Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

We take a look at the transfiguration in the gospel of MarkAf Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

In today's passage, Peter finally gets what 8 chapters of Mark have been building towards the recognition of Jesus as the Christ. However, the same issue that we have been looking at this entire series remains. Peter's definition of Messiah is still very different than Jesus'. This passage represents a pivot point in the gospel, so we this is the f…

Mark ch 8, parallels much of the material from the 1st half of Mark Ch 6 & 7. Using the story so far we look at the specific point Jesus was making with feeding the 4000, as well as how aggressive the debates with the Pharisees and scribes were becoming.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

This episode looks at two miracles of Jesus. The healing of a gentile woman's daughter and the healing of a deaf/ mute.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Many of us live lives that are characterized by only accepting half of the Gospel, only the outline. Rev. Paul in a special message for Back to Church Sunday extorts his listeners to accept the full gospel of Christ.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

We take a look at an incident of very purposeful rejection of the oral traditions of the scribes by JesusAf Rev. Paul Leonard

Af Rev. Paul Leonard

We look at the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. In Mark's Gospel Jesus uses this miracle to establish a very poignant connection between him and Moses and Isaiah's/ Ezekiel's prophecies. *Note: this is a re-upload after an error the first timeAf Rev. Paul Leonard

We look at the story of how Jesus sent out the disciples, and how that required an attitude of complete innovation, and a strong dependence on GraceAf Rev. Paul Leonard

John was the prophet who prepared the way of the Lord, and that in today's story means he quite literally faced his own death. This sermon explores what it means that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Prophets and how we all in some ways play the same roll as John the Baptist did.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Today's sermon explores two different miracles of Jesus that the Gospel of Mark wraps together. We explore why Jesus' healing of the woman with the 12 year hemorrhage and the raising of the synagogue leader's daughter are wrapped together in Mark.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Jesus could find any respect in his hometown. This sermon follows the text a bit more loosely than our series has so far, focusing on the 10th commandment (9th in some traditions) "Thou shall not covet"Af Rev. Paul Leonard

We look at how the parable of the sower fits specifically in MarkAf Rev. Paul Leonard

Mark uses 4 agricultural parables to describe the kingdom of God back to back. But in the Gospel of Mark the key phrase the "kingdom of God" makes the meaning a bit nuanced from normal.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

We look at the Story of Jesus quieting the storm. This will be a limited availability sermon.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

We look at what is a very long story of a demon being cast out in the Gospel of Mark. Mark takes a long time to develop the details, and we look at what some of those details mean; also focus on Jesus' transformative deliverance.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Jesus is accused by the Pharisees and scribes of healing with black magic, at the same time his Mother and family fail to understand him. Jesus uses the moment to teach who his true family are.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

In today's episode Jesus selects the Twelve Disciples. We take a look at the 13 men Jesus selected to start his church and carry out his missionAf Rev. Paul Leonard

We often hear the words "Jesus, Son of God" and just assume we know what they mean. In fact, a great many people think they are sure themselves but wouldn't agree with others. So as we begin to read the Gospel of Mark we get to first things first... letting Mark define his gospel.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Many people focus on the sayings of Jesus, but according to Mark Jesus had a very distinct message that he preached. Jesus preached that the kingdom had come. That set him apart from John the Baptist who said it was coming, and others who said it was a place. Jesus preached the Kingdom had come because HE was the kingdom.…

Jesus now shifts his ministry to building up the kingdom by calling the first disciples. This brings conflict with evil as a Demon confronts him. But Jesus shows his authority by casting it out and amazing the crowd.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Jesus has now built a reputation; people are coming to him only because of his reputation and not his message. Eager to preach the kingdom, Jesus makes a choice to heal a man even though it would hindering his preachingAf Rev. Paul Leonard

Today we look at the popular story where Jesus heals the man lowered through the roof. Jesus when challenged asked his opponents if it is easier to say God forgives sins, or to tell someone to be healed. In today's times, we often say the first a lot! And hardly anyone claims the later. And that is what Jesus is getting at.…

In Mark Ch2, Jesus gets in 5 conflicts with the Pharisees as he is ministering in Galilee. In calling Levi and eating with sinners Jesus also should be challenging us! The action is more radical than we assume if we really dig into the text.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Jesus makes a bold claim in todays text, then he goes even further by making the bold action of healing on the Sabbath. In the 5 conflicts of Mark Ch 2 this action becomes the last straw for Jesus' opponentsAf Rev. Paul Leonard

Lawsuits among ChristiansAf Rev. Paul Leonard

Paul takes on the Sexual immorality in the Corinthian Church.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Paul gives a unique view on Christian marriage that challenges our cultural assumptionsAf Rev. Paul Leonard

The apostle Paul's take on marriage part 2Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Paul pleads with the church as a Father; also says he will not submit to human judgement. This is an important build up to the conflict of ch 5.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Paul finally drops the bomb on his big and main problem with the church in Corinth. What's going on there isn't pretty; the attitude of the people doing it shows up in places that may look just fine.Af Rev. Paul Leonard

3rd sermon in the 1st Corinthians seriesAf Rev. Paul Leonard

The fourth sermon in the 1st Corinthians series. Focus: Most of the church is childish and Paul must make clear that someone needs to grow up!Af Rev. Paul Leonard

This is the first sermon in our new series on 1st Corinthians. Paul's introduction calls the church to focus on unity in Christ to overcome its divisions based on human leadershipAf Rev. Paul Leonard

2nd sermon in the Corinthian series Paul makes an appeal to the "foolishness of the cross" to end the debates over who is wise and powerful in the struggling Corinthian churchAf Rev. Paul Leonard

There's an aspect of faith that has to be public. And we are often quite concerned about our own public reputation. And while sometimes people think religion is all about God being ashamed of us... quite often it's actually the other way around. Have you ever been ashamed of your faith? In today's message we get at the fact that people didn't like …

In this scriptural exposition of 2 Corinthians, Rev. Paul approaches the wide theme of church conflict found throughout both letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians. With 80% of US churches in some stage of plateau or decline, its sadly very likely many Christians are all to familiar with such things. But the issue isn't impossible, and the solution isn…

I apologize, but due to repainting the sanctuary, my mind was off and I failed to record parts 2 and 3. Today's message is, "What?" is the church? and the answer is its the body of Christ. That should not just unite us, but we can't be the body of Christ if we are notAf Rev. Paul Leonard

Jonah is called by God, and goes right in the other direction. This is the Sunday School story for adults!Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Jonah even in the lowest part of his life is playing a prophetic role. What does it mean to be a prophet in the bad times?Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Jonah is a small town bumpkin in a big city; his preaching has a big effect!Af Rev. Paul Leonard

Jonah faces a tough reality, God often saves people we don't want him to!Af Rev. Paul Leonard