There is a vast difference between being a religious ruler and a servant-leader. If anyone had every right to be a religious ruler, it was Jesus. And yet, the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve; not to save His life, but to lay it down as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus’ example shows us what servant-leadership looks like. It’s His example that we should all want to follow as His disciples—not just in the church, but especially in the home.

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 9:36-10:16 as we learned about the revolution Jesus initiated from religious rulership to servant-leadership and the blessing that comes to us if we do as He did.

esus is so patient with us, isn’t He? He was patient with the disciples too—even as they were arguing and disputing instead of actually ministering and serving.

To make matters worse, they were arguing and disputing about who would be the greatest—or which one of them was the most important person, as the Children’s Bible renders it.

They were arguing about all of this right after Jesus—the Suffering Servant—told them plainly that He would be betrayed and killed and then rise again on the third day.

But instead of firing them all on the spot, Jesus sits down and calls them to Himself. He doesn’t rebuke them for their desire to be great, but He ministers to them and helps them. He simply teaches them (and us) where true greatness can be found—in service. True greatness is found in being a servant—in serving those who can’t serve back, the “least of these”.

But Jesus didn’t just define greatness—He made it accessible to everyone. Everyone has the capacity and invitation to become great in the Kingdom of God as the servant of all.

What does it mean to be greatly used of God? How does Jesus view and define greatness? How does someone become great in His kingdom?

These are questions we all want answered. And when we don’t know the answers, we tend to argue about it—just like the disciples. But we don’t need to quarrel and squabble—Jesus answers these questions for us.

He tells His followers that true greatness is found in being a servant and in serving. Being great means serving those who have no ability to bless you back and who can’t make you feel important.

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 9:30-37 as we learned one of the most important lessons we could ever learn.

Join us for an evening of worship with special musical guests Terry & Nancy Clark this Sunday, September 12th at 6pm. Terry & Nancy Clark are great friends of the fellowship with a heart for the Lord and leading others into a deeper intimacy with Jesus through their music. We hope you can join us this Sunday at 6pm.

There is a cosmic battle taking place in the heavenly realm. It is the battle for the hearts and minds of men, women, and children. It’s a battle for cities and nations. And ultimately, it’s a battle for the right to rule this planet.

But it is not a physical battle—and it cannot be fought or won physically. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

So what’s our part to play in this battle? How can we fight by faith for the kingdom of God? Watch or listen to our study from Sunday as guest speaker Peter Warren explains the weapons of our warfare, the tactics of the enemy, and the victory we have in Jesus.

We are passionate people, aren’t we? We can find something to fight about or argue over with each other in seconds. But what do we want to be found doing when Jesus comes—serving and ministering, or arguing and fighting?

The disciples had this experience as Jesus came down from the mountain after His transfiguration. In Mark 9:14, we read how Jesus noticed the scribes disputing with the disciples while there were people who needed help.

Wasting time arguing instead of serving is one of the most often made mistakes as servants of Jesus. It’s a trap—it saps our energy, grieves the Holy Spirit, and robs those around us who need our help. It’s something we are to avoid (see 2 Timothy 2:23, Titus 3:9, and Ephesians 4:29-32).\

So instead of wasting time arguing and fighting, invest time in prayer and fasting so you can serve those around you by bringing them to Jesus.

Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God. Which might seem odd in light of the transfiguration we studied last week. 

If there was one event that would make for an amazing central event, Christ's appearance in radiant glory to three of his disciples would certainly be a top contender.

But it was at the cross where Christ was exalted. In Philippians 2 we learn about what Christ was thinking as He came to serve, suffer, and save. Watch or listen to our study from Sunday as guest speaker Pastor Nate lead our time in Philippians 2:5-9.

​Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord & study His word. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

While mountaintop experiences with God are amazing, we eventually need to get down. It’s true that we are to regularly and habitually seek the Lord in solitude, we are not to remain there. We are not intended to spend our lives in solitude.

We are to be in the world, but not of the world—because that is where God has sent us. He needs us to be the salt and light in the world that is suffering in and because of darkness.

So like Peter, we realize it is good for us to be here—with Jesus, in retreat from the world, getting clarity about who He really is. But Jesus will eventually lead us back down the mountain, into the places and next to the people who need to hear the hope that only Jesus can give them.

Take the time to seek the Lord in solitude and enjoy those times of refreshment and clarity on the mountaintop with Him—so that you can come back down and serve those who are lost, broken, and hurting with what He has given you.

In Mark 9 James, John, and Peter have a mountaintop experience. In their time with Jesus, they receive amazing clarity concerning who He truly is. As Jesus is transfigured before them, they see the divinity of Jesus through His humanity. He is the Song of God, the promised Messiah!

We can also have mountaintop experiences in our regular times of solitude with Jesus. But these times are intended to be temporary—we receive clarity about Jesus so that we can come down the mountain and minister to people who are suffering in the dark.

Watch or listen to our study in Mark 9:1-29 as we considered the importance of solitude before service.
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Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm

Receiving Jesus as your Savior is one thing. 

Receiving Him as your Lord is another.

Becoming a child of God saves us from the tragedy of spending eternity apart from Him. Being a disciple of Jesus saves us from the tragedy of a waste life while we are waiting for His return.

We are not to just be born again, and then wait around until He returns. We have work to do that He has called us to do. We are to occupy until He comes and be busy about our Father’s business.

His business is saving souls and making disciples. In order to co-operate in this work, we need to learn what it means to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him.

We must understand this. Jesus did not to come to save us from our circumstances. He came to save us from our sin. In order to do that, Jesus needed to suffer and sacrifice Himself. In order for us to be His disciples, we must understand that He is calling us to a similar life—a life of suffering, self-denial, and self-sacrificial service so that others can be saved too.

Are you reaching others for Him by living like Him? It’s a life of love, self-denial, self-sacrifice—a life that’s full, a life that’s truly life!

Jesus didn’t come to save us from our circumstances. He came to save us from our sins. But in order to do this, Jesus needed to serve, suffer, sacrifice, and die. 

​Once we are saved, He wants us to and calls us to participate and co-operate with Him in what He is doing. Like Jesus, we must be willing to live a similar life—a life of serving, suffering, and sacrifice—not to add to anyone’s salvation, but to lead others to salvation.

This is where the life that is truly life is found—in being a disciple of Jesus, The Messiah. Watch or listen to our study from Mark 8:27-38 as we learned what it means to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.

When it seems like Jesus isn’t listening, He is. When it seems like Jesus is being mean, He isn’t. He may be endeavoring to draw something deeper out from you. He loves you and would do anything for you if it would bless you and bring glory to God. Remember—Jesus is God. There is nothing too hard for God, so there’s nothing too hard for Jesus.
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Often, we convince ourselves that we need to approach Jesus in a certain way or though a specific method. But Jesus isn’t impressed with religion or ritual or a formula. When you simply and honestly say, “Lord, help me! Lord, save me!” He will turn towards you and answer you.

So pursue Jesus passionately—even if it seems like He isn’t listening, or if it seems like He is being mean, or even if He turns around and calls you “a little dog,” “a dirty dog,” or “a filthy sinner,” because that is what you are apart from Him. That’s hard to accept, isn’t it? Yet this must be acknowledged in order for you to have a real, raw, genuine saving faith to receive God’s gift of salvation.

You must admit that apart from Jesus, you are a hopeless and helpless sinner, and ONLY Jesus can save you—because He loves you. Jesus is God. And there is nothing too hard for God…even saving sinners.

For the last couple of Sundays, we have had this odd question reappearing in our studies: have we learned the lesson of the loaves yet? 

If you remember, Jesus walked on water not long after Jesus fed over 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. The apostles were astonish and greatly marveled at this because “they had not understood about the loaves…” (Mark 6:52). Their hearts were hardened and they were not fully accepting of the fact that Jesus is God and there is nothing too difficult for Him.

What about you? Is your heart hardened? Do you understand that Jesus loves you and would do anything for you if He knew it would bless you and bring God glory?

You can trust Him and pursue Him passionately—just like we saw in several scenes from our study this past Sunday. Watch or listen and continue to learn the lesson of the loaves—Jesus loves you and there is nothing too difficult for Him.

Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

Our hearts are desperately sick, wicked, and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). In an attempt to tame our sick, wicked, and deceitful hearts, we are tempted to turn to legalism, hoping to earn God’s favor through outward rules, regulations, religion, and traditions.

The problem is, legalism doesn’t work. Ever. It can’t heal a desperately sick heart, let alone control it. If outward rules and regulations, and religion and traditions can’t tame a sick, wicked, and deceitful heart, what can be done?

We must be given a new heart. And if you are in Christ, He has given you a new heart…in addition to your old heart, your old nature that is “continually corrupted by its sinful desires” (Ephesians 4:22). Your old nature is still lurking, still deceiving, still desperately sick as it continually corrupts.

Figuring out how to walk in your new nature as a new creation is extremely important. But there is hope—“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). What a promise!

In the book of Acts, Peter summarizes a good portion of Jesus’ earthly ministry: “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

We see Jesus healing many as we continue our study in Mark 6. How could anyone find fault with Jesus of Nazareth for going about doing good with God’s anointing? The Pharisees could—and did. They made it their mission to find fault with Jesus. These religious leaders from Jerusalem were devoted to preserving the culture of Judaism instead of Scripture.

Somewhere along the way, they began to believe that their culture was more important than Scripture. Too often, we are guilty of the same thing. We too sanctify our own preferences or write our own set of rules, or preserve our own culture at the expense of Scripture.
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When we do, we need to heed the warning Jesus gives us in Mark 7. Watch or listen to our study from Sunday and learn how legalism always fails to accomplish what only love can.

“Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side…”
–Mark 6:45

After a long day of ministry, Jesus got His disciples to get in a boat and leave. Not too long after, the disciples found themselves in the middle of a storm. 

Just think that through. Jesus made His closest friends go across the Sea of Galilee…at night…into a storm…without Him. And yet, that was safer than to remain with the multitude that wanted to take Jesus and make Him king by force (see John 6:15). Jesus made His disciples go into the storm for their own safety. 

Did Jesus have any less concern or care for His disciples when they were rowing against the wind for 6-9 hours when it should have only taken 2-3? No. He was teaching them and making them into disciples. He was stretching their capacity to trust Him. Jesus was teaching them that nothing was too hard for Him. Sometimes it’s the storm that brings Jesus directly to us. 

Are you caught in a storm today? Take your eyes off of your circumstances and fix your eyes on Jesus—the Author, Perfecter, and Finisher of your faith. He is the One who will equip you to do what He commands you to do even if what He commands you to do seems impossible.

Is anything too hard for God? Spoken out loud or pondered in the heart, it’s a question that’s been asked time and again. Is anything too difficult for God?

It’s no surprise that Jesus definitively answers that question—through His life and through His ministry. Whether it’s miraculously multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed over 5,000 people or walking on water, nothing is too difficult for God.

But like the disciples, we can forget about what the Lord can do and start to doubt to the point that we’re surprised when He does something that He promised He would do. Jesus knows this about us, but doesn’t condemn us. Instead, He continually calls us to Himself in order to make us into His disciples.

This is just one of the lessons we learned this past Sunday as we took a closer look at Mark 6:45-52. Watch or listen to our study and discover how important it is to keep our eyes on Jesus.
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Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

Jesus calls us to Himself and receives us just the way we are. But He loves us enough to not leave us the way that we are. In order to grow us and increase our capacity to serve Him, there are times where He needs to challenge us and rebuke us. There are times where He needs to be stern and serious with us—even when it seems impossible, or when we’re complaining, or when we are tired. 

When you experience these moments, realize that Jesus is graciously, mercifully, sternly, and seriously making you into His disciple. In a just a couple of chapters in Mark, Jesus will tell His disciples and the multitude, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35)

So when Jesus sternly and seriously challenges you, let go of your life for Him. Then you will find and experience and receive the life that is truly life! To be someone sent by Jesus at the command of Jesus, you must learn to deny yourself and serve others…even when it seems impossible.

Jesus is gracious when others would be gruff. He is selfless in every way. He also needs to be serious at times. As He makes disciples who would make disciples, He sometimes needs to be stern and direct.

As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark, we’ll notice that the closer Jesus gets to the cross, the more serious He will be about making the apostles into disciples. He needed to stretch them to make them into disciples and challenge their capacity to be servants.

We read of one of these times in Mark 6:30-44. Watch or listen to our study from this past Sunday and learn how we can be thankful for those times when Jesus is stern and serious.

​Join us Sunday at 10am as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

John the Baptist was thrown in prison because he spoke the truth. He told those who were in positions of power what God’s word had to say about the way they were living their lives. Because he stood up for the truth and God’s word, there were real and severe consequences for him.

Knowing all of this, Jesus gathered His followers and sent them to do the very same thing—to preach the word. To publicly proclaim the Good News in such a way that people realize their sin and want to turn away from it and towards Jesus.

However, Jesus told them He was sending them out “as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16). Jesus didn’t say this to scare them, but to equip them for the reality of what was coming for them. Eventually, all of the Apostles were killed because of their testimony and loyalty to obediently preach God’s word to a society that had drifted far from it. 

The only way these courageous and faithful followers of Jesus could do what they did—knowing the risk it involved—was because they knew Jesus. They understood who He was and they held fast to His word. 

Trouble will come for those who take a stand for God’s word in a society that rejects His truth. But having a thorough understanding of God through His word will help you know what’s coming and how God will see you through. 

Do you have that assurance, today? Are you prepared for difficult times that may come? If you trust Jesus with your soul, get to know Him more through His word and keep preaching the word! If you have yet to yield your life to Jesus, hear and heed His word—repent! Turn away from your sin and turn towards Jesus. He is willing and wanting to save you!

Life is messy and can often end in difficulty. That was the reality for John the Baptist, the greatest man born of a woman. He followed God wholeheartedly his whole life. And yet, his life on earth ended in a prison cell because of his faithfulness to God and to His word.

We’re living in a society that is drifting from the truth—not only questioning the existence of objective truth, but punishing those who proclaim it. There will be real and significant consequences for retaining loyalty to God and what His word says—especially what His word says concerning sin.

The only way for you to endure the difficulty to come is to have a thorough, working understanding of God through a thorough, working understanding of His word. With this understanding, you’ll be able to know what’s coming, but more importantly the God who is able to see you through.

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 6:14-29 as we considered the sobering reality of the times we live in and the hope extended to all through Jesus.

Join us Sunday at 10am in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

God always finishes what He starts. How does this truth comfort you today in the midst of your circumstances? 

In his letter to the church in Philippi, the Apostle Paul wrote, “…He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6). God starts His work in our hearts and continues to work in us by His Spirit until Christ is formed in our lives. This continual refining work won’t be complete until Jesus returns to bring us home. 

On this side of eternity, that work is accomplished many times through the problems and tragedies we face. These difficulties expose our weaknesses, but also reveal to us God’s grace. For it’s in those times that we need to know and remember that His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

As we encounter His grace in those difficult experiences, we are changed. Our exposure to His grace in our weaknesses shapes our character and personality without us even realizing it. Our Heavenly Father is continually using moments in our lives to prepare us for a decisive moment yet unknown to us that He can see coming. 

While we may see only the unanswered questions at the time, as we look back we can see how God was working to complete the good work He began in us. So take heart, dear friend! God isn’t finished with you yet—you are “His masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:10) and He will continue His finishing touches until you are all that He intended you to be.

Join us Sunday at 10am as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.