This Is Not the End
We’ve come to Mark 16.1-8, the abrupt end of Mark’s Gospel. So abrupt, many don’t think it’s the end at all. In…
Read moresermon
The End Is Near
Mark 13 attracts a lot of attention from people who are fascinated by apocalyptic predictions. When is the end coming? Will Jesus’…
Read moreBecoming Great and Being First
Mark 10.32-52 contains the most direct teaching Jesus offers in Mark’s Gospel on discipleship and leadership. Prompted by his disciples’ jockeying for…
Read moreHarsh Words in Context
From Mark 8.22-9.1 we get a saying of Jesus that is often unfairly used to motivate agreement and action. Jesus said, “If…
Read moreJesus, Teach Me How to Read
We all come to scripture with lots of commitments. We’re already committed to certain beliefs, desires, and practices. The way we think…
Read moreA Storm of Fear and Anger
From Mark 4.35-41 comes the familiar story of Jesus calming the sea. Actually, before that it’s the story of Jesus asleep while…
Read moreThe Limits of Mercy
In Mark 2.13-17 we read the story of Levi, who was a tax collector working for Herod, the self-styled king of the Jews….
Read moreA Vision of Peace
We don’t get very far when we claim, “I don’t see color.” Reconciliation isn’t about what we can’t see, but what we can. This…
Read moreWhat’s the Problem?
Reconciliation is obviously necessary between enemies, but what if you don’t feel like enemies? There are other times when reconciliation is necessary….
Read moreReconcilers Are Interruptible and Approachable
Reconciliation means enemies and strangers becoming neighbors and friends. It’s as much about overcoming distance as it is overcoming hostility. In Jesus,…
Read moreA Church of Nobodies
Our summer series, Why the Church Needs You, concludes with a look at 1 Corinthians 1.26-31. In a world seeking power and knowledge,…
Read moreThe Poor Help Us Keep the Sabbath
Our last week addressing the question, Why does the church need the poor? This week we listen to Luke 13.10-17, in which…
Read moreThe Poor Help Us Work for Justice
Here is our second to last sermon answering the question, Why does the church need the poor? Today’s message, “The Poor Help…
Read moreThe Poor Help Us Hear the Good News about Money
Our Summer series Why the Church Needs You is coming to an end soon. Here’s the third sermon answering the question, Why does…
Read moreThe Poor Remind Us We Need a Deliverer
Here’s the next sermon in our series Why the Church Needs You. For a few weeks we’re looking specifically at why the church…
Read moreWhy the Church Needs the Poor — Grace
It’s time for a series within the series to tackle the question that was always at the heart of this exploration of…
Read moreWhy the Church Needs Prophets
Our summer series Why the Church Needs You continues this week from 1 Corinthians 14.1-25: “Why the Church Needs Prophets.” From distant Old…
Read moreWhy the Church Needs Our Elders
This morning Ellen Tanner joins us to explore why the church needs our elders. In a culture that lives in fear and…
Read moreWhy the Church Needs Women in Leadership
The story of Mary and Martha isn’t really about preferring quiet times over kitchen work. It’s about the role of women in…
Read moreWhy the Church Needs Perfect People
Jesus said, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” What on earth does that mean? Can it even be done? Our…
Read more
The Alton Mission 