Servant of All

An Urgent Hope

December 1, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Text: Mark 10:46-52 46 “And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” References: Mathew 20:29-34 Luke 18:35-43. Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,” Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” References: John 10:36 John 20:16 Three KEY Observations from the story of Bartimaeus #1 Bartimaeus Had Persistence Bartimaeus displayed persistence even though everyone around him was trying to silence him. Matthew 7:7-8 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ASK. SEEK. KNOCK. If you will do these three things.... You will... • RECEIVE • FIND • The Door Will OPEN #2 Bartimaeus Had Faith Bartimaeus was healed... Because of his faith! Jesus said in verse 52... “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” We see the exact same thing in Mark 5:34 with the woman with the issue of blood... Jesus said to her... “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." Bartimaeus and the Woman with the issue of blood... show us three key things of faith Their Faith Is In Jesus 1 John 5:14-15 14 “And this is the confidence that we have toward HIM, that if we ask anteing according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Faith is very intentionally taking action by... • Calling on God • Waiting on God • Following God • Obeying God • Trusting God • Believe in ourselves • Dream big • You can do it if you put your mind to it Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” 2 Their Faith Cried Out Bartimaeus had the kind of faith that speaks up and acts out. Luke 11:19 "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 3 Their Faith Took Initiative Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Gratitude Bartimaeus followed Jesus and glorified god!

When God Rules Our Heart - Part 2

November 24, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Text: Mark 10:32-34 32 “And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.’” Luke 9:51 “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” Isaiah 50:7 “But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” Hebrews 12:2 “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:3 “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Text: Mark 10:35-40 35 “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’” Psalm 23:5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 75:7-8 7 “but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. 8 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs. John 18:11 “So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” Psalms 42:7 "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me”. 2 Corinthians 4:17 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Acts 6:2-6 2 “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.” Matthew 15:8 ”These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” Philippians 2:3-8 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

When God Rules Our Heart

November 17, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Text Mark 10:23-31 23 “And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Matthew 15:8 ”These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” Matthew 6:19–21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. #1 Wealth can make you self-centered. James 4:2-3 2 “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” #2 Wealth can blind you to spiritual truth. 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. #3 Wealth can make you unfruitful in your service to Christ. Matthew 13:22 “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 2 Timothy 3:12 "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

There's a big difference between wanting to and willing to!

November 10, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Text. Mark 10:17-22 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, would not perish but have ETERNAL LIFE”. John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” 1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” #Jesus is ETERNAL LIFE! Matthew 7:13-14 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Galatians 3:10-11 10 “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” Ephesians 2:8 “ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Luke 14:28 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Matthew 6:24 ““No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Jesus LOVES Children!

November 3, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Text Mark 10:13-16 13 "And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Two Key Spiritual Parental Priorities #1 Make Jesus your own personal priority! You cannot give your children what you do not have! If it is not in you... You can’t pass it on! • Prayer Life • Scripture Knowledge • Church Life • Serving #2 Make Jesus THE priority in your family! Your children’s SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT is your priority Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Hebrews 10:25 “And not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Proverbs 10:1 “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.” Genesis 48:14-16 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands (for Manasseh was the firstborn). 15 And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, 16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” John 3:16-17 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” 2 Samuel 12:22-23 22 “David said, “While the baby was still alive, I fasted, and I cried. I thought, ‘Who knows? Maybe the Lord will feel sorry for me and let the baby live.’ 23 But now that the baby is dead, why should I fast? I can’t bring him back to life. Someday I will go to him, but he cannot come back to me.” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NLT)... “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’”

What about Divorce?

October 27, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

The world has its own ways... Often those ways are in conflict with God's ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” #Text: Mark 10:1-12 1 “And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.” 2 “And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.” Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Genesis 2:24-25 24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” This is the heart of God! That a MAN would leave his father and mother and hold fast to his WIFE... And they shall become one flesh? This is the heart of God! Malachi 2:13-16 (NLT) 13 Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. 14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. 15 Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Mark 10:5 “And Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.’” Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. #1 Marriage is One man and One woman Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ #2 Marriage is a Uniting of Two People Mark 10:7 7 “‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,” 8 and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” #3 Marriage is never to be severed Mark 10:9 9“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Romans 7:2-3 2 “For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.” Matthew 19:9 “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Third in cases of abandonment 1 Corinthians 7: 12-15 12 “To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.”

Whoever Believes Shall Have Eternal Life

October 20, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

John 3:16-18 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” 1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” At the very core of all that God is... We learn that GOD IS LOVE! #Agapē. Ephesians 2:4-5 4 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved” John 10:17-18 17 “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” Ephesians 2:8-9 8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Romans 2:4 “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” #1 We have a new outlook on life! 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 16 “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” #2 We have an aversion to sin! 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” #3 We have an abundance of love! 1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.” #4 We have a new hunger for God’s Word! #4 We have a new hunger for God’s Word! Psalm 42:1-2 1 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living http://god.when shall I come and appear before God?” #5 We have a new desire for consistent Christian fellowship! Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. #6 We have been freed from shame and guilt! Romans 8:1-2 1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” ————— "Could I be called a Christian?” By Steve Camp Could I be called a Christian If everybody knew The secret thoughts and feelings Of everything I do Could they see the likeness Of Christ in me each day Or could they hear him speaking In every word I say Could I be called a Christian If my faith I did not show If I did not go to places Where the Lord would have me go If I do not love His truth If I do not guard His trust If I cherish more than Jesus My greatest hidden lust To obey all He's commanded To do all that He said To be his true disciple To place no confidence in the flesh To glory in Christ Jesus It's He who justifies How to find your life you must lose it To live you first must die Let every man examine his own life "Could I be called a Christian?" Could I be called a Christian And believe not his Holy Word If I take Him as my Savior And then refuse Him as my Lord If I could not love the outcast And am not burdened for the lost If I fail the deny myself And each day take up my cross To obey all He's commanded To do all that He said To be his true disciple To place no confidence in my flesh To glory in Christ Jesus For it's He who justifies How to find your life you must lose it To live you first must die Let every man examine his own life "Could I be called a Christian?"

This Is Serious!

October 13, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

John 3:16-18 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. • Jesus came to give life! • Jesus did not come to condemn! • Jesus came to save us! • Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned! • Whoever does not believe is condemned already! • Why is he condemned? Because he does not believe in the only Son of God! Romans 3:23 “ For all have sinned and fallen short of the Kingdom of God.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” John 3:3 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” How can you enter Heaven? By being born again! How can you become born again? By believing in God’s only Son... Jesus Christ! It is the only way into heaven! Matthew 8:12 “while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 4 Truths About Hell #1. Hell is a state of separation from God. In hell, a person will be forever separated from God in His kindness, mercy, grace, and goodness. He will be consigned to deal with Him in His holy wrath. Reference: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 Revelations 20:11-15 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. #2. Hell is a state of association. Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. People who die in their sin... without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior... will spend eternity in hell with the one being who is most unlike God. It is a tragic irony that many who do not believe in the Devil in this life will wind up spending eternity being tormented with him in hell. #3. Hell is a state of punishment. Jesus describes it as “fire” in Matthew 25:41 and a place of “punishment” Matthew 25:46... “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Hell is a place of retribution where justice is served through the payment for crimes. #4. Hell is an everlasting state. Though some would like to shorten the duration of this state... Jesus’ words are very clear. He uses the same adjective to describe both punishment and life in verse 46... Hell was not intended for any of us... However... It will be the fate for all who reject Jesus Christ as their savior... According to the Holy Scriptures. #THERE IS GOOD NEWS Anyone... • Can be Born Again • Forgiven of their sins • Have New Life • Be saved from Hell 2 Corinthians 5:17 " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." John 1:12-13 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Mark 9:38-50 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Friends... This is Serious!

Greatness - Kingdom Style

October 6, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

“True greatness is the ability to achieve what you choose to achieve in the area you choose to achieve it; and to achieve it with excellence and a level of mastery.” James Arthur Ray Text: Mark 9:33-37 33 “And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.’” Deep down inside each of us is... • A desire for greatness. • A desire to achieve. • A desire to excel. This drive for greatness was placed there by God! Jesus is going to address that this drive became corrupted when sin entered the world. 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” Galatians 5:17-21 17 “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” John emphasizes (in 1 John 2:16) that these physical things do not last; they will pass away. • The temptation of Eve in the Garden • The temptation of Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4:8-10) The pride of life can be defined as anything that is “of the world,” meaning anything that leads to... • Arrogance • Showing off • Pride in self • Presumption • Boasting Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” ————— Mark 9:33-34 33 “And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.” Jesus unpacks what GREATNESS looks like. Mark 9:35 "And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” There are two different kinds of GREATNESS... • One kind is recognized by the approval and applause of men • The other kind is approved and applauded by God Mark 9:36-37 36 “And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.’” Three Quick Thoughts on Pursuing Greatness - Kingdom Style Philippians 2:3-4 3 "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. #1 A Servant will not follow after SELFISH AMBITIONS! #2 A Servant is HUMBLE! #3 A Servant Takes Care of Others! Philippians 2:5-8 5 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Challenge Prayer Dismiss

The Journey to Greatness... According to God's plan!

September 29, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Mark 9:30-32 30 “They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.” We often forget that God has a plan and a process that WILL NOT be deterred... No matter what opinions people may have or their expectations! 2 Timothy 4:3-4a 3 "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” We have to be very careful... That we do not view God or the Scriptures through the lens of what we... • Want • Desire • Or... Think He is the Creator.. Without God... We do not exist! Romans 11:36 says, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Luke 22:26 “But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” Matthew 23:11-12 11 “ The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 16:25 "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Mark 9:30 “They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know...” Mark 9:31 “for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them... Mark 9:32 “But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.” #1 Train yourself to look at life from an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE Psalm 37:3-7 3 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” • We have to work hard to be patient. • We have to work hard to trust God. God’s timing in all of life’s issues... Never aligns with our own timelines. As this verse says so clearly... “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Did you get that? God will act. It also tells us to “be still” and “wait patiently,” meaning that he often won’t act in our own desired timeline. This Journey to Greatness... Is According to God’s plan! We must let go of our own will and submit ourselves to the timeline, direction, and will of the Lord instead. #2 Admit your wisdom and understanding is very limited. Isaiah 55:8-9 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. #3 We proclaim boldly the power of God... Let’s also trust in His character Sarah Walton: “If God is powerful enough to change our circumstances but doesn’t... it must mean he is ordaining them for reasons we cannot see at the time.” His will is ultimately for our eternal good. Some circumstances we will never understand here on earth, but sometimes we can look back and see God’s faithful direction in the end.

Prayer Makes All Things Possible

September 8, 2019 • Lead Pastor Tim Moen

Text: Mark 9:14-29 23b “All things are possible for one who believes.” Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Question: What is FAITH? Answer: Faith simply means believing that something is true, and then committing our lives to it. In the Bible, “faith” means believing in God, and in what Christ has done for us to make our salvation possible–and then committing ourselves to Him. FAITH is a choice! Acts 16:31 “And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” I choose to believe in Jesus Christ... that He died for my sins... that by believing in Him... my sins will be forgiven. I NEED faith to become a Christian. Ephesians 2:8-9 8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” FAITH is taking action upon things.... Things... • That are not seen • That are not tangible • That are not visibly there 2 Corinthians 5:7 “We walk by faith, not by sight.” Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” • We trust in a God .... But we cannot see Him • We trust in a Christ ... But we cannot see Him • We trust in an Holy Spirit ... But that we cannot see Him • We embrace a death and resurrection... That we have not seen • We believe in a justification ... That we haven not seen • We believe in a heaven ... That we have not seen Prayer Makes All Things Possible 1 Peter 1:8-9 8 “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” We are not talking of a blind faith... It is faith based on evidence! For us today... That evidence IS God’s Word... God’s Word anchors our FAITH! Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Prayer Makes All Things Possible Mark 9:14-29 14 “And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” In Mark 6:7-13... Jesus gave authority to the disciples to cast out demons. They had done it before... It wasn’t anything new to them.. But this time was different. Jesus... Is teaching them a lesson.... A lesson about their great faith... in themselves. He was teaching them... How powerless they really are. Mark 9:28-29 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Two Quick points today... Jesus’ answer... reveals to them how much faith they had in themselves... how self-reliant they were. Matthew 17:20...”He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’” Phlippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put NO confidence in the flesh.” Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Mark 9:29 “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Close Encounter - One of a Kind

Today we are reading from the book of Mark 9:1-13. What we are about to read… Is a real Close Encounter… It is a SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTER… One that would be branded upon the minds of Peter, James and John forever! Text: Mark 9:1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Mark 9:2-3 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. Reference Matthew 17 & Luke 9 We know from Luke’s account in Luke 9:28-29… That the reason Jesus is taking them up the mountain is to get away to pray. We also know from Lukes account… Luke 9:32… That while Jesus is praying… The disciples are SLEEPING! Luke 9:29 "And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.” 1 Corinthians 15:40 “There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.” Revelation 1:14-16 14 “The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.” Exodus 33:20 “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” Mark 9:4 “And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” Luke 9:30-31 30 “And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Mark 9:5-13 5 “And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 “For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” 7 “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.” Matthew 17:13 “Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.” Four quick applications. #1. We want to talk (when we are in the presence of God) - He wants us to listen. #2. We want to do things - He wants us to worship Him Matthew 25:21 Tells us that when you have been faithful in a few things… God will give you charge over more things! #3. We want to stay - He wants us to go! #4. We want to figure God out - He wants us to walk by faith! Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.”

The Great Round Up

August 18, 2019 • Pastor Rick Cobiski

Text Mark 8:34-38 34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.  36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul?  38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 1 Peter 4:13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

I Can See Clearly Now

August 11, 2019 • Pastor Mary Bard

Mark 8: 22-26 22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Genesis 18:13-14 13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? Luke 19:10 - "For the son of man came to seek and save that which was lost." Matthew 3:16-17 16 After his baptism, as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God coming down in the form of a dove. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him.” Matthew 11:2-3 2 John the Baptist, who was now in prison, heard about all the miracles the Messiah was doing, so he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you really the one we are waiting for, or shall we keep on looking?” Isaiah 53:4-6 4 Yet it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! 5 But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed—and we were healed! 6 We—every one of us—have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! Isaiah 55:8-9 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 1 Corinthians 3:19 - The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 2 Peter 1:5-9 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Distractions

August 4, 2019 • Pastor Tim Cruz

Mark 8:1-21 NIV→ 1 “During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ​ 2 ​“I have compassion for these people;they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. ​ 3 ​If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” ​ 4 ​His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” ​ 5 ​“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. ​ 6 ​He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. ​ 7 ​They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. ​ 8 ​The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ​ 9 ​About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, ​ 10 ​he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha. ​11 ​The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. ​12 ​He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” ​ 13 ​Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. ​ 14 ​The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 ​“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 ​They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” ​17 ​Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ​ 18 ​Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?​ 19 ​When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. ​ 20 ​“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 ​He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” Matthew 25:35 NIV→ ​ “​35 ​For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,” Matthew 6:31 NIV→​ “​31 ​So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?” John 6:35 ESV→ ​“Jesus said to them, “I am the 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV→​ ​“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Proverbs 3:5 NIV→​ “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”