Cross of Grace Church Sermons Cross of Grace Church: Chaska, MN

We see in the calling of the first disciples the authority of Jesus, by his ability to call someone, to speak a Word, and that be enough to move the heart of men to follow and obey him.

In Marks prologue, we see the beginning of the "good news" in Jesus by connecting us to several messengers and their messages that help us see Jesus is truly the Son of God – and though new, it is God’s salvation unfolding from promises long before.

The first verse of the book of Mark gives Jesus’ title as “Christ, the Son of God.” Throughout Mark’s biography of Jesus, demons, disciples, and a host of others confess Jesus’ identity. Mark weaves numerous stories of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection around these confessions, leading his audience to ask, with those who witnessed Jesus’ life, “Who is this?” At the end of the book, a Roman centurion, witnessing the crucifixion, proclaims, “Truly this was the Son of God.” This introductory sermon to our series through Mark’s Gospel examines Mark’s themes of the identity of Jesus and the nature of following him.

Jesus calls and equips all of us for the work to be done in his church.

In the Book of Philemon, the Apostle Paul intercedes and mediates between two men who could quickly become divided. And what we find in the mix are some beautiful, unexpected blessings of gospel fellowship that Jesus wants all of His church to enjoy.

Jesus makes a way for true fellowship among God’s people, and is only preserved and made fruitful by dwelling continually in the gospel.