Our Summer Travel Series : MARK
Life's Transforming Journey
One Journey Ends, Another Begins
October 31, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 16:1–8
Have you ever felt like such a religious failure, or that religion failed you, to the point of just bailing out? The first group of Jesus’ followers felt the same way. When Jesus was crucified they saw his death as the end of their journey and their hope. They failed and bailed. Yet, after the Resurrection Jesus not only offered them restoration in their relationships, but invited them to join Him as they resumed a new journey. You’re invited to join us as we consider a new journey together.
The Last Stop
October 10, 2021 • Mike Wald • Mark 15:1–39
Power struggles seem to be the norm in human life. There are power struggles in politics, in jobs and business, and in families. And often the pursuit of power is a pursuit of things we are convinced will advance our cause, increase our sense of personal value, affirm our identities, or fulfill us in some other way. At Jesus’ last stop in earthly ministry He was in the middle of several major power struggles. Join us this week as we look at power struggles, how they were resolved back then and how we can come to terms with them today in our own lives.
One Last Place to Go
October 3, 2021 • Mike Wa • Mark 14:53–72
Some life circumstances shake us to our core and we find ourselves conflicted in our responses. We profess a set of beliefs and values, and yet we struggle when our responses seem contrary. And sometimes we feel guilty about our responses while other times our responses make us question the validity of what we believe. Join us this week as we look at a man who went through these same experiences, and consider with us what his experience says to us about having one last place to go.
Promises, promises
September 26, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 14:12–52
It’s been a tough week at Fellowship and our confidence in God is tested, and affirmed. What do we do when the circumstances of life seem piled against us? What would Jesus do? You are invited to join us as we consider the promises we can’t keep, and the promises kept on our behalf.
Are we there yet?
September 19, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 13
“Are we there yet?” has got to be the most dreaded question every parent hears on a trip. It gives rise to all kinds of sarcastic answers as well as great teaching opportunities. It is a chance to teach children to see where they are and to rephrase their question to the second most dreaded question, “How much longer?” Join us Sunday as, in considering our journey with Christ, we consider the signs that show us we’re getting closer. And yet we don’t know how much longer before we reach our final destination.
Warning Signs
September 12, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 12
Every journey has its end, and its impact. For many of us, our trips are designed to refresh and give us the break we need to get back into the swing of things. We plan the trip for our enjoyment. But sometimes there are warning signs along the way that tell us the trip is not going as smoothly as we would like. Sometimes it’s the people we’re with and sometimes it’s other things. Join us this morning we look at the warning signs Jesus experienced and the encouragement He gives us in responding to His journey for us, and with us.
World Class Service?
September 5, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 10:32–52
GOAT – Greatest of all Time – is applied to people in every field of endeavor in our world. And it seems that the pursuit of the GOAT has been taken up by many in business, politics and even the church. When the men around Jesus pursued the GOAT, he defined it in a way completely foreign to their thinking and culture. Join us this morning as we consider the pursuit of greatness.
Pack Light
August 29, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 10:13–31
When traveling there are two kinds of packers. Children pack what brings them comfort and joy like a favorite toy, a blanket or a book. They are dependent on mom or dad to pack up what they need. And then there are divas who pack everything they could conceivably need and who must pay people to get baggage from one place to another. Their stuff is a distraction from their journey. This morning we consider how to “Pack Light” when looking at our spiritual life as a trip. Come join us as we pack light for the journey.
Out of Gas
August 15, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 9:14–50
In today’s world we are driven by the conviction that we, in our independence and pride, have reached the right conclusion about almost everything. And with that conviction there is the implied message that the world would be much better off if everyone else simply reached the same conclusion. Yet, when Jesus’ disciples felt that way, He challenged them to welcome and serve “the least of these” as a way of welcoming and serving God himself. Join us this morning as we consider a radical view of relating to others.
Crossroads
August 8, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 9:1–13, Mark 8:27–38
Many people who are Christian struggle with guilt and motivation in their spiritual growth. There is guilt from the feeling that we know what we should do, but we don’t. And there is a struggle to be motivated to do more and be better. The problem with these responses is that they focus on what we think we should be doing and why we think we should be doing it. Jesus’ call to follow Him was not based on what we are able to do, but on who He is and what He is about. Join us as we shift our focus and look at our spiritual growth from a different perspective.
Map, or Guide?
August 1, 2021 • Mike Waldrop • Mark 7:1–30
In every trip, we choose how we pursue our destination. Sometimes I go with someone who has been there before and can guide me. Sometimes I follow a map. And then we choose whether to religiously follow the map without exception, or to argue with our GPS about how and when we arrive. This morning we look at what we follow and why in our spiritual journey. Join us as we consider maps and guides for daily life.
Travel Restrictions
July 25, 2021 • Mike Waldrop
In today’s world travel can be restricted by list of complications. Flights can be cancelled, pandemics can demand new practices, weather can alter our routes and schedules. In our spiritual travel restrictions can also be experienced. Join us today as we consider travel restrictions in our life journey, and are encouraged to allow our God to remove them as He will.
Stormy Weather
July 11, 2021 • Mike Waldrop
I have spoken with a lot of people who were disappointed and disillusioned with church. Perhaps it was the way they were raised, something the church did or didn’t do, or even some hurt caused by someone in the church or some neglect of the church. And in the same way I’ve seen the extreme opposite, those who have no experience with church and have lived life with its ups and downs with no recognized need for anything more. For both extremes there are things to know about Jesus. We invite you to join us as we travel lives paths, even through stormy weather.
Misdirection, or Missed Directions?
June 27, 2021 • Mike Waldrop
Have you ever driven by something over and over again and never noticed it was there? And then one day you needed something or were looking and realized you had been passing the answer all along? This week we look at our tendency to miss what we need in our spiritual lives. And we look at the directions we are given that help us stay on track in our daily journey with God.
Detours and Distractions
June 20, 2021 • Mike Waldrop
There are times when well-intentioned, and those who are malicious, tend to involve themselves in our lives in ways that distract and detour us from what God intends for us. Sometimes distractions and detours leave us feeling empty and alone, and wondering if we are truly who we claim to be before God. Join us as we consider the distractions and detours of this journey, and the assurance God gives of our belonging and acceptance.