Mark Batten
02/19/23 – Kingdom Value – Discipleship
When Jesus told his disciples to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19), He was not calling them to recruit members or enter people into a program. Rather, He wanted them to create more disciples! Being a disciple means dedicating one’s life to taking on the teachings and qualities of their mentor and learning from them. …
12/11/22 – Advent Week 3 – Peace
We all know the song “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and have memories of Christmas past wrapped up in the opening notes. Those sweet chords usher in a bit of peace amid a chaotic and turbulent world. Of course, this peaceful state of mind is fleeting for most of us. From where and how does true …
11/13/22 – Kingdom Value – The Advancing Church
Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 6:18). How, exactly, will He do this? Through those willing to “go” (Matt 28:19)! But, go where? How and why? We see from scripture how Jesus patterned the answers to these questions and how they support the …
07/31/22 – Gifted Series – Leadership
Romans 12:6–8 (NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift… is to lead, do it diligently.Not to be confused with natural talent or acquired skills, the supernatural grace gift of leadership is a spiritual gift given and empowered by the Spirit of God for spiritual purposes with eternal …
03/27/22 – The Savior Who Knows Our Hearts
After riding into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey rather than a majestic stallion worthy of a King, and after confronting the religious robbers of the temple courts who were profiting off the people seeking forgiveness through animal sacrifice, Jesus went on to denounce the religious hypocrites. Foretelling the destruction of the temple, the culminating great …
Advent – Peace
Peace is not as much a state of mind as it is a state of being. When the heavenly host sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14), they knew that the promised Prince of Peace had arrived!
06/06/21 – The Overflow of the Gospel
Most of us have either been hurt or have done the hurting. The pain and shame we sometimes feel can be crippling. Yet, in today’s “picture-perfect” world (we’re looking at you, social media!), we dare not admit that it ever happened, deleting it from our memory banks, never speaking of it again. This Sunday we …
12/13/20 – Advent – Joy
As we head into week 3 of our Advent series, we take a look at Joy. Joy, closely related to happiness, is much more than a feeling; it is the absolute assurance in the promises of God, producing an attitude of hope and praise. We will examine the encounter of two pregnant women, Mary and …
Be Ready
Being ready for the return of Jesus starts today and should continue until “that day.” Mark shares with us how being “ready” is a daily decision, is for the benefit of others and anticipates joyful union with Christ Jesus.
Acts 24 – The Unfolding Drama of the advancing Gospel
This week we look at Acts 24 and continue to see that in-spite of persecution the Gospel is advancing nonetheless!
