How Jesus invites us to lay down control, trust His authority and choose the way of the cross
At Cross Point Church, we’re continuing our year-long journey through the Gospel of Mark. In our newest sub-series, Cross + Crown, we’re walking through Mark 10–12 and exploring what it really means to follow Jesus when the cost feels real and the stakes feel high.
As Jesus moves closer to the cross, His teaching becomes clearer and more confrontational. He speaks directly to questions of authority, surrender, prayer and trust. In these chapters, Jesus invites us to decide whether we will simply admire Him or fully follow Him.
This stretch of Mark raises questions many of us wrestle with every day:
- How do I hear Jesus when life feels loud?
- What happens when my faith starts to drift?
- What am I really choosing to do with Jesus?
- Can I trust His authority with every part of my life?
Through each teaching, we’re reminded that the way of Jesus is not about control or comfort. It’s about surrender that leads to life. The crown comes through the cross, and true freedom is found when we trust Him fully.
Below is a summary of each week’s message, including key Scriptures and takeaways to help guide your personal discipleship.
January 4 – “How Do We See Jesus Clearly When Life Is Loud?”
Scripture: Mark 10:46–52
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: How can I recognize Jesus when I feel overwhelmed by noise, pressure and opinions?
In this passage, we meet Bartimaeus, a blind man who refuses to be silenced when he realizes Jesus is near. While the crowd tries to shut him down, Bartimaeus cries out for mercy and Jesus stops for him.
This message reminds us that faith often looks like persistence and honesty. Bartimaeus throws aside what once gave him security, names what he truly wants and follows Jesus with his new life. This is not just a story about sight, but about salvation, worth and learning to slow down enough to recognize Jesus in everyday moments.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith requires persistence when distractions are loud.
- Jesus gives full attention to those who cry out to Him.
- Following Jesus means leaving behind what once felt safe.
January 11 – “How Do Prayer and Forgiveness Restore a Drifting Faith?”
Scripture: Mark 11:12–25
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: What do I do when my faith feels distant or out of alignment?
Blog: Exile, Return, and the God Who Crosses Every Boundary to Save
When prayer fades, something else quietly takes its place. In this message, Pastor Kevin walks through how Jesus confronts spiritual entropy both in the temple and in our own hearts. Prayer is not a religious habit, but the way God restores intimacy, renews purpose and realigns what has drifted.
Jesus also teaches that unforgiveness affects every relationship we hold, including our relationship with God. A prayerless life eventually shows up in how we live, love and trust. The good news is that through prayer, forgiveness and trust Jesus brings renewal.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer restores intimacy with God.
- Unforgiveness clutters the heart and weakens faith.
- Jesus interrupts spiritual drift and invites renewal.
January 18 – “What Are We Doing About Jesus?”
Scripture: Mark 12:1–12
Speaker: James Savage
Pain Point Answered: How do I respond when following Jesus challenges my control?
Blog: Who is really in charge?
In Mark 12, Jesus tells a parable that demands a response. The question is unavoidable: what are we going to do about Him?
Pastor James unpacks the parable of the tenants and exposes our desire to control our own lives. This message challenges us to steward what God has given us for His glory and to rethink what ownership really means. Rejecting Jesus does not change who He is. Jesus is Lord. The only question is whether He is our Lord.
Key Takeaways:
- God calls us to steward, not control.
- Avoiding Jesus is still a response.
- Surrender leads to freedom and purpose.
January 25 – “How Do We Really Trust Jesus’ Authority?”
Scripture: Mark 11:27–33 and Mark 12:14–15a
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: Can I trust Jesus’ authority when I have been hurt by those in control?
In a world skeptical of authority, we face the same question as the religious leaders in Jesus’ day. When Jesus’ authority is challenged, He responds with wisdom and exposes divided hearts.
Pastor Kevin teaches that people respond to authority in four ways: destroy it, discredit it, dismiss it or submit to it. Submission is not weakness. It’s trust. We bear God’s image, and He deserves more than partial obedience. He invites us to surrender every part of our lives to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Authority reveals what we truly trust.
- Submission is an act of faith, not fear.
- Jesus deserves full surrender, not partial control.
What’s Next?
Through Cross + Crown, we’ve seen that following Jesus means choosing surrender over control and trust over self-reliance. The way of the cross leads to the life of the crown, and Jesus invites us to walk that path with Him.
As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark, we’ll keep discovering how Jesus shapes our faith, reorders our priorities and invites us into deeper trust.
Ready to keep going?
Start or catch up today:
- Read Mark 10–12
- Watch or rewatch the sermons at crosspoint.tv/mark
- Download the Gospel of Mark resource guide for reading plans, podcasts and tools for deeper study