Sermons from The Grove

When a storm arises and threatens the lives of the disciples, they call upon Jesus in their fear. The contrast between the scared and the sleeper illustrates how we can best rely on Jesus through the storms of our lives.

In Jesus' first parable in Mark, He tells the disciples that the secret to understanding parables is that God changes hearts. He then encourages them to sow broadly because we do not know what soil people fall into.

Following Jesus is good for all. Jesus introduces a new personal message that replaces the old religious system. The positive nature of Jesus is not burdensome but instead uplifting. Following Jesus is powerful and life changing.

As Jesus continues his ministry, he calls a fifth disciple, Levi, who is a tax collector. As he calls Levi, also named Matthew, to follow Him, the pharisees question Jesus when he eats with sinners. Jesus then corrects them, making it clear that he came to call sinners and not the righteous.

Jesus claims to be the Son of Man and that he has authority to forgive sins. There are two groups that respond to him, one with healing faith and one with hindering faith.

When Jesus heals a leper, we see a dramatic transformation of the man from unclean, to clean, to evangelist. A transformation that represents the process for all of us going from inwardly unclean to washed white as snow.

Jesus begins his public ministry by teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Jesus demonstrates that he has authority to teach, authority over demons, and authority to heal. Jesus also shows us that his agenda is to heal all people and restore them to wholeness.

Mark 1:16-20 details the call of the first four disciples and how the disciples respond to Jesus's call.

Jesus is the Son of God, our replacement, and has come to restore all things.