Preacher Paul's Blogs

This week, we will continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark by looking at Mark 9:38-41. The sermon, titled " A Kingdom United: Finding Strength in Our Common Mission" will focus on a moment when the disciples tried to stop someone from casting out demons in Jesus’ name simply because they weren’t part of their group. Jesus, however, had a different perspective, teaching them (and us) that God’s work is not limited to the people we know or the groups we belong to. Instead, Jesus calls us to see the bigger picture and to realize that the kingdom of God is open to all.  It's a powerful reminder that the mission of Christ is larger than our differences and divisions. As you prepare for this upcoming Sunday, I encourage you to reflect on these questions:  In what ways do I allow differences to create division in my own life or in the church?  How can I contribute to unity and service in the body of Christ, even when I might disagree with others?  I look forward to ...

This Sunday, we’ll dive into a passage from Mark 9:33-37 , where Jesus challenges us with a powerful truth: in God's kingdom, greatness looks very different from what we might expect. While the disciples were busy arguing about who among them was the greatest, Jesus sat them down and flipped their understanding on its head, saying, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." He even went so far as to use a child, someone considered powerless in that society, as an example of who we must welcome to truly welcome God. Jesus’ words call us to re-evaluate our lives, priorities, and what we define as success. In many ways, Jesus invites us into an "upside-down" kingdom where the humble are exalted, and those who serve are lifted up as truly great. As we reflect on this, we'll explore how Christ lived out this teaching in his own life. Jesus didn’t just talk about being a servant, he showed us what it means to serve others, even in the most...

This week, we will explore a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry as told in Mark 8:27-38, where He asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter boldly declares that Jesus is the Messiah, but the conversation quickly takes a turn as Jesus speaks of his impending suffering and rejection. In this sermon, titled "Basic Instructions for the Christian Life," we will reflect on the deep challenges of following Jesus. Just like Peter, we may struggle to understand that discipleship is not about power or comfort, but about self-denial, taking up our cross, and setting our minds on divine things, like serving and loving others. As we delve deeper into the text, we’ll look at what it means to follow Christ on his terms, not our own. Jesus' command to "get behind me, Satan" reminds us that even with good intentions, we can be tempted to prioritize human desires over God’s will. This passage calls us to daily reorient our lives around Christ, embracing t...

This Sunday, we will explore a powerful passage from Mark 7:24-37, where Jesus encounters two individuals who are often overlooked by society—a Syrophoenician woman and a man who is deaf and unable to speak. In both of these encounters, Jesus shows us something profound: no one is beyond the reach of God's love.  As we reflect on these stories, we will be reminded that we, too, are "everyday people" in need of God's grace. Just as Sly and the Family Stone sang, "I am no better and neither are you," Jesus teaches us that we are all equal in God's eyes. None of us are more deserving or less worthy of God's love than the next person, and as followers of Christ, we are called to be open to the needs of others—especially those who may feel unworthy, excluded, or as an outsider. This week, I invite you to meditate on the stories of the Syrophoenician woman and the deaf man and then ponder these questions:  Have you ever felt unworthy, excluded, or an outsi...