Ambassador Presbyterian

Handwashing, Hypocrisy and the Heart - The Gospel of Mark: Following Jesus (Ch 7:1-23)

 

Wash your hands, wear your mask, keep your distance. We’ve become all too familiar with rules meant to keep us safe from a deadly virus. But what about the deadly effects of sin? We are pretty good at creating rules to protect us from sin, but the problem is sin is not something we catch from others, but something we are already infected with. When we put our hope in the rules to protect us, we will miss the remedy God has given in the gospel. Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who trusted their rules above God’s redemption in Christ. 

Seeing Ghosts or Trusting God - The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (Ch. 6:45-56)

It seems when Jesus tells his disciples to get in the boat and head out, there's a good chance a big storm will arise. In Mark 6, the disciples face another violent storm on the lake, only this time Jesus isn't in the boat with them. When he shows up walking on the water, the disciples think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus never promises that he won't lead us into times of great difficulty, but he does promise to be present with us in the midst of them. Our problem is that we often fail to recognize God and trust his grace in the midst of the storm.  Here we unpack the familiar story of Jesus walking on the water.  

Resting in God's Provision - The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (Ch 6:30-44)

Overwhelmed, under stress, feeling the constant pressure of people or things crying out for your attention. There are times when we just want to get away for some rest. But sometimes we just can't avoid the pressing needs. Join us as we look at the familiar story of Jesus' feeding the five thousand and see how true rest is found in Christ's compassion and power to provide all we need and more.  

 

Convicting Truth and Consuming Sin - The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (6:14-29)

God often used his prophets to confront kings and those in power and call them to repentance for sin. Such was the case for the last of the prophets, John the Baptist who boldly confronted King Herod in his adultery. As was often the case, God's message fell on deaf ears and resulted in death for God's messenger. In this podcast we look at Mark's account of John's convicting truth and Herod's consuming sin and what it teaches us.  

Sent Out: The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (Ch 6:7-13)

According to Mark 3:14, Jesus called his disciples with a two-fold purpose: to be with him and to be sent out by him. In Mark 6, having been with Jesus learning from him and watching his powerful ministry, the disciples are now sent out on a basic training mission of sorts to do the work of gospel ministry among the people. Here we look at what principles we can learn from Jesus to help us as we're sent as his ambassadors in this world.

Welcome Home? The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (Ch 6:1-6)

Immediately following four miracles affirming Jesus' power and authority as the Son of God, Mark records a short journey home to Nazareth in which those who knew Jesus best respond with offense and unbelief at his teaching.  Today we look at Jesus' unwelcome homecoming and the danger that familiarity poses to faith.

Do Not Fear, Only Believe: The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (Ch. 5:21-43)

Desperate times often lead to desperate faith. In Mark 5, Jesus encounters two different people who approach him in two different ways with two desperate needs.  ut what they share is a faith that Jesus is the only hope for their desperate situations. Here we see how even imperfect faith in the perfect person and power of Jesus, results in deliverance from death to life.  

An Inseparable Love in Christ - Easter 2020 (Romans 8:31-39)

In these days of social distancing and isolation, we have a greater appreciation for the hardship, suffering, pain, loneliness, and loss that being separated from one another and especially those we love brings. We were not created to be alone. On the cross, Jesus bore spiritual separation from his heavenly Father, the equivalent of hell, in order that we might be reconciled to God and know his fatherly love. His resurrection assures us now that nothing can ever come between us and that love. This Easter Sunday we rejoice in the inseparable love of God in Christ.  

Journey to the Other Side: The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (Ch 5:1-20)

During his ministry, Jesus would sometimes leave the crowds coming to see him and go out of his way to minister to a particular person. Such was the case as he took his disciples on a harrowing journey to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. There, having demonstrated his power over nature in calming the storm on the sea, he now demonstrates his power over the forces of hell, as he heals a man possessed by evil spirits. Now we see Jesus' journey to the other side to deliver a man from Satan's grip.  

Even the Wind and Sea Obey Him: The Gospel According to Mark: Following Jesus (Mark 4:35-41)

The raging power of wind and sea in a massive storm can cause fear in the heart of the most seasoned sailor. And yet, the silent storm of a crisis like the Coronavirus and can be just as challenging to our hearts and our faith. However, the power of a deadly storm or virus are nothing compared to the power of the One who can silence the waves or heal the sickness with a word.