Valley Life Church - Yakima

Surely This Man

The moment the cross revealed Jesus—and how it still changes lives today 04/05/26 33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).  35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”  36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.  37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” — Mark 15:33–39 NIV  …they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. — Mark 16:4-5 NIV  “Don’t be alarmed,” … “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here…” — Mark 16:6 NIV If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. —Romans 10:9 Communion-  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… — Revelation 12:11a NKJV  As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it.  Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. …you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. — 1 Corinthians 11:28 NLT  Have I surrendered my life to Him—given Him my “everything”? Do I believe all that we are remembering and proclaiming in communion?

Groundhog Day Disciples

Walking with Jesus but missing His way  03/29/26 Pastor Jon Verwey Jesus leads the way in humility, opens the way through the cross, and is the only Way to real transformation. …Jesus [was] leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. — Mark 10:32a NIV …Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. — Luke 9:51 NIV Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. — Isaiah 50:7 NLT  Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.  “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”  vv. 32b-34 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. — Philippians 2:6–8 NLT  “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” v. 38b “…but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”v. 40 …You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. vv. 42b-44 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve… v. 45a  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. v. 45  …he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. — Philippians 2:7 NLT His spilled blood, broken body and death became the ransom price that set us free from slavery to sin. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:9–11 NLT  Jesus leads the way in humility, opens the way through the cross, and is the only Way to real transformation. He has opened the way for you to step out of the exhausting cycle of trying harder but never changing — and into the life you were created to live.

Back to the Beginning

God’s Design for Relationships and the Way to the Kingdom Pastor Jon Verwey “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law…” “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. —Mark 10:1–16 (NIV)  “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” v. 2b What did Moses command you?… v. 3 It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law… v. 5  “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Mark 10:6–9 NIV  God’s design cannot be rewritten by what we think is right or what we want to happen. When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” — Mark 10:10–12 NIV  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant… Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.  — Mark 10:14–15 NIV  God’s design cannot be rewritten by what we think is right or what we want — it must be received in humble faith. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. — Hebrews 3:7–8, 12 NIV  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.— Proverbs 3:5–7 NLT

Why We Want To Be Rich

The Rich and the Kingdom of God   Mark 10:17-31 New Living Translation The Rich Man 17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”   18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”   20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”   21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”   22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.   23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”   26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.   27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”   28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.   29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”     What It This Scripture Really Saying?   ✅ Simple Summary: This passage teaches that following Jesus requires wholehearted trust in God rather than in wealth, possessions, or status. True life in God’s Kingdom comes through surrender, generosity, and faith.       Here is How I Have Lived With The Themes In This Scripture   1. It’s About Trust Who do you trust for: Your future Your identity Your security   2. Selflessness vs Self-Centeredness Kingdom living means: Giving Forgiving Serving others     3. How We Handle Money Reveals Our Heart Money tests: Trust Control Faith   Healthy actions that I use to remind/help me to trust and release control: Bless others (tip generously, help people) Give Avoid debt Plan and budget Save wisely (no get rich quick schemes)     4. Kingdom Living Expands Your Life Living for God moves us from: Self-focused life vs Kingdom-sized life     5. Gratitude and Stewardship Appreciate what you’ve been given and use it to bless others.

Salted with Fire (Part II)

Pastor Jon Verwey 42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.  43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.  [44]  45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  [46]  47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,  48 where “ ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’  49 Everyone will be salted with fire.  50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” — Mark 9:42–50 NIV  Does what I am doing move me toward Jesus or away from Him? Does what I am doing make me more like Jesus or less? Everyone will be salted with fire. v. 49 Being “salted with fire” happens when we offer ourselves to Jesus by submitting to Him and His ways. Then the trials of life become a fire that strengthens, purifies, and preserves us instead of destroying us. …let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. — Galatians 5:16 NLT  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. — Galatians 5:22–23 NLT  Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other. v. 50b And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…— Hebrews 10:25 NLT  “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? v. 50a Don’t manage sin—fight it, so that we can be a purified people who bring the life-giving presence of Jesus to the world.