Advent means the arrival or coming of something. In Luke 2, angels announced the advent of Christ with great joy to a group of shepherds. The shepherds immediately went and found the Christ child. Their reaction to the news of Christ's coming shows us that Jesus is the real gift to be excited about. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Luke 2:8-20.
Pastor Doug Colby from Ventura Missionary Church continues our Home for Christmas sermon series today with a message about hope. As we look at Romans 15:13 and Luke 2:25-32, we'll see that we true hope is not found in maybes or possibilities or plans or potential, but in the person of Jesus Christ.
We all respond to situations in different ways. If you spill food on your shirt and are heading to a job interview it might feel detrimental. If you spill food on your shirt while working in the backyard it’s not a big deal. If you hit a red light but left your home 10 minutes early you still have time to make your meeting. If you hit a red light but left home ten minutes late it might raise your blood pressure. In Matthew 2:1-12 we read about three different responses to the birth of Jesus. King Herod was furious. The Religious leaders responded with knowledge. The Magi responded in worship. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson shares how we can have peace by worshiping Jesus this season.
This December we are heading home to the truth of God's word for Christmas as we study the events surrounding birth of Christ. In our first Advent message, we turn to the account of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary in Luke 1:26-38. Listen in as we learn from Mary's example to obey God even when it doesn't make sense.
When I was in my early 20’s I gave up dating for a year. I had put too much emphasis on dating relationships and allowed them to distract me from following Jesus. Looking back, it was one of the smartest decisions I could have ever made. As we continue looking at the Gospel of Mark we see a fantastic encounter with Jesus and the disciples that transitions to the crowd. Peter confesses that Jesus is the Messiah. Next, Jesus teaches about His arrest and death. This all leads to Jesus talking to the crowd about giving up their life to find it. His words echo true to this day. When we give up our life to Jesus is when we find true hope. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Mark 8:22-9:1.
The dust began to fill the air as the people walked away. Many of them wanted to get out first while others were stuck in the back. The majority headed back home, they had been with Jesus for the last three days. They were well fed on their return journey. The disciples almost couldn’t believe their eyes as they saw Jesus multiply the bread and fish and feed that large of a group. It wasn’t only the feeding but it was the teaching. Jesus longed for the everyone to know the truth of God. In a moment of travel, Jesus spoke to the disciples about understanding His teaching and why He came. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Mark 8:1-21.
Some people think they don’t belong in a church. Some people feel uncomfortable being around people who love Jesus. Some people are in desperate need of the help of Jesus. When we look at the entirety of this chapter we read that Mark weaves a fantastic story of hope. It’s a story of God working. It’s God teaching us that we need a little less legalism, a little more faith, and some more help from our friends. It’s the hope that the gospel is for everyone. It’s the hope that the broken and hurting have a place to belong in the Kingdom of God. It’ the confidence that others are sharing their faith. We too have an opportunity to help others know the great love of Jesus. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Mark 7.
In Mark 6, after a busy time of ministry, Jesus invites the disciples to come away and rest. However, their plans for rest are thwarted by a large crowd that meets them at their destination. Listen in as Pastor Neal teaches on Mark 6:30-56 and why we shouldn't turn a blind eye on those in need.
For whatever reason, life throws us curveballs all the time. Have you noticed how we can have exciting, fulfilling, life-giving days, and then in the next minute everything seems to change for the worse? For example, things are going well at work one day, and the next day your boss calls a company meeting to say the company will be sold. Maybe you can relate to this in your marriage. You and your spouse are getting along, and then they are in a car accident and things change out of nowhere. In Mark 6:1-29, we read about three different experiences in the life of Jesus. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches about remaining true to your calling no matter what comes your way.
Have you noticed how life has a way of coming at you fast? A little dabbling in sin that turns into an obsession. A small wound that becomes infected and extremely painful. A casual drive that turns into a violent accident. We are in a world that is desperate need of the healing power of Jesus. In Mark 5 Jesus encounters three people in desperate need of healing: a demon-possessed man, a woman with an incurable disease, and a little girl who suddenly died. The contrast of these three needy people shows the wideness of Jesus’ love. The common thread is that they all found healing at the feet of Jesus. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches about the restorative power of Jesus from Mark 5.