This Sunday as we gathered together on Zoom, Mark began our new series we are calling "Underground Kingdom of God" by looking at Daniel chapter 1, in which we hear of Daniel performing a respectful act of subversion under his Babylonian captors.
The Underground Kingdom of God: Seeds
This Sunday as we gathered on Zoom, Mark introduced our new series we are calling "Underground Kingdom of God" by looking at Matthew 13:24-33 in which tells the parables of the weeds and the wheat, as well as the parable of the mustard seed.
Knowing Christ and the Power of His Resurrection
This Sunday Mark looked at Paul’s words to the Christians in Philippi (as found in Philippians 3:7-14) where he shared with them some things he had learned while running his race, even though it was not yet finished. As Emmaus celebrates 10 years as a church, we looked at what another 10 years might bring…
Jesus' Prayer for Unity
This week and next we are taking some time to reflect on the conversations of the last four weeks and to transition into our next series. This Sunday Mark looked at Jesus’ prayer for unity among is followers as found in John 17.
A Conversation with Rodney McAuley
This Sunday we conclude our four week series where we welcome key leaders in our city for a conversation on Jesus, Racism, and the Church. This week Mark speaks with Rodney McAuley, who has been a pastor and mentor in Spokane for many years, and is a respected voice in our city for racial reconciliation.
Near the end of the conversation we had two questions from participants in the Zoom call, which were taken out for privacy (it should be obvious where they were asked based on the preceding comments by Mark and the pause and response by Rodney). The questions are summarized as follows:
As we come up into this election and partisan divisiveness that is dominating our country, how do we stay holy in this time of unholiness?
In the section from the Bible that [Rodney] opened up the conversation with (2 Cor. 5:14-6:2), what are your thoughts on verse 16, which says, “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.”
A Conversation with Lenore Three Stars
This Sunday we continue a series of conversations with key city leaders on the topics of Jesus, Racism, and the Church. For our third conversation, Mark speaks with Lenore Three Stars, who serves as a facilitator for the annual Journey to Mosaic, a faith-based racial reconciliation experience in the Pacific Northwest. She also speaks, writes, and serves with nonprofits related to her interests in the local community, Native culture, and a discipleship of creation care.
A Conversation with Stephy Nobles-Beans
This Sunday we continue a series of conversations with key city leaders on the topics of Jesus, Racism, and the Church. For our second conversation, Mark speaks with Stephy Nobles-Beans, who is Associate Chaplain for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ministry at Whitworth University, as well as a Pastor at a small church on the South Hill.
A Conversation with Kurtis Robinson
This Sunday we begin a series of conversations with key city leaders on the topics of Jesus, Racism, and the Church. For our first conversation, Mark speaks with Kurtis Robinson, president of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP.
A Template for Oppression
This week as we gathered together on Zoom, Mark looked at chapter 1 of Exodus where he mapped out a "template for oppression" from this Biblical example of oppression in which the Egyptians were the oppressors over the Israelites. We saw examples of two foundations of oppression, fear and hatred, and a response of resistance to that oppression.
I am Coming Soon!
This week as we gathered on Zoom, we wrapped up our sermon series on the book of Revelation. Mark looked at chapter 22, in which John recounts the words Jesus repeated in his vision: “I am coming soon!”
A New Jerusalem
This Sunday as we gathered together on Zoom, we continued our sermon series on Revelation (which will wrap up next week), and Mark looked at chapter 21, in which John described a New Jerusalem descend from heaven in all its glory.
Lake of Fire
This week as we gathered together on Zoom, we continued our sermon series on Revelation. In his message, Mark looked at chapter 20 verses 10-15 in which John describes his vision of the Lake of Fire, and Mark offers a perspective on the section that takes it from a little different angle than some might see it.
The Fall of Babylon
This week as we gathered together on Zoom, we continued our sermon series on Revelation. In his message, Mark looked at chapter 18 in which John uses Babylon as a symbol of the current Roman oppression of at the time. Mark talked about some of the different types of oppression that result from the different systems in our world, whether governmental, economic, societal, or otherwise, and how as Christians we both lament what has happened/is happening but also are sometimes able to look at it from another perspective.
The Two Beasts
This week as we gathered on Zoom we continued our sermon series going through the book of Revelation. Mark looks at chapter 13 in which John describes two beasts who fight against God’s holy people. Mark talks about some of the different interpretations that people have taken on this section and one way we can look at it without getting to carried away.
A Woman, Her Child, and the Dragon
This week as we gathered on Zoom we continued our sermon series going through the book of Revelation. Mark looks at chapter 12 in which John describes a vision that could easily be made into a movie, where a woman gives birth to a child, and then the angels begin fighting a war with a dragon and its angels. Mark talks about how this describes Jesus’s victory over Satan, whose time of tormenting us on earth is running out.
God's Promised Hope for Reality
This week as we gathered on Zoom we continued our new sermon series going through the book of Revelation. Mark looked at chapter 7 in which John describe his vision of people from every race, tribe, nation, and language praising God. Mark talks about how this describes God’s promised hope for reality, and what we might be able to do to begin to see glimpses of that happening here on earth.
Who is God?
This week as we gathered on Zoom we continued our new sermon series going through the book of Revelation. Mark looked at chapters 4 and 5 in which John tries to describe his vision into heaven. Mark suggested to consider the question “Who is God” as you listen to these two chapters. We also hear hear themes of holiness and worthiness echoing through these words.
Open Doors
This week as we gathered on Zoom we continued our new sermon series going through the book of Revelation. Mark looked at chapter 3 in which John addresses the other three of the seven churches in Asia. We hear God talking through John about looking for him to open doors, starting fresh, and being complacent. Mark also talks about some ways that we can rise above the divisiveness that pervades our current culture.
I see you!
This week as we gathered on Zoom we continued our new sermon series going through the book of Revelation. Mark looked at chapter 2 in which John addresses four of the seven churches in Asia, and asked, “What would it look like for us to emerge victorious?”
Lamp Stands for Jesus
This week as we gathered on Zoom we began our new sermon series going through the book of Revelation. Mark gave an overview of the book and talked about John’s first vision as described in chapter 1. Mark talked about how we can be lamp stands for the Gospel today.