A Story of Rebellion, Judgement, and Grace

Pastor Jon Verwey

Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. —Mark 12:1-5 NIV

…The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. — Exodus 34:6-7a NIV

God patiently calls people to repentance and forms them into a people who love, follow, and live for His Son.

He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. —Mark 12:6-8 NIV

What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. — Mark 12:9 NIV

The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. — Nahum 1:3a NIV

Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” — Mark 12:10-11 NIV

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. — Psalm 118:22–23 NIV

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. — Psalm 86:15–16 NIV

Why Matthew Threw a Party—and Why We Will Too

Pastor Jon Verwey

Combined reading Matthew 9:9-13/Mark 2:13-17/Luke 5:27-32 NIV

Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw a man named Matthew, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Matthew got up, left everything and followed him.

Then Matthew held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

But when the Pharisees and the teachers of the law saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they complained to his disciples, “Why does your teachers eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Then Matthew held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

But when the Pharisees and the teachers of the law saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they complained to his disciples, “Why does your teachers eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” — Revelation 3:20

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

“…I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” — Mark 2:17b NLT

“You do not delight in sacrifice… My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” — Psalm 51:16–17 (NIV)

When Jesus calls us to follow Him and we respond, it should move us to create space for others to encounter Him and hear His call to them.

Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend… Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. – Henri Nouwen

Faith, Forgiveness, and the Prayer of God’s People

04/26/26

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” — Mark 11:20-25 NIV

Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. v 23

‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ Mark 11:17 b NIV

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. vv 20-22

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. v 24

…I will do whatever you ask in my name… — John 14:13

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. — John 15:7 NIV

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. v 25

“…anything against anyone…” v 25

“Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive” C.S. Lewis

“…forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” v 25

Unforgiveness happens when someone else’s sin becomes bigger than the cross. The debt others owe us seems bigger than the debt we owed God. — Jason Meyer.

As God’s living temple, we are a praying people who trust Him and choose to forgive.

What the Temple Was Meant to Be

04/19/26

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. 15 When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16 and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. 17 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

18 When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching. 19 That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city. 20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” — Mark 11:12–21 NLT

…All the families on earth will be blessed through you. — Genesis 12:3b NLT

12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. — Deuteronomy 10:12 NLT

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8 NIV

“The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” v. 17

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up.v. 20

16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? — 1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God… — 1 Corinthians 6:19a NLT

‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ v. 17

Hear, O people of God:
The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

He has shown you, O [people of God], what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8 NIV

Jesus replaces the temple with His people—so we can love Him, walk with Him, and be a blessing to the nations.

Pastor Jon Verwey

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.

47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!”

50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. — Mark 10:46–52 NLT

Faith is seeing and believing who Jesus is, trusting that He can and will act, and humbly coming to Him—pushing through to reach Him and following wherever He leads.

…Jesus, Son of David… v. 47b

…threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus v. 50

…Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! v. 47b

“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him… v. 48

…he only shouted louder… v. 48

…he followed Jesus down the road v. 52b (NLT)

…followed him on the way. v. 52b (ESV)

…If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. — Mark 8:34 NLT

Faith is seeing and believing who Jesus is, trusting that He can and will act, and humbly coming to Him—pushing through to reach Him and following wherever He leads.

[NOTE: when you put these questions on the screen reveal them one at a time, but keep the previous question on the screen.]

Where are you having a hard time believing who Jesus really is?

Where are you not trusting Him?

Where are you pulling back in fear when you know you need to press in toward Jesus?

Where is life getting loud—where other voices, pressures, or circumstances are trying to silence you—and instead of crying out, you’ve grown quiet?

Where are you choosing to sit by the road— instead of getting up and following Him where He is leading you?

The moment the cross revealed Jesus—and how it still changes lives today

04/05/26

33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” — Mark 15:33–39 NIV

…they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. — Mark 16:4-5 NIV

“Don’t be alarmed,” … “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here…” — Mark 16:6 NIV

If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. —Romans 10:9

Communion-

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… — Revelation 12:11a NKJV

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it.

Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

…you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. — 1 Corinthians 11:28 NLT

Have I surrendered my life to Him—given Him my “everything”?

Do I believe all that we are remembering and proclaiming in communion?

Walking with Jesus but missing His way

03/29/26

Pastor Jon Verwey

Jesus leads the way in humility, opens the way through the cross, and is the only Way to real transformation.

…Jesus [was] leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. — Mark 10:32a NIV

…Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. — Luke 9:51 NIV

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. — Isaiah 50:7 NLT

Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.

“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” vv. 32b-34

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. — Philippians 2:6–8 NLT

“Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” v. 38b

“…but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”v. 40

…You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. vv. 42b-44

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve… v. 45a

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. v. 45

…he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. — Philippians 2:7 NLT

His spilled blood, broken body and death became the ransom price that set us free from slavery to sin.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:9–11 NLT

Jesus leads the way in humility, opens the way through the cross, and is the only Way to real transformation.

He has opened the way for you to step out of the exhausting cycle of trying harder but never changing — and into the life you were created to live.

God’s Design for Relationships and the Way to the Kingdom

Pastor Jon Verwey

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law…”

“Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. —Mark 10:1–16 (NIV)

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” v. 2b

What did Moses command you?… v. 3

It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law… v. 5

“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Mark 10:6–9 NIV

God’s design cannot be rewritten by what we think is right or what we want to happen.

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” — Mark 10:10–12 NIV

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant… Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. — Mark 10:14–15 NIV

God’s design cannot be rewritten by what we think is right or what we want — it must be received in humble faith.

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. — Hebrews 3:7–8, 12 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.— Proverbs 3:5–7 NLT