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.

New Series Launch

What makes the Gospel of Mark unique among the four gospels? In this kickoff episode of our new series, Pastor Bart Horton sets the stage for an in-depth journey through Mark’s fast-paced, action-driven account of Jesus Christ. Discover why Mark’s gospel stands out for its urgency, honesty, and focus on Jesus as the suffering servant and Son of God.

Pastor Bart unpacks the background of John Mark—his close connection with Peter, his personal failures and restoration, and how God used these experiences to deliver a gospel that’s both raw and relatable. Whether you’re new to the Bible or a longtime student, this introduction will help you see Mark’s gospel with fresh eyes and prepare your heart for a series that brings you face-to-face with Jesus.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the Gospel of Mark is sometimes called the “Newspaper Gospel”
• How Mark’s life story shapes his candid, urgent writing style
• The unique perspective Mark brings compared to Matthew, Luke, and John
• What to expect as we begin this verse-by-verse study

Perfect for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus’ life and ministry, or looking for practical encouragement from Scripture. Start your journey through Mark with us and discover how God uses ordinary, imperfect people to share His extraordinary message.

Topics covered: Gospel of Mark introduction, Mark’s background, Bible study series, Jesus the Servant, Peter and Mark, Christian discipleship, expository preaching

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 does it look like to finish well in the Christian life? In this episode, Pastor Bart Horton wraps up our verse-by-verse study of Titus by exploring Paul’s final instructions—a powerful call to keep learning, keep serving, and keep meeting real needs so that our lives will be fruitful for Christ.

Discover how Paul’s closing words to Titus offer practical wisdom for every believer, not just church leaders. Pastor Bart explains why gospel living means more than knowing the right things; it’s about actively engaging in good deeds and helping others in ways that make an eternal difference. Are you content to stay in a spiritual waiting room, or are you ready to step onto the battlefield and make your life count for God’s kingdom?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to keep growing and serving, no matter what season you’re in
• Why meeting pressing needs is at the heart of fruitful Christian living
• The connection between learning God’s truth and living it out in practical ways
• Encouragement for believers who want to finish strong and leave a gospel legacy

Perfect for Christians seeking purpose, church members longing for impact, and anyone ready to move from passive faith to active, fruitful living. This message will inspire you to keep growing in grace and to make every day count for Christ.

Topics covered: Titus 3:12–15 explained, finishing well in faith, fruitful Christian living, meeting real needs, gospel legacy, practical discipleship, Paul’s instructions to Titus, spiritual growth

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

What does it look like to finish well in the Christian life? In this episode “In Conclusion Pt 1,” Pastor Bart Horton opens the final verses of Titus and shows how Paul’s closing instructions are packed with practical wisdom for every believer.

Discover why Paul’s farewell isn’t just about ancient travel plans—it’s a call to order your life around the advancement of God’s kingdom. Pastor Bart explains how Titus, Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas, and Apollos model a life that’s always moving forward for the gospel, even when the details are uncertain. Are you living in a waiting room, just passing time, or are you on the battlefield, strategically pouring out your life for Christ?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to set your priorities around gospel advancement, not just comfort or predictability
• Why God sometimes leaves the details unclear, but always makes your purpose clear
• The difference between a life of passive waiting and a life of active, faithful engagement
• Practical encouragement for facing the unknown with confidence in God’s mission

Perfect for Christians seeking direction, believers wrestling with purpose, and anyone wanting to finish strong in faith. This message will challenge you to examine your priorities and inspire you to live each day for what matters most.

Topics covered: Titus 3:12–15 explained, finishing well in faith, advancing the gospel, Christian purpose, biblical priorities, Paul’s instructions to Titus, practical discipleship, living for God’s kingdom

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

What do you do when someone in the church stirs up controversy, gossip, or division? In Part 2 of “Caution Tape,” Pastor Bart Horton continues our study of Titus 3:9–11, exploring God’s clear instructions for dealing with divisive people and protecting the unity of Christ’s body.

This episode unpacks the biblical process for warning, instructing, and—when necessary—drawing boundaries with those who persist in stirring up strife. Pastor Bart explains why Paul’s warning labels aren’t just about avoiding pointless arguments, but about actively safeguarding the health and witness of the church.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize divisive attitudes and behaviors in yourself and others
• The biblical steps for confronting a “factious person” with both grace and truth
• Why warnings and boundaries are an act of love, not just discipline
• How to pursue unity and peace without compromising the gospel
• Practical wisdom for church leaders, members, and anyone seeking a healthy church culture

Perfect for Christians navigating difficult relationships, church leaders facing conflict, and believers who want to grow in discernment and unity. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance grace with necessary boundaries, this message will equip you with biblical tools for real-life situations.

Topics covered: Titus 3:9–11 explained, church unity, handling conflict, divisive people, biblical confrontation, Christian boundaries, warning labels in Scripture, practical church leadership

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

Why does the Bible include so many warnings? In this message titled “Caution Tape,” Pastor Bart Horton unpacks Titus 3:9–11 and explains why God’s spiritual warning labels are crucial for every Christian and every church. Discover why Paul tells us to “avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law”—and what happens when we ignore these warnings. Pastor Bart uses relatable stories and real-life humor (think warning labels on chainsaws and strollers!) to illustrate how easy it is to drift into unprofitable debates, gossip, and distractions that pull us away from gospel-focused living.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between profitable gospel living and worthless controversy
• How to spot spiritual “danger zones” before they harm your soul or your church
• Why adding to the gospel—or stirring up strife—always leads to spiritual ruin
• How to recognize and avoid the subtle traps of critical thinking, gossip, and self-focused debates
• Practical steps for keeping yourself and your church healthy, unified, and focused on Christ

This teaching is perfect for Christians who want to avoid spiritual pitfalls, church leaders seeking unity over truth, and anyone who’s ever wondered, “Is this debate really worth it?”

If you’re ready to trade controversy for Christ-centered living, this message will help you spot the caution tape and stay on the path that’s truly profitable.

Topics covered: Titus 3:9–11 explained, avoiding foolish controversies, church unity, gospel-centered living, spiritual discernment, warning labels in Scripture, Christian conflict, healthy church culture

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

You know you should share the gospel. But are you actually living your life in a way that advances God's kingdom? In part 2 of this convicting message from Titus 3:8, Pastor Bart Horton delivers hard-hitting truth about what it means to live carefully and engage constructively for Christ. This isn't about adding more activities to your already-busy schedule. It's about examining how you're using the time, relationships, and opportunities God has already given you. Pastor Bart asks the uncomfortable questions most Christians avoid. What will your funeral testimony say—that you were busy, or that you lived for Christ?

Discover how to:

• Live carefully by strategically planning your life around eternal priorities
• Make the most of every opportunity without burning out
• Engage constructively in good deeds that point others to Christ
• Use summer activities, vacations, and hobbies as gospel opportunities
• Balance Christian freedom with purposeful kingdom living

Pastor Bart doesn't shy away from specific examples: Should you skip church for a soccer tournament? Can you take three weeks in the Bahamas when two would free you to serve? If you spend countless hours hunting, shouldn't someone who needs Christ be with you? This message will challenge comfortable Christianity and equip you to stop drifting through life hoping for the best. Instead, you'll learn to live with the careful, concentrated, devoted planning that God deserves—using every resource He's given you (including the life of His Son) for His glory and the advancement of His gospel.

Topics covered: Strategic Christian living, purposeful discipleship, good works, stewarding time for God, balancing activities with faith, practical evangelism, living intentionally, Christian parenting, gospel-centered life, eternal perspective

Perfect for: Busy Christians struggling to prioritize faith, parents managing sports and activities, believers feeling convicted about wasted time, anyone wanting to live more purposefully for Christ. Growing in Grace features expository, verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Pastor Bart Horton at Grace Bible Church of Hutchinson, Kansas. This is part 2 of a two-part series on Titus 3:8.