How we read the Bible is how we are to understand our lives AND our times. The Bible tells a single story of God establishing His kingdom through His people, in His place, under His rule and blessing.

  • Hope: History is not random; God is in control, bringing everything to His goal in Christ.
  • Clarity: We interpret the events of our time—whether cultural shifts, suffering, or personal struggles—within the “already/not yet” kingdom framework.
  • Purpose: Our lives now are caught up in God’s story. We live as ambassadors of His kingdom, pointing to Christ until He returns.

Our calling is to be faithful in these times, to what Christ has revealed in Himself, so that others would be persuaded to follow.

Mark 6:7-13 CSB - What Jesus is asking them to do is UNCOMFORTABLE and UNPREDICTABLE. But they would have to trust in God’s provision and God’s results.

Jesus BELIEVED that the DISCIPLES were READY because they had spent time WATCHING, LISTENING & TRUSTING.  Christ was forming in them what He is also forming in US.

 SBC’s MISSION: We exist to make disciples who are formed in the gospel, rooted in belonging, and living with purpose.

 SBC’s VISION: Saanich Baptist Church is a gospel-centered community, formed by Christ united in purpose to embrace faith, declare hope, serve with love — so that God’s redemptive work renews lives and transforms our Island.

12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons, anointed many sick people with oil and healed them

REPENT: More than JUDGEMENT and CONDEMNATION.  It is to PERSUADE people to:

  • Receive – The truth
  • Remove – The behaviour
  • Reject – The justification
  • Reorient – The trust

RECEIVE: Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve

  • Authority over EVIL – No longer enslaved to the principles and powers of the age
  • Attention of GOD – Set apart by God for blessing (anointing)
  • Victory over DEATH – Hope that as the flesh fails there is life eternally

REPRESENT: Living as witnesses to Jesus’ work now and in the future.

  • Know WHY you believe – The gospels is true. The gospel works.
  • Listen for the question behind the question
  • Trust God’s PRESENCE and PROVISION