Homecoming 2016

We are inviting all of Stephens and anyone who has been touched by our church through the years to join us for a special Homecoming Weekend, April 2-3, 2016.

If you want more information, please visit the Homecoming tab on this website.

Please RSVP for the fellowship meal by March 19 by calling 870-786-5468 or emailing steve@fbcstephens.org.  Follow news at the Facebook event page.

Sign up for the Stephens RoadRunner 5K, visit www.runsignup.com/stephens5k.  Keep up with race news at the race page on Facebook.

Life of Jesus: Compassion for the Crowds

We've been looking at the life of Jesus through the lens of the Gospel of Mark.  One unique aspect of Mark's Gospel is the vivid depiction of the crushing crowds that Jesus faced.  No matter how much Jesus tried to have time alone or with His disciples, the crowds constantly found Him.  I don't know about you, but that would get old for me really quick.

This week we found three principles that emerge as we look at how Jesus interacted with the crowds around Him.

Life of Jesus: Jesus, Friend of Sinners

None of us can stand before a holy God.  We are all in the same boat when it comes to sin.  We are all guilty and disgraced, powerless to overcome sin.  How does Jesus meet us as sinners?  How can we follow His example in the way we treat our fellow sinners in this world?

Life of Jesus: Christlike Authority

This week, we finished our 3-week look at the authority of Jesus, which is a central teaching in the Gospel of Mark.  This week, we look at how Jesus used His authority, and how He serves as an example to us as we relate to people in our lives.

Life of Jesus: Four Stories, Four Reactions

The thing that people noticed about Jesus right away in His ministry was how He demonstrated authority: authority in teaching, in casting out demons, in healing, and even forgiving sins.  Many people were simply amazed.  Others reacted negatively to this new authority revealed in Jesus.

There is a natural instinct in us to reject authority, and in these four stories, we see that instinct manifested in four different reactions we still see and experience today as we encounter Jesus.  How can we reject these negative reactions and embrace Jesus and His Kingdom?