Encountering Jesus the King Who Came to Die
To encounter Jesus the King is to follow a crucified Messiah — and to take up a cross of your own.
Mark 8:31-38
Series Outline for Christmas Surprises
The story of the first Christmas, recorded in Matthew 1 and 2, is full of surprises, each of which reveals an aspect of the Gospel that still has the power to amaze us today.
Christmas Surprises
The story of the first Christmas, recorded in Matthew 1 and 2, is full of surprises, each of which reveals an aspect of the Gospel that still has the power to amaze us today.
Matthew 1-2
Surprise Worshippers
In a stunning Christmas surprise, the Magi – pagan scholars skilled in religious texts, dreams, and the stars – become the first Gentile worshipers of Jesus, foreshadowing God’s plan to call followers from every nation.
Matthew 2:1-23
Surprise Reactions
In a surprising twist, the news about Jesus unmasked three responses still common today: Herod’s hostile fear, the religious leader’s complacent indifference, and the Magi’s joyful worship.
Matthew 2:1-18
Surprise Pregnancy
Jesus’ miraculous conception confronted Joseph and Mary with a scandalous, faith-testing situation that required radical obedience, revealing how God fulfills His ancient promises through the most surprising means.
Matthew 1:18-25
Surprise Family Tree
Matthew’s genealogy presents Jesus as the royal Son of David, the promised Seed of Abraham who will bless all nations, and the Savior who redeems a family tree—and a world—marred by startling sin and scandal.
Matthew 1:1-17
Series Outline for Redeeming Love – The Book of Ruth
Through the intertwined stories of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz, the Book of Ruth reveals how redeeming love—both human and divine—transforms devastating loss into unexpected hope, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption found in Christ.
Redeemed By Love
The book of Ruth concludes with a beautiful picture of redemption through love, as Boaz and Ruth are united in marriage, Naomi’s emptiness is filled with an heir, and God’s greater plan unfolds through the lineage that leads to David—and ultimately to Jesus.
Ruth 4
Restoration Through a Kinsman-Redeemer
In his willingness to serve as a kinsman-redeemer, Boaz points forward to our true Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus, who redeems, frees, protects, and defends His people.
Ruth 3
A Glimmer of Hope
God creates a glimmer of hope for Naomi and Ruth through three means: His providential orchestration, Ruth’s diligent work, and Boaz’s redemptive kindness.
Ruth 2
Through the Bitter Valley
When suffering comes into our lives, it is hard to see God’s purposes clearly, but He will bring us through the bitter valley to restore our hope.
Ruth 1
He Has Risen!
Mark’s cryptic, unusual ending to his Gospel is a call for us to overcome fear and to share the Good news of the resurrection and the message of grace and restoration, knowing that God will accomplish His work despite our wavering faithfulness.
Text: Mark 16:1-8
Jesus On Trial – Pilate
Pilate, the religious leaders, and the crowd worked together to wrongfully crucify Jesus in the place of a wicked man. This act mirrors the Gospel – we are freed from the punishment we deserve because Christ willingly takes our place.
Mark 15:1-15
Peter On Trial
While Jesus stands resolute and fearless in His trial, Peter crumbles under fear, denying Jesus just as Jesus had prophesied would happen. Yet, he was later restored by Jesus to a life of faithfulness.
Luke 1:39-45
The Garden of Temptation and Testing – Part 2
In the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples did not remain alert and pray, thus sealing their failure in the hour of temptation and testing.
Mark 14:27-52
True Devotion, Deep Betrayal
In the midst of deep betrayal by the priests and Judas, a woman displays true devotion and worship, sacrificing a costly gift to anoint Jesus in spite of the indignant reaction of others.
Mark 14:1-11
Simeon’s Song of Freedom (Nunc Dimittis)
The song of the angelic choir announced that Christ had come to bring glory to God and peace to the people of Earth.
Luke 2:8-14
Zechariah’s Song of Prophetic Praise (Benedictus)
After a season of silence and deep meditation, Zechariah erupted is a song of praise for God’s saving work, which had been prophetically promised, and was now coming to fulfillment with the birth of John who would prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah Who would save God’s people.
Luke 1:67-79
Mary’s Song of Exaltation (Magnificat)
Worship is focused on God and His Gospel, is formed and filled by the Word of God, and arises from personally experiencing God’s faithfulness to His people through the ages.
Luke 1:46-55
Elizabeth’s Song of Joyful Blessing (Beatitude)
Those who delight in the supremacy of Jesus will believe the Word of God and receive the joy of God’s deepest, richest blessing.
Luke 1:39-45
The Missionary Heart of God
We become the most like Jesus when we join the missionary heart of God to move out, into the unknown, to be a blessing to Bay Ridge and beyond.
Genesis 11:27-12:3
More Than Meets the Eye
Jesus condemned the scribes who looked outwardly impressive but were inwardly far from God, but He praised a poor widow whose tiny offering flowed from a heart of true faith and love for God.
Mark 12:38-44
When Less Is More
True abundance is not found in a life full of distractions but in one that has reduced activities to allow time to listen to Jesus speak.
Luke 10:38-42
The Ministry of the Messenger
Like Elijah and John the Baptist, we are called to be messengers proclaiming the King is coming, understanding that this often leads to opposition and suffering for the messenger.
Mark 9:9-13