Gospel of Mark

Rules Do Not Make You Holy

What Makes a Person Holy?

Let’s be clear—rules do not make you holy. God is more concerned about what’s in your heart than what’s on your plate or what day you go to church. In Acts 10:11–16, Peter has a vision from God. A large sheet comes down from heaven full of animals that Jewish law said not to eat. God tells Peter to “kill and eat,” but Peter says, “No way, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything unclean.”

Then God says something powerful:

“What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” (Acts 10:15)

This isn’t just about food. God is showing Peter—and us—that the old way of following rules to feel holy is over. Holiness now comes through Jesus, not through what we eat, drink, or avoid.

Rules Do Not Make You Holy—Your Heart Does

Jesus made this clear too. In Mark 7:18–23, He told His disciples:

“Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?”

He went on to say that evil comes from within us—from the heart. Things like greed, lying, pride, and lust. That’s what makes someone unclean.

That’s why rules do not make you holy. You could follow every diet, wear perfect church clothes, never miss a Sunday, and still be far from God if your heart is full of sin and rebellion.

God isn’t looking for people who follow man-made rules. He’s looking for people who follow Him. He wants your heart, not your habits.

Don’t Let Religion Replace Relationship

Paul also warned the church in Colossians about this. In Colossians 2:8 he says:

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

We’ve got to be careful. Religion can sound holy, but it can keep us far from Jesus if we’re not careful. That’s why Colossians 2:16 tells us:

“Don’t let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

Some people love to pile on rules. Don’t eat this. Don’t drink that. Go to church on this day. Wear this. Say that. But God isn’t impressed by any of that. He’s looking for people who trust Him, love Him, and obey Him from the inside out.

Holiness Starts with Relationship

Real holiness isn’t about what we do for show. It’s about who we are when no one’s looking. It’s about whether or not we’re walking in fellowship with Jesus every single day. Are we listening to Him? Are we obeying His Word? Do we repent when we fall?

That’s what matters. Not coffee or meat. Not Saturday vs. Sunday.

So let’s stop letting religious rules distract us. Let’s focus on the truth of God’s Word. Because at the end of the day, rules do not make you holy. Jesus does.

And that’s the kind of holiness the world needs to see—authentic, honest, and rooted in a relationship with the Savior who gave it all for us.

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From High Schooler to Pastor

From High Schooler to Pastor

God loves to take ordinary people and do extraordinary things through them. The story of going from high schooler to pastor shows how God can transform a life when someone is willing to follow Him.

This Bible study is built on two powerful passages: 1 Timothy 3, which gives the character traits of a pastor, and Mark 1:17, where Jesus calls His first disciples with just a few words: “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

The Call of Jesus is Always Personal

In Mark 1:17, Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow Him. He didn’t ask them to fill out a form or go to Bible school first. He simply said, “Follow Me.” That’s exactly what He does today. He calls regular people, often in simple moments, and says, “Come with Me. I will change you.”

That’s what happened to one young man. He was just a high school student sitting in church when God touched his heart. He stood up, walked to the front, and gave his life to Christ. That moment changed everything.

The path from high schooler to pastor started with just one step of obedience.

God Looks for Open Vessels

That young man didn’t just stop at salvation. He got involved in the high school ministry. He showed up, listened, served, and started going on missions. SWAT trips—short for Students With A Testimony—took him all over the world. On those trips, he led others to Jesus.

God often chooses people who are open. That’s what Paul meant in 1 Timothy 3. The chapter lays out the qualities of someone who desires to be a pastor. He must be above reproach, faithful, humble, wise, gentle, and grounded in God’s Word. These are not things you get from a classroom—they grow in your life as you walk with Jesus daily.

From high schooler to pastor, the shaping happens in the small, faithful steps.

Mentorship Makes a Big Difference

That young man didn’t grow alone. Someone poured into him. He had a spiritual mentor who prayed with him, taught him, and took him under his wing. At the time, no one knew that young man would marry the mentor’s daughter and become family. But God knew.

That young man became a pastor at Harvest. Later, he and his wife moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where he planted a church called Jesus City Church just two blocks from Martin Luther King Jr.’s church on Dexter Avenue. From a storefront, they’ve reached so many people with the gospel.

God Still Calls and Equips

If God could take a young man from a church seat and send him into full-time ministry, He can do it again and again. Maybe He’s calling you. Or maybe you’re the one called to pour into someone else.

The journey from high schooler to pastor is never about ability—it’s about availability. Say yes to Jesus and see where He leads.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

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At the Feet of Jesus

At the Feet of Jesus

In the Gospels, we find a woman named Mary who shows us what it means to truly love Jesus. Every time we read about her, she’s at the feet of Jesus. Let’s look at three special times this happens and see what we can learn.

Listening at His Feet

The first time we see Mary, she’s sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach. While her sister Martha is busy serving, Mary chooses to be close to Jesus, soaking in every word. Jesus says Mary made the better choice. This shows us how important it is to spend time with Jesus, learning from Him.

Crying at His Feet

Later, Mary’s brother Lazarus dies. When Jesus comes, Mary runs to Him, falls at His feet, and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” She’s heartbroken. But even in her sadness, she knows to go to Jesus. He comforts her and then raises Lazarus from the dead. This teaches us to bring our pain to Jesus. He understands and cares.

Giving at His Feet

In John 12, Mary does something amazing. She takes a whole jar of expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet. Then she wipes His feet with her hair. The house fills with the sweet smell. Some people think it’s a waste, but Jesus says it’s beautiful. Mary gives her best to Jesus, holding nothing back. This shows us how to worship with all our hearts.

What We Learn

Mary’s actions teach us three big lessons:

1. Listen to Jesus: Spend time reading the Bible and praying. Let His words guide you.

2. Bring Him Your Pain: When you’re sad or hurting, go to Jesus. He wants to help you.

3. Give Him Your Best: Worship Jesus with all you have. Don’t hold back your love.

Being at the feet of Jesus means putting Him first in everything. Mary shows us how to do that. Let’s follow her example and stay close to Jesus every day.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.