When Abram and Lot have to part ways, Lot chooses the land that looks like the garden of the Lord, but appearances can deceive. Sin over-promises and under-delivers, and only a new nature in Christ lets us see it for what it is.
Gripped by fear in Egypt, Abram deceives Pharaoh and risks his wife to save himself. Yet God’s promises don’t fail, even when Abram does. In Genesis 12:10-20, we see that Abram sacrificed his bride to save his life; but in the gospel, we find that that Jesus sacrificed his life to save his bride.
What does it look like to hear God’s word and obey, even when it costs everything? In our new series on Abraham, we see how God’s promises to Abram are fulfilled in Christ: a heavenly home, a family of faith, and forgiveness of sins.
Lost, bound, or broken, those who cry out to the Lord find a God of goodness and enduring love who hears and delivers. Join us in Psalm 107 as we give thanks for our redemption and consider how to share the good news with those still searching for home.
Mark’s gospel ends where it began – Jesus is the Son of God. In this final message of our series, we see the empty tomb prove that his death on the cross accomplished what he set out to do, and why that gives us sure hope of our own resurrection.
In Mark 15:21–47, we behold Jesus Christ dying on the cross for sinners. Through Simon of Cyrene, Joseph of Arimathea, the torn temple curtain, and the Roman centurion’s confession, we see what Christ accomplished through his death: reconciliation with God, victory over death, and salvation for all who trust in him.
In Mark 15:1–20, Jesus stands before Pilate, bearing the shame and guilt we deserve. In the exchange with Barabbas, we see a powerful picture of the gospel: the innocent Christ condemned so that guilty sinners could be set free and reconciled to God.
In Mark 14:53–72, Jesus stands faithfully before His accusers while Peter, under pressure, denies even knowing Him. The contrast exposes our own weakness and failure, but it also points us to the heart of the gospel. Our hope is not found in our ability to remain faithful, but in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who remained obedient to the Father and faithful to His people all the way to the cross. When we fail, we have a faithful Savior.
Jesus enters the garden of Gethsemane knowing the suffering that awaits him. In Mark 14:32–52, we see the contrast between the disciples’ weakness and Jesus’ perfect obedience as he surrenders his will to the Father. His “yes” to the Father becomes our hope and salvation.
In Mark 14:12–31, Jesus reveals that the cross is not a tragedy outside God’s control, but the sovereign fulfillment of his saving plan. As Jesus establishes the Lord’s Supper and foretells the disciples’ failure, we see our weakness contrasted with the faithfulness of our strong Savior.