“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God…” (Mark 1:1)

Consider the culture during the time that Mark wrote this sentence. There wasn’t a single section of life that the Roman Empire didn’t reach into and try to control. There wasn’t just a threat of persecution—there was straight-up, bone-crushing, soul-punishing, violent persecution of believers in Jesus. It was a time of incredible societal and political upheaval. 

It was a time like today—when the world desperately needs hope. Hope from a servant-leader who is not of this world. A radical, revolutionary, and self-sacrificial King who left His throne, laid down His crown, and humbled Himself to death on a cross, paying the penalty for sin and rising from the dead. The kind of King who promises never to leave, never forsake and always be with us until the end of the age. His name is Jesus.

Let’s not forget that Christmas is a time ripe with evangelistic opportunities. In a season when we talk about giving gifts, let’s not forget to mention the indescribable gift of God’s Son. In a season when we speak of hope, let’s not forget that hope has a name—Jesus. And in a season when we proclaim peace, let’s proclaim the good news of peace with God, purchased by the blood of God’s one and only Son, Jesus.

“For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:13-14)

Maybe that someone is you.

​“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God…” (Mark 1:1) As 21st Century Gentiles, it's difficult for us to grasp just how dangerous, subversive & controversial it would be to write these important words. But when you consider the backstory of the man God used to write them, you can see why he had the courage, the passion & the urgency to publish something so revolutionary. Watch our study of Mark 1:1 as we considered the opportunities for evangelism all around us during Christmas.

​The birth story of Jesus in the Gospel of John isn’t easy to find. There’s no list of names like in Matthew. There’s no heavenly host addressing shepherds as in Luke. But it’s still there! Because John highlighted how Jesus is God, we need to rethink what a birth story for God would look like.

Watch our study of John 1 and marvel at the wonder of the Infinite becoming infant, the Maker becoming man—Immanuel, God with us!

​In Matthew 8 and Luke 7, we learn two important lessons about having and employing faith from an unlikely source—a Roman Centurion. 

First, we learn that faith is not about feeling worthy. Faith is not dependent on a feeling of worthiness we can muster up. Faith is about focusing on the authority and ability of God to do what He promised.

Second, we do not need to see to believe—especially if we understand God’s authority and ability to do what He promised to do for those who feel unworthy. We have to believe, and then God will show us. Our eyes can deceive us, but the Bible cannot. Scripture records the infallible track record of God doing exactly what He promised to do—each and every time.

When we understand His authority and ability and trust in His love and mercy, we choose to believe—even, and especially, if we cannot see. 

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
–1 Peter 1:8-9