Valley Life Church - Yakima

The Birth of Light and Hope

Pastor Joe Hite Psalm 112:4 New Living Translation 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Psalm 139:12 NLT but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. What is the meaning of light? John 1:5 NLT 5 The light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness can never extinguish it. Enter The Light in This broken World Repentance and Pursuit Broken person living in a broken world The Jesus Prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” Hope In Jesus Future … and in His restored Kingdom.  Today “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”                                                                                                                   John 8:12

Seeing Through the Smoke

Pastor Jon Verwey When we trust our own rules, our way of living, or even our church culture more than God’s Word, Jesus begins to fade from view. The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” — Mark 7:1–13 NIV …“Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders… v. 5 Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:  ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ v. 6-7 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” v. 8 You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! v. 9 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. vv. 10-12 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” v. 13 “I know the Bible says forgive… but my situation is unique.” “I don’t need other people—God helps those who help themselves.” “I’m not gossiping—I’m sharing a prayer request.” “I don’t need to give or serve because I’m still ‘working on myself.’” “I don’t need to change my attitude—this is just who I am.” “It’s not stealing—I deserve this, and they won’t miss it.” “I’m not unloving—I’m just being real.” “It’s not really adultery—it’s just emotional connection.” “I didn’t lie—I just didn’t tell the whole story.” “It’s not greed—I’m just being a good steward.” Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. — James 1:22–25 NIV  Jesus knew the Word, Jesus quoted the Word, Jesus taught the Word, Jesus fulfilled the Word. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. — Matthew 5:18 NLT  If you love me, obey my commandments. — John 14:15 NLT And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate… But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.— John 14:16a & 26 NLT The more we trust and live by our own rules, the more Jesus fades from view—but trusting and living by God’s Word reveals Him clearly.

The Heart of the Matter

Jesus uncovers the heart’s condition and provides the cure. 11/16/25  A pure heart isn’t achieved through outward effort but received through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” — Mark 7:14–15 NLT  He is challenging the crowd’s superficial approach to spirituality and pointing them toward the deeper way to live. Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used.  “Don’t you understand either?” he asked.  “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? 19 Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.”  (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.) And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. — Mark 7:17–20 NLT  Within every human being there is a heart that needs to be made clean, and no external effort will ever scrub away the stains. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” — Mark 7:20–23 NLT  “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! — Matthew 5:21-22a NLT You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery. ’But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. — Matthew 5:27-28 NLT It is not just our outward actions that defile us, it is also the inward thoughts, attitudes and motivations of the heart that produce sin and lead to death. (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.) — Mark 7:19b NLT Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. — Matthew 5:17 NLT  Salvation — We have been saved from the penalty of sin. Sanctification — We are being saved from the power of sin. Glorification — One day we will be saved from the presence of sin. …through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ we can receive forgiveness of our sins and be made clean all the way down to the depths of our soul! If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. — Romans 10:9 NLT …walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. — Galatians 5:16 NIV

Seeing Jesus for Who He Really Is

God in our midst, Messiah in our struggle. 11/09/25  45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. 47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, 52 for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. 53 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore 54 and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, 55 and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed. — Mark 6:45–56 NLT  [ Note: There is a picture in the Sunday AM Media/Service- Pictures folder called “Man chased by bull into water 01a”.    Don’t show it until I say   “And there is actually a picture to prove it” ] …they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. vv. 51b-52 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God… — Mark 1:1 NLT  When we truly see Jesus for who He is—God in our midst and Messiah in our struggles—our fear gives way to faith. [Jesus] saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. vv. 48a About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. vv. 48b-49 He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. vv. 48b-49 They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. vv. 50-51a They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in vv. 51-52 “I am here!” v. 50b When we truly see Jesus for who He is—God in our midst and Messiah in our struggles—our fear gives way to faith. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. — Ephesians 1:17–19a NIV

More than a Miraculous Meal

The Good Shepherd revealed in a miracle of compassion and calling. 11/02/25  “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd…” — Mark 6:34 (NIV) the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for humanity and now calls His sheep, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to love and care for all people. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. — Mark 6:34a (NIV) “You give them something to eat.” — Mark 6:37a (NIV) They all ate and were satisfied… — Mark 6:42 (NIV) I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak… — Ezekiel 34:15-16 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. — Mark 6:39 NLT He makes me lie down in green pastures… — Psalm 23:2a NIV …got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. — Mark 4:39 NIV …leads me beside quiet waters… — Psalm 23:2b NIV When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them…So he began teaching them many things. — Mark 6:34 NIV He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  — Psalm 23:3b NIV They all ate and were satisfied… — Mark 6:42 NIV The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. — Psalm 23:1 NIV I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. — John 10:11 NIV Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples… — Mark 6:41 NIV  While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples… — Mark 14:22 NIV …You give them something to eat… — Mark 6:37a NIV …Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. — Philippians 2:12b-13 NLT  It means that you acknowledge that you are not enough for the task, but Jesus is.  “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” — Mark 6:37 NIV It means that we offer what little we have to Jesus  How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” — Mark 6:38 NIV  It means that we do what he tells us to do and then let the Holy Spirit work through us. Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down… Then he gave [the bread and fish] to his disciples to distribute to the people… — Mark 6:39&41b NIV Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for humanity and now calls His sheep, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to love and care for all people. Are you ready and willing to respond when Jesus says, “You give them something to eat”? Are you willing to move toward the physical and spiritual needs of others, getting close enough to help them in a personal, “I see you” way.