Mark 2:13-22

Could it be that we are more afraid of being contaminated by the world than motivated by Jesus to be salt and light? Phil Ware reminds us that we want to not only share in the Lord's Supper, but we also want our table to be like Levi's table of grace and friendship.

Will we make the Lord's Table like Levi's table? Phil Ware reminds us that we want to not only share in the Lord's Supper, but we also want our table to be like Levi's table of grace and friendship.

They're unsettling. They're uncomfortable. They're troubling. So, we don't ask, at least not out loud! Phil Ware asks a bunch of troubling questions as he looks at the story of Jesus and his call of Levi and the party Levi had at his house afterwords.

"Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were....."

Who really wants these folks in church? Jesus, of course! When a mega-pastor says he wants to get rid of the kooks that weigh his church down, Vann is not only shocked, but prays that God sends the kooks to his church.

Pursue Jesus. Completely pursue him. You will notice that while you are not religious, you are being drawn to a holy character and gracious compassion that religion longs to impart, but cannot! Phil Ware continues looking at the gospel of Mark and reminds us that Jesus isn't a patch on religion or a new joy to infuse old and stale religion; he is an altogether all new thing.

"[When asked why his disciples didn't fast,] Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast..."

"Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at....."

"[Jesus continued,] "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an....."

Why the connection between Jesus and 'the leftovers' and why does the modern church not have the same relationships? Phil Ware reminds us that our times at the Lord's Table should be filled with the same kind of people who joined Jesus at the table when he was on earth!

"Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, "Why don't your disciples fast like John's disciples....."

Inevitably, the darkness will weigh on them, exhaust them, and feel altogether overwhelming to them. Then, they can come to the light to re-charge, but they can't glow in the light! Jordan Harrell learned from her son's fascination with glow-in-the-dark spiders that we are made to shine in darkness, not sit under a light.

Are you fit to attend this church? Sometimes we need to be reminded that church is a place for sick and broken people, not perfect ones.

Should we mix and match, hold on to the past, or change — how do we know? Ruble Shelly helps think through some of the challenges of change!

Are you ready for the big wedding? Phil Ware concludes his series on Church to Kingdom, C2K, and reminds us that as Jesus' people, we are the bride of Christ and need to be ready for our wedding.

What kind of Being acceptable to Jesus is not like getting a house ready to sell.

Do we have to be We mustn't let our feelings of inadequacy keep us from going to the One who can make us perfect.