17. From the Inside Out (Mark 7:1-23)
What's wrong with the human race? In a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus gives a true diagnosis of humanity's condition, a diagnosis we desperately need in order to be truly healed.
Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Colossians 2:23.
16. Faith, Wind, and Waves (Mark 6:45-52)
What does it look like to have a vibrant faith that takes God at his word? In this message on Mark 6:45-52, Dustin Langley, lead pastor at Peninsula Life Church, looks at the story of Jesus walking on water to answer that question.
15. The God Who Satisfies (Mark 6:30-44)
The feeding of the 5,000 is one of Jesus' most well-known miracles. But for the disciples it disrupted their lives and tested their faith. Called by Jesus to surrender their agenda, the disciples demonstrate that following Jesus is an invitation to find satisfaction in Christ as we give our lives over to Him.
Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Matthew 14:18 and Exodus 4:1-17.
14. How to Tell the Truth (Mark 6:14-29)
As our culture becomes more secular, how can Christians speak the truth in an increasingly hostile world? In this message on the death of John the Baptist, Curtis Baker, a young adult from Thrive Kitsap, unpacks what the Bible has to say about this question.
13. Does God Heal Today? (Mark 6:1-13)
The first time Jesus sent his disciples out on mission, they healed people. But does God still heal today? In this message on Mark 6:1-13, Peter Churness, lead pastor of One Hope Church, gives nine biblical clues about how healing works today.
10. Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Fear is crippling, and for many it feels impossible to shake. In this message on Mark 4:35-41, Jake Chambers, pastor of Local Church, shares the good news of the gospel: that Jesus is stronger than fear, and that He not only cares for us but is able to care for us.
8. What Isn’t a Disciple? (Mark 3:20-35)
Why do some people find it easy to believe while others don't? According to Jesus the answer can't be lack of evidence. Instead he points to a difference between belief and unbelief that goes deeper than that.
Scripture passages cited in this message include John 16:7-8.
7. What Is a Disciple? (Mark 3:7-19)
As Jesus' ministry grew, he shrank it down to focus on just twelve disciples. In Mark 3:7-19, Mark shows us that Jesus understood discipleship as being rooted in relationship with him, and that in order to be sent out to serve Jesus, a disciple must first learn how to be with Jesus.
Scripture passages cited in this message include John 15:5-10.
6. Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:18-3:6)
Jesus taught that the gospel would burst out of the old institutions of Judaism. How, then, should followers of Jesus relate to the Law and the Sabbath? In one of his many confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus teaches on this question.
5. Jesus Calls Levi (Mark 2:13-17)
Tax collectors were traitors. They were hated and reviled. So when Jesus called a tax collector to be one of his disciples, he was making a powerful statement of what his kingdom was all about. This message was given by Mekan Piriyev, a recent high school graduate who is part of the Thrive community.
4. Jesus and the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
When Jesus heals a paralyzed man, some react with joy and others with hate. In this message on Mark 2:1-12, Dustin Polley, co-director of Thrive Kitsap, unpacks four different responses people had to Jesus and invites us to consider what our own response to Him will be.
2. Jesus in Action (Mark 1:14-39)
Jesus came bearing a unique authority—to call disciples, cast out demons, and heal the sick. But amazingly, Jesus used his authority not to serve himself but to serve others.
(We apologize for the poor audio quality of this recording.)
1. The Beginning of the Beginning (Mark 1:1-15)
Mark's gospel begins with an announcement about Jesus' arrival. But how should we to respond to that arrival? This message, the first in Thrive's series on the Gospel of Mark, takes up that question, while also providing an overview of Mark's entire book.
Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include 1 Peter 5:13; Acts 12:12; 13:5, 13; 15:37-39; 2 Timothy 4:11; and Mark 10:45.