Sermon Video: The Light Shines in the Darkness - John 1:1-5

 Where does the Christmas story begin?  Matthew starts it with a genealogy, Luke with the birth of John the Baptist, and Mark with the ministry of John the Baptist, but the Apostle John starts the story much further back.  In the beginning, that is before time and space, before anything existed except God in three persons as Holy Trinity.  John also highlights the amazing capacity of the Word of God who took upon himself humanity, declaring him to be both Life and Light.  The Life is not merely biological, but spiritual, offering freedom and restoration to all through his self-sacrifice.  The Light of that Good News is able to shine through any darkness, to overcome any obstacle and accomplish God's will of saving the Lost.

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Sermon Video: Trust God, hold Man responsible - Mark 6:7-13

 Jesus sends out his 12 disciples in teams of two with a message of repentance and the power to cast out impure spirits and heal the sick. While we might wonder if the disciples are ready for such responsibility, the bigger surprise is that Jesus forbids them to take any supplies with them for the journey. Why? Not because God wants to reward poor planning or laziness, and not because God's servants should suffer from physical deprivation (as some sort of spiritual discipline), because they shouldn't. Rather it is an object lesson for the disciples, and for us, that when God promises to do something he will be faithful and fulfill it. In addition, the passage offers a stark warning to those who fail to heed the call to repent: the disciples are to symbolically 'disown' the town/village by shaking the dust of their sandals off as they leave. God is always trustworthy, our fellow man (including ourselves) needs to be held to account.

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Sermon Video: A prophet without honor - Mark 6:1-6

 "Local boy returns to a hero's welcome", that's what the headline should have read for the Nazareth newspaper (had there been one) when Jesus returned home. Instead, they recognized his wisdom and miracles, BUT scorned him anyway. Why? A toxic combination of pride and jealousy. This is not a rare phenomenon where 'familiarity breeds contempt', but it poisons our relationships and hinders both our churches and our communities. How much talent, passion, and energy have we lost because our pride/jealousy wouldn't recognize it and cultivate it in others?

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Sermon Video: "Don't be afraid, just believe." - Mark 5:21-43

 On the way to heal Jairus' sick daughter, Jesus is interrupted by a desperate woman who has suffered from a painful malady for twelve years. This woman only touches Jesus cloak, but is still healed. Stopping, Jesus seeks out the woman, and when she falls trembling at his feet, he does not scold her for her impudence, but says to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Meanwhile, Jairus' daughter has died, prompting Jesus' bold words, "Don't be afraid, just believe." How can this be? Faith is not meant to be irrational or absurd, so how can Jesus say such a thing? Simple. In the last 24 hours Jesus has demonstrated lordship over Nature (calming the storm) and the spiritual realm (driving out the Legion of demons), now he will demonstrate his lordship over Death as well. God is the giver of Life, all life, God can bring life back to the dead as well. Jesus then proves that faith placed in God's promises (Word) are well placed, as he precedes to bring the young girl back to life.

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Sermon Video: Don't turn away from God's presence - Mark 5:1-20

 Upon his arrival on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus is confronted by a man possessed by an 'impure spirit'. This frightening man does not challenge Jesus, but falls at his feet begging for mercy. Having just demonstrated his control over the physical realm (calming the storm), Jesus here demonstrates his lordship over the spiritual. Having delivered this man from spiritual darkness, Jesus then speaks with the local townspeople who rush to the scene. However, the people are afraid and ask Jesus to leave. Coming into the presence of God can be daunting, and these people would rather turn away. The healed man begs to go with Jesus, but Jesus has a better plan, and sends him to his hometown to share with them what God has done for him.

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