Who is Jesus to you—really? In “Framing Mark’s Portrait of Christ (Part 2B)” Pastor Bart Horton continues our verse-by-verse study in Mark 1:1, pressing the opening claim of Mark’s gospel: this is the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

This episode highlights why Mark doesn’t allow a casual, middle-of-the-road response to Jesus. Knowing what Jesus claimed is not the same as trusting Him. Pastor Bart shows how Mark presents Jesus as both fully divine and the suffering Servant—the One who stops for the outcast, heals the broken, and moves steadily toward the cross to ransom sinners. If Jesus is truly the Son of God, then the only faithful response is repentance, faith, and submission to His authority.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Mark’s opening verse is a life-or-death announcement, not a neutral biography
• What it means that Jesus is “the Christ” (Messiah) and “the Son of God”
• How Mark emphasizes Jesus as the suffering Servant who came to rescue sinners
• Why facts about Jesus don’t save—faith in Jesus does

Perfect for Christians seeking assurance, listeners wrestling with who Jesus is, and anyone who wants a clear, Christ-centered understanding of the Gospel.

Topics covered: Mark 1:1 explained, Jesus Christ Son of God, Gospel of Mark series, suffering servant, Isaiah 53, Mark 10:45, salvation by faith, expository preaching, Grace Bible Church Hutchinson

Growing In Grace features verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Pastor Bart Horton at Grace Bible Church of Hutchinson, Kansas. New episodes every week.

What is the Gospel of Mark really announcing—and why does it matter for your life right now? In “Framing Mark’s Portrait of Christ (Part 2A)” Pastor Bart Horton continues our new series in Mark by digging deeper into Mark 1:1: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

This episode explains why Mark’s gospel is more than history or biography—it’s good news with life-and-death urgency. You’ll hear how Mark wrote with Gentile believers in and around Rome in mind—Christians who were weary, persecuted, and suffering under the shadow of Nero. And you’ll see why Mark’s answer for hurting believers wasn’t a self-help plan, but a clearer view of Jesus: the Christ, the Son of God, and the suffering Servant who came to ransom sinners.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “gospel” means good news—and why good news assumes there’s bad news
• How Mark’s original audience helps us understand the urgency of his message
• What Mark means by calling Jesus “Christ” (Messiah) and “the Son of God”
• Why knowing facts about Jesus isn’t enough—Mark calls us to faith and submission to Christ

Perfect for anyone beginning a verse-by-verse study of Mark, Christians seeking clarity about the gospel, and listeners who need real hope rooted in who Jesus is and what He came to do.

Topics covered:

Mark 1:1 explained, Gospel of Mark series, who is Jesus Christ, Son of God, meaning of the gospel, suffering servant, Christian faith, expository preaching.

Grace Bible Church in Hutchinson KS presents Growing In Grace featuring expository verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Pastor Bart Horton. New episodes every week.

Why does the Gospel of Mark feel so urgent, so direct, and so different from the other gospels? In Part 2 of “Setting the Stage,” Pastor Bart Horton continues our introduction to Mark—showing why the early church trusted this account, how Mark’s connection to Peter shaped the message, and why Mark’s fast-paced style presses every listener toward one central question: Is Jesus truly the Christ, the Son of God?

This episode highlights Mark’s unique focus on Jesus as the Servant—active, authoritative, and moving steadily toward the cross. You’ll also hear how God used a humbled, restored man (John Mark) to deliver a clear, candid portrait of Christ—one that doesn’t flatter human pride, but calls us to faith, repentance, and discipleship.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the Gospel of Mark is trusted as inspired Scripture and rooted in eyewitness testimony
• How Mark’s relationship with Peter shaped the content and tone of this gospel
• What makes Mark’s writing style urgent, honest, and action-driven
• Why Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant—and why that matters for your life today

Perfect for anyone starting a verse-by-verse Bible study in Mark, Christians wanting a deeper understanding of Jesus’ life and ministry, and listeners who want Scripture that is practical, direct, and Christ-centered.

Topics covered: Gospel of Mark introduction, Mark and Peter, who wrote Mark’s Gospel, Jesus the Servant, Bible study, expository preaching, discipleship, early church testimonyGrowing In Grace features verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Pastor Bart Horton at Grace Bible Church of Hutchinson, Kansas. New episodes every week.