Berea Update for March 13, 2026
Over the past several weeks, our church family has walked together through the opening chapter of the Gospel of Mark. One of the things that becomes clear very quickly in this Gospel is that Mark wastes very little time getting to the point. There are no long birth narratives or extended introductions. Instead, Mark moves rapidly from one scene to the next, showing us who Jesus is through what He does. In many ways, that urgency reflects the pace of life we experience today. Our world moves quickly. News cycles change by the hour. Technology accelerates the speed of communication. Decisions are made rapidly, and information constantly competes for our attention. Yet beneath that fast-moving surface, one of the deepest questions people wrestle with is actually very ancient: Who truly has authority?
Every day we encounter different voices claiming influence over our lives—governments, experts, cultural trends, social media, and personal opinions. Each voice offers guidance about what we should believe, how we should live, and what ultimately matters most. The challenge is not simply that there are many voices. The challenge is discerning which voice truly carries authority. In our passage this Sunday from Mark 1:21–34, Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum and immediately astonishes the people with His teaching. But it quickly becomes clear that His authority extends far beyond words alone. In a single day, those who encounter Jesus witness something extraordinary—authority over truth, authority over the powers of darkness, and authority even over disease itself. Mark is carefully showing us that Jesus is not merely another teacher or religious leader. He is the King whose authority reaches into every realm of life.
The devotional readings below are designed to help prepare our hearts for this passage before Sunday and to continue reflecting on it afterward. Each day invites us to think more deeply about what it means to encounter the authority of Christ—not simply to admire it, but to respond to it with faith, humility, and surrender. My prayer is that these reflections help us approach God’s Word this week with open hearts, ready to see Christ more clearly and to trust Him more fully.
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday we'll continue in our sermon series on Mark called "Who Do You Say That I Am?" I'll be preaching a message from Mark 1:21-34 called "Jesus' Absolute Authority."
2. On Saturday, March 21 from 9:00 AM- Noon, there will be a workday to prepare for Easter-week events at Resurrection Garden. There will be chores for all ages, so this makes for a great family activity outdoors! We will be resetting irrigation lines, loosening mulch, weeding the hill, weed eating, blowing, raking turf and gravel, moving boulders, clearing brush along creek, installing hose holders in the shed, cleaning signs, and more. Tools will be available for those who don't have any, but if you have rakes, shovels, blowers, weed eaters, or hand tools, you are encouraged to bring them! If you have any questions, please contact Wendy May at 937-561-1191.
3. There's still time to jump into the new quarter of Sunday School this Spring! There are two options for adults:
A Study of the Sermon on the Mount
Teacher: Pastor Mark Gainer
This class, which is a continuation from the summer quarter, on the Sermon on the Mount, will explore Jesus’ transformative teachings in Matthew 5–7 diving into themes of kingdom living, righteousness, and discipleship. Discover how these timeless principles challenge and inspire us to live faithfully in today’s world. This sermon is as relevant today as it was back then! Participants will be encouraged to apply Jesus’ teachings to their own lives in very practical ways throughout the course.
A Study of Heaven
Teacher: Michael Greenwood
How much do you know about Heaven? The Bible tells us a lot about where we will spend eternity. We will address some of the following questions in this exciting class: How many Heavens are there? Has anyone seen Heaven? Is there time in Heaven? What will we do in Heaven? We will try to answer these and many more questions about life after death. Join us for an exciting study!
4. College and Young Adults! Join us this Sunday, March 15 from 11:30 AM-3:00 PM at the home of Daniel and Lauren Koranek (3833 Malaga Circle, Springfield). Come hang out for an afternoon of food and fun! We'll have pizza, ice cream, and plenty of board games. It's a great chance to relax, connect, and enjoy time together.
5. LifeWise is an organization that teaches the Bible to public school students. They are currently in some local school districts, including Northeastern and Clark-Shawnee. They have a fundraising/celebration event coming up on March 19 from 6:30-8:00 PM at Riversong Church for the Clark-Shawnee LifeWise Academy that they would like me to make you aware of.
7. Easter week will be here before you know it! As we remember our Lord's death, burial, and resurrection, we pray that you'll be able to participate in the many events planned for that week:
Wednesday, April 1
Time of Prayer at Resurrection Garden 6:30 PM (NO AWANA)
Church-wide invitation to fast together: Begin fast at 5:30 PM (will end on Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 PM)
Thursday, April 2
Communion/Foot Washing Service 6:30 PM (Family Life Center)
Fasting ends at 5:30 PM (for those who choose to participate)
Friday, April 3-- GOOD FRIDAY
Service at the Crosses 6:30 PM
Sunday, April 5-- EASTER SUNDAY
7:30 AM Sunrise Service at Resurrection Garden, followed by Breakfast in Family Life Center (No Sunday School)
10:00 AM Morning Worship Service in Family Life Center
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for the parents in our congregation. Pray for their strength, wisdom, and that they might bring up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord!
2. Pray for our "senior saints." We are so thankful for their testimony of faithfulness to the Lord! Pray that the Lord will continue to watch out over them and bless them, and that they might be used by Him in a powerful way in our church family!
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Day 1 — The Authority We Long For
Psalm 103:19 (ESV) “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”
Human history is filled with flawed authority. Governments fail. Leaders disappoint. Even the most capable people eventually reveal their limitations. Because of this, many people today are instinctively suspicious of authority. Yet Scripture reminds us that authority itself is not the problem. The problem is sinful people exercising it imperfectly. The Bible presents a very different picture of authority when it speaks about God. His rule is perfect. His judgments are righteous. His authority is never abusive, careless, or corrupt. It is wise, just, and good. One of the themes we will encounter in Mark’s Gospel is the authority of Jesus. But His authority is not something to fear in the way people fear human power. It is the authority of the Creator who knows His creation perfectly. When we begin to see Christ rightly, we realize that His authority is actually good news. The One who rules the universe is also the One who shows mercy to sinners.
Reflection Question: How has your experience with human authority shaped the way you think about God’s authority?
Day 2 — Hearing God’s Voice
Isaiah 55:3 (ESV) “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.”
Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to listen. The problem is rarely that God has not spoken. The problem is that people often fail to hear. In the Old Testament, the prophets continually warned Israel about this danger. People attended worship services. They heard Scripture read. Yet their hearts remained unchanged. Hearing God’s Word involves more than simply being present when it is spoken. True listening involves humility. It involves a willingness to allow God’s truth to challenge our assumptions and reshape our lives. Sometimes we approach Scripture looking for encouragement. Sometimes we look for answers to problems. But the deeper purpose of God’s Word is transformation. God speaks so that hearts will change. Every time we open the Bible, we are stepping into a moment where God addresses us personally.
Reflection Question: When you read Scripture or hear it preached, do you approach it with the expectation that God is speaking to you?
Day 3 — The Reality Behind the Visible World
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness.”
Modern life often encourages us to think only about the visible world. We focus on physical problems, social challenges, and personal struggles. Yet Scripture reminds us that there is more happening than what we can see. Behind the visible world lies a spiritual reality. The Bible describes a conflict between the kingdom of God and the powers of darkness. This conflict does not always appear dramatic or obvious, but it is real. Understanding this helps us see why the gospel matters so deeply. Jesus did not come merely to offer moral guidance. He came to rescue people from spiritual bondage and restore them to God. When someone becomes a follower of Christ, they are not simply adopting a belief system. They are entering into a new kingdom under a new King.
Reflection Question: How does recognizing the spiritual dimension of life affect the way you think about the gospel?
Day 4 — Responding to Grace
Romans 12:1 (ESV) “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice…”
One of the most beautiful patterns in the Christian life is the way grace produces response. God’s mercy always comes first. Salvation is never something we achieve through effort or discipline. It is a gift received through faith. Yet genuine grace never leaves a person unchanged. When someone truly grasps the mercy of Christ, their life begins to move in a new direction. Gratitude leads to obedience. Love leads to service. Faith leads to action. This is not about earning God’s favor. It is about responding to the favor we have already received. The Christian life is not merely about avoiding sin or maintaining religious habits. It is about offering our lives to God in response to His grace.
Reflection Question: How has God’s mercy toward you shaped the way you live?
Day 5 — What We Really Want from Jesus
Luke 9:23 (ESV) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Many people are interested in Jesus for what He can provide. They seek peace, direction, comfort, or help during difficult seasons of life. There is nothing wrong with bringing our needs to Christ. Scripture repeatedly invites us to do exactly that. But Jesus also makes something very clear: following Him involves more than receiving benefits. It involves surrender. When Jesus called people to follow Him, He was inviting them into a new way of life. Their priorities would change. Their loyalties would shift. Their identity would be reshaped. The invitation of Christ is both comforting and challenging. He offers forgiveness, grace, and eternal life. But He also calls us to place Him at the center of everything. The question every person must answer is not simply whether Jesus can help us—but whether we are willing to follow Him.
Reflection Question: What originally drew you to Jesus, and how has your understanding of following Him grown since then?
Day 6 — Guarding the Sensitivity of the Heart
Hebrews 3:15 (ESV) “As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'”
Spiritual sensitivity is something that must be guarded carefully. The Bible repeatedly warns about the danger of a hardened heart. Hardness rarely happens suddenly. It usually develops gradually. A person hears truth but postpones obedience. Conviction is felt but ignored. Over time, the voice of conscience grows quieter. This is why Scripture often uses the word today. When God speaks, the moment to respond is now. The good news is that God is patient and merciful. He continually invites people back to Himself. But the healthiest response to conviction is immediate obedience. A soft heart is one that remains open to correction, eager to learn, and willing to change.
Reflection Question: Is there an area where God may be prompting you to respond to Him today?
Day 7 — Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
John 20:31 (ESV) “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…”
The Gospels were not written merely to preserve history. They were written so that people would encounter Jesus and respond to Him. As we continue walking through the Gospel of Mark, we will see many aspects of who Christ is—His teaching, His compassion, His power, and ultimately His sacrifice. Each passage invites us to ask an important question: What will I do with Jesus? Some people admire Him from a distance. Some treat Him as a historical figure. Others listen to His words but hesitate to follow. But the purpose of the Gospel is much deeper than curiosity or admiration. It is meant to lead us to faith. As we prepare to gather for worship this Sunday, we are not simply studying a passage of Scripture. We are encountering the living Christ through His Word. And every encounter with Jesus calls for a response.
Reflection Question: As you read the Gospel of Mark, what is God revealing to you about who Jesus truly is?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Q: Why did the disciples bring a pencil to the boat?
A; In case they needed to draw the net!
Have a great weekend! Hope to see you Sunday!
Mark