How Jesus restores clarity, focus and hope when life feels blurry
At Cross Point Church, we’re continuing our year-long journey through the Gospel of Mark. In our latest sub-series, Spiritual Sight, we studied Mark 7–9 and how Jesus helps us see clearly when our hearts, minds or priorities get out of focus.
These chapters invite us to slow down and take inventory of what’s clouding our spiritual vision. From confronting pride and offense to wrestling with doubt, distraction and failure, Jesus continually meets His followers where they are and restores their ability to see Him for who He truly is.
This stretch of Mark raises questions many of us wrestle with every day:
- Is faith just about following the rules?
- Why are we so easily offended?
- How do I find purpose in life?
- How can I hear God above the noise?
- What do I do when I fail?
Through each teaching, we’re reminded that Jesus doesn’t just open physical eyes, He helps us see with spiritual clarity, guiding us toward freedom, purpose and peace.
Below is a summary of each week’s message, including key Scriptures and takeaways to guide your personal discipleship.
September 14 – Is Faith Just About Following the Rules?
Scripture: Mark 7:1–23
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: How can I refocus my heart on Jesus instead of empty religion?
Pastor Kevin opened the series by reminding us that faith isn’t about performance, but transformation. In this passage, Jesus confronts the Pharisees for focusing on outward behavior while neglecting their hearts. True spiritual sight comes when our hearts are aligned with the Gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- What’s in your heart matters more than what’s in your hands.
- Religion without relationship blinds us to God’s grace.
- Repentance clears our spiritual vision and refocuses us on Jesus.
September 21 – Why Are We So Easily Offended?
Scripture: Mark 7:24–37
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: How can I move past offense and live with freedom?
Offense can trap us in bitterness, keeping us from seeing others and ourselves the way God does. Pastor Kevin taught that offense blinds our spiritual vision and divides communities, but forgiveness sets us free. Jesus invites us to let go of grudges, stay on mission and love like He does.
Key Takeaways:
- Carrying offense clouds your spiritual vision.
- Forgiveness isn’t excusing someone; it’s releasing them to God.
- Staying on mission means choosing unity over division.
September 28 – Why Do We Doubt Jesus’ Provision?
Scripture: Mark 8:1–21
Speaker: Dave Stone
Pain Point Answered: How can I trust that God will provide when I can’t see how?
Guest speaker Dave Stone reminded us that even the disciples doubted Jesus’ ability to provide, despite witnessing miracle after miracle. Like them, we often want more proof. But Jesus calls us to remember His past faithfulness as fuel for present trust.
Key Takeaways:
- God’s faithfulness yesterday gives confidence for today.
- Doubt grows when we forget what God has already done.
- Jesus provides in His timing, not ours.
October 5 – How Do We Find Purpose in Life?
Scripture: Mark 8:22–38
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: How can I find direction when life feels unclear?
In this message, Pastor Kevin unpacked how Jesus heals a blind man in stages, a reminder that clarity often comes gradually. Later, Jesus explains what it truly means to follow Him: to deny ourselves, take up our cross and live for something greater. When we see Jesus clearly, we begin to see our purpose clearly, too.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual sight develops over time as we walk with Jesus.
- Following Jesus means surrendering control to find true life.
- Purpose is discovered when we align with God’s mission.
October 12 – “How Do We Hear God Above the Noise?”
Scripture: Mark 9:1–10
Speaker: Dave Clayton
Pain Point Answered: How can I experience peace when life feels chaotic?
In this message on the Transfiguration, Pastor Dave Clayton showed how Jesus revealed His glory to the disciples, and how He still wants to reveal Himself to us today. In a world full of noise, Jesus invites us to rise above the distractions and hear His voice.
Key Takeaways:
- God speaks in stillness, not in chaos.
- Seeing Jesus clearly transforms how we see everything else.
- Spiritual renewal begins when we slow down and listen.
October 19 – What Do We Do When We Fail?
Scripture: Mark 9:14–29
Speaker: Kevin Queen
Pain Point Answered: How do I move forward after failure?
Pastor Kevin closed the series by reminding us that failure is not the end of the story. In this passage, a desperate father cries out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Jesus meets him with grace and restores his son. When we bring our struggles into the light, God meets us with love that never fails.
Key Takeaways:
- Failure doesn’t disqualify you. God’s grace restores you.
- Honesty with God is the first step toward healing.
- Jesus meets us in our weakness with strength and compassion.
The One Story We’re Learning to Live:
Across these chapters, the same invitation rises: trust Jesus in the storm. He doesn’t just fix circumstances—He transforms hearts. He calls us to live with open hands, quiet confidence, and steady faith.
If your life feels like whitecaps and headwinds, take courage. The same Jesus who calmed Galilee’s fury and multiplied loaves is with you today. He still calms, still frees, still provides, still saves.
Wondering where to start?
- Feeling anxious? Start with Aug 3 and Sept 7.
- Stuck in the waiting? Watch Aug 10.
- Hit resistance? Don’t miss Aug 17.
- Hungry to live on mission? Try Aug 24 and Aug 31.
- Need a reset? Read Aug 28.
For more on this series, and every week’s message, visit crosspoint.tv/mark.