Tree Of Life

We tend to read the Bible in a worldview boxed by the literal, material, and rational. Imagination wants to open a window to a vision of who we are called to be.

The Gospel of Mark presented in a series of narrative sermons.

The Gospel of Mark presented in a series of narrative sermons.

The Gospel of Mark presented in a series of narrative sermons.

A sermon through Peter's perspective as we experience the gospel through narrative storytelling just as the early Christians would have.

This series presents the Gospel of Mark verse-by-verse in a storytelling form.

The Gospel of Mark presented in a series of narrative sermons.

The Gospel of Mark is Peter's telling of the Jesus story, copied down by Mark his disciple. It is believed to have been a storytelling guide for performers to share the Jesus story at dinner parties. Unlike Matthew and Luke, which begin with memorial nativity stories, or John's famous "In the beginning," Mark begins in the wilderness. Jesus came to transform deserts into gardens.

Jesus' first miracle reveals His glory to His disciples. He will also reveal His glory to us if we do whatever He tells us to.

Christ entered the waters so that we can enter into Him in baptism. This concept has powerful implications for how we overcome sin today.

The Nicene Creed may be the most important Christian writing outside the Bible. It is time that we get to know it.

The Nicene Creed may be the most important Christian writing outside the Bible. It is time that we get to know it.

The Nicene Creed may be the most important Christian writing outside the Bible. It is time that we get to know it.

We often stray from the path of Christian wholeness in order to avoid suffering. At the end of his sermon, James urges the church to keep their eyes on the coming of Christ and to plan our lives backward from there. His sermon closes with an admonition to powerful prayer.

At the climax of James' sermon, he accuses many in the church for being double minded and refusing to walk in Christian wholeness. The reason? We are divided by desires.

Can a Christian really be justified by works? Does not Paul say this is impossible and that we are justified by faith alone? In this challenging section of Scripture, we must keep in mind James' goal: to disciple Christian wholeness—a salvation stronger than straw.

Christian wholeness includes how we talk. Our tongue often divides us down two separate ways of life.

James desires whole Christians who are completely committed to Christ. To this end, he urges the church to action, calling Christians to more than a series of doctrines, but to a way of life.

When Christ is raised from the tomb, He claims the nations as King—seizing them from the rule of Caesar and the oppression of demons—and calls His church to establish His reign over them.

Did God really sacrifice Himself to save us from Himself? The common and somewhat superficial formula cannot support a serious faith. A more serious look at the Gospels reveals that Jesus' sacrifice does not rescue us from God's wrath, but from sin's death.