Anchorage Baptist Temple

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. But are we following the real Jesus described in Scripture, or a version we've shaped to fit our own preferences? In this first message of our series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Preston takes us to Mark 1:1-11 to meet the Jesus who showed up in real history, was announced by a prophet, affirmed by the Father, and declared worthy of our full surrender. If Jesus is who Mark says he is, there's only one right response: repent, believe, and follow him.

Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. But are we following the real Jesus described in Scripture, or a version we've shaped to fit our own preferences? In this first message of our series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Preston takes us to Mark 1:1-11 to meet the Jesus who showed up in real history, was announced by a prophet, affirmed by the Father, and declared worthy of our full surrender. If Jesus is who Mark says he is, there's only one right response: repent, believe, and follow him.

Every defining moment in history has one thing in common: God was there — and so was the enemy, trying to rewrite what it meant. From creation to the fall of man, from Noah's flood to the empty tomb, Satan's strategy has never changed: lie, deny, and distract. But this Easter, we're reclaiming the story. God's truth isn't just ancient history — it's your history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of all of human existence, and it means the debt has been fully paid, the sentence has been served, and the battle has been won. Don't let the enemy false-advertise the greatest moment of your life.

Every defining moment in history has one thing in common: God was there — and so was the enemy, trying to rewrite what it meant. From creation to the fall of man, from Noah's flood to the empty tomb, Satan's strategy has never changed: lie, deny, and distract. But this Easter, we're reclaiming the story. God's truth isn't just ancient history — it's your history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hinge point of all of human existence, and it means the debt has been fully paid, the sentence has been served, and the battle has been won. Don't let the enemy false-advertise the greatest moment of your life.

You believe. You show up. You serve. But what if you've been missing the one thing that matters most?In this message, we confront a dangerous and comfortable lie — that living a good Christian life is enough, even when we're silent about the Gospel. Drawing from Matthew 13, Pastor unpacks the Parable of the Sower and reveals what it really means to follow Jesus: not just believing, but living on mission.The seed is the Word. The field is the world. And you've been called to sow.Not every heart will receive it. Not every life will bear fruit. But the question worth sitting with is: what kind of soil are you — and are you even planting?If you recently put your faith in Jesus, we're celebrating with you. Take your next step: mountaincity.church/visit

What do you really want? Peace in your marriage. Purpose in your work. Joy that lasts. Most of us are asking the right questions but looking in all the wrong places.In this message, Pastor Ron walks through the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler in Luke 18 to uncover a truth that cuts against everything culture tells us: you cannot receive what you are unwilling to give. Satan's greatest lie is that you can have everything Christ promises without surrendering everything Christ requires.Whatever your question, whatever your struggle, whatever the desire of your heart, the answer is found in one place and one person. And whatever the cost, it will be worth the loss.Luke 18:18–29 — The rich young ruler (main passage)John 18:37 — Pilate's exchange with Jesus on truthLuke 6:38 — "Give and it will be given unto you..."

What do you really want? Peace in your marriage. Purpose in your work. Joy that lasts. Most of us are asking the right questions but looking in all the wrong places.In this message, Pastor Ron walks through the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler in Luke 18 to uncover a truth that cuts against everything culture tells us: you cannot receive what you are unwilling to give. Satan's greatest lie is that you can have everything Christ promises without surrendering everything Christ requires.Whatever your question, whatever your struggle, whatever the desire of your heart, the answer is found in one place and one person. And whatever the cost, it will be worth the loss.Luke 18:18–29 — The rich young ruler (main passage)John 18:37 — Pilate's exchange with Jesus on truthLuke 6:38 — "Give and it will be given unto you..."

Colossians 3:23 says to work as unto the Lord, not unto men. Joseph didn't just know that verse — he lived it in chains. Genesis 39 shows us a man who turned slavery into stewardship, resisted temptation without a word, and found favor in prison because his character never depended on his circumstances. Pastor Ron brings this ancient story home with a direct challenge: your boss, your household, and the people around you should be experiencing blessing simply because you fear the Lord. Are they?

How do you know when to say yes and when to hold your ground?In Nehemiah 6, the walls of Jerusalem are nearly finished. But just before the work is complete, the enemies show up again, not with swords this time, but with invitations, open letters, hired prophets, and double agents inside the house.In this message, we walk through the remarkable discernment Nehemiah had in the middle of enormous pressure. He could tell the difference between an opportunity and a distraction, a warning and manipulation, a friend and a deceiver, a risk and a trap and it all came down to one thing: he knew the Word.Whether you're navigating a tough decision at work, tension at home, or pressure from people around you, this message will give you practical, biblical tools to hear clearly and move wisely.Discernment isn't just for a select few. It's for anyone willing to get into God's Word and that includes you!

 In one of the Bible's most unexpected chapters, God interrupts the story of Joseph to zoom in on Judah — a man running from guilt, compromised by culture, and blind to his own hypocrisy. Genesis 38 is a raw, unfiltered portrait of what happens when we drift from God, suppress our sin, and project our shame onto others. But it's also the story of Tamar — a woman overlooked, sidelined, and wronged — whose quiet, steadfast righteousness earns her a place in the very bloodline of Jesus Christ. This message challenges us to ask the hard question: what are we hiding? Because God doesn't expose our sin to humiliate us — He exposes it to heal us, restore us, and use us for something far greater than we could imagine.

You've heard the voice. Later. Later, when life slows down. Later, when things make more sense. Later, when you feel more ready.But what if "later" is a lie?In this message, we confront one of the most dangerous deceptions we face — not rebellion, not doubt, but delay. Through the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25, Jesus warns us that the greatest risk isn't refusing to follow Him. It's assuming we have more time than we do.Life is a vapor. Moments become memories faster than we expect. And the door does not stay open forever.Scripture doesn't say "tomorrow is the day of salvation." It says now.Whether you've been putting off surrender, a hard conversation, or simply getting serious about your faith — this message is for you.The King is coming. Will you be ready?Take a Next StepRecently put your faith in Jesus? We're celebrating with you.

It's easy to get so focused on the task in front of us that we forget the people standing right beside us. In Nehemiah 5, we watch a skilled project manager step outside his lane not because he had to, but because he genuinely cared. This message unpacks what it looks like to lead with integrity, confront injustice with courage, and never lose sight of the people behind the project.

What do you do when opposition moves from mockery to real threat? In this episode of Forward Motion, Pastor Chris Carter walks through Nehemiah chapter 4, where the enemies of Jerusalem ramp up their tactics and the people of God have to make a choice, abandon the mission or pick up a sword and keep building. We explore what it looks like to pray first, protect what matters, and refuse to quit even when the work gets hard. Whether it's your family, your faith, or your calling, some things are worth fighting for.

Drift rarely feels dramatic. It feels normal, gradual, and subtle, just one degree at a time. In Genesis 35, God interrupts Jacob's quiet spiritual drift and calls him back to Bethel, the place where faith was first made real. This message walks through the full chapter to show how a covenant God pursues, redirects, and restores, not because we earn it, but because He is faithful. Through buried idols, rebuilt altars, unexpected grief, and reaffirmed promises, Genesis 35 reminds us that when our heading is aligned with God, the destination is secure.

Every gate tells a story — and together, they tell your story. In this message, we walk counterclockwise through the 10 gates of Jerusalem and discover a powerful picture of the Christian life from beginning to end. From the Sheep Gate where sacrifice was made, to the Fountain Gate of cleansing, to the Horse Gate of spiritual warfare, each gate mirrors a season we all face. Then in Nehemiah 4, the walls go up — and so does the opposition. When the enemy can't stop the work, he tries to mock it. Sound familiar? You'll be challenged to ask yourself: Does the world think you're crazy for following Jesus? And do you have a mind to work?

We've all felt it, that moment after a sin where the voice in your head says, "God's done with you." Or "He's furious." Or "He just doesn't understand." But what if that's false advertising?In this opening message of our new series, we dive into Hebrews 4:14–16 to discover what Jesus actually does, feels, and thinks when we sin. Spoiler: it's not what most of us expect.You'll learn:Why Jesus mediates for you, even when you keep falling into the same sinWhy Jesus sympathizes with you, not against youWhy Jesus understands you, because He's been thereDon't let shame keep you hiding. The throne room of grace is open. Come boldly.

In this message, Gideons International speaker Dave Lacy recounts his return to his birth country of Liberia — and the unexpected front-porch encounter that led four teenagers to faith in Christ. Drawing on scripture and personal testimony, Dave walks through a simple framework for sharing the gospel and invites every listener to ask: What's stopping you from receiving or sharing the free gift of God?Romans 10:14-15 — "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?"Matthew 9:38 — "Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."2 Corinthians 5:20 — "We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."

What does it take to rebuild what's broken? In this episode, we dive into Nehemiah chapters 2 and 3, uncovering the strategic brilliance of a cupbearer-turned-leader who rallied an entire city to rebuild its walls in under 60 days. From living in a posture of victory before the battle begins, to the timeless warning of the nobles who thought they were too good to serve — this episode challenges us to show up, roll up our sleeves, and trust God with the outcome.

Join Calvin, for this week's devotional exploring Mark chapters 10 and 11. As Jesus nears the end of His earthly ministry, He continues teaching what the kingdom of heaven truly looks like, not status, possessions, or pride, but humility and servanthood.In these powerful chapters, we encounter the rich young ruler who couldn't let go of his possessions, and we witness Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. The central question: If Jesus looked at your life today, would He find a heart of humility and service, or one consumed by selfishness and pride?Jesus came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). This devotional challenges us to examine our own hearts and imagine what our church could become if we truly walked in unity, served one another selflessly, and prioritized advancing God's kingdom over our own interests.Join us in this weekly reading plan as we continue through the book of Mark together.