2026-10-04 The Mission Demonstrated

2026-10-04 The Mission Demonstrated

by Pastor Chris Berg

Scripture Reference: Mark 10:46-52

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"

https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/

Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!

All are welcome. 

217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448

Church Office: (985) 626-3114

Sunday Service: 9:30AM

Adult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AM

Nursery and Children's church available.

2026-09-27 Third Cycle of Discipleship

2026-09-27 Third Cycle of Discipleship
by: Pastor Chris Berg

Scripture Reference: Mark 10:32-45

32 They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. 33 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”
36 “What is your request?” he asked.
37 They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”
39 “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. 40 But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
41 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"
https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/

Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!
All are welcome. 

217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448
Church Office: (985) 626-3114
Sunday Service: 9:30AM
Adult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AM
Nursery and Children's church available.

2026-09-20 Discipleship Requires Investment

2026-09-20 Discipleship Requires Investment
by Pastor Chris Berg

Scripture Reference: Mark 10:17-31

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

 Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"
https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/

Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!
All are welcome. 

217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448
Church Office: (985) 626-3114
Sunday Service: 9:30AM
Adult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AM
Nursery and Children's church available. 

2026-09-13 Kids Matter!

2026-09-13 Kids Matter! 
by Pastor Chris Berg

Scripture Reference: Mark 10:13-16
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.
Parallel Passages: Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 18:15-17       

Notes from Pocket AI:  Sermon Structure Outline
I. The Warning Against Hindering Children
The sermon opens with a stark warning based on Jesus' words regarding those who cause "little ones" to stumble. The speaker highlights the societal reckoning facing those who encourage children to disregard God's leading, specifically citing the entertainment industry as a historical example of pride and selfish ambition damaging children.

II. The Disciples' Misunderstanding
In Mark 10, the disciples rebuked parents for bringing children to Jesus. The speaker contextualizes this by noting that Jesus had just finished a long, exhausting session of teaching the crowds and had retired to a house for private instruction. The disciples likely sought to protect Jesus’ time and energy, failing to realize that children were not an interruption to His mission, but central to it.

III. Why Children Matter to the Church

Present Reality, Not Future Promise: Children are not "junior members" or the "future" of the church; they are the present. They possess spiritual gifts that should be utilized now.
The Example of Faith: Jesus uses children as the standard for entering the Kingdom. Their willingness to receive gifts they haven't earned and their total dependence on others serves as the perfect model for how adults must receive the Gospel.
Long-Term Kingdom Impact: Investing in children offers the highest "return on investment" for the Kingdom, as a child may have 70 years of fruitful ministry ahead compared to an older adult's remaining years.

IV. The Simplicity of the Gospel
The speaker contrasts "childlike faith" with adult cynicism and "scoffing." While adults complicate the Gospel with self-reliance and intellectual hang-ups, the message remains simple: sin separates us from God, and Jesus’ substitutionary death is the only way to be forgiven. Faith is defined not just as knowing or believing, but as total dependence.

Key Scripture References: Mark 10:13-16, Mark 6:34,  Proverbs 9:7-8, Mark 8:15

Audience Reflection Section
The "Uncomfortable Math": The speaker challenges the congregation to calculate how many years of fruitful ministry they have left. This is intended to shift the focus from personal preferences to the needs of the next generation.
Preference vs. Doctrine: A call to distinguish between unchangeable biblical truth and personal preferences (such as music, noise levels, or church traditions) that might inadvertently hinder young families from feeling welcome.
Welcoming the "Sweet Sound": The speaker encourages the congregation to view the sound of a fussy baby not as a nuisance, but as a sign of a healthy, living church.

Actionable Takeaways
Invest in the Next Generation: Prioritize volunteering in the nursery, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School (VBS). View these roles as "doing the work of Jesus."
Simplify Your Faith: Identify areas where cynicism or self-reliance has complicated your relationship with God. Return to a state of "total dependence" on Christ’s finished work.
Support Young Families: Actively look for ways to encourage parents within the church, whether through financial support for youth missions (as seen with the Switzerland trip) or by offering reassurance during "child moments" in service.
Preach Through Example: Recognize that children are watching and learning from the faith of the adults around them; the health of the church depends on this intergenerational investment.

Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"
Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!
All are welcome. 

217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448
Church Office: (985) 626-3114
Sunday Service: 9:30AM
Adult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AM
Nursery and Children's church available.

2026-09-06 Aim For What Is Best

2026-09-06 Aim For What is Best
by Pastor Chris Berg

Scripture Reference: Mark 10:1-12

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.”

Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"

https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/

Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!

All are welcome. 

217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448

(985) 626-3114

Sunday Service: 9:30AM

Adult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AM

Nursery and Children's church available.

2026-08-30 Second Cycle of Discipleship

2026-08-30 Second Cycle of Discipleship

by Pastor Chris Berg

Scripture Reference: Mark 9:30-50

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"

https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/

Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!

All are welcome. 

217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448

(985) 626-3114

Sunday Service: 9:30AM

Adult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AM

Nursery and Children's church available.

2026-08-23 In Whose Image

2026-08-23 In Whose Image
by: Hollis McGehee
Scripture: Romans 8:29

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

Notes, outline and a summary from this sermon are made by Pocket AI and found here: 

This sermon explores the biblical concept of Imago Dei—the purpose of humanity to bear and reflect the image of God. Hollis emphasizes that Christian growth is not a self-help project but a process of divine transformation achieved through abiding in the presence of Christ.

Core Thesis: The Purpose of Creation
God created humanity uniquely in His image to know Him and represent Him on earth. While sin distorted this reflection, the redemptive work of Christ serves to reconcile humanity and restore the ability to reflect God’s character to the world.

Key Theological Insights
• Conforming to the Image: Based on Romans 8:28–29, the ultimate destiny for every believer is to be molded into the likeness of Christ. This is a universal call for all Christians, not just pastoral leadership.
• The Great Exchange: The speaker highlights the "amazing transfer" where Christ, who knew no sin, became sin so that believers could become the righteousness of God.
• Reflective Nature: Using the metaphor of the moon reflecting the sun, the speaker argues that believers do not generate their own light but reflect the character of Jesus (love, boldness, gentleness, and truthfulness) by staying in His presence.
• Emptying the Self: Drawing from Philippians 2, the speaker notes that spiritual growth requires emptying the "flesh"—which seeks pride and self-centeredness—to allow Christ to live through the individual.

Practical Application: The "Mirror" Test
The speaker challenges the audience to consider whose image they are bearing in their daily conduct, speaking, and being.

• Abiding over Effort: Transformation is described as a byproduct of "abiding" (living in the presence of the Savior) rather than a "do-it-yourself" performance project.
• Intentionality: While the work is from God, believers must be intentional about what they allow into their minds, hearts, and ears.
• The Name Tag: Believers should operate from a position of being "declared righteous" rather than living in a cycle of condemnation or "poor me" theology.

The Narrow Way
Characterized by surrender, abiding in His presence, and reflecting the 'Sun'. Leads to transformation.

The Broadway
Characterized by resentment, anger, and following the 'flesh'. Leads to a marred reflection and loss of fellowship.

Closing Reflections
The speaker concludes by noting that the world has yet to see the full potential of a person completely surrendered to Christ. The goal of the Christian life is to fill in the "outline of Jesus" drawn on the soul at the moment of new birth through a lifetime of surrender.

Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"
https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/

Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!
All are welcome. 

217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448
Church Office: (985) 626-3114
Sunday Service: 9:30AM
Adult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AM
Nursery and Children's church available.