This morning, we gathered as a community deeply aware of the pain and violence that has marked our world, especially in recent days. We grieve with those who have lost loved ones and acknowledge that every act of violence grieves the heart of God. In our sorrow, we turn to prayer—not as our only recourse, but as our best one—seeking comfort, wisdom, and the silencing of voices that would lead us toward retaliation or division. We remember that our true battle is not against one another, but against the spiritual forces of evil, and we ask God to birth in us the fruit of peace, love, and freedom.

From this place of lament, we turn to hope. Just as a disappointing restaurant under new management can spark new anticipation, so too does Jesus bring something radically new and good into our world. Through the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus going “all in” for us—bringing healing, dignity, freedom, and life wherever he goes. The kingdom of God, as Jesus proclaims, is not a distant or time-bound reality; it is near, available, and breaking into our lives even now. This kingdom is the range of God’s effective will, where what God wants done is done, and it is marked by wholeness, love, and redemption.

Jesus’ invitation is for everyone and anyone, regardless of background, past, or perceived worthiness. He meets us where we are, calls us by name, and invites us to go all in with him. This call is not just to add something to our lives, but to reorder everything—sometimes letting go of good things that have become ultimate things, so that we can receive the fullness of life he offers. The decisive moment is always now; it is always the right time to respond to Jesus’ invitation.

To respond, Jesus calls us to repent (to turn from whatever holds us back), to believe (to trust and live as if his words are true), and to follow (to align our lives with his). Each of us is invited to consider: What “nets” do we need to leave behind? What is keeping us from going all in? The kingdom is here, the invitation is extended, and the promise is that what lies on the other side of following Jesus is better than anything we leave behind.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grief and violence in our world are not just social or political issues; they are spiritual realities that deeply grieve the heart of God. Our first and best response is to turn to God in prayer, seeking his comfort and resisting the temptation to see others as our enemies. In doing so, we align ourselves with God’s heart and open ourselves to his healing presence. [01:48]
• 2. The kingdom of God is not a distant hope or a future promise alone; it is the present reality wherever God’s will is done. Jesus brings this kingdom near, manifesting healing, dignity, and freedom, and invites us to participate in it now. Life in the kingdom is life in its fullness, available to all who respond. [12:41]
• 3. Jesus’ invitation to follow is radically inclusive—he calls not just the religious or the qualified, but everyone, meeting us in our ordinary lives. The call to go all in is for each of us, regardless of our past, our doubts, or our sense of unworthiness. God’s desire is for you, and any voice that says otherwise is a lie to be rejected. [24:16]
• 4. Going all in with Jesus often requires letting go of things that have defined us—our vocations, relationships, or identities that, while good, cannot hold the place of ultimate importance. Trusting Jesus means surrendering these “nets” so that he can reorder our lives for greater fruitfulness and blessing. The act of letting go is not loss, but the path to true life. [29:06]
• 5. The response Jesus seeks is threefold: repent, believe, and follow. Repentance is turning from whatever keeps us from God; belief is embracing the truth of who Jesus is and what he offers; following is aligning our lives with his. The invitation is always timely, always personal, and always leads to a life marked by blessing upon blessing. [32:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:48] - Responding to Violence and Grief
• [03:10] - Called to Be Our Brother’s Keeper
• [04:08] - Praying for Comfort and Wisdom
• [05:20] - Praying Against Retaliation and Evil
• [06:29] - Transition to the Message
• [07:28] - The Disappointing Restaurant and New Hope
• [09:00] - Jesus Brings Something New
• [11:05] - The Invitation to Go All In
• [12:41] - The Kingdom of God Explained
• [16:12] - The Fruit of the Kingdom
• [17:45] - The Kingdom Is Near Now
• [18:44] - The Urgency of Going All In
• [21:03] - The Decisive Moment to Respond
• [22:13] - Jesus’ Inclusive Call
• [24:16] - God Wants You
• [25:17] - The Compelling Nature of Jesus’ Call
• [26:07] - Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
• [27:06] - The Call to Follow: For Everyone
• [29:06] - Letting Go of Our Nets
• [30:28] - What’s Holding You Back?
• [32:35] - Repent, Believe, and Follow
• [33:55] - The Invitation Today
• [35:09] - Prayer and Response