Adherence to the commandments is not enough. Jesus can see through to the heart of the matter and see the idles standing between you and God. It may be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven. However, with God all things are possible.Sermon NotesMark 10:17 A Rich man asks Jesus how to inherit eternal li…

The Pharisees and Jesus' have a discussion about the law. Jesus informs them that the law goes beyond the letter of the law to address the hardness of man’s hearts. Sermon NotesMark 10:1 As Jesus’ custom, He teaches the crowdMark 10:2 The Pharisees testing Jesus asks Him about divorceMark 10:3 – 9 Jesus answers their testMark 10:10 Jesus’ disciples…

Jesus teaches the disciples on what it means to be the greatest of all time, the importance of striving for greatness in our spiritual lives, about the importance of humility, service, and the true greatness.Sermon NotesMark 9:30 – 32 Jesus goes to Galilee and continues to teach disciples about His death and resurrection, but they don’t understandM…

Jesus' heals a possessed boy and the disciples faced challenges faced. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus offers valuable insights to understand the power of faith and the importance of relying on God's strength.Sermon NotesMark 9:14 & 15 Jesus and 3 of His disciples return to the others. There is a large crowd that runs up to meet JesusMark 9:16 Jesus a…

Jesus true divine nature is displayed to His disciples. The significance of the Transfiguration, before Peter, James, and John transformed their understanding of His divine glory.Sermon NotesMark 9:1 Jesus tells His disciples some there will not die before they see the kingdom of God come with powerMark 9:2 & 3 Jesus takes 3 of His disciples up a m…

Take Up Your Cross by First Baptist Church of Westminster, CaliforniaPar First Baptist Church of Westminster, California

Jesus responded to skepticism and rejection from His own disciples and teaches them that they must seek the interest of God the Father and not of Satan.Sermon NotesMark 8:27 Jesus asks His disciples who people say that He isMark 8:28 They give various answersMark 8:29 Jesus asks “who do you say I am?”Mark 8:30 Pete answers “the Christ” and Jesus wa…

Jesus healed a blind man in a unique way to teach his disciples about seeing with the heart, the process of spiritual growth, and the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.Sermon NotesMark 8:22 At Bethsaida people bring a blind man to Jesus to healMark 8:23 Jesus spits on the man’s eyes and puts His hands on them and asks if he could seeMark 8:24 The m…

Jesus taught His disciples about faith, trust, and the dangers of spiritual pride. Reflecting on the miracles of feeding the multitudes, and the disciples’ struggle to understand. Jesus’ warning to beware the influence of the Pharisees and Herod.Sermon NotesMark 8:1 – 3 Jesus wants to feed the crowd before He sends them home, so they don’t faintMar…

Far beyond plenty good enough. Jesus’ compassion and power exceeded everyone’s expectations when He healed a man who was deaf. Do not limit God, not in our prayers, not in our worship. But instead let Him answer in His way.Mark 7:31 Jesus travels through Tyre, Sidon and the DecapolisMark 7:32 They bring to Jesus a deaf man who also has difficulty s…

A mother's humble persistence moves Jesus to act. What do we do when God says "no" or seems silent? The importance of humility in our prayers and faith, even when faced with disappointment or apparent rejection.Sermon NotesMark 7:24 Jesus wanted to be aloneMark 7:25 & 26 A gentile woman keeps asking Jesus to cast out a demon from her daughterMark 7…

Tradition and true faith from the teachings of Jesus. Traditions can both enrich and hinder our spiritual lives. Jesus calls us to focus on the condition of our hearts rather than outward rituals.Sermon NotesMark 7:1 - 4 Pharisees observing traditionsMark 7:5 Pharisees and scribes criticize Jesus’ disciples for not following tradition of washingMar…

Contrast the responses of the crowd, the disciples, and Jesus Himself. Why did the crowd want to make Jesus' king? Why did the disciples struggle to understand despite witnessing countless miracles? And what can we learn from Jesus' choice to retreat in prayer after such a monumental event? Sermon NotesMark 6:45 & 46 Jesus sends His disciples and t…

The feeding of 5,000 is present in all four Gospels. Mark writes to use explaining how Jesus demonstrates compassion for a crowd. Through the miracle of the 5,000 we learn about the disciples' role, the importance of faith, and the lesson that ministry is not about the resources we have but about who we serve. Sermon NotesMark 6:33 & 34 A large cro…

A unique perspective on the resurrection of Jesus Christ by asking a challenging question: What if He didn't rise from the dead? Examine the implications of this question, exploring historical evidence, scriptural references, and the transformative power of faith.Sermon Notes​What if Jesus didn’t die? Swoon Romans 5:6 – 8If He didn’t die we are sti…

Discover how Jesus faced opposition in His hometown, empowered His disciples, and expanded His ministry in the face of doubt.Sermon NotesMark 6:1 – 6 Jesus’ hometown was offended by HimMark 6:7 Jesus sends out His disciples by two giving them authority over unclean spiritsMark 6:8 – 11 Jesus gives them instructionsMark 6:12 & 13 The disciples preac…

Explore relativity of time through the lens of two individuals' encounters with Jesus. Jairus, his dying daughter, as well as a woman who has been suffering for 12 years have different stories highlighting how time can feel different depending on one's circumstances and perspective. Uncover the profoundness of faith, healing, and the power of Jesus…

Explore two significant events from the Gospel of Mark that reveal the awe-inspiring authority and holiness of Jesus. Witness the disciples' journey through a fierce storm, where their fear turns to amazement as Jesus commands the wind and sea to obey Him. Then, delve into the transformative encounter between Jesus and a demon-possessed man, showca…

Sermon NotesMark 4:21 – 23 A light is to be used, not hiddenMark 4:24 & 25 Be careful how you judgeMark 4:36 - 29 The kingdom of God grows even if you don’t know howMark 4:30 – 32 The kingdom of God starts very small but grows very largeMark 4:33 & 34 Jesus taught now in parables, but did explain them to His disciples…

Dive into the teachings of Jesus through the Parable of the Sower. Explore the different types of soil and their significance in understanding God's word, and how the condition of our hearts impacts our spiritual growth and the fruits we bear.Sermon NotesMark 4:1 & 2 Jesus teachesMark 4:3 A Sower sowsMark 4:4 – 8 4 kinds of ground: Beside the road;…

Dive into Mark 3:20-35 to explore Jesus' definition of family and what it truly means to belong. Learn about the importance of doing God’s will, overcoming challenges of faith, and how Jesus' teachings invite us into His divine family.Sermon NotesMark 3:20 Jesus and the disciples in such demand they can’t even eat a mealMark 3:21 Jesus’ kinsmen thi…

Discover the unique calling and mission Jesus entrusted to these ordinary men and how their extraordinary journey. From Peter to the unwavering faith of Thomas, we'll explore the lives of these apostles.Sermon NotesMark 3:13 Jesus goes up a mountain and summons who He wantsMark 3:14 & 15 12 appointed to 1. Be with Him; 2 preach & 3 cast out demonsM…

Doing good on the Sabbath through the lens of Mark. Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, despite the scrutiny and accusations from religious leaders. Hear about the questions Jesus asked them before doing good on the Sabbath.Sermon NotesMark 3:1 – 3 Jesus, His enemies, a man with a withered hand are all together in a synagog…

Jesus' disciples were criticized for not fasting, unlike John's disciples and the Pharisees who fasted regularly. Jesus explains that His disciples do not fast because He, the bridegroom (Messiah), is with them, making it a time for celebration rather than mourning.Message by Pastor JoeSermon NotesMark 2:18 – 20 Jesus’ disciples criticized for not …

Jesus dines with sinners and tax collectors, and when challenged, He explains that He came to save the sinners.Proclamation of the WordMessage by Pastor JoeSermon NotesMark 2:13 The multitudes come to hear Jesus and He teachesMark 2:14 Jesus calls to Matthew to follow while he is in his tax officeMark 2:15 Jesus dines with sinners and tax collector…

The scribes' reaction to Jesus forgiving sins highlights His divine nature. Only God can forgive sins, and Jesus' ability to do so affirms His identity as the Son of God.Proclamation of the WordMessage by Pastor Joe“More than Expected”Sermon NotesMark 2:1 & 2 Jesus is home in Capernaum and after several days people become aware of it and go fill th…

A leper asks Jesus to heal him if He is willing. Pastor Joe emphasizes the importance of faith, humility, and boldness in approaching Jesus. Jesus shows His love and compassion for the leper by healing him.Message by Pastor Joe“If Jesus Is Willing?”Sermon NotesMark 1:40 A leper falling on his knees asking to be made clean if Jesus is willingMark 1:…

Jesus emphasized that his primary mission was to preach the gospel, not just to perform miracles. He often withdrew to pray alone, showing the importance of communion with God.Sermon NotesMark 1:29 - 31 Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-lawMark 1:32 -34 Jesus heals the sick and demon possessedMark 1:35 – 37 Jesus goes alone to pray, but is sought out b…

We are starting a new series in the Gospel of Mark. Now you may not be able to attend and watch all of the services but I encourage you to watch as many as you can because it'll be relevant. So if you have your Bibles and you should, please turn to the Gospel of Mark starting with Chapter 1. Now while you're turning there, let me say that it is lon…

During this time of the Christmas season, you'll see a lot of manger scenes and you'll see a baby in that manger. Today we're going to talk about who that baby was and is and what he is going to do service when it's after the 25th? Well, let me tell you there's a couple of reasons why.Sermon NotesIsaiah 9:2 – 5 From darkness to light, gladness incr…

We tend to be very complex people, but in complexity, it is something that we know well when we're able to take that complex thing and make it simple. You probably know yourself better than anyone else. So I would suggest that you think about writing a few sentences, saying just exactly who you are and maybe a brief paragraph as to an event that ty…

Sermon NotesLuke 1:26 – 37 What the Lord has planned for MaryLuke 1:38 Behold the bond-servant of the Lord, Humble and submissiveJames 4:6 & 7 Be humble and submit to GodMatthew 25:14 – 30 We are Christ’s slaves and will be rewarded or condemned by our use of His talents What if you were asked by God to do something that you thought was impossible?…

We're talking about baptism today. We're going to talk about what it means to be baptized, who are the people to be baptized, and why is it we do it, and what is the mode or the mechanism for baptism. So I encourage you to come and listen to baptism talk today about baptism. I'm going to make some statements that probably you will agree with. I'm g…

Some people say that it doesn't matter what you believe so long as you're sincere. I sincerely disagree with that. I think it's very important what you believe and only should you believe that you should have conviction in it. We're going to be talking about the Lord's Supper, something that was initiated during Jesus' ministry and his last Passove…

Thankfulness. There seems to be several stages in thankfulness. As parents or perhaps when we were children, our parents taught us to be polite and say thank you when somebody gave us something. And then because we hear things like to live a thankful life, it makes you more happy, and so you hear people talk about an attitude of gratitude and that …

The title of today's message is "Jesus Didn't Die for Our Mistakes." If that sounds a little odd to you because you've been listening to current Christian music, I encourage you to listen to today's message, especially if you think that maybe I'm wrong. I want you to see what the Bible has to say about Jesus dying, not for our mistakes, is, is to s…

As a general rule, it is wise to always look forward. And you will get people who will give you advice that we always need to be forward-thinking and forward-looking. However, there are times and exceptions, if you will, when it's a good idea to turn around and look to see what's been behind. The Scriptures will tell us a good example of why we sho…

My wife was an excellent host or hostess when we would have a meal like let's say Thanksgiving she would make sure that everyone had a place setting and a seat at a table and Even at the last minute if we had additional guests or not people we invited late She would bring in additional tables and chairs to make sure everyone had a place to sit not …

It seems in today's world pronouns have come into great controversy, but in simplest level when I'm talking about myself me, I use a word I, me, my. If I'm talking about somebody who's not in my presence I will usually use he or she. So for instance if somebody's not in my presence I go he's a nice young man or she's going to graduate college. I'm …

A few years ago, my wife and I and some founding members took a trip to Boston. But before we went, my wife booked a travel, I mean a tour guide. And that tour guide took us around Boston to certain historical points and other points of interest. And he was able to do so because he knew the city and he knew about the various points of interest and …

We are taking a serious look at Psalm 23. The first verse the psalmist talked about that the Lord is His shepherd and hopefully He is our shepherd as well. But on the next three verses he's going to talk about the benefits of the Lord being His shepherd. We're going to take a look at the first verse of those three verses to see the provision that G…

I want you to imagine, or maybe you actually are, a classic piano player. The first time anybody heard you play any music, it was this classical music. But yet you had the same kind of talent in other musical instruments and even in your voice. So perhaps you were an outstanding guitar player as well as a singer. But every time people saw you, they…

I want you to imagine you might have been in this situation. You're a salesman and your sales have been trending down. Or perhaps you're in the machine shop and your widgets, many of them are having to be scrapped. And then you get a note from the owner of the business that says that they want to see you at the end of the day. I would pretty much i…

There was a man named Saul who was later his name changed was Paul wrote a letter to the church at Philippine and he said that he had great confidence in who he was and what he had accomplished. And yet he makes a very strange comparison to that. Great work that he had done and the significance of who he was. And that balance between that and havin…

Most Christians think that worship comprised of going to church, singing some worship songs, and in some traditions raising your hands while you're singing them. Some who feel even more spiritual sing worship songs while they're at home or in the car. However, the Bible talks more of worship in a broader sense than just praising God with our voices…

The Bible discusses a topic, especially in the book of Job, that you've probably observed in your life. That good things happen to good people, bad things happen to good people, good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to bad people, as well as good. However, the Scriptures talk about another group of people and the promise that God …

When public prayer and private prayer was removed from public school, many religious people's response was, "There will always be prayer in school as long as there are tests." The reason for that is that people usually pray when there's a felt need, and the stronger the felt need, the more fervent the prayer. So for instance, even in a combat situa…

Unfortunately, we are very politically divided, so this example I'm going to suggest that whoever happens to be the president is a person you voted for and supported. But let's say this person just was inaugurated, and then you get contacted shortly thereafter that they want to meet you, but not only do they want to meet you, they want to meet you …

The Roman Empire developed a mechanism to execute people. It was called crucifixion. It was a cruel, painful, and shameful way to die. But that's how they treated their criminals, their insurrectionists, and anybody else who might defy them. Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus was crucified. But he wasn't crucified as a criminal. Even the one who judged …

You will frequently hear parents say that they want their children to be happy. Well, the Father in heaven wants more than your happiness. As a matter of fact, He wants not only for your happiness, but it was something greater than that and it is His will. Come and listen to what the Father's will is for your life that is greater than happiness.Ser…