Christ 2r Culture Podcast

One of the most frustrating problems with employees is when they don't complete a job. It is also frustrating when an employee completes a job but does not accomplish good work. In this message, we examine the work ethic of Jesus' miracles. We will learn he was famous for doing all things well, even his miracles.

When we see people in the news that are far from God, it is easy to think they are too far for God to reach. Maybe it is their background they come from or the past life they lived that causes us to write them off and see that as too far from God's amazing grace. As we continue our way in Mark, we meet a woman who looks like she is too far from God because of her background. She ends up being the first one in the gospel to recognize Jesus for who he is and because of her great faith, Jesus casts a demon out of her daughter. What matters is not the background we come from but that they humbly seek God's mercy through Jesus, like this woman.

How often do you allow your mind to think about something that is sinful but feel there is nothing wrong by entertaining yourself with that sin because you haven't actually committed the act? As long as there is a separation between what we think and do, we feel we are ok. After all, we let ourselves be entertained on television and in the movies by watching murder and adultery. If we can watch it on the screen, what is wrong with thinking about it in our minds? Jesus feels very differently on this subject. The separation between our physical and mental world is not that distant. How can we stop thinking about sin? How can we have a heart that loves God and longs to do what is right? Join us as we learn why the mind matters and how God changes our heart.

Fiddler on the Roof is one of the best-loved musicals of all time. It also features some of the best-loved songs. The opening song of the musical is called "Tradition", and the family members one by one sing out the role they play in the traditional Jewish family, but on every side tradition is being threatened. While Fiddler on the Roof is fiction, the power of tradition is not. Jesus lived at a time when tradition was valued and it took on authority on par with the Bible. Today, we also have traditions that we treat with great importance. Join us as we learn about our traditions and how they can lead us away from following Jesus.

Many who live on the coast enjoy surfing the waves. Many of us forget Jesus was also a surfer, but he didn't need a board! As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus reveals more of his glory and love for the apostles as he comes to their rescue walking on top of the waves in a storm.

Beside the resurrection, there is only one miracle recorded in all four gospels. That is the feeding of the five thousand. It was so momentous, that afterwards the people wanted to make him king. Join us as we learn how God desires to do some of his finest works through us, not apart from us.

In the Gospel of Mark, there is only one narrative that is not about Jesus. It is the story of the death of John the Baptist. As Jesus told us there was no prophet greater than John. The story of his death is a vivid illustration of the kind of suffering all faithful disciples will face. It is also an amazing case study on the consequences of sexual sin.

Half-way through Jesus' three years of ministry, he send out his apostles on a short-term mission trip as part of their training. The sending out of Jesus' apostles is filled with instructions describing what faithful ministry would look like for them, and what it still looks like today.

In earlier passaged of the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus was in Capernaum, he was wildly popular. Only twenty miles away, when Jesus comes to his home town, he is rejected and ridiculed. In this study we learn what to expect from people hardened in unbelief against Christ and what are the consequences of living in unbelief in our life.

Jesus has the power to calm storms and authority to cast out demons at his word. With all this power, how much does he care about you and me? In the story of Jairus and the sick woman, we get a glimpse into the compassion of Jesus.

How far can someone be from Jesus and still have their life redeemed by Jesus? This week, we see how Jesus can take a ruined life and use it for his glory.

When was the last time life fell apart? If it hasn't fallen apart yet, just wait. It will. In this message, we learn how Jesus cares for those he loves in the storms of life.

After Jesus finished the Parable of the Soils, he gives a collection of short parables describing the way the kingdom of God works. These short parables help us understand the way life works in God's family.

Many of us are afraid to tell our friends about Jesus. Some of our friends mock our interest in Christ. Other friends express some interest, but soon fall away. In the parable of the sower, Jesus teaches us what to expect when we share the good news of Jesus with our friends and neighbors and why so many will reject God's good news.

We live in a world that is lonely. Family is not as close as they once were. Many people are looking for friendship and someone who cares. As we continue in Mark, Jesus introduces those who love and follow him to a new family, the family of God.

Many of us live under pressure. All day we are bombarded by texts, emails, and phone calls that demand out attention. Jesus understands a demanding schedule. As we continue in the Mark, we get a glimpse into the kind of pressure Jesus faced on a daily basis and why he chose twelve ordinary men to help him.

As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark, we find Jesus claiming to be Lord of the Sabbath. This was such an outrageous claim that it led to the religious leaders deciding to eliminate him. Join us as we discover the power of Jesus claim to be Lord of the Sabbath and what this authority means for his identity.

Each Christmas we give and receive gifts. Many don't realize God also gave us a personalized gift. Join us as we discover our gift, why God gave it, and the benefit that comes from using it.

When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, it is easy to think most of those blessings will be ours in eternity, not today. As we continue our study in Ephesians we learn how we can have more joy from the gift of Jesus today, not just in the future.

What is the best Christmas you ever received? Was it a car? A favorite toy when you were a child? Was it the gift of your family being together? As we continue our study in Ephesians, we find why Jesus is the all-time best Christmas gift.