. What about us?

Guest: Ben Ruhl - First Baptist Church of Ojai What do we do when we come face to face with the undeniable reality of our own sin? What all-too-human tactics do we employ to avoid guilt and shame? In Genesis 3:8–13, as Adam and Eve stand trial before their holy Judge, we will see that their tactics for avoiding the consequences of sin look suspiciously like our own.

Our Lord is the all-powerful Shepherd of willful, sometimes hard-hearted sheep. Such is the lesson in our text, with its two astonishing miracles – how applicable to our daily lives, right?

Today’s grim story seems a bit out-of-place in Mark’s “Good News.” Yet he (and the Holy Spirit) had reasons to include it; purposes that still matter today.

Today’s two Kingdom-Come initiatives reveal challenges in living-out and sharing the Gospel. These remain relevant for Jesus-followers today.

In God’s meticulous providence, today’s two astonishing miracles are to be considered together. What can we learn from all this amid the complexities of modern-day living?

Mark’s Gospel carefully reveals Jesus’ power as the true King. His disciples witnessed Him harnessing the terrors of nature; now He demonstrates power over unspeakably evil forces. What does this mean for us, today?

Are we surprised that ever-more technology and sophistication has not done away with all our heartache and despair? Christianity asserts an Empty Tomb addresses all that, and more!

Two challenges show up as we consider the nature-miracle in today’s text. For unbelievers: skepticism from “science so-called.” For believers: shallow assumptions rooted in over-familiarity. Listen up for fresh, solid, hope-fueled applications for today.

Jesus’ teaching and miracles were for a purpose: clarity about the manifestation of His Kingdom. Many assumptions had to be addressed and corrected. Perhaps that’s true for us today!

Regarding Jesus’ Kingdom agenda, the awkward doubts from family and the stunning blasphemy from leaders raise the question: why? That question still presses in on us.

There are so many things that clamor for our attention and praise. Psalm 117 brings into perspective God’s nature and His plan of redemption that is sufficient for the whole of world for all eternity. As we see God’s character and gracious work of salvation throughout history and it puts into perspective our  story and what is truly worthy of our praise. Guest Preacher: Joe Keller - Grace Baptist...

Today’s text “sandwiches” a famously-troubling warning with issues regarding Jesus’ family. All this still confronts each of us with ultimate and strikingly-relevant questions.

As opposition to Jesus intensifies, Mark is careful to show us how Jesus takes action. In His responses we find instruction and insights for our own spiritual battles, too.

Kingdom-living is costly, but it also should be joyful and meaningful. How is it we so often miss all this? It seems Jesus (in His human nature) wondered the same thing.

As the tensions begin to ratchet up in Jesus’ earthly ministry and mission, eternal truths continue to surface – truths that still apply to our lives as we follow Jesus today.

For those with “ears to hear”, Jesus’ earthly life and teaching, and Mark’s record of it all, provide crystal clarity about His Mission. These issues still matter -- today, and into eternity!

Over 2,000 years, myriads of ideas and theories about Jesus of Nazareth have come and gone. We recognize the single, genuine source of all that’s true about Him: His Word, the Bible. But sometimes there are evidences we miss; they’re helpful to remember.