Dayspring Fellowship Podcasts

Signs of the Times

June 25 & 26, 2016
Jesus in Action - Messages from Mark • Chapter13
 
     When we examine Biblical prophecy, like what we find in Mark 13, we might wish for it to cooperatively line up into an A-B-C, 1-2-3 sequence, but it doesn’t read that way. Many theological schemes force the Bible’s teaching into artificially contrived time-lines. Systems are interesting, but we can’t superimpose our preconceived ideas on what Jesus said and make it all fit into a tidy system.
     While the rest of the Bible is full of teaching concerning the return of Jesus and the end of the age, Mark 13 provides Christ’s stand-alone answer to his disciples’ questions: “When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Fortunately, this chapter doesn’t overtly lead into the murky water of controversy over various elements of end-times theology: we won’t dive into discussion about the pre, mid, or post theories of Christ’s return in relation to the Great Tribulation or his Millennial Reign. Instead, we’ll go through this chapter, verse by verse, and listen to what Jesus said about the signs of the times. Join us.

He's Not Just A Loving Father, But A Just, Loving Father

June 18 & 19, 2016
Jesus in Action -Messages from Mark
 
The media has been dominated this week by news of yet another mass murder in our country. Some of the stories are exploring the terrorist connection, while others are concentrating on views and opinions. Because the shooting was in a gay bar, some reporters sought out the most outlandish statements being made in American pulpits. There are people who claim to be aligned with our loving Father who spew hate and misrepresent God. Everywhere you turn, someone is saying something that makes God our Father look bad.            
     
Is he bad?
     
Tragedies such as the one in Orlando might lead some to think so. And some of the responses certainly make Christ’s followers look bad. There are even passages in the Bible that make us scratch our heads. We will look at one this weekend as we continue our series through Mark.  
     
I had started with another approach to chapter 12, in fact, I developed a couple different themes, but then I remembered that I will be teaching this on Father’s Day and realized that the story Jesus told, recorded in 12:1-12, helps us to better understand what God our Father is like.
     
Come worship with us. 

Expecting Jesus

June 11 & 12, 2016
Jesus in Action -Messages from Mark
 
I love the Word of God. It seems like every time I read a familiar passage, like Mark 11, I get something new out of it. On the surface Mark 11 looks like three unrelated stories from Jesus’ last week on earth, beginning with the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. But, beneath the surface His truth is just waiting to bring us life.
Join us this weekend as He breathes life into us.
Pastor Chris

Jesus' View of Marriage and Divorce

June 4 & 5, 2016
Jesus in Action - Messages from Mark
 
Note from the title that this week’s message is about Jesus’ view of marriage and divorce.I’m not going to present Hollywood’s view; you get enough of that on TV and in the movies. I’ve heard it said that bankers don’t spend a lot of time studying counterfeit bills; they just get to know the real thing. I’m not going to attack or affirm Oregon’s laws. I am fully aware that there are many views about marriage and divorce, gender and orientation. Attitudes vary from century to century and culture to culture. Within our country, policies differ from state to state. People and groups can base their view on what Jesus said, or they can disregard the Bible entirely. Some oppose, reject, and even despise what Jesus said about marriage. But Jesus said what he said and it is recorded in Mark 10:1-12. In this weekend’s message, we won’t ignore or dilute what Jesus said, nor will we be rigid and judgmental. We’ll handle this matter directly and compassionately. So lay down your preconceptions and join us for a serious study and uplifting worship. You can pull weeds at home in 100 degree heat or connect with God and others in the air-conditioned Celebration Center.I’m planning on being at Dayspring! No sweat. I hope to see you.

Christ's Inverted Hierarchy

May 28 & 29, 2016
Jesus in Action - Messages from Mark
 
One of the things I’m looking forward to after this presidential campaign is over is a break from the outrageously bold self-promotion of politicians and their audacious defamation of one another. I’m not talking about any particular candidate; brashness and swagger just go with the territory. They all blow their own horns, comparing themselves favorably to their competitors. It’s part of the game, I guess, but the stakes are high.Overconfident leaders are dangerous.
     
The Bible contains many warnings against arrogance. In this week’s study from Mark 9, we’ll see what Jesus had to say about who is first and who is last. His counterintuitive approach to greatness is essentially an upside down hierarchy.His disciples didn’t grasp what Jesus was getting at when he talked about suffering, humility and serving but we have a chance to learn and apply this lesson this week. I hope to see you in worship this weekend.

What About You? Who Do You Say I Am?

May 21 & 22, 2016
Jesus in Action - Messages from Mark
 
I have been thinking more about all the conversations I have each day.  You may not know this about me but, I’m an extrovert and I enjoy meeting new friends everywhere I go.  No matter where I go, I find that strangers are simply friends I haven’t met yet. For the most part, being an extrovert is positive thing for me.  Because of my outgoing nature, I often get to meet new people and learn about their life and enjoy friendly conversations.  I enjoy meeting other extroverted people because I get to learn about their life.  I also enjoy meeting introverted because they are so quiet and then I get to do most of the talking. 
     
One of the down sides of being an extrovert is I often have many conversations that are only filled with niceties, and pleasantries.  I get to hear about how the weekend went, how the kids are doing, how school studies are progressing and on and on.  While these conversations are certainly good and I enjoy them, I find myself longing for deeper conversations with more people.  So you can imagine my excitement when I see that Larry has asked me to speak on Mark 8.  In Mark 8, Jesus engages his disciples in a conversation where he asks them a single question that has the potential to alter the course of their lives…that is, if they are paying attention. This weekend we look at Jesus in action in a conversation that has the potential to transform lives.
 
I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Kap

The Heart of the Matter is the Heart Matters

May 14 & 15, 2016
Jesus in Action - Messages from Mark
There are people who think that everything is black and white.They have a rule to guide every decision. If there is no law that pertains,they will make one up and impose it on everyone else. Other people think that everything is a shade of gray. They say you are free to do whatever you like.There are problems associated with both of these views. How did Jesus live and what did he teach his disciples?
    
This weekend we will dive into a cauldron of controversy. We’ll see in Mark 7that Christ’s opponents, the Pharisees, were once again bent out of shape by how Christ’s followers behaved. The flavor of religion in that day was terribly legalistic; leaders expected people to keep rules that were man-made and not based on God’s Word. Against the harsh and judgmental backdrop of confining condemnation, the liberty of the disciples seemed to be evidence that Jesus disregarded the traditions the Pharisees held so dear.
    
Join us this week as we learn about the liberty that sets us free from legalism.

Therapy for a Peculiarity of Familiarity

May 7 & 8, 2016
Jesus in Action -
Messages from Mark
As you can see, I had a tough time with my title for this
weekend’s sermon. It didn’t come early or easily in the process. By Thursday, I had chosen my text and
did my homework on each verse. I had developed a scheme and had even begun to
hone the concluding application points. My draft of the outline was looking
good, but I still had a line of question marks as a placeholder for the title.
I asked for input from friends in the office and we made fun of each other’s
suggestions.  Finally, in desperation and right before my deadline, I made
up this tongue twister title just to boggle your minds. It’s hard to find much
that rhymes with familiarity!
     
This title isn’t just strange; it also means something. It’s a simple summary
of what we’ll be experiencing in the Mother’s Day message. Our treatment of
Mark 6:1-6 will help us learn how to avoid a particular pitfall of family life.
There is an old proverb that “familiarity breeds contempt.” It is a curious and
unfortunate thing that we tend to show inadequate honor to those we are closest
to. We’ll see in our study that Jesus was on the receiving end of such neglect
and so are many moms. I believe what we learn from these verses will be of
encouragement to moms and will motivate and equip the rest of us to show them
the respect they deserve. I hope to see you this weekend. Let’s worship
together.

Along the Way

April 30 & May 1,2016
Jesus in Action - Messages from Mark
 
Have you ever been on your way to do something and been interrupted by a distraction that delayed you? Some of these off-ramps are unpleasant and inconvenient, but others can be as important as your original destination.
     
In our study of Mark 5 this weekend, we’ll see Jesus set out to do something great. But he’s interrupted along the way and ends up doing something else great first. There’s a story within a story in this passage. Jesus paused to change a life on the way to saving another.
     
Come worship with us as we see Jesus in action, demonstrating his power and setting an example for his followers. We’ll leave more motivated to approach life in a new way, not so focused on tasks that we tend to miss people along the way.

Thy Kingdom Come

April 23 & 23,2016
Jesus in Action - Messages from Mark
 
When we refer to Christ as our Lord, what meaning does that hold for you? Last week in Mark 3 we witnessed the authority of Christ come into question by the Pharisees and scribes. With this context in mind, Mark 4focuses our attention on the Lordship of Christ and the on-going work of the Kingdom of God.
    
Join us this weekend as we explore together the Good News of the Kingdom and the impact God’s reign can have on our lives and our world. Celebrate with usas we give thanks for God’s mighty work from the smallest and simplest of beginnings. With confidence we can share the Word knowing that God’s work will be accomplished in God’s timing. Let those who have ears to hear listen!
       
May we be a Church that continually grows as we hear the Word, accept it and produce fruit all for the glory of God. I’m looking forward to another weekend together.