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Connect with Us!
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Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
Facebook: @theopengatechurch
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Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
Facebook: @theopengatechurch
Instagram: @theopengatechurch

Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
Facebook: @theopengatechurch
Instagram: @theopengatechurch

Connect with Us!
www.opengatechurch.ca
Facebook: @theopengatechurch
Instagram: @theopengatechurch

Connect with Us!
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Facebook: @theopengatechurch
Instagram: @theopengatechurch

In Mark 12:1-17 Jesus continues to hit the beehive with a stick, openly confronting the religious leaders through a parable that calls out their rejection of God’s representatives (the law and the prophets and now Jesus) to protect their own self interests.  The religious leaders try to trap Jesus into either taking side with the Romans or committing treason, but He calls out their hypocrisy and reiterates his teaching that we should keep our focus on the kingdom of God not earthy kingdoms (nor our own personal kingdoms).

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This week, we're joined by Bishop Mike Stewart who takes us through Mark 11:12-33 and the story of the cursed fig tree. While it may seem like an unusual event, it actually represents the fruitlessness of God's people. There was only the outward appearance of faith and no evidence of true worship and the righteousness God wants to see in His people. 

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In this episode we look at Mark 10:17-31. This passage reflects on Jesus' interaction with a wealthy man who seeks guidance on what he must/can do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus teaches that no one is truly good except God and that our worldly reliance on ourselves (that can lead to wealth or possessions) can be a barrier to entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus teaches that salvation is not achieved through human effort but is only possible through God's grace and Jesus' sacrifice.  Therefore we need to surrender what holds us back, (again) embrace humility in service, and trust in God's power, not our own.

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As we continue in the season of Epiphany, we reflect on Jesus further revealing his true identity and purpose as the suffering servant.  Jesus’ teachings in Mark 9:30-50, emphasizes humility, servanthood, and caring for the disadvantaged as central to the Kingdom of God. It encourages us to embrace spiritual maturity, prioritize serving others over personal status, and support the church's mission to nurture new believers and future leaders.

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As we continue in the season of Epiphany, we reflect on Jesus further revealing himself through the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration in Mark’s Gospel reveals a glimpse of Jesus' divine identity and mission from the Kingdom of God's perspective, as the voice of God declares, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." This passage challenges us to trust God’s greater perspective, follow Jesus in faith, and rely on prayer during struggles, even when doubt arises.

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It's Christmas Eve and we reflect on if Christmas is really worth it.

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In this episode we reflect on the 3rd Sunday in Advent focused around joy. John the Baptist “denied his own comforts and was prepared to die for what he believed because He wanted to share this joyful news with others.”

Jesus has been sharing his message with all who have ears to hear (and eyes to see).  Though many have rejected the message, many have accepted and received Jesus.  However, they still do not fully see who Jesus is (illustrated literally when Jesus heals the blind man). 

Peter is the first to confess Jesus is the Christ, but even He doesn't fully understand as Jesus follows this by explaining that he must die and that the trust cost of discipleship that that we pick up our cross and follow him – making ourselves a living sacrifice, being willing to give up our individual ambitions (and more), and willing to go where Jesus leads us.

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Pastor Jonathan takes us through Mark 7 when Jesus has an interaction with a Phoenician woman seeking deliverance for her child from a demon. At first, it appears that he is being very harsh and dare we say possibly racist? Her child was healed because of her faith, and we learn what Jesus was communicating and that our task is to share hope, peace, joy, love and light with the world. 

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This week we are joined by the Rev. David Fuller who brings a message of the immense power of forgiveness that Jesus provides and how our Christian lives should demonstrate that. 

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In this episode the Rev. Lynne Ellis joins us as we continue through the gospel of Mark. We look at how knowing the Lord is about expecting the unexpected, and also how Jesus exercised his authority, challenging the expectations of the day. He also leaves us with the challenge to feed on things that draw us closer to God so we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2)

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In this episode, the Rev. Lynne Ellis takes us through Mark 6: 1-6 when Jesus tried to minister in his own home town the atmosphere of doubt was not conducive to miracles. We are challenged to have faith in the absolute authority of God to heal and answer our prayers and what that should look like as followers of Jesus.

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In this episode we are joined by the Rev. Lynne Ellis as we go further into the book of Mark and look at to how the heart of faith knows that God alone has the power to do all things. 

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As we continue through the book of Mark, our passage Mark 4:35-5:19 again answers the question: Who is Jesus? 

The first thing we see is human reactions to human circumstances – Jesus (and the disciples) are tired by the burden of ministry.  But rather than finding rest, they encounter a storm (as is so often the case).  The disciples panic and rebuke Jesus for his lack of awareness.  

We then see the divine reaction.  Jesus commands creation to be calm and creation obeys.  Jesus then rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith (their lack of awareness).  But the disciples are starting to see more of who Jesus is and respond with due reverence our Lord and Saviour.

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In this episode we are joined by the Reverend Deborah Moyo from StreetHope Ministries. We look at the parable of the sower and the seed and we are challenged to live out our faith in all circumstances.

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Our passage today (Mark 3:20-35) answers the question: Who is Jesus? As people start to question whether the power he was demonstrating came from God or the forces of evil… And it’s not just the jealous Pharisees that were asking these questions, even Jesus’ own family had begun to question his sanity.  

Jesus teaches that He is not a servant of the forces of evil, of Satan but that He was sent by God to challenge and defeat the forces of evil (as well as to challenge those who would oppose this opposition -mostly the teachers of the law).  He again reiterates that He came to establish a new kingdom, which meant a new family of God, a family that by grace, through faith, all are welcome and we are accepted into!

We're also told that all sins can be forgiven except for one, so we may ask ourselves how do we know that we haven't committed that sin?

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In this episode we continue through the book of Mark, chapter 2:13-3:19. Our passage opens with the calling of Levi (Matthew) – a tax collector, a despised, unclean, traitor.  Jesus then proceeds to (appear to) break one of the 10 Commandments by ignoring the mandate to fast and do no work (he heals a man with a withered hand).  He then calls the remainder of the 12 disciples.  Through all this we see that Jesus had come to form a counter-community -  to heal those on the outside (the sick and lost), not those who considered themselves the elite on the inside (holier than everyone and self-righteous).

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In this episode we conclude Chapter 1 of Mark and move to Chapter 2. We see Jesus continue to assert his spiritual authority through his healing ministry.  We see that in cases where Jesus heals there is most often an approach, petition & response, healing & instruction.  In the case of the healing of the leper, a social and religious outcast approaches Jesus. Jesus shows no concern for contracting disease or being declared religiously unclean and exercises a “super-priestly” authority to not only declare the man clean, but to actually heal him.  In the case of the healing of the paralytic, it is the man’s friends who approach Jesus on his behalf.  Jesus exercises the divine authority to forgive sins.

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In this episode we are joined by Clarke Scheibe, who takes us through Mark 1:21-39 and how Jesus' authority was undeniable, yet brought conflict. We are challenged with questions regarding our faithfulness and if we are declaring the full authority of Jesus in our lives, even if it means we will also experience conflict. 

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